Animator for True-Crime Short

AI-Assisted Animator / Video Producer for 12–14 Minute True-Crime Animated Short Budget: $1,000–$2,000 fixed price Target budget: approximately $1,500 for the right person Expected finished length: approximately 12–14 minutes Paid test: Yes — approximately $125 for a 45–60 second sample PROJECT I am looking for a talented animator/video producer to turn a completed script into a polished 12–14 minute animated true-crime short. The film tells the story of a piece of physical evidence—a pair of police uniform pants—from the pants’ point of view. The subject matter is serious, but the script uses restrained, sardonic humor to highlight apparent absurdities and gaps in the evidence-handling record. This is not intended to be a comedy about the underlying allegations or complainants. The humor is directed at evidence handling, documentation, inconsistent accounts, and the idea of the pants themselves narrating their journey. The finished piece should feel like a smart, visually engaging animated documentary / true-crime short, not a generic corporate explainer video. STYLE I am open to the production method. You may use: AI-generated images or video Canva Runway Adobe tools After Effects Motion graphics 2D animation A combination of AI and conventional editing/animation Other tools you believe will produce the best result I care much more about the quality of the finished film than what software you use. I am specifically looking for someone who can make intelligent visual choices and understand timing, pacing, humor, and storytelling. The animation does not need to be elaborate frame-by-frame character animation. Clever use of stylized stills, camera movement, object animation, text, diagrams, timelines, documentary imagery, sound design, and AI-generated sequences is completely acceptable. EXAMPLES OF SCENES The script includes sequences such as: A pair of police uniform pants becoming “Item Number 17” and beginning to narrate its own story. An evidence-handling checklist in which “Wear Gloves,” “Protect Garment,” and “Document Custody” remain conspicuously unchecked. A detective placing an ungloved hand inside an evidence bag. The pants floating through a black void during an undocumented overnight custody period. An animated zipper apparently moving by itself, followed by the narrator observing that “zippers do not have a nightlife.” A game-show sequence called “Where Were the Pants?” Calendars and timelines showing the evidence moving between different locations. A courtroom-style graphic emphasizing where DNA was recovered. A deliberately understated ending built around the repeated phrase “The record doesn’t say.” Some scenes should be visually funny. Others should be stark and serious. Good editorial judgment about that distinction is essential. SCOPE OF WORK I would like the freelancer to handle the project from script to finished video, including: Visual concept/style development Storyboarding or shot planning Creation or sourcing of visual assets AI-generated imagery/video where appropriate Animation and motion graphics Voiceover production Music Sound effects and sound design On-screen text and titles Editing and pacing Basic audio mixing Final color/visual consistency Final export in 1080p or higher I am open to either a high-quality AI voice or a human voice actor for the main narration. Please explain what you recommend and whether voiceover costs are included in your proposal. IMPORTANT The film concerns a real criminal case. Therefore, the video should not invent factual events or depict speculation as established fact. Where the script uses question marks, ambiguity, or missing information, the visuals should preserve that uncertainty rather than filling in the gaps. I will provide the completed script and can provide supporting source material, photographs, documents, and other reference material as needed. PAID TEST Before awarding the full project, I intend to hire one or more finalists for a paid 45–60 second test sequence. My anticipated budget for the test is approximately $125. I will provide the same section of the script to the finalists so I can compare: visual style pacing animation quality narration sound design comedic timing overall taste and judgment I am not requesting free sample work. If the test is successful, I expect to award the freelancer the full project. BUDGET My anticipated budget for the complete film is approximately $1,000–$2,000, with around $1,500 as my current target. I am willing to pay toward the upper end of the range for someone whose work is substantially better and who can take responsibility for the project from script through final delivery. Please propose a fixed price, not simply an hourly rate. SUGGESTED MILESTONES We can adjust these, but I envision something approximately like: Milestone 1 — Visual style / storyboard / opening sequence Establish the visual language of the film and finalize the approach. Milestone 2 — First half rough cut Animation, narration, graphics, music and sound sufficiently complete to evaluate pacing and style. Milestone 3 — Full rough cut Complete 12–14 minute film for substantive review. Milestone 4 — Final cut Corrections, polishing, audio mix, titles and final delivery. The project should include at least two reasonable rounds of revisions. WHO I AM LOOKING FOR You may be a traditional animator, AI-video creator, motion-graphics designer, video editor, or a hybrid. The ideal person has: Excellent visual storytelling instincts Strong editing and pacing Experience with AI-assisted video production Good motion-graphics skills A sense of humor without making serious subject matter feel frivolous Ability to maintain visual consistency across a relatively long AI-assisted film Strong English comprehension Attention to factual detail Experience with documentaries, true crime, legal subject matter, political videos, investigative journalism, or sophisticated YouTube storytelling would be particularly useful. WHEN APPLYING Please include: 2–4 examples of your work that are genuinely similar to what you would create for this project. Please do not send a huge generic portfolio. Tell me briefly how you would approach this project visually. Tell me which tools you expect to use. Tell me whether your price includes: voiceover music sound effects AI-generation costs revisions Give me your proposed fixed price for the complete 12–14 minute film. Tell me whether you are willing to produce the paid 45–60 second test for approximately $125 before I make the final selection. Please begin your proposal with the words: “Zippers do not have a nightlife.” That will tell me you actually read the posting. I already have the script. I am looking for someone who can turn it into a film that people will actually want to watch for 12–14 minutes.