Free Animator Timesheet Template
Animation projects involve scripting, storyboarding, asset creation, animation, and sound, each of which is labour intensive and must be tracked carefully to produce accurate invoices. A timesheet that breaks down hours by production phase helps clients understand the complexity of animated work and supports change-of-scope conversations when client revisions require significant rework of completed frames. It also gives animators reliable data for estimating future projects.
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How does a freelance animator fill out a timesheet?
An animator timesheet logs hours by animation phase and asset, with the date, the scene or task, and the time spent. Record whether you were storyboarding, building assets, animating, or revising, and note the project. Phase-by-phase entries make a clear story when you bill the client and justify revision rounds.
Typical line items
- Date of work
- Project or production title
- Phase (storyboard, asset, animation, revision)
- Scene or shot reference
- Hours worked
- Revision round
- Hourly rate
- Running total for the project
How the work is charged
Animators usually charge by the hour or by an agreed project fee, logging time against each phase and scene. Extra revision rounds beyond the agreed number are often tracked separately so they can be billed on top.
Payment terms and deposits
A timesheet supports an invoice rather than collecting payment itself. Many animators attach the logged hours to a milestone or final invoice, so keep phase and revision entries dated and clear for the client.
Tax and compliance
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, that falls on the invoice the timesheet backs, not the timesheet itself. Check the rules that apply where you work.
Frequently asked questions
How do I handle a client who requests significant changes to animation after scenes have been approved?
Log all post-approval rework as a separate block with a clear note that the changes came after the client signed off on that stage. This is your evidence for a change-of-scope fee. Animation is uniquely labour-intensive to revise because changes to early scenes often cascade through the rest of the project.
Should I bill for the time I spend sourcing music and sound effects?
Yes. Music licensing, sound library research, and audio selection are part of the production process. Note the specific tracks reviewed and licensed in your timesheet entry. Some animators pass music licensing costs through as expenses separately from their time.
How do I record time for an animation project that spans several weeks?
Record time daily against the specific scene, asset, or phase you are working on. A weekly summary is too coarse for animation work where a single scene can take multiple days. Daily granularity also helps you catch budget overruns at the scene level before they accumulate.
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Read the complete timesheet guide to see how to log hours and turn a tracked timesheet into an invoice.
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