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Episode 436 – Freelancing in VFX in 2024
Freelance is such a big topic! For those of you starting in the industry, you’re probably wondering how to get your foot in the door. Ultimately, 2024 will be a very busy year. That means that those of you who are good should be ready to turn down work.
The first thing you need to think about is how you’re positioning yourself in the business: What are the special skills that you have that allow you to stand out from others? We are in a problem solving business. Positioning means that you know how to sell yourself – by providing solutions to the potential employer – as well as understand your worth. You need to be aware of what you bring to the table and how to sell yourself. (That also means that you’re aware of what you’re not good at, which gives you room for improvement.)
You also need to understand the needs of your employer. You show that understanding by providing a reel that sums up your best work – and is very heavily catered to the specific task that the employer is looking to fill. In addition, your cover letter must mention the position you’re applying for and your understanding of what the position entails. That allows you to position yourself as the go-to person for this role.
In this Episode, you’ll learn about:
- How to create a winning reel that guarantees a chance for a job interview;
- Where to find available work – and how to apply for those jobs;
- How to do successful outreach to potential employers or human resources departments;
- How to identify the most in-demand skills and innovate in new technology.
One of the advantages of 2024 is widely available remote job opportunities. That means that you can live anywhere. By living in a cheaper area, you’re able to lower your overhead and actually enjoy your lifestyle. That also means that nowadays you can work for any studio you want. Remember: It’s not just about being skilled as a VFX Artist – it’s about the right artist for the right job, at the right time.
In this Podcast, Allan McKay gives critical insight into how to find remote work and freelance work in 2024, how to be successful at outreach to potential employers, how to create a winning reel that guarantees employment, how to work for a dream studio remotely – and so much more!
EPISODE 436 – FREELANCING IN VFX IN 2024
Hi, everyone!
Welcome to the New Year!
This is Allan McKay. Welcome to Episode 436! I’m talking about freelancing and how to land work, especially for those starting out. However this information is applicable to everyone.
2024 is going to be a busy year for visual effects. This has been a consistent message across the board, from studio executives to supervisors. I thought this Episode would be a great opportunity to get primed for the New Year.
Please take a moment to share this Episode with others. Your support means so much! I want this to be a big year for the Podcast. This is a non-profit endeavor for me but I do it because of the emails and all the positive feedback I get from you.
Let’s dive in!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM ALLAN McKAY:
[47:20] One of the biggest problems we face as artists is figuring out how much we’re worth. I’ve put together a website. Check it out: www.VFXRates.com! This is a chance for you to put in your level of experience, your discipline, your location — and it will give you an accurate idea what you and everyone else in your discipline should be charging. Check it out: www.VFXRates.com!
Okay, what did you think? I hope you got a lot from this Episode. I want to keep doing more Episodes around freelance, as well as more tutorials.
2014 for me is about getting back to basics. I want to do a talk about health, specifically our line of work. I haven’t talked about it too much, but I had a health issue last summer that was caused by a stressful work environment (no longer my employer!) I’ve also been struggling with some back issues. I think it’s time to talk about this.
I want to thank you for listening to this Podcast. It’s been an honor to hear back from you and to interview some incredible guests. I’d love to hear your feedback.
I’ll be back next week. Until then –
Rock on!
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