Hello folks, I hope you can help me with some time estimates. I'm not very experience with Maya yet, just learning (I've used Animation:Master for a while) - but a friend got me a chance to get involved in a big project. I'm not sure what he told the producer, but the producer seems to want to go forward with me. I think he understands it will require more animators and modelers, depending on how soon he wants it finished ("as soon as possible"). I'm meeting with him this week and I'll probably get in a position to advise him or perhaps even to hire and coordinate, since I'm sure I can't do it myself. Anyway here is what I've counted in the script:

15 3D models need to be designed & rigged for animation

42 lines of dialogue to lip-sync

One song (21 lines) with character models dancing

About a dozen action / effects shots ranging from playing a guitar to throwing a baseball and one character shifting it's shape.

So I'd appreciate some help estimating a schedule for him. Assuming we hire more experienced people than myself, how long to animate one line of dialogue (in A:M it would take me about a day, but after having it critiqued, perhaps another half-day). How long to design each character model? How much time to allow for checking & revisions? Also, I assume there are a lot of competent animators and modelers around ready to jump at a paying job? I'd like to be able to tell him so many animators & modelers could to it in 6 months; so many in 3 months.

Thanks!