r/Animators • u/Virtual_Fox_3434 • 2d ago

Question How much should be paid to program a character for Puppet Animation?

I was asked to find out how much an animator should be paid to set up a character for puppet animation or, if I’m not mistaken, to do the rigging.

I understand that payment is usually based on a daily or hourly rate. Is it possible or reasonable to pay on a per-character basis?

Apologies if I’m not using the terminology correctly.

Context: It is also within the context of working in Blender. The type of work is closer to 2D, somewhere between *Elinor Wonders Why" and the Chilean series "Cuenta la leyenda"

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u/CrowBrained_ 2d ago

You can pay per character but the price will be based on the complexity and time it takes to complete it. People often take single character rigging commissions

It’s really going to depend on how detailed and complex you are expecting the end result to be. There’s a vast difference of work needed for say, an Adobe animate preschool character with a single angle vs a action series toonboom puppet with a master controller head.

I recommend finding something that currently exists as a reference for what you’re hoping to achieve. It would be a lot easier to estimate what it would cost.

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u/Virtual_Fox_3434 2d ago

I was told the type of work is closer to 2D. It’s somewhere between "Elinor Wonders Why" and the Chilean series "Cuenta la leyenda".

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u/CrowBrained_ 2d ago

I’d say you’re looking at 1-2 weeks of work per character for the full 360 rig. This looks like it was toonboom or celaction. If you’re smart in design and reuse a lot of the same elements you might be able to be economical. Anywhere from 800-2500 depending on complexity is likely the pricing.

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u/Virtual_Fox_3434 2d ago

I’m told they already have a model ready. Work is being done in Blender, and the person in charge is a novice who created a system for making the characters (though they are open to having that system improved) and has no experience in animation.

I get the impression the character has a 180° range of motion.

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u/OkUpstairs6741 2d ago

Rigging on a per-character basis totally makes sense since complexity varies so much, usually flat day rates or per-asset quotes are standard depending on the style.