Too add to this…  I think there is also a bit of a fantasy about this mythic 14 year old working out of their basement taking all these jobs away.  Yes there has been a democratization of tools…  if there hadn't been, graphics would still be done in Flame suites at $600/hour…  I know a lot of linear bay online editors and Flame operators still bemoaning the rise of after effects and avid as job killers…  And yes, there are tons of young kids/teens turning out somewhat well produced work.  But I have yet to come across anyone in this age group who knows anything about project management, meeting deadlines, dealing with notes/revisions…  I'd say this stuff constitutes more than 50% of what goes into turning out professional work…

--

tony romain | principal/creative director

trance

motion graphic animation and design

323 651 1114

www.trancedesigns.com

From: AE list <AE-List@media-motion.tv>
Reply-To: AE list <AE-List@media-motion.tv>
Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2014 10:34 AM
To: AE list <AE-List@media-motion.tv>
Subject: Re: [AE] [OT] a WTF ad for an animator, with reply

     In my experience the clients pay me to produce exactly what they are asking for, quickly. Not from a template, and changes need to be made on the fly. I demand a high rate because of my experience, client management, listening skills, style and professionalism. Lets just say it took me years longer to work out the business end than the pure technical know-how. That being said, if you are not up to date with current trends and software, you will be left behind. Thats always how it has been. Unfortunate but true. We work in a competitive industry that is fun and creative, and especially in new york, there are always people willing to do it for free, just to learn. But smart clients will always know the difference. You pay for amateur work in other ways, like frustration, miscommunication, speed, and polish. I think that will never change. And just like us "creatives," (a word I hate) there are amateur clients as well. Learning to know the difference should be part of one's education as well. Sometimes you are more profitable saying no to a job you'll regret...

On Tuesday, July 1, 2014, Rick Gerard <AE-List@media-motion.tv> wrote:

It looks like it’s a $5 minimum payment plus extras… The extras are awfully cheap. 

The saddest thing about this business is that a 14 year old now has access to the same tools that a production house has and there are enough templates out there that it takes no skill or imagination to produce something that looks like something already produced. Design skills and creativity still demand a fairly high price point, but neat looking clones of an existing idea are cheap. 

The point of my comment, if you want to only be a technician then you have to accept technicians wages. There are a lot of very capable 14 year old technicians out there that don’t have to pay any bills so the price is in the toilet.

Rick Gerard