I contacted Peter Dodd with a few simple questions about working as a freelance animator. He works as a 2D animator, but much of this also applies to 3D animation. Here is his answers to the questions:
1: How do you get into the freelancing successfully?
First of all- Ring HM Customs and Revenue to declare that you are self employed-
HELPLINE FOR THE NEWLY SELF EMPLOYED- 084591 54515
Then gather some contacts- Look at the Imagine animation directory and contact all the studios that interest you. Freelancing is basically a hired hand, so the key is just to get yurself hired and get enough companies that will hire you. Which means making yourself useful to each one so that they hire you again and again. Once this happens a few times, you'll have the beginnings of a cv and a reputation. Then keep updating your demo reel.
2: Where is it easiest to get a job as a newly started freelancer?
It depends what you do. Try everywhere- luck, opportunism and circumstances have a lot to do with it too. A lot of people get a foot in the door by being a runner. A lot of studios have runners. The theory is, and I have seen it happen, that when a job needs some extra hands, if you're lucky, they pull you out of the ranks to help out. But make contacts with studios- some will even write back. Some will even offer advice or leads perhaps.
3: How important is a good contract with the employee and what should you include in them?
A good contract you say? As in a written one at the beginning of each job? You don't write them, or have any control in them as far as I'm aware. You are, or should be, given one by them, which you both sign. Make sure you read it though. But usually it's fairly smple- you sign over copyright of what you do to them. Be careful what you do with your work afterwards. Usually,, after the project is finished and released, you have the right to use your work for your demo reel, but not always.
4: What is normally the lenght of freelancers contract?
My length of contract usually varies between a few days to around 2 months. 3 weeks is quite normal.
5: What is the normal pricing in the UK for a new freelancer, and an experience one?
I'm not too sure about this. I imagine, but this is pure speculation that in London a beginner may get £100-150 per day, and after some time may be able to get £200-250. Depending on skill and genre. Ask a few opinions on this. I have heard of people getting a lot more and a lot less, but I can't verify those. Bigger studios usually pay more, and bigger projects have bigger budgets. Usually it pays to be a bit flexible.
These questions all gave me answers to a few quesions I was unable to find a good answer to on the internet. The info about pricing, contracts and registering with the HM customs are all really helpfull.
1: How do you get into the freelancing successfully?
First of all- Ring HM Customs and Revenue to declare that you are self employed-
HELPLINE FOR THE NEWLY SELF EMPLOYED- 084591 54515
Then gather some contacts- Look at the Imagine animation directory and contact all the studios that interest you. Freelancing is basically a hired hand, so the key is just to get yurself hired and get enough companies that will hire you. Which means making yourself useful to each one so that they hire you again and again. Once this happens a few times, you'll have the beginnings of a cv and a reputation. Then keep updating your demo reel.
2: Where is it easiest to get a job as a newly started freelancer?
It depends what you do. Try everywhere- luck, opportunism and circumstances have a lot to do with it too. A lot of people get a foot in the door by being a runner. A lot of studios have runners. The theory is, and I have seen it happen, that when a job needs some extra hands, if you're lucky, they pull you out of the ranks to help out. But make contacts with studios- some will even write back. Some will even offer advice or leads perhaps.
3: How important is a good contract with the employee and what should you include in them?
A good contract you say? As in a written one at the beginning of each job? You don't write them, or have any control in them as far as I'm aware. You are, or should be, given one by them, which you both sign. Make sure you read it though. But usually it's fairly smple- you sign over copyright of what you do to them. Be careful what you do with your work afterwards. Usually,, after the project is finished and released, you have the right to use your work for your demo reel, but not always.
4: What is normally the lenght of freelancers contract?
My length of contract usually varies between a few days to around 2 months. 3 weeks is quite normal.
5: What is the normal pricing in the UK for a new freelancer, and an experience one?
I'm not too sure about this. I imagine, but this is pure speculation that in London a beginner may get £100-150 per day, and after some time may be able to get £200-250. Depending on skill and genre. Ask a few opinions on this. I have heard of people getting a lot more and a lot less, but I can't verify those. Bigger studios usually pay more, and bigger projects have bigger budgets. Usually it pays to be a bit flexible.
These questions all gave me answers to a few quesions I was unable to find a good answer to on the internet. The info about pricing, contracts and registering with the HM customs are all really helpfull.