Storyboard pay?

[hala]

Hi guys, (feel free to move this thread if this is not the best place) I've recently been offered a small freelance job doing storyboards. I've never done them for a client before and I am not familiar with how the pay/contracts work for this (I've worked in graphic design and illustration). Is it by pay per frames illustrated, is it a combo of hours + frames? Also, since I have never done storyboards professionally before, what would be an appropriate price range? (My guess is low balling the average slightly?)

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions/links about that, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again!

[JeffX99]

What is your rate for illustration/graphic design? Charge that.

[Ray Dillon]

Storyboarding is super competitive and sometimes people go way low on rates just to get the job, but then it's a TON of work and time. So if you're just starting out, consider what your monthly bills are, divide that into weeks, then days, then hours. Because often the client is used to paying hourly, day rates, or weekly rates.

Try to get them on board with per image rates, though, especially if you're working remotely, because you won't have to keep track of hours and you're less likely to have clients pushing you to go faster and faster so they get more for their money. Try to gauge how long it takes you to do one frame, they're usually pretty quick, and don't forget to account for extra frames (Frame 4a, 4b, 4c) because that is extra work that clients try not to pay for.

But, they do often ask for rates based on time so...

For example if you need $4,500/month for your bills, you'll want to charge around $20/hour (8 hour days) or $150/day, $1,125/weekly rate.

Does that make sense?

[hala]

Thanks Jeff!

Thank you Ray, I've been looking for a good breakdown like that! A lot of the ones I've found are for bigger projects/experienced people. I also appreciate the tidbit about what the client might push for.

[JeffX99]

Sure...to elaborate a bit, I have a certain rate I charge for my creative time. To me it doesn't matter what the specifics of the project are, my creative time is worth "X" whether storyboards, concept stuff, graphic design, etc. Of course that adjust a bit depending on who and what the project is but I try to be consistent. But yes, sometimes you need to base the estimates off per piece work (and estimate how many hours, including iterations/changes), straight hourly, entire project, etc.

I charge a bit differently for game design work depending on how much of the project I'm developing or art directing - that usually runs on a per month basis and how many months I can do the work in.

My fine art is treated completely differently by the way from the "creative studio time" system.