Let us talk about 3D animated shorts. Why is everyone creating these?
Ever wonder why?
Poor attention span. With an ever-declining attention span, we are hardly able to keep our eyes on anything we encounter on the internet.
Content creators are wary of that. They know we really struggle to keep up. That’s why they introduced us to shorts. Creators want to capitalize on the opportunity and are investing in 3d Animation services.
While shorts of 10-30 seconds are going viral, there is another category, that is proving to be groundbreaking for teachers and educators.
That’s animated shorts.
A 30-second 3D animated short featuring dreamy visuals, and wonderful characters and scenes, is not just compelling storytelling but can leave a truly inspiring and mesmerizing effect on a child audience.
And, it’s not just education. Pixar and other top studios are pumping money into animated shorts too.
The reason:
According to them, 3D animated shorts work like magic when pitching a concept or story, when it is in its infancy. It costs quite less to produce a 3D short than an entire video or episode.
And, more importantly, it’s great to share with investors.
Plus, with an audience excited about short-form content, there’s no reason to not create these amazing shorts.
Another solid reason:
Cost. Creating shorts is valuable given the growing demand. Plus, it would cost you much less than creating a full-blown 3d animated video.
But, how much does it cost?
It depends upon multiple factors. And, most people end up making wrong calculations and gave up the idea because of overestimating the price.
So, to ease trouble for you, we’ll give you a walkthrough of the cost of 3d animated shorts.
We will highlight key factors that determine cost. And, some affordable options you can choose to get your job done.
So, let’s dive right in.
Key pricing factors
There are a number of factors that would determine pricing for a 3D animated short. Pay close attention to these because it would also give you a better idea of how to estimate your cost of 3d animation.
Length of the video
One major factor is the length of the video. 3D animated shorts are usually 30 seconds in length. That makes them quite inexpensive when compared to full videos.
Customization
Videos made on predefined templates would cost much less as compared to those that are curated as per your specific needs. The more customized you want, the more you should be willing to pay for it.
Deadline
Tight deadlines can result in shelling out money from your pockets. A more flexible deadline can mean more reasonable pricing for the video.
Location of production house
Location is a primary factor. It can be the difference between affordable pricing and expensive cost.
Developed economies have higher wage rates. So, if you opt to outsource your project to a studio in Europe or Canada, expect the animator’s team to quote you a higher budget.
Style of animation
The style of animation is another key determinant. While 2D, motion graphics, and explainers are affordable, 3D requires a quality budget.
And, depending upon your demands, the price could be significant. But, since 3D is a visual treat, there’s no reason to retreat from the idea of creating it.
Talent
If you want a pool of talented animators to take your project, then don’t expect a measly offer from them. Freelancing amateurs and starters might cost you less, but you might not be able to churn the quality you want.
How much does animation cost per tier?
To help you gain a better idea, we’ll discuss some tiers of animation production. As we progress through each tier, the cost will increase. You can navigate easily what tier has the potential to solve your problem.
So, let’s give it a go!
Amateur level Tools
You can expect to pay nothing for some tools because they are absolutely FREE. Those having subscription fees might provide you with something cool. But it won’t be any close to professional 3D work.
Clientele:
For students or learners, these can be fascinating.
Price range:
$0 to $ 100 per minute
Freelancer level
The price range is massive. It is so since you have mediocre freelancers to professionals pitching you at the same platform. Moreover, one problem with freelancers is that they don’t cover all aspects of your project.
In most cases, you’ve to outsource the scriptwriting and voiceovers as freelancers have skills for the core of the project, animation.
Clientele:
Includes small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to outsource some part of the animation project.
Price range:
$ 50 to $ 3000 per minute
Quality animation studio
These comprise small teams with dedicated professionals.
The category is a level ahead of freelancers, but since teams are small, they tend to struggle when working on multiple projects. You can expect a flexible budget, but a long deadline.
Clientele:
Includes companies that demand a high level of customization.
If you’re tight on budget but have a flexible deadline, then this category might be good for you.
Price range:
$ 3000 to $ 7000 per minute
Professional level studio
These include a pool of highly skilled animators, scriptwriters, and talented storyboard artists.
You will probably have an account manager serving as an integral part of the entire chain. They will organize and plan the workflow and work relentlessly to satisfy your needs.
Clientele:
Ad agencies and mid-sized companies
Also includes companies that demand high-level customization. They fit in the category as they mostly need 3D explainer shorts.
Price range:
$ 8000 to $ 25000 per minute
Broadcast level company
This tier is dedicated to animated movies, series, and popular artwork we see in the cinema.
Though these studios are admirable for the quality of the product they provide, their budgets are out of reach of mid-sized business companies.
Clientele:
Top production houses with hefty budgets to produce animation movies, and series.
Price range:
$ 25000 to $ 100000 per minute
Final thoughts
Let’s wrap it up. 3D animated shorts have taken the world of content by storm. The trend is even though new, it’s picking up steam. You can’t create videos; you can opt for shorts.
Above, we discussed five key factors for 3D shorts pricing.
Pay close attention to the location, talent, and deadline of the project. Besides, we also discussed the costs of 3D shorts across multiple tiers. So, you can opt as per your budget.
