Copyright Facts

By Debbie Wilson
debbie.wilson@theanimationschooldirectory.com
Animation School Directory Columnist

As an animation artist, you will create copyrighted material to sell to potential vendors and clients. This means that your artistic skills will be used to develop, market, and copyright your creations so that you can reap the monetary, security, and benefits of your unique work. The value of your product will depend largely upon two factors: usage and visibility.

The Many Facets of Copyright

Copyrights are actually a bundle of rights that can be divided up anyway you want. You can limit your copyright by region (shown only in one state), by time (all rights for one year), by media (TV, print, tapes, etc.), or by market (educational, advertising, editorial, etc.). This means that a copyright can be as flexible as you need or want it to be. The trick is to offer your client all the rights they need, but no more. The more rights they want, the more they should have to pay.

Check the Price Tag

The main thing that affects price is usage. Regardless of whether you spend 5 hours or 100 hours on an animated creation, the main factor of price is how many people will see it. The other factor is the type of clientele. Large, commercial organizations shouldn't be getting your work for free. However, if you decide to showcase your work for a non-profit organization or volunteer for an event, you might consider using your animation for exposure purposes. Ultimately, the more money that your client will get from your animated creation, the more money you should get. An aside from this general rule would be the case where you work for hire. For instance, Disney Studios usually hires animation artists for an hourly wage and benefits. The advantage to you as the employee is that you obtain constant work, money, and reduced risk. The disadvantage is that the company owns all the rights and credits for your creations.

How to Copyright Your Work

As a freelancer, your best bet may be to flat bid everything. Clearly define what you will deliver and what client approvals are necessary. Then, ask for money in payments, usually in thirds. One third at the start of the deal, one third at approval of animation designs or sketches, and the final third upon completion and delivery of your animation creation.

In determining how much your artistic animation is worth, look at the going rate for equivalent work. You may want to check with the Graphic Arts Guild in New York City. They publish a yearly book called Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, which contains prices for different size companies and markets. Finally, talk with TV stations, advertising salesmen, retail stores, and publishers to get information about current rates.

Remember, obtaining a copyright for your work is more than just a way to protect your rights. It helps to provide clarity to everyone involved and eliminates assumptions and ambiguities involved with your artistic creations.

About the Author
Debbie Wilson owns and operates a lakeside resort, managing all aspects of operations, including marketing and promotion. Debbie holds a B.A. in Business Management with a minor in Physical Education.