Small Animation Studio for Brands and Broadcasters

Brands, advertising and production agencies, broadcasters, game and property developers, and arts funders or commissioners.

Project fees agreed per commission, often paid in stages. Some studios add subcontract work for larger studios and income from their own productions.

• Animation production and team management
• Pitching and winning commissions
• Budgeting and scheduling
• Art direction and storytelling

• Cash flow, as large projects can pay late and need staged invoicing
• Contracts with freelancers, including who owns the copyright in their work
• Professional indemnity, public liability and employer's liability insurance once you hire staff
• Cost of rented workspace and software licences for several people
• VAT registration if your turnover passes the threshold, so check with HMRC
• Check whether tax reliefs for animation production could apply to larger projects

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on your rented workspace, software licences for several people and the team you assemble. These are estimates, so check real quotes for space and licences.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on the projects you win. Large projects can pay late, so use staged invoicing and plan your cash flow. These are estimates, not guarantees, and you should expect at least around 35 hours a week.

Check contracts with freelancers, including who owns the copyright in their work. Check professional indemnity, public liability and employer's liability insurance once you hire. Check VAT registration if turnover passes the threshold, and whether tax reliefs for animation production could apply to larger projects.