How to Hire an Animator? Freelance vs Professional Animation

People that love digital art have thought about animating their work at least once in their career. Based on an Animation Script, Book, Song or Comic, almost anything can be brought to real life with the help of animators. But where and how to hire an Animator exactly?

While you may find answers with a quick Google search, sometimes you won’t get exactly you want. Maybe It’s a big Animation studio or a Freelance animator. How should you make your choice? We are about to find out.

Freelance Animators

A Freelance Animator is an individual, who makes a living through work based on a per-task basis. They are not working for any Company, Studio or Agency, but rather for themselves.

Freelance jobs are mostly short-term or one time jobs, but they can also be hired indefinitely by a company or individual. Some Freelance Animators even have it as their career and are very successful doing so.

Why Would I Hire a Freelance Animator?

One of the reasons why people hire Freelancers, because they need a one-time job done and don’t need employees working for them Long Term.

The second reason is that their price for services like Video Animation are much lower than hiring Animation Studios or Agencies. Not all Freelancers are “Cheap”, but they also don’t have unreasonably high prices for their services.

Freelance Animators don’t need written contracts, everything can be done through platforms made for these things, where everybody is safe from fraud.

Where to hire Freelance Animators?

Most Freelancers can be found on freelance websites made specifically for them, where Fraud-Free systems assures everybody’s safety when it comes to secure payments and delivery.

The 2 most known and dominant Freelancing platforms are Fiverr and Upwork , where freelancers post their so-called “gigs” about Animation, Video-Editing, Graphic Design, 2D Character design, 3D Character Design etc. and then, people can reach out to them about the service they can provide.

You can also find people that fit the criteria through various Freelancing communities, for example in Facebook groups that talk about Animation. There, you can find many more people offering their services than needing them, so you can easily find someone there too, however be careful with any payments that are not contracted or secured in any other way.

How to Choose a Good Freelancer?

Choosing a Freelance animator can be exhausting at first, because you may not know what separates a bad one from a good one. Here are some key points to look out for:

1) Read Their Reviews:

Arguably the most important factor in hiring a Freelance Animator is, the number and quality of their reviews. Nobody will know their experience with the animator more than the customers themselves.

See how many reviews does the Freelancer have and READ them. What exactly do the people like about the specific service? What do they not like?

Most information that you need about the Freelancer can be found through their reviews, so never skip them.

2) Consider The Price:

As we said before, hiring a Freelance Animator can be much cheaper than an Animation studio. That is because they work for themselves, don’t have anyone to pay salaries so the animation production is cheaper, or the amounts they charge are already more than what they need

Most prices for a 2D animated video range from $150 to $1000 per MINUTE of the cartoon animation, while for 3D Animation, it can cost from $150 to 1000$ per SECOND.

3) Look at their full Portfolio and Animated Video Reel:

Before you hire an animator, you should always analyze their Portfolio (their past work) to see if the Freelancer has everything that you are looking for. Do you like the style of their Animation, do the Animated Videos meet your quality expectations?

You should also look for the size of their catalogue. The more jobs that they completed, the more experience they possess. But be careful, quality is almost always better than quantity.

4) Read the Job Description:

Before messaging Freelancers, you should always read their job description first. They usually contain the exact information that you may be looking for and their terms of working with customers.

Many people also decide who to hire based on how much they like their job post descriptions, because they can really pull someone in

5) Message before buying anything:

You should never buy anything without talking to the Freelancer first. See if they are fit for the type of work that you need done and share the details of your project to them before ordering anything.

It’s best to describe your needs as detailed and accurate as possible, so they can see if they can do it correctly. It would be a shame if a Freelancer realized they can’t to the job in the middle of the order.

Professional Animation Studios

Why Would I Hire An Animation Studio?

Animation studios have been around for decades, producing high-quality animation for television shows, movies, and video games. Everyone knows big studios like Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Pixar or Sony Pictures Animation These studios employ teams of animators, artists, and other professionals who work together to bring animated characters and worlds to life.

While freelancers can certainly create great animation, animation studios are generally considered to be better than freelancers for a number of reasons.

Resources and Infrastructure

One major advantage of animation studios is that they have the resources and infrastructure to produce animation on a large scale. Studios have access to advanced equipment, software, and technology that allows them to create animation quickly and efficiently.

They also have teams of animators who specialize in different areas, such as character animation, background design, and special effects. This allows them to produce animation that is both high-quality and visually diverse.

Experience With Large Projects

Another advantage of animation studios is that they have the experience and expertise to handle large, complex projects. Studios have worked on many different types of animation over the years, and have a deep understanding of the animation process.

They also have established relationships with other industry professionals, such as voice actors, composers, and sound engineers, which allows them to produce animation that is polished and professional.

Freelancers, on the other hand, may not have the same level of resources and experience as animation studios. While freelancers can certainly create great animation, they may not have access to the same equipment and technology, and may not have the same level of expertise in different areas of animation.

Additionally, freelancers may not have the same level of control over the final product as studios do.

In conclusion, animation studios are generally considered to be better than freelancers for animation production. They have the resources, expertise, and experience to produce high-quality animation on a large scale, and they have the ability to handle large, complex projects.

How To Hire An Animation Studio?

Step 1: Determine Your Animation Needs

Before you start looking for an animation studio, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what kind of animation you need. Are you looking for 2D or 3D animation? Maybe just simple Text Animation or Traditional Stop Motion Animation? Will the animation be hand-drawn or computer-generated? What style of animation are you looking for?

Having a clear idea of your animation needs will make it easier to find the right studio for your project.

Step 2: Look for Animation Studios

Once you know what kind of animation you need, you can start looking for animation studios. There are a few different places to look, including:

• Online directories of animation studios, such as the International Animated Film Society (ASIFA)
• Social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, where studios often share their work and updates
• Industry events and festivals, such as animation film festivals or conferences, where you can meet and network with studios and animators in person.

Step 3: Review Studios’ Portfolios and Reel

As you start to identify potential animation studios, it’s important to review their portfolios and reels to get a sense of their style, skills, and experience. Look for animation that is similar to what you need for your project, pay attention to the animation techniques, quality of animation and the overall style.

Step 4: Interview Studios

Once you’ve identified a few animation studios that you’re interested in working with, reach out to them for an interview. This can be done through video call, phone call, or in-person, if feasible. During the interview, ask the studio about their experience, animation style, and how they work with clients.

It’s also a good idea to ask for references from past clients so you can get a sense of how the studio works in real-world situations.

Step 5: Negotiate the Terms of the Job

When you’ve decided on an animation studio to work with, the next step is to negotiate the terms of the job. This includes discussing the project timeline, budget, and deliverables.

It’s essential to have a clear scope of work and to have clear communication on expectations and any contingencies. It’s also a good idea to put the terms of the job in writing, such as a contract, to avoid any misunderstandings down the road.

Hiring an animation studio is a crucial decision that will affect the success of your project. By following these steps, you can be confident that you’re working with the right studio for your needs. And remember, that communication is key to having a smooth collaboration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hiring an animator can be a daunting task, but with the right information and approach, it can be a smooth process.

When it comes to choosing between a freelance animator and a professional animation studio, it ultimately comes down to the specific needs and budget of the project.

Freelance animators are a great option for one-time or short-term projects, as they often offer lower prices for their services. However, it is important to thoroughly research and read reviews of the freelancer before making a decision.

On the other hand, animation studios may be a better option for larger and more complex projects, as they have a team of professionals with a variety of specializations.

Ultimately, the key is to consider the specific needs of the project, and make a decision based on the budget, quality, and overall experience you are looking for.