How do I go about freelancing?

AllAroundFilmLV

AllAroundFilmLV

Well-known member
So here's the deal, I got laid off a few weeks back, and instead of waiting in line for another job, I decided I'm going to start freelancing. I have about 3 years experience, have worked full productions, taken on the lead in many projects, blah blah blah.

My goal is to produce commercials (good ones, these local commercials are garbage), events, etc, edit them, and deliver a final product. NO WEDDINGS. I live in Vegas and the whole valley is filled with "wedding professionals".

My problem is, I don't know the first place to start. So I figured a rate card would be a nice starting point. The only problem is, I don't know how much I'm worth.

Are there any freelance videographers/editors/motion graphics artists who can lend some advice to a recent grad student? I haven't the slightest idea where to begin. Or, does anybody have any good articles they've found online pertaining to us specifically, as the only thing I've been able to find have been about graphic designers or writers.

Any help would be A-Mazing.
 
Best thing to do would be to a) be really good, and b) have a great personality, and then c) let the right people see that. If you want to get into freelancing in Vegas, there are a few people that you'll need to know -- people who work on pretty much every gig that comes in town. The Vegas production industry, as professional production goes, is quite small, or at least it was as of the time I left there, which was about five years ago.

Go through the production directory, and look up who's listing themselves as production managers or UPM's. Apprentice yourself to those who work a lot, if they'll take an apprentice on. Go to the nevada film office, tell 'em who you are and what you want to do, and get their advice. They can't endorse any one person over another as a formal recommendation, but with anything you'll be able to read between the lines if you try.

Now, by this, I mean "freelancing" as in: becoming an AC, operator, electrician, grip, prompter operator, production assistant, or other such job.

If you want to get in the business of producing local commercials, my best advice to you is: forget it. It's a hard, horrible slog, and it's basically impossible at a low-budget level because you're competing against the cable company (who will make commercials for free), and at the top end you're competing against the top companies who will get budgets of $25k to $250k. And those jobs are gotten by a very few ad agencies, no freelancer is going to land one of those gigs. And forget about the middle, there is no middle ground. There are only two types of customers out there: those that understand that production work is valuable, and those that don't. Those that don't, get their work done for free by the cable company. Those that do value it, already have ad agencies, and couldn't award you a job even if they wanted to, because they've turned that over to the ad agency.

And breaking into ad agencies is very very very very difficult, unless you've got a killer reel of spots done for national advertisers.

So -- revisiting -- apprenticing and assisting the working crewmembers is the best way "in". And you have to be competent, pleasant, and incredibly reliable. People tend to hire those that they know, as known quantities, before they'll go with the risk of someone new. But every once in a while somebody screws up, or they move away, or whatever - and it's those windows of opportunity that allow someone else a chance to get established.
 
Hi AllAround,
Virtually everyday I am reminded that it is not 'how good you are', its who knows you and who you know. Networking is essential.

Firstly, however, you will need something to show people. Do you have a reel, website, business card, proper business e-mail...etc? If not, that is the first place to spend your time. Secondly, respond to craigslist ads, volunteer on small budget sets, visit the rental houses...etc. Anything you can to get in front of people who may someday hire you or recommend you.

I juggle freelance with full on production work. It is very possible to make a living at it and even to start / grow a successful business in a down economy. You just need to be motivated.


Jason
 
What do you do?
Producer, DP, Audio, Motion Graphics, Gaffer?
If the answer is all of the above, then what is the one discipline that is far above all the others?
How familiar are you with the local production/post production community?
How familiar are you with the local AV/Staging community?

The only real asset you have right now is what ever skill set you can offer to the market. Production companies and Staging companies rely on talented people that are available on a per job basis. In short, they need freelancers. The key to getting a foot hold is being above average. As Barry Green said above, "be really good". Focus on the one skill set that you're really good at and market yourself accordingly. Once you start working and establish yourself as a reliable crew member then new opportunities will arise.

Regarding determining your rate, you might find this helpful.
http://freelanceswitch.com/rates/
Actual rates are more often than not determined by the amount the market will bear.
The average day rate for a DP in Chicago might be double the day rate for a DP in Topeka. Day rates in LV ???

I don't know anything about the Las Vegas market, but I do make it out there every year for NAB. From an outsiders perspective it seems like the big demand would be motion designers and editors. There's so much glowy shiny stuff on LED displays out there that it practically makes your eyes bleed.
 
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