Be sure to check out Part 1 [2] and Part 2 [3] of Production Planning to learn about basics such as the production pipeline and budget analysis.
Production Cost 2: Software
It goes without saying that you will need a sufficient CG modeling and animation package to create a CG film (see Figure 11). There are many choices available, each with individual strengths, weaknesses, quirks and price tags. Some of the most common are as follows:
All of these packages offer full functionality in the areas of modeling, animation, lighting and rendering. Some are better with audio file handling, while others have some degree of compositing capabilities. Depending on the versions, procedural effects such as particles, cloth and hair are also included in some of these packages. Discounted student versions are available on the more expensive packages.
Before you purchase a piece of CG software, be sure to check its technical requirements to make sure your operating system is compatible and your computer specs are sufficient.
In addition to programs you will use for creating the digital assets and imagery for your film, you might also need software for other production tasks, such as writing, organizing and scheduling. These include word-processing programs, such as Microsoft Word or WordPerfect, spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel, and database software, such as FileMaker Pro. Other handy software utilities might include file renamers, screen grabbers and virus scanners.
Investigate your software possibilities and choices with regard to functionality and affordability. Visit their websites for information. Read reviews and ask around. Download and evaluate trial versions whenever possible. Also consider what your friends or colleagues are using. If your choices are consistent with theirs, you will be able to share information and files much easier.
Production Cost 3: Office and Studio Supplies A desk can be as simple as an old door propped up on a few cinderblocks or as sophisticated as an ergonomic workstation with keyboard drawers and footrests.
Either way, make sure your work surface is solid and you have enough room to work comfortably. If you need room for printers and scanners and perhaps a bit of surface space for writing and drawing, you might need to get creative and build extensions or additional shelving on which to place your digital tools. Wide monitor risers are helpful because they allow your keyboard to be pushed underneath and out of the way when you need to use pencil and paper.
Take measures to avoid conditions such as repetitive stress injury. You will potentially be spending long uninterrupted hours on your film, so make sure you dont sacrifice your physical health for the sake of your art. If any part of your arm, hand or back aches or tingles after working for a couple of hours or so, investigate the causes and solutions of these conditions immediately. If the symptoms are ignored for too long, serious and permanent damage can result.
Get a chair that is comfortable enough to sit in for hours at a time, but not so comfortable that you melt away into blissful slumber in the middle of your work sessions.
Other necessary office equipment might include bookshelves, lights, a mirror for motion study, surge protectors, tripods for your cameras or camcorders, a digital voice recorder, art supplies and file cabinets. If you need to purchase such items, be sure to include them in your budget estimates.
A quiet and organized place to work will help to maintain your productivity and sanity (see Figure 12).
Production Cost 4: Purchased Digital Assets and Other Computer Expenses See Appendix C for more information on where you can acquire some of the above digital assets.
Other computer expenses you might run into include Internet fees, website hosting fees, customer support fees and, of course, repairs.
It might be possible and appropriate for you to purchase certain digital assets that you dont have the time, desire or skills to build yourself. These include the following:
Production Cost 6: Personnel Production Cost 7: Marketing and Distribution Production Cost 8: Soft Costs But also keep in mind that the creation of a high-quality short film will very likely be worth a bit of financial sacrifice. The potential rewards can often make the risk quite worthwhile.
To get a copy of the book, check out Inspired 3D Short Film Production by Jeremy Cantor and Pepe Valencia; series edited by Kyle Clark and Michael Ford: Premier Press, 2004. 470 pages with illustrations. ISBN 1-59200-117-3 ($59.99). Read [22] more about the Inspired series and check back to VFXWorld frequently to read new excerpts.
You may be fortunate enough to have volunteers or fellow students as your teammates; however, you might actually have to pay for your crew. Keep in mind that in addition to their salaries, you might be required to provide them with equipment as well. Voice actors will also sometimes come with a price. Other personnel expenses you might face include installation and repair technicians, couriers and technical support providers.
Unfortunately, once your film is complete, you will still have to spend some money to allow your desired audiences to see your work. Such marketing and distribution costs include the following:
In addition to the expenses directly associated with your short film production, there might be a few indirect costs that you dont necessarily need to factor into your budget analysis, but you should at least acknowledge. For example, if you take a sabbatical from your day job or extend your college stay to produce a short film, realize that your existing or potential income might be reduced or perhaps completely eradicated, which may damage your financial situation or your credit rating.
Jeremy Cantor, animation supervisor at Sony Pictures Imageworks, has been working far too many hours a week as a character/creature animator and supervisor in the feature film industry for the past decade or so at both Imageworks and Tippett Studio in Berkeley, California. His film credits include Harry Potter, Evolution, Hollow Man, My Favorite Martian and Starship Troopers. For more information, go to www.zayatz.com.
Pepe Valencia has been at Sony Pictures Imageworks since 1996. In addition to working as an animation supervisor on the feature film Peter Pan, his credits include Early Bloomer, Charlies Angels: Full Throttle, Stuart Little 2, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, Stuart Little, Hollow Man, Godzilla and Starship Troopers. For more information, go to his Webpage at www.pepe3d.com.
Links:
[1] http://www.awn.com/imagepicker/image/8903
[2] http://vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=1e242f07&atype=articles&id=2418
[3] http://vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=1e242f07&atype=articles&id=2451
[4] http://vfxworld.com/?atype=articles&id=1586
[5] http://vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=1e242f07&atype=articles&id=2219
[6] http://vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=1e242f07&atype=articles&id=2293
[7] http://vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=1e242f07&atype=articles&id=2269
[8] http://vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=1e242f07&atype=articles&id=2449
[9] http://www.awn.com/imagepicker/image/8904
[10] http://www.awn.com/imagepicker/image/8905
[11] http://www.digimation.com
[12] http://www.turbosquid.com
[13] http://www.3dcafe.com
[14] http://www.its-ming.com
[15] http://www.vfs.com/~m07goosh/freestuff.htm
[16] http://www.anzovin.com
[17] http://www.realworldimagery.com
[18] http://www.amazing3d.com
[19] http://www.clipart.com
[20] http://www.highend3d.com
[21] http://www.awn.com/imagepicker/image/8906
[22] http://www.premierpressbooks.com/ptr_searchResults.cfm?searchText=Inspired&submit=GoImages/Captions
[23] http://www.awn.com/imagepicker/image/8907