What to charge client for AE project files?

[Noelle Melody]

Thank you for sharing the 30% charge – that’s really what we were looking for, and 30% seems more than fair. We’ll write them and see what they say. They haven’t been the best to work with in the past, so we have a feeling they aren’t going to want to pay that much, but we’ll see. Thanks again for the input!

joy + noelle
twins are weird

[Jonathan Fitzsimons]

This is a tough situation. I’m not sure what to charge monetarily, but I have a problem with providing project files in the first place. Maybe what I’m saying is more of a rant, but the company I work for (lots of kids shows, mascot has big ears), requires me to deliver all project AE files, Maya Files, Photoshop files, re-organized and labeled so they can use them. I’m required to basically provide instructions on HOW to use the project, all so they don’t have to use me again if the need anything. If I don’t comply, they’ll find someone who will (hence the tough situation part).

It’s like asking a chef to, not only provide the meal, but all the ingredients (nicely packed away and labeled), and detailed instructions on how to make it at home. I think it would be nice to see a move AWAY from this sort of thing.

[Jack Maschka]

“If they want the project as-is, and, again, have paid for the post production time to date, I see it much like (to tie the room together) as me moving off one construction site to another. The building is theirs and they can do what they want with it.”

Sure. The final output is theirs, ie. the video/animation. But not the tools to use it. Most of the time they’re hired for a final product.

A construction worker wouldn’t build a house then give the patron all his vehicles and tools when he was done. He/she would take them to the next job.

Another way to look at it: a factory builds a product and sells it to a customer. But just because the customer bought the product, it doesn’t mean he/she owns the building.

They paid for the product and the labor. If you’re going to send your files, I would highly recommend to everyone that they should be charging for it.

Cheers,

– J