How to Become a Freelance Filmmaker

Are you aspiring to become a freelance filmmaker but need to know how to achieve this? This article has got you covered. I tell you everything you need to know about being a freelance filmmaker and how to become a freelance filmmaker. 

Screenskills, a trade group for the film and television industries, estimates that around 28% of the sector comprises self-employed individuals, with the figure likely being higher in specific subfields of the business. And the widespread use of telecommuting in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Since the need for video material has skyrocketed recently, you won’t face problems because you want to be a freelance filmmaker.

Working independently allows you to schedule your work and tasks around your other priorities, whether personal ones or those involving your family. 

What’s more, it allows you to study what interests you the most, go anywhere your heart desires, and experience whatever hardships you find along the way.

If you want to make it as a freelancer, you need ability, hard effort, and some luck. But there is a long history of directors and filmmakers working in commercial or music video production before getting contracted to create Hollywood pictures for big studios, so it’s possible to move from corporate customers to working with movie stars if you have experience in the field and value flexibility in your work schedule.

So how can you become a Freelance Filmmaker today? 

Here, we break down the steps necessary to start a career in the film industry as a freelancer, detail what a normal day in the life of a filmmaker entails, and reveal the usual earnings one might expect.

Definition of a Freelance Filmmaker

Someone who makes movies on their own time or for hire is called a “freelance filmmaker.” Many independent filmmakers focus on making a certain genre of films, such as thrillers, documentaries, or comedies. 

Professionals in this field may also make films for businesses that need media productions for internal uses, such as advertising campaigns.

What Being a Freelance Filmmaker Entails 

Some typical responsibilities of a freelance filmmaker include the following:

● Working in tandem with other film industry members, such as camera operators, performers, and customers. 

● Producing films under contract for a variety of customers.

● Creating cinematic works from scratch by writing and directing scripts. 

● Keeping up with the latest developments in cinema and television. 

● Creating concepts for upcoming motion pictures. 

● Being involved in making a movie, from scripting to filming to editing.

Why Should One Choose a Career as a Freelance Filmmaker?

Freelancing as a filmmaker may appeal for various reasons, including the opportunity to direct one’s work. 

This is because studio films often come with a set of needs and specifications laid down by the studio, whereas independent films are usually the director’s responsibility. 

If you have a wide range of customers, freelancing as a filmmaker allows you to explore different styles.

A Guide for Aspiring Freelance Filmmakers

If you want to become a freelance filmmaker, you may do it by following these steps.

1. Enroll in a Film Program.

A film degree is often the first step for prospective filmmakers. This is because learning the craft of filmmaking and honing your editing and writing chops may be greatly aided by attending film school. 

As a bonus, many film schools will provide their students with video and camera equipment to use in their courses and projects. This will allow you to get used to the tools you may need in your future job.

Degree programs in film typically last for four years and consist of lectures, seminars, and hands-on lab work with cameras and computers.

1. Think About the Types of Movies you’d Want to Produce.

While studying for a film degree, it’s important to reflect on what cinema styles most appeal to you. This is a great resource if you’re trying to narrow down your filmmaking interests. 

With the wide variety of film styles available, it may be advantageous to familiarize yourself with as many of them as possible.

Going to film festivals and screenings at the theater and getting suggestions from people you know or from people you study film with are wonderful methods to broaden your film knowledge. Some of the most common types of movies are as follows:

● Action

● Horror

● Science fiction

● Romance

● Musical

● Documentary

● Drama

● Comedy

● Western

• 2. Increase your Proficiency Levels

Developing your core competencies is another crucial component of becoming ready to work as an independent filmmaker. 

Because many independent filmmakers act as their own production companies, they often handle every aspect of filmmaking. 

Making sure you’re well-versed in all facets of filmmaking can help you more easily manage the many phases of production and find talented crew members, such as actors and camera operators. 

Making short films is a great way to hone your abilities as a filmmaker by allowing you to practice scripting, shooting, and editing.

• 3. Expand your Professional Network

Independent filmmakers are often in control of the whole production process; therefore, it helps to have a wide network of contacts. This is because independent filmmakers may still work with crew members, including camera operators, sound mixers, and editors. 

Attending film festivals and reaching out to well-established experts for guidance and references are just two examples of the various methods to expand one’s professional film network. 

Connecting with individuals from your film school is also helpful since instructors typically have links to working professionals in the field.

• 4. Hone your Skills by Completing a Personal Project 

Develop your filmmaking chops and broaden your professional circle by making at least one personal project. If you’re starting in the industry, this may be a great way to hone your skills and find your unique filmmaking voice while creating a portfolio piece to offer prospective employers. 

This may include coming up with an idea for a film, developing a story, casting actors, and editing the footage together.

• 5. As a Freelance Filmmaker, Begin Taking on New Assignments.

You’ll be able to take on additional assignments as a freelance filmmaker after you’ve built up your confidence and have a film to offer potential clients. 

Freelance filmmakers often work on their projects, but they commonly take on client projects. 

A freelance filmmaker, for instance, may be hired to create a nature documentary on behalf of a wildlife charity. Jobs and collaboration possibilities in the film industry are routinely advertised on the internet.

Where May Freelance Filmmakers and Videographers Find Work?

Videographers and filmmakers may obtain employment, and where exactly can they do so?

By 2020, Ofcom predicts, the average British citizen will spend 5 hours and 40 minutes a day consuming media because of the widespread availability of digital platforms and lightning-fast Internet access. 

Adults outnumber children by a wide margin regarding the amount of time spent on video-sharing platforms like YouTube and TikTok. 

The demand for streaming services and the growing popularity of video marketing have opened new doors for creating client and corporate films. 

Moreover, the availability of specialty material to a worldwide audience increases its likelihood of doing so.

