RE: FLASH: turning over .fla files

[Phillip Kerman]

I don't want to discount what others have said about selling or turning over

source files... but I have a different opinion.  Maybe I just incorporate

the value of the source files into my starting price--but I always include

source files.


==Source files may not be as valuable as you think:

I figure even with the source files, my clients are not likely to just "turn

a switch" and create another project.  The "programming" turns out to be a

very small portion of the entire project.  I figure if you plan a project

well, you'll only spend 10% executing the programming.  The majority of time

is involved creating graphics and designing functionality.  Sure you can

dump a lot of time prototyping... but if you plan well, you should spend

little time programming.  So it turns out the source files have less value

than you may think.  If you invest your time and soul you tend to think the

files have more value than they really do.


A couple other thoughts.


==Charging for reused code:

I reuse a lot of code (more so in Director but a little in Flash) where it's

possible.  So in a way, I'm giving it away to new clients.  The first client

pays for the development and then the next client gets it for a fraction of

the cost.  On the other hand the new client must invest in new custom work.

It all "comes around" and generally adds to the value I have (with all my

experience etc.).  Occasionally you can apply a price for the recycled code,

but usually I just charge by the hour.


==Giving code away protects yourself:

Not only do I archive my source files during a project at home and on the

client's machines... but after I'm done I turn over the source so they can

hire someone else to do the updates (as I may not be able or want to).  If

you think a client is going to hire someone else to save a few pennies you

have pretty dumb clients.  Mine generally try to get me to return to a

project but sometimes I can't... and it's nice to sit back and say: "you

have all the code you need to update it."


==Finally:

I'm all for finding ways to make money, but I really disagree that giving

away a little old file is "giving away the store".  I think of it this way:

if your source files are so easy for someone else to re-use then you're only

providing a commodity and indeed you should be careful giving it away.

However, the product I think most people are providing is the whole

thing--design, concept, and programming.


Phillip



flasher is generously supported by...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

World Animation Celebration - Big Internet Animation Pow Wow Discount Offer


Register before May 25 mention flasher and save 25%!! www.wacfest.com


Be discovered, get a job or have your web series picked up.  A big talent search for Shockwave

and Flash animators is happening May 30-June 4 in Hollywood.  Featuring Rob Burgess, Matt

Groening, Brad Bird and more.   www.wacfest.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To unsubscribe or change your list settings go to

http://www.chinwag.com/flasher or email

helpchinwag [dot] com