FREELANCING IN MEDIA

So, you want to be a freelancer in the film, video or media industry? Or as a graphic designer, writer or other creative expert? I hear you. I have freelanced most of my life with small bouts of full time employment here and there. I started my first media production company back in 1984 as a freelancer turned business-owner in my senior year at Temple University producing, directing, shooting and editing projects all over the world for clients like MTV and ESPN.

?Freelancing is not an easy decision. You’re out there on your own quite a bit. No one is giving you a benefits package or PTO (Paid time off). But the freedom and range of projects is a great way to increase your skills and start to build your reputation for being the “go-to” person that can give clients/networks what they need, when they need it, high-quality, very creative, on budget and on time.

?You might start specializing in something that makes you known for that particular skill like a Director of Photography (DP), Gaffer, or Lighting Director. I was a Steadicam? owner/operator so got a lot of great sports and TV gigs because of having that equipment and knowing how to use it in lots of situations. I was a DP for a long time too and quickly and easily moved into directing projects. I started off as a CMX editor back in the day and moved into non-linear editing when AVID came onto the scene. All of this knowledge made me a great hire for doing projects because I could offer more things for less.

?As a freelancer, you may end up building a business with other freelancers that you like to work with and make a good crew together. Everyone can bring something to the table making one of those 1+1=3 or even 5 for serving people with visual storytelling and excellent media work.

Sometimes freelancing comes out of working for someone else's company for a while or from a hobby turned into a career like photography. Many of my students have turned their passion for photography into very viable business, especially in the wedding market. I will say from experience that the decision to be a freelancer offers a lot of freedom in life and enjoyment for turning something you love into providing for yourself and family.

?THE PROS AND CONS

I will say this from experience… as a freelancer, you do need to have an easy-going, go-with-the-flow, “Don’t worry-be happy,” and “do well in the face of stress” personality. I knew a lot of my freelance friends who gave up things like snow skiing and rock climbing because they were afraid they might get hurt and lose work. I was working to live, not living to work. I believe in the “work hard – play hard” motto. I was regularly participating in lots of extreme sports situations like mountain biking and rock climbing. It also kept me in great shape for the physical work I would be doing on set like Steadicam?.

?Freelance work may or may not be steady (but I do feel that you make more money per gig than FTE work) and you set your own schedule albeit usually with what I would call mandatory overtime, i.e., when a shoot goes over its intended timeframe, you can’t just leave. You might have to finish the work, so knowing who you’re working with is helpful. Are they good at planning and producing, or do they mistreat people regularly? There are a lot of scumbags out there. And there are just as many, if not more, amazing people who love to do this (me included) and are very good at it.

?It helps to have a really strong base client. I had a client that kept me busy full time but on my schedule so it worked for booking other gigs and finding new income streams for myself. Eventually you want to be working on the projects that pay royalties so you get paid even when you’re not working.

?Also, you need to figure out your own health insurance and retirement plans. No one is doing that for you. Some people find this daunting. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal and didn’t find it that difficult to navigate for myself and my family. And don’t forget about the IRS. As a 1099 worker, you’ll need your own liability insurance and have to pay quarterly taxes.

TIPS ON BECOMING A FREELANCER

Becoming a freelancer in video, film, and media work requires a mix of technical skills, business acumen, and personal attributes. As a professor and mentor of digital media students a Colorado Christian University, here are a few tips that might help you on your journey to becoming a freelancer:

?1.???? Develop Your Skills

a.???? Technical Skills: Learn how to operate cameras, lighting, and audio equipment. Master editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve.

b.???? Creative Skills: Understand storytelling, cinematography, and visual composition. Develop a unique style or niche that sets you apart.

c.???? Industry Knowledge: Stay updated with industry trends, new technologies, and evolving standards.

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2.???? Build a Portfolio

a.???? Showcase Your Work: Create a diverse portfolio that highlights your best projects. Include a mix of personal projects, client work, and collaborations. Use social media to engage your audiences (i.e., clients or fans). If you reach 100k viewers on YouTube, they invite you to use their YouTube Red Studios!

b.???? Create a Demo Reel: Compile your best footage into a short, engaging demo reel that demonstrates your skills and style. You probably want a website that serves as your online brochure for people to see what you do and for you to show off your work.

