Questions About Freelancing

[Sixcolors]

I recently got an offer to do a freelance animation project for a small startup company. Thing is, I've never done anything professional (i.e. for a company). I've been trying to get hired since I graduated and have had no luck, so this is the first hit I've had and I'm nervous about doing it.

Here's what I know: It's a company that does videos for art galleries and they want an 2-5 second animated intro. They need it in the next couple of weeks. That's about all they've told me.

So here's the question(s):

How much should I charge if I do this? One person told me to ask for $30 an hour, with 25% up front and the rest after completion. Trouble is, I don't know how many hours this will take (I know a bare minimum about the project so far).

Should I tell them that I'm new to this? I'm guessing that I shouldn't, since I tend to be overly honest.

I work full time at a night job to pay the bills, since I've not been able to get hired in the industry I studied 5 years to get into. Should I even consider this job considering that I work from 11:30 at night till 8 in the morning, then sleep most of the day? I don't do well without sleep.

If I have any other questions, I'll come back and post some more. Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Hans Schrijvers]

Well, Eric, I think you should figure out if you would prefer being an animator or whatever you are doing now. However, since it's a short job and you will be sacrificing sleep/free time if you would take it on, I would first find out more about the job, find out how complex it is, if you are going to end up with something to put on your reel/resume and if you see yourself being able to deliver what they ask for in the given time. (for all you know it could be really really simple) and secondly I would ask yourself at what price you feel it would be worth it for you to take on the job. If your answer is $30/hour then ask that if it is more, definitely ask more. You don't have anything to lose really.

Don't tell them you are new, don't volunteer information, they came to you and asked you to make the animation, so they already feel you are qualified.

[Sixcolors]

Thanks for the advice, Hans. I appreciate it. I would like to have anything in my credits at the moment. Hopefully I can do something for these people that satisfy them, get me paid, and give me something to brag about. My first client. Heh, it feels weird saying that, yet it puts a smile on my face. :D