What are the pros and cons of working as a freelance VFX artist?

This may seem true, but in reality you work on what comes and who pays the best (when there’s work). I’ve done this for almost 20 years and projects are rarely at my discretion.

Some freelancers enjoy seeing how different companies operate, building an industry-wide network, and working for prestigious studios without having to tie themselves to the culture and politics of any one place. Freelance work also suits those who have interests such as filmmaking or writing that they pursue alongside VFX. Others might prefer the relative predictability of a staff role, and accepting freelance roles gives them the opportunities to get to know prospective employers, and demonstrate their skills. "Relative predictability" because staff roles are subject to the ups and downs of the industry too. While remote work has become much more common post-COVID, expect to be asked to come onsite for high security projects.

Being a freelance VFX artist is all about freedom and choice. You get to pick the projects you like, from creating cool explosions to spooky ghosts. This way, you can work on things you're good at and interested in, all while setting your own schedule. No more office hours! Plus, you can work from anywhere as long as you have a computer and internet. This is great for traveling or if you just prefer working from your comfy home couch.

Flexibility to work where you need and when you want is one of the advantages of freelancing. You can also pick the type projects you want and the type of client you want to work with or avoid.

Something I struggled with while freelancing was comparing myself, and work, to others in my field. There was always the voice while scrolling instagram of "I wish my work looked like that!". The advise I'd give is to message those that you admire or mentally dubbed your rival. I've made so many contacts by actually DMing folks to tell them "Your stuff is Amazing!". From you'd be surprised how many of those people turn into your creative support network- swapping skills, stories, job recommendations and general morale boosting.

Freelancers need to constantly "sell themselves" and keep in touch with employers about upcoming projects. Be realistic about your personality style -- if you have a shy streak and don't like talking about yourself or negotiating your rate, freelancing will be a constant challenge.

For the first 5-7 years of my career every job was dependent on recommendations. A good network will uplift you in the worst of time and appreciate you when you pay it forward. I worked a lot during Covid thanks to recommendations from past coworkers and producers. You can’t be a lone wolf in this industry.

One of the perks of being a freelance VFX artist is building your own reputation in the industry. You can connect with all sorts of people who need VFX work, like studios and other freelancers. By showing off your skills through a website, social media, and your portfolio, you can build a good reputation and attract clients who dig your style. This network can also help you find new projects, collaborate with other artists, and get helpful feedback. Freelancing can even help you establish yourself as a unique VFX artist with a recognizable style!

As freelancers you build your own reputation and network. This could be good or bad. If you’re unlucky in one project and the client didn’t like the outcome it might be hard. But if you keep doing a great job it will be exponentially good for your future gigs.

When the industry is normal there is no competition. We work together and help each other find work. If you think other artists are your competition, you’re doing it wrong. When you’re working bring in someone that isn’t working or pass on recruitment requests. The same will happen to you.

Dans les périodes avec beaucoup de travail, la position de free-lance est avantageuse car elle permet de facilement recevoir de nouvelles propositions mieux rémunérées et de changer souvent de donneur d’ordre pour gagner plus. Dans les périodes en décroissance, ?a se complique fortement car les propositions n’arrivent plus toutes seules. Il faut que le free-lance fasse le commercial, ce qui lui prend du temps et qui peut-être difficile pour ceux qui communiquent mal. Seules, sa réelle expertise et son haut degré de productivité vont lui permettre de continuer à obtenir des missions bien rémunérées.

Remeber the basics of starting a company. Find a good lawer and a good accountant. Find these two and all you have to do is hunt for people to do work for and do your art. Self permotion is encouraged. Save for the famine, be lean at the feast. And you will get threw. Do it right and youll be able to be proud of what you have created as a company.

In short: You risk as much as a vendor, yet the reward is less than a w2 employee, i.e. not the same protection if you ate 1099

When the industry slows down, you'll quickly discover whether employers consider you a rockstar, someone they want on their teams even if they have a lot of other people clamoring for work, or simply a freelancer they consider "good enough" to help out on a team when extra hands are needed. When work is in short supply, the harsh reality is that companies will only work with freelancers they consider highly skilled and productive commensurate to their rate.

One downside of being a freelance VFX artist is communication with clients. You need to be super clear about what they want, when they need it, and how much it will cost. This can be tricky because you might be working with people in different time zones or who don't quite understand VFX. Plus, it can be tough to deal with changes they ask for after you've already started working.

You need to be motivated and disciplined all the time. You can’t just slack off and let the work accumulate. Regardless if you don’t have a “boss” controlling you, you need to start working on time and work until you complete your daily tasks. If you deliver late then it will impact your reputation and this industry is very small, everyone will know.

Freelancing as a VFX artist can be great for self-driven people. You get to be your own boss, set your hours, and pick projects you enjoy. This can be motivating, but it also requires discipline. You'll need to manage your own time well to meet deadlines and avoid burnout. It's all on you to stay focused and avoid distractions that can slow you down.

The most successful VFX freelancers understand how to pitch themselves to studios. They maintain warm relationships with recruiters, are flexible when necessary, and generally cultivate an air of being switched on and in demand. Familiarity with the different working styles of not only film and TV VFX studios but also commercials houses and gaming companies provides a bigger pool of employers and a broader range of short term and long term projects.

Success is very relative. For some might be having high number of clients and deliver average quality. For others is having less accounts but the highest quality possible. Personally I have always shot for the second option. As a perfectionist I like the quality to be my brand. But in the end of the day this is a personal decision. Try to enjoy your work and live a happy life.