Thinking of doing some freelance work once out of high school.

R

ReelFilmGeek

Well-known member
Hello everyone, I am currently finishing my senior year of high school and have been studying film for the four years, its actually the only reason have been going there for school. (they have a TV production program that is a good starting class but I mostly had to self teach my self a lot of things) I am thinking of trying to make some money by doing freelance video work while I go to a local community college. So I was wondering what are some things I should know if I want to try and go in to the freelance business to make some cash to help pay for college along with my part time job in fast food?

My current equipment set up is:
CAMERA
T2I with Magic Lantern Hack
18-55 f3.5-5.6 kit lens
super takumar 50mm f1.4 M42 mount Lens
Yashica-DX 28mm f2.8 M42 mount Lens
a re branded Vivitar 35mm F2.8 Lens (I believe it's actually a T mount lens, but I got it with a M42 adapter on it, and it also has a declicked aperture ring)

AUDIO
sennheiser mke 300 Mic
H4N Zoom
I will need to look in to some Lapel mics

LIGHTING
a 500 Dimmable LED light Panel
126 Dimmable on camera LED light
2x 48 5in1 reflectors
and a mixture of work lights.
I was also looking in to getting this light set up as its not to expensive but more professional than work lights http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...tDetail.jsp&A=wishlistDetail&Q=&li=47B9C5A379

Support Gear
Proaim Camera Jib
Gini Shoulder rig & Follow Focus
Velbon Tripod and fluid head
$15 homemade steady cam (merlin clone)
$10 homemade Camera Slider.

Okay so I think that covers all my gear, and I have studied film so I have a good grasp on the subject but I know very little about the business side. I know I would probably want to invest in to a second camera and by the time I am out of high school I was thinking of maybe trying to get a used 5d Mark II. would that be okay having two dslrs? what are some other things I should know like how to get clients and what legal stuff should I know?

Also another idea I had in mind was to try and maybe get an internship at a production company but what would be the best place to find one? I live in Daytona Beach Florida, so about an hour away from Orlando Florida where I might be able to find an internship.
 
You seem like a fairly organized, young go-getter. If you are really this passionate about film making, I thing you will do just fine. (Lord knows, I had no direction when I was your age. I am amazed at how "together" some young people have it on this board)

I wouldn't be so obsessed on the gear you own. But figure out a way to get your best work online (demo reel/website)

I hear the Orlando market is good. I don't know personally, but a friend of mine works there and does quite well. Best of luck.
 
Deepfocus88 said:
I wouldn't be so obsessed on the gear you own. But figure out a way to get your best work online (demo reel/website)
Click to expand...

BINGO! The gear doesn't make you any better.... Get your stuff out there & spread the word. Do as much networking as possible and you will find the work. Good work brings more good work! Never underestimate the value of great service and the power of 'word of mouth' promotion. Make sure all clients are pleased with the final product.

Go get'em! :thumbsup:
 
Okay so what should I do to find clients, like what type of companies should I be looking for to be potential clients and the hardest question that is always asked is, how much should my service cost? That is going to be harder to ask you guys since I don't have a real to work with at the moment but I am currently working on it and hopping to have done in the next few months.
 
Alright. First off, you have a t2i, which IMO is incredible bang for the buck. In the right hands, the world is your oyster.

How about making some spec spots? Find a local business or national brand and maybe brainstorm with some of your friends/cohorts to create a video for youtube. Or local band/music video. Just don't get roped into doing too much free work. You have to know when to draw the line. But right now, it sounds like you have zero body of work, so you have to start somewhere.

If I may blow up a fellow user's work, I love DM Rider's beer promo spot he created: LINK Can you try and execute something like this? (Perhaps not beer since you are under 21) :beer:

Maybe grab some lights, a product you like and get creative. Or find some models or whatever. Go to a beach and rock that shallow depth of field. People/prospective clients love that sort of thing.

You have to ask yourself "what kind of companies do I want to work for?" Do you want to do commercial work? Narrative?

As for pricing & legalities, that's a whole nother thing I don't have time to get into. Zaza…take it away!
 
Okay in the coming up weeks I will try to put some stuff together if I can, currently jumping in on a local film festival but the deadlines soon so I want to get it done in time ($200 cash prize which is nice.) Ya I'll try to do a mixture of things for a demo reel to start off with. My first chose of work is Narrative work but wouldn't mind other creative work like music videos and creative ads. It's things like interviews and boring ads I wouldn't like to do but hey if it pays and experience is always nice. I should probably go watch some demo reels to see what they all have and try to create my own while staying original.
 
I swear I have set aside a bottle or two of nice miccrobrew craft beer that I want to copy what he did (just for fun of course!) and test out and have some fun with my FS100.

I've been so swamped with credible work, I can't find time to do some fun tabletop shooting, but I will.

OK, back to topic!
 
Well just to update everyone with whats been going on, I have gotten a few jobs over the months. Done a few corporate videos, two weddings, and working on my second music video. Currently thinking of buying a second camera (GH2 and 12-35mm f2.8 lens) with some money I have saved up and going in to weddings as they seem to be the easiest to come by but are a pain to do with just one dslr. Planing on trying to find more work soon as some family issues clear up and hoping to get out of my part time fast food job and in to free lance work.

I just hope I can find a nice variety of Narrative work and commercials. Corporate videos are boring, music videos are fun but not that great cash (at least when dealing with local bands) and weddings are nice cash here and there but I can see why you are'nt a big fan of them anymore Scott.
 
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