Freelance videographers may find employment in the following fields:

● Films used for internal business training and communication (e.g., health and safety advice). 

● Commercials geared toward customer education (for example, demonstrating why and how to use specific software). 

● Videography for special occasions like weddings and other events. 

● Videotaped Interviews (including clients, their customers, or industry figures). 

● Documentaries

● Working as a video platform manager for businesses or as an assistant to YouTubers or social media stars

● Promoting Music Videos for Commercial Use. 

● Facilitation of bigger film teams

● Cinematic sequences in video games (creating films within game engines). 

● Making videos, short films, or other works from scratch.

Freelance filmmakers may take many different paths, from working for clients to getting hired for major film projects to forming their own companies to distribute their unique movies or teach others the trade.

Digital animation and machinima, which use video games to generate footage, make it feasible to become a filmmaker without ever picking up a camera or hiring actors.

What kind of Knowledge, Training, or Experience is Required?

Independent filmmaking and videography may be pursued with no official training or Education. In contrast, if you have a degree in film production or a comparable field, customers will feel more confident in your ability to provide them with the services they seek. 

Especially if additional entities, like governmental funding agencies, broadcasters, or film distributors, need to get on board with your ideas.

Before investing time and money in the course of study or certification, be sure it will benefit your professional goals. 

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and Screenskills are two such organizations that could provide or recognize the course.

The YouTube Creators site, for example, has plenty of helpful tips that you may use without spending a dime.

Experience in the field and a solid body of work will be your most valuable advantages when trying to get client jobs. 

Certification in a technical field is a plus, as are supplementary abilities that complement the primary competency. 

However, a customer is more likely to employ you for a job if they are pleased by something comparable to what you have developed and published in the past.

Though originality is essential to establishing yourself as a freelance filmmaker, other abilities are also necessary to draw in and keep customers.

● Optimism and Drive.

● Flexibility

● Strong interpersonal abilities for connecting with customers and figuring out their goals.

● Whether dealing with actors, interviewees, or coworkers, leadership and the ability to communicate successfully is essential.

● Time and project management

● Possessing a keen eye for detail, the capacity to think creatively in the face of challenges, and the fortitude to work within a limited time, resources, or other parameters

● Knowledge of filming legislation and excellent networking skills (actors, locations, using drones, etc.)

● Enthusiasm for perpetual Education

Because of the inevitable ups and downs of a self-employed professional, you must have the ability to maintain your motivation and push forward in the face of adversity. 

You can be perfect at some things before starting; many freelancers report developing their interpersonal and professional abilities as they work.

How Much Do Freelance Filmmakers Make?

The amount of money you make as a freelancer might rise and fall depending on how busy you are at any one moment. Your ability to charge what you’re worth will also be affected by your level of expertise, experience, and how well you can negotiate with potential customers.

All salaries shown here are approximations; however, according to Glassdoor, the average compensation for a freelance videographer is £45, 000, whereas the average salary for a filmmaker is just £31,555. 

The Advertising Producers Association (APA) crew terms apply to individuals working on commercials. At the same time, the Entertainment, Broadcasting, Communications, and Theatre Union (Bectu) publishes recommended rate cards for film and independent projects that may help you estimate your day rate for specific jobs.

If you’re a freelance filmmaker, you can get clients willing to pay you a monthly retainer fee for your services. This may make long-term preparations less of a hassle.

To make the most of your self-employment income, you should cover your regular expenditures and, ideally, put some money away for when business is scarce.

It’s smart to protect your tools with equipment insurance, and it’s also possible to benefit from having professional indemnity and public liability protections in place. 

On the IPSA website, sole proprietors may discover in-depth insurance and financial security resources. Other forms of assistance, such as compensation for lost wages while you recover from an illness or accident, may also be included in your membership.

What Equipment do Freelance Filmmakers Need?

You may use your phone and some creativity to start making money as a freelance videographer. Or with no camera at all if you want to use game footage.

However, if you want to generate results worthy of professional consideration and appeal to those who like tinkering with new technologies, it’s important to invest in high-quality equipment.

It’s important to remember, especially at the outset, that you may always rent the equipment you need for a job. You may also see if any of your contacts have any equipment you might borrow.

Depending on your budget and the field in which you specialize, the advice and suggestions you get will be vastly different. However, the following are generally accepted as necessary components:

● Charger with extra batteries

● Digital data storage media

● Cameras\sLenses

● Microphones with the high sonic quality

● Headphones for editing

● Laptop or desktop computer both for editing and marketing your business

● Accessories for steadying your camera, including tripods and gimbals, in low light.

● Drones

Over time, most working filmmakers will accumulate more and better gear, developing personal preferences for certain brands and pieces of gear along the way. 

There is a wealth of information online to help you decide where to put your money, but the best investment you can make is yourself, so wait to learn the ropes until you can save up for a fancy camera or lighting setup.

Can you be a Self Taught Filmmaker?

You don’t have to go to film school, have the most cutting-edge equipment, or be a natural-born creative genius to produce outstanding movies. 

Time and hard work are the two most crucial components for success. The key, therefore, is to put in the time and effort to learn rather than focus on the outcome.

Also, Read How to Set up a Music Blog

Is Being a Filmmaker Stressful?

Directing for cinema, television, or the stage may be a very demanding profession. You may have to make many important choices, watch out for your cast and crew, and juggle many moving parts in a limited amount of time.

What Qualifications do you Need to be a Freelance Filmmaker?

● To be thorough and pay attention to detail.

● the ability to work well with others.

● Must have leadership skills.

● To be a filmmaker, you must know about media production and communication.

● Must have the ability to use your initiative.

● the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure.

● Must have the ambition and a desire to succeed.