Reality Check
Bear in mind that Flash is intended for good ol' fashioned cel animation. Its main purpose is to create animation more specifically for the Web. In some aspects, Flash could be used to create independent or feature length animation, but its limited features make it pale in comparison to more traditional video production programs such as Adobe Premiere and AfterEffects.

Incorporating 3D art or CGI animation into Flash is frustrating, if not nearly impossible. Flash is incapable of producing visual effects such as motion, gaussian and radial blurs, as well as the other effects more traditional programs have built the industry on.

How Much Does It Cost To Create A Flash Animated Production?
High-quality Flash content will usually take 3 weeks of hard work and criticism until a final draft is reached. The length of time can be shortened immensely with strong team infrastructure and determination. Should the animation be divided into a series of short Flash episodes, production time would drop even more.

Production Manager
The production manager has the responsibility of managing the team, directing the animation and tending to the needs of the other team members. Production manager may also have to double as the Human Resources and/or Public Relations manager. Average Salary: $35,000/yr - $+50,000/yr. Negotiable, depending upon their previous experience in management.

Flash Artists/Animators
Two artists are recommended for each online production, both specializing in animation, artwork and background design. Both would be wise to have experience in layout design and storyboarding. Average Salary: $35,000/yr - $+60,000/yr. Extremely negotiable, depending upon their portfolio, artistic talent, flexibility with other design programs (i.e. Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Freehand), overall efficiency, familiarity with the Web, 3D design skills, knowledge of Flash ActionScript programming and traditional animation. Bear in mind that most Flash artists are willing to work as freelance employees.

Audio Specialist
The audio specialist focuses their effort in recording dialogue, acquiring or manufacturing sound effects and music production. It is wise for the audio specialist to have a working knowledge of Macromedia Flash. Average Salary: $35,000 - +50,000/yr. Negotiable, depending on their musical talent, knowledge of audio editing software (i.e. Pro Tools, Sound Forge) and audio sequencing software (i.e. Cakewalk, Cubase), personal efficiency, flexibility with different styles of music, and the technical limitations of their studio.

Web Master/Web Designer
The Web master focuses on designing and maintaining the Website that hosts the Flash animated production(s). The Web master should also have a working knowledge of network administration to support the company's intranet and internal server operation. Average Salary: $+40,000/yr - $+80,000/yr. Negotiable, depending on their knowledge in Web design, HTML, JavaScript, CGI scripting, ASP, PHP, ASL, XML, Macromedia Generator, DHTML and database programming.

Before becoming a senior animator at AtomFilms, James Dalby spent a year-and-a-half as the graphics manager for The Highlander, a student newspaper at the University of California, Riverside. He attended two years of study at the University of California, Riverside but gave it up to focus his attention on work. Soon after, James spent most of his time as a freelance Flash animator for various Websites, as well as a full-time animator at Pixelwave Corporation.