The Uncharted Freelancer| Introduction| Issue 1| January 2024 Edition

Hello there, and a very big welcome to The Uncharted Freelancer's FIRST ever newsletter. This has been an idea which has lived in my inner conscience since last Autumn. Reflecting on this, it is such a relief to have this idea and commence a newsletter series. Phew! But believe it or not, I used to have a travel blog on Blogger back in 2015/2016 sharing my international experiences working abroad. For my mental wellbeing, it's therapeutic for me to be able to write freely in some spare time which I have at the moment.

Speaking of therapeutic, can I recommend one of my favourite songs?

Enya - Caribbean Blue

This song over the years has struck my heart strings. It's so empowering, healing and brings a safe feel of location in my inner thoughts. Most evenings during the summer, I come down here to listen to the waves and of course listen to my playlist - featuring this song. I was introduced to this song when I was thirteen-years-old when I got my very first PC.

While I have admitted that, let me introduce a little bit about myself. I've been a freelancer now for five years in the creative industries working in the television sector - sometimes corporate as well. This was a dream of mine as a teenager (cheesy story I know). Still to this day, I don't know why. I suppose it was something different from the average 9-to-5 life which I've also experienced before as a student. However, I'm still finding my way in the industry. My main two interests are editing and investigative research. There is so much to explore to tell a story through creative and compelling techniques.

Where did the title come from?

Well... if you're a past or present PlayStation gamer you may know about the popular gaming series Uncharted. The adventures of Nathan Drake and Sully exploring and surviving near death experiences on the hunt searching for treasure. They end up in unknown territories encountered unexpectedly putting themselves in danger and whether they make it out alive. I suppose being a freelancer - from personal experience - is full of ambiguity of not knowing where or when your next contract job is going to come from or how you're going to pay your bills after work stops and savings go. Therefore, I thought this would be a great title. Still brainstorming my logo.

Aim of the monthly newsletter

My aim is to connect with many freelancers and LinkedIn connections as possible to build a safe, friendly and supportive online community where we can confide and share experiences of working in the industry. Also as well, ideally I'd like to feature an interview with an industry practitioner on how they started their career and how they got to where they are now. Share experience with students and graduates on getting your first job working in television. Also share and recommend courses and workshops for developing and enhancing obtained skills. Share experiences looking after your health as a freelancer as well as dealing with negative work experiences and how to tackle overcoming problems as a freelancer.

Professional Profiles

Do feel free to check out my portfolio if you have time: https://lauramasters.myportfolio.com/

You can also check me out on Film Bang - https://www.filmbang.com/listings/masters-laura

Freelance Bonus Section! My exclusive Top Tips!

Here are some of my top tips I'd like to share with you if you haven't already;

• Look out for FREE courses on ScreenSkills to help your learning and development working as a freelance industry practitioner. There are courses that pertain to different occupations in the industry whether you work in production, on location, postproduction, make-up or art etc, there are courses for every vocational role. The courses can be found here: https://www.screenskills.com/
• Join Bectu and become a union member. I've been a member for over a year now. They're very good at supporting freelancers whether if it's financial or through bullying and harassment etc. Also as well, I'm very grateful to have been able to get a place on FREE courses for both union members and non-union members. Here is a link to their website here: https://bectu.org.uk/join/
• Click and connect with many people as possible on LinkedIn for your own professional development. I have been a member for ten years now. Wow! That has flown in quick! It's a great network to seek advice off other industry professionals such as CV and career advice as well people willing to help share their professional experiences in your field of occupation.
• Build yourself a contact's list of your connections and colleagues you have worked with past and present. I made myself a word document - which I'm still building - of everyone I've met in my career so far.
• A lot of courses with ScreenSkills and Bectu use the interactive platform Zoom - https://zoom.us/ This is a fantastic app for trainers/course leaders to be able to share their screens with you E.G presentation, video clip, interactive images or quizzes as well as video chatting. For teamwork, they have a breakout room section where you can work in teams with other course participants. Zoom is a FREE app which can be downloaded from Apple Store and Google Play. Highly recommend!
• I highly recommend a weekly planner (60 sheets). I got this out of POUNDLAND LIMITED for ￡1.00 to keep on schedule of job interviews, workshops, shadowing and courses etc. Or just general day-to-day life. These can be found in different printed styles.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this first edition. I hope you tune back in for the second edition in February where I'll be talking about saving money and my top tips as a freelancer. If you would like to find out more, don't hesitate to contact me directly on LinkedIn. And REMEMBER to subscribe to my monthly newsletter if you haven't already and share with your connections.