The 10 Laws Of The Creative Freelancer

Sum up,
Unite

The Diary of a Freelancer: Networking

Socialites. Sycophants. The art of ass-sucking. Planet of the Apes; "Bow your head!". Frankly its not all that bad. 1 out of 20 people you meet at these film shindigs end up being comrades in this the art race. Clever penny.

So stick out, go to the numerous festivals, screenings and film fundraisers. Mingle with the social fiends who look on you poorly until they hear you are a story artist/ animator:

"What's that?"

"It's art used in film production. It looks like a comic strip, but it breaks down the scenes to be filmed into panels"

"Really, that must be fun"

And to think I didn't exist in there sphere of being 10 seconds ago.

Tools of the trade: business cards. You are a lone ninja. Your business cards are your stars, kunai knives. Impale as many as you can. Don't expect calls back from everyone. Remember dirtbags and pseudo gatekeepers and pseudo-creatives? They are like moths to light when it comes to these networking events. Anywhere where there is booze really.

Remember to smile alot. Be sociable. Smile. And yes, liquor does help. That's a plus. Down side..liquor loosens the tongue. Know your limit people. Had a conversation with a chick at a screening once and she was under the bronze influence and she said she thanked God for colonisation because if it werent for Britain she would be in her home country 'bare foot and pregnant'.... Yah. Good stuff.

But after partaking the cheap liquor, stale finger food, insidious film premises, be blessed if you have found one dude or dudette who is serious about building bridges. Connections as such are great stuff. Those that are viable, you got to work hard to make it work. Better yet, just do work diligently like you always do.

 And thanks to the modern wonders of technology, we can network in different ways. This blog for instance. Facebook (where friends become strangers) and Twitter (where strangers become friends). Just hit a friend up and tell him what's good. Self-promotion. That's what I've been doing these past months. And when you make a connection you never know when its going to benefit you, but it will. If it doesnt, it's not a connection, its a leeching.

Sum up,
There should be as much time, if not more, spent Building Bridges as you spend Burning Bridges.

The Diary of a Freelancer: the Contract

I told you all I'd be dishing out advice.
In a business where being screwed royally is as naturally occuring as cave formations, you kind of need to protect yourself. If you are as trusting as I am, you tend to want to trust the maniacal utterances of a dirtbag Managing Director or "Creative" Director. Don't. Get some one paper, and signed, no matter how small the job is. This is to make sure you are iron clad, whatever the outcome.Emails- detailing parameters for a job...you think that would be enough, but electronic data can be more easily altered...therefore there is deniability. A signed contract less so. Due date, amount to be paid, what needs to be done, all should be addressed.

Dont get me wrong there are some honest bosses out there, that stand by their word and pay up what they owe. I love those few, and they get my best work. Whatever you do, always do your best, and if you see a company acting shifty, divorce them. To tell you the truth I don't always follow my rules...stubborn yes. I'm in contention at the moment with one particular company. Well they were a company. Latest victim of the Credit crunch? No...more like poor financial handling. They either give me the ring-around or dont respond to emails. Meh. As much as you get screwed however, you remember, the work is yours. Sign everything you put out.... one that is visible, the other embeded somehow and made a part of the design in the image (if possible). Thats what I do with my story art, illustrations and film.
Get it. Good.

Sum up,
Never put a company's needs above your own. You can tell alot about a man by how he runs his business. And if your boss is a righteous asshole, you, unlike other employees, have the privilege of severing all ties.



Grazie, douche-fag.