Creative workers aren’t necessarily required to work for an established company if they want to make a living. Freelancers work independently, providing goods and services to clients or undertaking their own projects. So, an illustrator might do commissions, a filmmaker might work on productions for different clients and a web designer might make websites for different businesses.
However, freelancing and independent development aren’t exactly the same thing. A freelancer might go between clients and work on specific areas of a game, where as an independent worker might go off to create and sell a game of their own. They can overlap, but they have two different business models.
Essential skills and self-promotion
There are many skills that are requirements, not just for the creative industries, but for many other jobs out there as well. Time management means working to a deadline. Even without a manager, it’s important to keep yourself in check and get the work done. Communication means understanding your client’s expectations and responding professionally, such as if they’re not satisfied with the progress or if they want regular updates on the work. Financial Management means setting reasonable prices, managing invoices and working with a budget. Customers should always feel they’re getting their money’s worth. Marketing is a must. Without a company behind you, you need to work to promote your material and get others to see it, such as on social media or at conventions. Adaptability means to adjust to different environments, projects, clients and feedback. Every project will vary.
Freelancers promote themselves through their portfolios, personal websites, social media and many other ways. Your presence is important if you wish to work freelance.
The benefits of freelancing
The biggest attraction to freelancing is arguably independence. Freelancers often have control over which clients they work with, which projects they accept and how they organise their schedules. For creative professionals, that can mean greater freedom to develop their own artistic identity rather than constantly following the direction of an employer.
Comparing an independent animator producing their own short films to an animator employed by a large studio, the differences are obvious. One has the entire premise in mind and it’s under their thumb. But the other has to adhere to regulations and guidelines set by the studio. Neither is inherently a bad thing, both are great forms of employment, but the experience you get from both positions aren’t the same.
While freelancers do benefit from things like variety, they don’t have unlimited freedom. Clients still set requirements, budgets and deadlines. You get to be your own boss, but you still have to respect what others expect out of you.
The disadvantages
The biggest issue I believe is financial uncertainty. Freelancers aren’t really guaranteed constant projects to work on, or a consistent monthly income. A successful month might be followed by several weeks without paid work. Other challenges include unpaid administrative work, sourcing clients, negotiating contracts and managing disputes. With being your own boss, you need to be your own financial manager too.
Freelancers can also experience isolation, particularly when working alone at home rather than alongside colleagues. Also, while freelancers can have flexible schedules, that flexibility can sometimes result in longer working hours, particularly when multiple deadlines overlap.
Lastly, freelancers don’t generally receive the same employment protections and benefits as full time employees such as statutory paid annual leave. So it’s your responsibility to plan accordingly when you need time off.
Freelancing vs studio employment
A major animation studio might offer established production pipelines, specialised departments and opportunities to work on large-scale products, where as an independent may have more control over their artistic direction but fewer resources. This same principle applies to film production, web development, game design, and many other jobs in the creative industries.
Most studios will have specialised roles for each stage of production, for even the smallest parts. But a freelancer will have a much larger workload and many more responsibilities to handle on their own.
Neither approach is automatically superior. The ideal working environment depends on a person’s priorities, financial circumstances and preferred working style.
Starting out and personal reflection
I personally believe that freelancing is a great form of employment. I can’t speak first hand on the process, but I understand the workload and the struggles of starting out, such as building an effective portfolio, finding initial clients, setting prices, understanding contracts and registering with HMRC when required.
I’d personally advice on starting small. The best thing you can do for yourself is build experience. Avoid the temptation to depend entirely on freelance income before establishing a reliable client base. Once you’ve found your footing, it’s up to you to keep going or find something else.
To conclude, I’d say yes. Freelancing is “a” road to success, but it’s not a shortcut to it. Success means more than just having talent. It demands business skills, consistency, professional relationships and an ability to manage uncertainty.
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