FROM BRIEF TO MASTER.

A typical 30-second commercial spot takes us about ten weeks. Brand films run twelve to fourteen. Loop packs are quicker — usually four to six. Below is the actual week-by-week shape of a project, with what you'll see at each stage and what we need from you.
10
AVERAGE PROJECT WEEKS
2 ROUNDS OF FEEDBACK
3 PEOPLE PER PROJECT
SEQUENCE 01 / TYPICAL 10-WEEK PROJECT

WEEK-BY-WEEK

01WEEK ONE

Brief, kickoff & quote

You send a brief through the intake form (or a few paragraphs by email — both fine). We reply with a written quote and timeline within 48 hours. Once countersigned, we hold a 60-minute kickoff call.

Written quote & timelineSigned scope agreementKickoff call (60 min)
FR. 01Wk 1KICKOFF
Kickoff
DELIVERABLE — SIGNED SCOPE
02WEEK TWO

Concept & tone

We come back with three short directional concepts — usually a half-page each, plus reference frames. Pick one (or mix two). The chosen direction becomes the working brief for the next four weeks.

Three written conceptsReference frame board30-min review call
FR. 02Wk 2CONCEPT
Concept
DELIVERABLE — 3 DIRECTIONS
03WEEK THREE

Script lock

If your project has voiceover or text-on-screen, we lock the script at the end of week three. Two written rounds of feedback. After this point, script changes will affect timeline and quote.

Final script documentTiming breakdownVoiceover casting begins
FR. 03Wk 3SCRIPT
Script
DELIVERABLE — LOCKED SCRIPT
04—05WEEKS 4 — 5

Storyboard & style frames

Full storyboard panels frame-by-frame, plus three to five style frames showing colour, character design, and texture. Two rounds of feedback. This is the last "cheap to change" stage.

Full storyboard PDF3 — 5 style framesColour script
FR. 04Wk 4-5STORYBOARD
Storyboard
DELIVERABLE — STYLE FRAMES
06—09WEEKS 6 — 9

Animation

The longest phase. Rough animation → clean line → colour → composite. Voiceover and sound design layered in. Daily playblasts shared in a private project folder so you can watch progress live.

Daily WIP videosVoiceover record & mixSound design & musicOne round of revisions
FR. 05Wk 6-9ANIMATE
Animate
DELIVERABLE — DAILY WIPS
10WEEK TEN

Master & cutdowns

Final master delivered as ProRes 4444 + H.264, plus two cutdowns and three social aspect ratios (1:1, 9:16, 4:5). Source files (After Effects + assets) included on every project.

ProRes + H.264 master2 cutdowns + 3 aspectsSource files (.aep + .ai)
FR. 06Wk 10DELIVER
Master delivery
DELIVERABLE — MASTER + SOURCES

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

Three things make the project move on time. Send them at kickoff and we won't bother you again until the storyboard.

N. 01BrandDAY 1

Brand assets

Logo (svg), brand colours (hex), brand typeface (otf or link), and any voice / tone documents you have. The more, the better.

N. 02ReferencesDAY 1

3 — 5 references

Animation we should look at. Doesn't have to be ours. Three to five works that capture how you want the piece to feel — and one we should avoid.

N. 03One DMEVERY WEEK

A single decision-maker

One person on your side who can sign off. Committee feedback turns a 10-week project into 14. We're flexible on who, but we need just one.

P. 03 / TYPICAL RANGES

WHAT THINGS COST

P. 01Spot15 — 60s

Commercial spot

$14k+FROM · 30s
  • Concept to master
  • 2 cutdowns
  • Source files
  • VO + music
QUOTE THIS →
P. 02Brand Film60 — 180s

Brand / Explainer

$28k+FROM · 90s
  • Anchor brand piece
  • 2 — 3 cutdowns
  • Voiceover casting
  • Original score
QUOTE THIS →
P. 03Loops4 — 12 ×

Loop pack

$9k+FROM · 4 LOOPS
  • Seamless 4 — 8s loops
  • 3 aspect ratios each
  • Source files
  • Quick turnaround
QUOTE THIS →
P. 04Retainermonthly

Brand-system retainer

$11k+FROM · / MONTH
  • 12 deliverables / mo
  • Style guide + system
  • Dedicated team
  • 3 month minimum
SEE RETAINER →
FAQ

COMMON QUESTIONS

Do you do live action / 3D / mixed media?

2D first, always. We will mix in 3D elements when a brief calls for it (we have a freelance partner who handles 3D), and we are happy to integrate live-action plates that you provide. We do not direct live-action shoots.

How many revision rounds are included?

Two written rounds at script and at storyboard, one round at animation. After the second animation review, additional revisions are billed at our day rate ($1,200 / day). In practice we very rarely hit the second-revision wall.

Who owns the source files?

You do, on every project. Source After Effects files, Illustrator assets, exported plates, and audio stems are delivered alongside the master. The only thing we keep is the right to share the finished piece in our own portfolio.

Do you take rush projects?

Sometimes. A 30-second spot can be done in 5 weeks instead of 10 with a 30% rush fee, assuming our schedule has the room. Anything tighter than 5 weeks we will usually decline — the work suffers.