Frequently Asked Questions
(especially for potential clients)
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, 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.*
*This assumes that the client is prepared to have his/her concept drawn from the outset, know what they want and how they want to show it. It does not account for time spent waiting for campaigns to be approved, art directors to come out of meetings, or any time I might spend acting as surrogate art director (all of which may sometimes be part of the process, but reduces the time available for me to produce final images).
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: If I promise to give you lots of work in the future, will you give me a discounted rate?
I've never made such a bargain, and have no expectation of doing so. I choose to compete on the basis on quality and value, not on nominal prices.
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.
© Crane Valley Studios, Inc. All rights reserved.
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