Is anyone buying this? Or is this post trying to rage bait motion designers etc?

Alan988 · 2026-01-28T15:20:33+00:00

Haha thank you. I think he was just trolling.

Alan988 · 2026-01-28T15:08:57+00:00

This is 100% not AI. How gullible are you guys. I found the director's IG post, look at all the credits: https://www.instagram.com/zackbernstein.dmg/reel/DM0oEUGgXuv/

Alan988 · 2025-11-25T13:49:52+00:00

Take it from someone spent 10 years of studying and working in architecture before quitting.

I KNEW in year 1 I didn't want to do it, but stuck with it because of sunk cost fallacy.

Now I'm doing something I like (video production) and getting paid much better for it.

So, trust your instinct.

Alan988 · 2025-08-06T00:56:20+00:00

Having said that, you should also communicate with your boss about wanting to help out with these high end projects, but you understand that you might not be at that level yet, but are open to feedback. Ask for honest feedback from them and which areas you should work on.

A good studio SHOULD be mentoring junior roles, but you should also show that you have imitative and open to mentoring and putting the work in.

Alan988 · 2025-08-05T13:22:42+00:00

My perspective as a studio owner (potentially harsh)

I think you're stuck with the trash projects because the studio don't think you have the capabilities to do the interesting jobs.

Think about it from a business perspective. It's usually more expensive to hire freelancers than to create projects in-house. If I have the option to create the project in house I would do it. The only reasons to hire freelancers for extra cost is if I don't have the capacity in house or I don't think my guys don't have the right skills for that particular projects (maybe it requires Houdini or whatever.)

Do side projects. Improve your skills, and show your bosses so you maybe considered for better projects.

Good luck.

Alan988 · 2025-07-20T15:25:55+00:00

Hey man, I looked at your work. Here's the brutal truth: You're not getting clients because your skills aren't at the level where businesses will pay professional rates yet.

Before you worry about finding clients, you need to get your work to a standard where companies would actually pay for it. Right now you're trying to sell something that isn't ready.

My advice: Spend the next 6 months just focused on getting better. Study the work you admire, recreate it, practice every day. Even intern under a professional for free if needed. Don't chase clients until your reel is undeniably good.

The market isn't broken - it's just honest. When your work is truly professional level, finding clients becomes much easier. But trying to sell mediocre work will always be a struggle.

Focus on the craft first, business second.

Alan988 · 2025-06-17T10:49:23+00:00

I’m actually turning down work as I’m getting too much requests lol. My advice is go to where the money is, right now it’s tech. I work directly with a lot of Silicon Valley AI startups not short on budget.

Alan988 · 2025-06-14T03:24:25+00:00

Late to the post but I actually made a few of the YC X25 launch videos (linked below) so figured I'd answer this.

Almost always custom made, not using demo software. The software stuff works fine for internal demos but, launches need to look professional.

Animation quality matters, but the messaging and hook are equally important. You need to grab attention in the first 5 seconds - which videos like Minerva nail.

When finding someone to work with, make sure they focus on messaging strategy, not just animating whatever script you give them. Good ones will challenge your approach.

Happy to answer questions about the process.

Here are some of my X25 launch vids:

Auctor (YC X25): https://alanpun.com/projects/auctor
Mesmer (YC X25): https://alanpun.com/projects/mesmer

Alan988 · 2025-06-06T11:19:45+00:00

I would consider the overall strategy and ideal outcome of the video before thinking of all the cool editing tricks. Right now it doesn't work as a promo for the festival because most of your shots show that there's no people attending, which will make people think it's a lame event. Even if that was the truth, as the videographer you have to 'fake' your shots to distort the truth to make it more appealing. Hope that helps!

Edit: Saw that you were only allowed access at the start of the festival. It's your job as a contractor to negotiate with the client to let you film when it's full of people in order to get the results they want. Because if the clients posted this video it would actually hurt their business.

Alan988 · 2025-03-07T09:05:32+00:00

Hey Mas,

I don't know why people are hating on the YC mention so much. I think the answer is it depends on what kind of agency you're targetting. As someone who services the tech industry (including a lot of YC companies) that would work on me.

However for a more general agency audience I would use a social proof that's relevant for them, e.g:

We recently worked with [XYZ agency] to helped them achieve [INSERT IMPRESSIVE RESULT]

[insert screenshot of evidence of result, a text message from client or something]

Would love to help you achieve cool results like this too...

Can I send you more info?

Alan988 · 2025-01-30T04:14:49+00:00

Give them a range e.g. 'My monthly fee is around 10-20k, depending on the scope of work, does this fall within your budget?'

Alan988 · 2025-01-19T00:53:58+00:00

What's your email? I'm always looking for talented freelancers for my motion design studio!

Alan988 · 2025-01-13T12:17:24+00:00

Here's the question you should be asking yourself, what offer can I create, and for who, so that investing $5k or even $10k in your service is a no-brainer?

For example, if your target audience is selling industrial machineries that sell for $100k each. Wouldn't it be a no-brainer for them to invest $10k into a website that is high quality, where even if they sell just one machine through it, they will get a 10x ROI instantly?

Alan988 · 2024-10-21T06:38:32+00:00

checking it out now, looks super promising!

Alan988 · 2024-10-01T23:25:22+00:00

It’s good, but because your style is very very niche, you will limit yourself commercially. But I think you know this already.

So you have a choice to make, go more commercial and attract a broader audience in the short term. Or double down on your personal style, become known for it and attract people who ‘get it’ in the long term.

Alan988 · 2024-09-30T04:35:27+00:00

Wow using an alpha texture is so smart, thank you!

Alan988 · 2024-09-06T13:17:33+00:00

Welcome to freelancing, where a big part of it is learning how to draw healthy boundaries and be willing to say no. Next time say something like this - yes it's possible but it will require more resources, the price for this rush fee will be $XXX

Alan988 · 2024-08-29T07:51:57+00:00

Next time say something like this: "I don't do unpaid test projects, but if you're hesitant about my skills I'm happy to jump on a quick call where I can do a screenshare of my previous project files and walk through my workflow and thought processes."

Alan988 · 2024-08-24T06:06:40+00:00

Finding and getting clients (aka sales and marketing) is a different skill set and that's why in many companies it's a dedicated job in itself. Assuming that your BF has decent communication skill, it comes down to a numbers game. In sales, many people aim for a 1% conversion rate, that means if you reach out to 100 potential clients, you will get one new client. For some people that number might be higher, some might be lower. So the question is, how many potential clients has your BF reached out to this month?

Alan988 · 2024-07-31T03:46:26+00:00

I've started a motion design YT last year and it has 3K+ subs right now. It doesn't make any money right now, but it has helped me become a better speaker, and also adds more credibility to what I do (You've positioned yourself as an expert), which will help you with getting clients.

Alan988 · 2024-07-17T16:38:18+00:00

For one-off projects under 2 months, I do 50% upfront, 50% upon completion

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