Need some personal advice.

Gord.T

Gord.T

Still "Senior Member"
Kind of weird posting this in the cafe so if you don't know me, just ignore it or whatever. But for the record I'm basically a 3D guy, not a camera man.

For those that do know me around here, I'm not sure where to focus my energies on next year.
I need to start bringing in some money. I'm getting lot's of requests, just not sure what to charge. My software and hardware needs updating so I'm into that situation now. If you know me and have some advice maybe send a PM.

I've had some general advice like 'get some balls' haha but maybe some higher ups can point me in the right direction.

Or if you want to post here and tell me I suck and I should give it up that's cool, lol.
Expect a return bash as well, lol. All in good fun.

Alrighty, there it is.
Thanks man.
-Gord.
 
Sure.

Raptors Stuff...
In that you'll see a couple grabs from Mark Johnsons 02.
The video itself has been pulled from public viewing for business reasons.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=104413

My spitfire thread I started when I first start using C4D then updated
earlier this year with a new model.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=91236


My VFXFest entry #2...
http://www.archivisuals.com/fest2/assets/multimedia/Entry03.mov

and the breakdown...
http://www.archivisuals.com/raptorbreakdown.jpg

VFXFest#1, entry 02...
http://www.dvxfest.com/vfxfest_1/

And a few other odds and ends probably not really note worthy. :)
my spitfire animation when I first started C4D, for a part of my brothers dvx short, from the same thread as above.
Just for curisosity. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fF-MVQyMYg&feature=channel
 
What degree of dislocation are you prepared to accept, in order to pursue the money?

For example you'll earn more operating Maya or Rhino in Los Angeles, but you'll spend more to live there and to acquire those tools, too.
 
I'm not sure Max. I'm basically looking for guidance for getting through the next year. Not looking much beyond that at the moment.

Not really willing to move to LA because I don't think I have to. After all, Montreal/Ottawa is the animation capital of Canada and I still have a lot to learn anyways.

I'm not looking for major motion picture work, I'm just a guy with a PC looking for some freelance work. I have lots of offers but the pay is pretty bad to be honest. I can't go another year at these rates. I've been willing to do free gigs for credit in the past but now my gear and software is getting old and I'm at a cross roads.

I'm looking at some hi pay sub contracting work but they are far and few between, and undependable. I don't know what areas I should focus on. I'm thinking maybe motion graphics. The film guys honestly never have any money. I don't mind doing it but it's not cutting it on it's own. So I don't know. Kind of in a spot.
 
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I'm throwing stones from my glass house, but, if you're feeling stuck, try expanding your circle. Most of my most useful contacts have come from social events that I wouldn't have expected. And maybe start bothering the people who make commercials until they start calling you back. Good luck!
 
My personal advice would be to forget freelancing for the moment, and do the following:

Collect all your work and start marketing yourself:

(a) Build an online portfolio (make damn sure that the website is stunning, have a look at the others, use templates if you can get your hands on them, and make sure its flash based, it looks dull otherwise (of course you can also have dual version HTML/FLASH) )

(b) Aggressivley start targeting your CV at CG related companies. Uploading your CV to online employment agencies such as Monster (and regulary updating) are the keys to getting noticed.

Think it about this way, with full time employment that USES your skill, you get the following:

(a) Free access to top end equipment
(b) Free access to top end software
(c) Free access to like-minded people, team effort, sharing skills etc.
(d) Consistent pay, at a daily rate. And you get paid for what you like doing anyway !

It worked for me (didn't get as far a making a website because I got offered before it went up, ok so I'm porgramming now which is my second passion).

Anyway thats my view, of course it all depends on your situation Gord

Best,
Anhar
 
A great way to get started on your own gear is to simply charge the same rate on it as you would in house as a freelancer. This is usually around 50 bucks an hour (natl ave. varying from market to market). This is a good way to introduce yourself. Don't hesitate to quote flat rates per project to get em in the door. Many will baulk at paying by the hour unsupervised.
This is as easy as multiplying your hourly rate by how long it otta take (not how long it actually takes).
 
there are several vfx houses in your neck of the woods, the summer block busters are very near the vfx stage and most vfx houses will be doing their panic hires soon, put together your reel and send it in with a resume. you have some pretty nice stuff, should get you in the door. you'll be working 12 to 18 hour days for a few months then you may get laid off with the rest of the panic hires but you'll make some bank in that time. and you'll add to your reel, things you'll neverget to touch working on your own, may even get a Harry potter shot or two on there.

good luck,

if all else falles you, move to LA or San Francisco, or rather send your reel out, to LA of SF.
 
grinner said:
A great way to get started on your own gear is to simply charge the same rate on it as you would in house as a freelancer. This is usually around 50 bucks an hour .
Click to expand...


um TDs who have been working in the industry for 10 years hardly make 50 an hour. VFX doesn't really pay well, but the over time, look out jack, thats where you bank!
 
Thanks everyone. I've been thinking about putting a demo reel together. I guess I should see about working for someone else as well for a while.
Sounds like a plan.

Thanks again.
 
Back in my 3D days 9 years ago now I was charging $100 an hour labor and $100 per render and most of the clients were POP (Point of Purchase) agencies and I would make mock ups of displays for stuff like soda, cigarettes, etc... I'm sure there must be some around your area. They let me telecommute since it was only still images we had to pass back and forth.
 
Hey Gord. I think I would follow Anhar's advice. I would look for a full time or at least part time position somewhere in your neck of the woods for now. Get that demo reel going :) I'm working on mine too. Well haven't started but will soon.
 
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