If you happen to work in the animation scene or any creative venture, then chances are high that you will eventually take on the journey of freelance work, also known as self-employment. Even if you work in a very good company that pays a high salary, you will be itching to do your own thing soon enough, and leave that job after a year or so.
This is entirely understandable because animation is a profession that is full of projects, and even the most well-established companies will employ and let go of people according to the scale of their project.
This brings to light the benefits of freelancing, and you need to know how to thrive – not just merely surviving – in a highly competitive industry and workplace.
Master your craft
The first golden rule is to get really good at your craft, which takes a while to get there; but when you are patient and hardworking, you will reap the rewards eventually.
Your demo reel is the most important thing you can own once you begin putting yourself out there – think of it as your CV. That means you need to use it to showcase the best of your work, and attract clients even when you become expert freelance animator at Dormzi. Even when applying for an animation studio, they will not have all the time in the world to look at your reel, so be sure to put in work that impresses them fully.
As a freelance animator, you must also aim to combine both problem-solving skill and generalist knowledge. That means that the more animation processes you know the more jobs you can get because you are more useful. Even if you choose to specialize in 2D animation, get to know everything there is to know about it – including lighting and building of sets, texturing, and even modeling. The more you can know about other animation techniques as well, the better it is for you.
Know how to manage your finances
Just because you are a freelance animator, does not mean you will not have financial responsibilities – so get working on that knowledge of financial management as well. Among the most common mistakes rookie freelancers make is chasing their invoices some days after issuing them – and you must avoid this at all costs. A client will not like it because they will deem you too desperate, and they will avoid you because you are not patient enough to manage what you have.
Keep in mind always that a freelancer is not guaranteed a steady salary, and their incomes will vary greatly. That means you should not spend what you have as if there is no tomorrow; financial prudence is key to success and growing your money.
Guide the project to success once you get it
Regardless of the animation path you prefer, you must also have access to good technology and a laptop you can use for multimedia work. Aim to solve problems as well, and do your research when you are unsure of how to tackle something.
When you do land jobs as freelancer, there are some things you must do before starting on the project:
Agree on a schedule and price, and ensure you are faithful to the agreements
Tell the client about the milestones to expect, include the design and Storyboard, Animation, Scripting, and the Final Rendering. They should also know the deadlines to expect, and that they will need to approve all the stages early enough.
Guide the client through the script writing process, or get them to approve the script early.
If you are doing a film project, then you will need a storyboard animatic, which you can edit music and sound, as well as a style guide, to show the client what end results they should expect or make any changes before you begin.
Be positive throughout the project, since the client is excited to see what you can do. Show them your best foot forward, and they will not be apprehensive about working with you in future.
Regardless of what projects you take on as a freelance animator, ensure you are enjoying it all the way. As time goes, you will build a portfolio you are proud to showcase, and find even more prestigious work that guarantees steady employment.