Frequently Asked Questions
(especially for potential clients)
Updated 27 Feb 2007
Q: How do you charge?
For several years now, I have billed by dayrate (contact me for the specific figures). I’m not cheap – my rate is upper tier for storyboard artists in Los Angeles – but I feel strongly that I am a good value for the money, both in terms of speed and of quality.For the record, I consider a day to be 7 hours of actual work (equivalent to a 9 to 5 day less one hour for lunch), and after that I count overtime hours to bill at 150% hourly rate . Weekend and holiday days are 150% of normal days. Except in special cases (at my call) I have a half-day minimum.Feel free to email me with specific questions.
Q: Are you incorporated?
Yes. All billing takes place through Crane Valley Studios, Inc., of which I am a payrolled employee. This makes the IRS happy, and my clients don't have to worry about my independent contractor status.
Q: Can you come to work on-site?
Probably not. I live in a rural part of northern California, and I like it here; but If a client was to pay for my traveling expenses, we could talk.
Q: How much can you do in a day?
It really depends on the complexity of the job and the degree of finish. Typically, I do about 12-18 B&W storyboard frames in a day; or about 3-4 color ad comps in a day. I think it's fair to say that my current customers consider me to be "fast," andI often hear that I am their "first choice" when they need an artist. Of course, they may be "lying".
Q: What’s the deal with “holds” and “books”?
Well, I generally conform to common practice (here in Los Angeles). A client can put me on “hold” for a date or dates. This is non-binding thing, a courtesy, really: it just means that I’ll attempt to contact you before I take another job for that day.A “book” on the other hand, is a mutual commitment: I agree to set aside the given day for your project; you agree to be subject to a “kill fee” (equal to 50% dayrate) if you cancel.
Q: If I hire you, how does it work? Do you send me sketches for approval?
I try to adapt the process to the comfort level of my clients. Some of my longtime customers will just send me a script or a thumbnail and depend on me to deliver an appropriate product. More typically, there is least one set of “roughs” delivered for approval, a couple of emails and/or phone conversations; then with approval, I go to finish. Sometimes, there may be a few “tweaks” needed to wrap up.Generally, even if I am working with traditional drawing media, I build layered Photoshop image files to allow for greater flexibility in case changes are needed.All my work product nowadays is delivered as digital files. Usually, the final product is a high-quality jpeg. I maintain a on-line ftp server space which to which I can post large image files for downloading (on which clients have individual, password-protected folders).
Q: Are willing to do finish illustration?
Yes, if I think that I am suited for the job. But I will charge like any "finish" illustrator would --based on my time, usage, copyright, etc.
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