01What decides the price
Two quotes for "a 60-second animation" can differ a lot because they rarely cover the same work. These are the factors that matter most.
Style
- Keeps it lower
- Motion graphics or cut-out animation
- Pushes it higher
- Frame-by-frame animation with expressive movement
Length
- Keeps it lower
- A short piece
- Pushes it higher
- A longer piece, or many pieces
Characters
- Keeps it lower
- One simple character
- Pushes it higher
- Several characters, each with detail
Scenes and backgrounds
- Keeps it lower
- A few reused backgrounds
- Pushes it higher
- Many different, detailed environments
Revisions
- Keeps it lower
- Clear brief and an agreed number of rounds
- Pushes it higher
- Changes after animation has started
Delivery
- Keeps it lower
- One video format
- Pushes it higher
- Several formats, or Spine files and exports for a game engine
02Work that sits before the animation
Animation is only part of the cost. Depending on the project, a quote may also cover:
- Script and storyboard, and an animatic to check the timing
- Character design, with turnarounds and expressions
- Backgrounds and props
- Sound, voice and music, which are often separate
Asking what is included, and what is not, avoids surprises later.
03How studios charge
- Fixed price: an agreed price for an agreed scope. Best when the brief is clear. Changes are quoted separately.
- Hourly or daily: you pay for time worked. Best when the work is exploratory or will change.
- Dedicated artist: an artist works with you for a monthly fee. Best for a steady flow of work, such as a game or series.
04How to brief a project so quotes can be compared
- The purpose and the audience
- Length, number of characters and number of scenes
- The style you like, with two or three references
- Where it will be shown, and in which sizes and formats
- Whether you have a script, characters or a storyboard already
- Your deadline and how many revision rounds you expect
05Questions to ask before you accept a quote
- What exactly is included, and what is extra?
- How many revision rounds are included?
- When do I see something, and how do I give feedback?
- Who owns the artwork and the source files?
- What file formats will I receive?
06How we quote at MOUNTSMY
We start with a free 30-minute call. Afterwards you get a written plan and quote with the scope, timeline and price, before any work starts. You can choose a fixed project, hourly work or a dedicated artist, and you own the artwork. We do not publish rate cards, because the price depends on your brief.
?Frequently asked questions
Is frame-by-frame more expensive than other styles?
Usually, yes, because every movement is drawn by hand. Cut-out animation and motion graphics usually take less time for the same length.
Can I reduce the cost?
Yes. Keep characters and backgrounds simple, reuse scenes, settle the script and storyboard before animation starts and limit changes after that.
Do I pay for revisions?
A quote normally includes a set number of revision rounds. Changes beyond that, or after animation has begun, are usually quoted separately.
Is sound included?
Not always. Ask whether voice, music and sound effects are included or separate.
Can I start with a small piece?
Yes. Many clients start with a short piece or a single character to see the quality, then expand.