One of the things that no one will ever formally teach you, but nearly everyone eventually attempts, is how to effectively freelance yourself.   This is an especially important topic to our readers that are right out of school and are looking for work.  Many graduates find it tough to find a job immediately in the industry, especially in this economic climate, so it makes sense to get your name out there and find some random work.  The great thing about freelancing is that it tends to build upon itself like a business network.  Do one job for one producer, and he gives you a lead on another gig.  Do that gig and land another one.  If you do quality work and are respectful, you can find yourself with a list of people who are comfortable calling you.  The goal is to be that producer/coordinator or production company’s first call.

Get focused

It’s probably best you pick a specialty if you’re going to freelance.  Telling people you are good at everything, doesn’t sit well with most.  Maybe you are good at everything, but you’ll have to prove that to them first, and the best way to do that is to do a killer job at the task you’re hired for.  Feel free to casually mention to them that not only can you dolly grip, but you know a thing or two about audio if the need ever arrises.  You want to be eager, but not too eager.  Most of the guys you are working with have been working with that production company or producer for a long time, and you don’t want to step on people’s feet.

My first gig

Quick story; my first freelance gig was with ESPN for a golf tournament in Orlando.  I was hired as an A2.  An A2 is the main audio guy’s assistant.  In my case, I was the kid pointing the shotgun mic at the golfer on the green.  I showed up to that gig with nothing but my clothes on.  I quickly realized that the other guys looked totally prepared.  They had backpacks on and carabiners hanging from belt loops loaded with different sizes and colors of gaff tape.  Did they use the red gaff tape on the shoot?  I bet not, but they definitely looked the part and I didn’t.  The point is that, depending on your position, come prepared with the stuff that may come in handy like gaff tape, a multitool, a white balance card, your best headphones etc..

What to wear

Each project will be different but it’s safe to say if your shooting any sort of convention work, concert, wedding or at a formal location you should be in dress blacks.

That’s industry gibberish for a black shirt, black pants and black shoes.  If you don’t have this outfit, buy it immediately.  You will definitely use it one day.  Do not neglect the shoes!  All our newbies where their “somewhat black” vans with skeletons on them.  This is not appropriate.  Go to Payless and get a cheap pair of black shoes that no one would consider sneakers.
When not shooting at a formal place, but on a commercial shoot or film set, you can usually feel free to dress casually.  Don’t wear the Iron Maiden shirt, just in case.  The less drama around you, the better you will be liked from my point of view.  You can cause a scene when you’re on top of the food chain, but not yet.  It is always a good idea to inquire about dress with whoever hired you.  They will never hold it against you.

Invoicing

This is one of those things you learn the hard way.  You do your shoot, then you go home and magically wonder why you haven’t been paid.  Newbies always don’t know how to invoice properly.  It will also show your inexperience if you have to ask.  Download an MS Word template for invoicing and fill it out, or you can use this sample invoice. Make sure your name, address, phone number, email and social security number are on it, as well as, the rate (dollar amount), name of the gig, specific position and total are all there.  Submit your invoice as an attachment in an email to the person who hired you or whoever handles the billing.  Make sure you nail down your rate ahead of time so there’s no surprises.  Find out if they are paying overtime and at what rate.  You may be required to fill out tax forms later on.  Remember, these jobs will not take taxes out most likely, so you’ll need to make sure you put away some (20-30%) of the proceeds for Uncle Sam.
It is customary in this industry to be paid in 30 days or less.  It’s best to know the company’s pay schedule ahead of time as well.  Do not panic if you don’t get your money asap.  This is typical, and a challenging aspect of our industry.  Union states will have different rules.  Here in Florida, it’s a free for all.   Definitely make sure you log all your gigs in a spreadsheet to keep track of when you billed, and whether or not you received the money.  This is your responsibility.  If after 30 days you have not been paid, simply send a polite reminder email, just making sure something didn’t fall through the cracks.  Screwing up the billing is a quick way to never get called again, so get it right.

Network, network, network

The only way to be a successful freelancer is for people to know you.  Get a list of all the production companies in town and call or write them every so often to check to see if they have anything available.  Send a resume to them initially with what you do and your preferred rate.  Keep it simple and mention if you own any gear.  This can be a major plus for some employers.  In small markets you will need to work hard at this.  Join editing user groups around town, and social network groups.  The hardest part is getting started.

Good luck newbie freelancers.  It’s a shark tank out there.

Photo: flequi