You don't offer enough information to tell if this is an average price or not.

"new but well known" companies often offer less because they don't don't have much capital.
There isn't a huge market for flash animation - few 3 minute movies make a lot of money. Think about how often you spent money to rent, watch or own flash animation.

If you aren't happy with the offer, ask for more.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

You also have to evaluate how you value your expenses. Are you including your computer and software package as part of your expenses? If you do than how do you value your next flash film using that same computer and software package?

Is there a way to turn flash animation into another format and if so how much does that cost?

Flash animations posted on MyTube get paid nothing. If this company is well known you might find that taking a loss but getting your work distributed has a lot of value.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Thanks for your advice, guys. The expenses here mean transfering the original into Betacam (about $35) plus 6 DVDs, all of which the distribution company requires, and a postal fee. Neither computer nor software package is included. The distribution company is an offshoot of a cable company so I would think the film would be shown on its cable channel at least. I see an advantage of getting the film distributed is priceless, but giving up all the rights, including putting it on web, is a huge blow to me.

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Originally posted by beavertail

The expenses here mean transfering the original into Betacam (about $35) plus 6 DVDs, all of which the distribution company requires, and a postal fee.

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The distribution company should cover these costs. Ask them.

quote:

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I see an advantage of getting the film distributed is priceless, but giving up all the rights, including putting it on web, is a huge blow to me.

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If their rights deal isn't something that you like, ask them to change it. A distributor is a partner, they want to make a deal that is best for them, you want to make deal that is best for you. A discussion will end up somewhere in the middle.

I have found that most "deals gone wrong" are due to lack of communication on the part of the filmmaker. We are often a little intimidated, or want the deal so badly that we are worried about upsetting the distributor and having them withdraw the deal. But a deal that isn't a good one isn't a deal worth keeping.

Talk to them - make counter offers - be prepared to give as well as take.

You're right about me being intimidated. I think I should start talking to them.

Thanks for your input.