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3.???? Set Up Your Business

a.???? Business Structure: Decide on a business structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, S Corp – are you a for profit or non-profit?) and handle any necessary registrations or licenses. This is not as difficult and intimidating as it sounds. (If you want some help with this, DM me and I’ll talk you through it.)

b.???? Finances: Set up a separate business bank account, track your income and expenses, and consider consulting an accountant for tax advice. I use Quicken for business and Quickbooks. And I track and categorize EVERYTHING. I have a CPA that knows me and my business well. They prepare all of my tax documents at the end of each fiscal year. Trust me, it’s worth the money. I can do what I do better making money than sitting around trying to understand what Uncle Sam has come up with every year in new tax law. (although I DO pay attention to all of this stuff. The IRS regularly likes to make an example of the freelance film industry, so do your homework and know your stuff!)

c.???? Contracts and Agreements: Draft clear contracts outlining the scope of work, payment terms, and deadlines. This protects both you and your clients. You may want to have a lawyer on hand to help you out of any jams or to review contracts to make sure you’re not missing something important. I also have clauses in my contracts that automatically give me a certain amount of rights for using limited footage (3-6 mintues) from a project for my demo reel and promotional materials. I also have a clause that talks about my credit as per industry standards. These are important to you for promoting yourself through the work you have done for clients on projects.

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4.???? Market Yourself

a.???? Networking: Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with other freelancers and potential clients.

b.???? Online Presence: Create a professional website and maintain active profiles on social media platforms relevant to your field. Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube can be valuable.

c.???? Advertising: Consider online advertising or using freelance job boards and marketplaces to find clients.

d.???? Word-of-mouth and recommendations are the best advertising you can have. My programming worked for me as I got started. People show programming that we created and would call us to help them with something. Your work is your best example for getting new and more work.

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5.???? Find and Manage Clients

a.???? Client Acquisition: Use networking, referrals, and online platforms to find potential clients. Consider offering a free or discounted initial project to build relationships and gain testimonials.

b.???? Project Management: Develop strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively with clients.

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6.???? Stay Current and Adapt

a.???? Continuous Learning: Keep learning and evolving your skills to stay relevant in the industry. Take workshops, online courses, and stay engaged with industry news. Our technology changes pretty much daily. New cameras, AI, editing software, gadgets and gizmos. Become a specialist and know your stuff!

b.???? Feedback and Improvement: Be open to feedback and use it to improve your work and business practices.

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7.???? Tools and Equipment

a.???? Invest Wisely: Invest in high-quality equipment and software, but balance this with your budget. Prioritize items that will have the most impact on your work.

b.???? DON’T buy gear for the fun of it. If you aren’t currently making money with something, you probably don’t want to invest in something new if you’re not know for providing that particular service. However, if this is something that add value to what you already do, seek wise counsel and make your decision.

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8.???? Legal and Administrative Considerations

a.???? Insurance: Consider getting insurance for your equipment (called an Inland Marine Coverage Policy) and liability coverage (usually $2M aggregate with a $1M per incident cap).

b.???? Copyrights and Licensing: Understand copyright laws and ensure that your work and your clients’ work are protected. This is a lot more important than you think. As a freelancer, if you shoot something for a client without a formal contract that states you are a “work for hire,” you probably own the raw footage.

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9.???? Personal Traits

a.???? Discipline and Motivation: Freelancing requires self-discipline and the ability to stay motivated without a traditional structure.

b.???? Resilience: Be prepared for ups and downs in client work and income. Persistence and adaptability are key.

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By focusing on these areas, you can build a successful freelance career in video, film, and media work. I've been doing this for 40 years and it's still a blast. If you need help figuring any of this out, feel free to reach out to me. I’m glad to have a conversation to help you get started.

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Jess Stainbrook is an 8x Emmy Award winning producer/director who is passionate about raising up the next generation of creative professionals and visual storytellers.

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