Hi everyone, first of all forgive my noob question.
I run an advertisement company in Italy and a customer is asking us to "replicate" an effect seen in another video.

You can see the original video here :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiCeqtGHpJI

We are not specialized in visual effects so I would like to ask to you if this effect could be done with blender, HOW and how much does it costs.

We have a partnership with a local school that teaches Blender, and we can't afford (for now) a commercial 3d tool.
Would it be possible with open source tools to create such ad ?

Thanks and forgive my terrible english.

What is the effect you're wanting to recreate ?

Some annotated stills would be the best way to illustrate your requirements.

I assume the effect you want to re-create is the giant ice cube with the demolition ball on it. That should not be difficult to do at all. How much it will cost is anybody's guess, but the cost will depend on the contractor, not the software, and you should not need a heavy-duty computer for it. I believe it will be well within the capabilities of a bright student.

Thanks both. The effect I want to recreate is the giant ice block and the "going to fall" demolition ball...

Precisely to add them to a real life scene.

I know the amount of money spent to achieve such effect, and I was asking myself if I have to evaluate the time spent on it or the final effect....that's why I'm asking an advice.

If a smart student can do that it must cost a small amount of money, but it isn't as far as I know. Without offending noone, a smart student cannot be "sold" for his knowledge...forgive me if I'm offending someone (that's not my intent).

I've recently seen very very nice student works that a customer could pay A LOT...so the question becomes more ethical than technical  :P

Thanks...

I would agree that it isn't hard to do. The animation would be uncomplicated, but you would have to find someone that knows compositing and get the transparency on the block of ice right. Blender is a versatile program, but you do have to know some advanced techniques to do what you're trying to do and at a satisfactory level of quality. If I were to do it (and I am a student), I might ask for at least $70 to do the modeling, texturing, and shading of three objects, along with animation, rendering, and compositing into live-action footage (also need HDR images provided from the film set). Main point is that finding a student that is capable in every area is not likely, and you should realize that someone might create good models, but not have skills in other areas.

Hope this helps.