LO2:Understand communication, skills and knowledge for progression routes
UWE accommodation
BRIGHTon accommodation
uca accomadation
Arts bournouth accommodation
Apprenticeships expectations
runner - warner bros |
|
Framestorre runner development program |
|
Costs
If I started the apprenticeship at Warner Bros. Leavesden, it would make sense to rent a property in Watford, as it is the closest city to the studios. The cheapest flats to rent would cost between £350- £450 a month. The job was posted on http://www.mediargh.com but doesn't state how much the pay is; I looked on the Warner Brothers apprenticeship website which states their salary is competitive (above average) and that the starting salary is £16,500 a year and goes up to £18,000 after 12 months. I could earn £1375 a month meaning I could afford a place in Watford. Petrol currently costs me £40 and the average weekly grocery bill (including food, basic laundry and toiletry items) would cost £40-£50 for 1 person. So I would be able to afford to live in Watford while taking the Runner / Operations Assistant Apprenticeship at Warner Bros. Leavesden.
|
If I were to live in London while working for Framestore, the cheapest rent on a single flat would be in either East or West London. These cost between £350 to £430. Framestore pay all of their apprentices the nation UK living wage. As I am 18, I would get paid £5.90 (as of April 2018). This would mean if I worked five 8 hour shifts a week, I would be earning about £940 a month. After rental costs, petrol and average grocery shop, I would be left with around £450 saving/spending money per month. Alternatively, I could apply for an Apprentice Oyster photo card that would give me 30% off my train fares. This would mean the cost of using a travel card per month would be about £25. So after rental costs, groceries and travel card, I would have about £465 spending/saving money left over. I would be able to afford to live in London. Working as an apprentice for Framestore.
|
freelancing
A freelancer is a self employed person offering their services to clients setting their own hours, working full time or part time on the jobs they choose. Many successful freelancers can build a good reputation for their quality of skills and work for the same set of clients over long periods of time. Freelancers need to build a good reputation for themselves (or their company) as they want customers to recommend and come back for the services they provide. When a customer goes to employ a freelancer, they are looking for someone with experience, a good quality of work and a loyal customer base. If you are selling yourself as a freelancer by saying you haven't got much experience and not many of your customers would recommend your service, your career will not be successful
Freelancers are unlike from regular job holders as their pay days differ. This is because they have clients paying for different amounts of work done. Some freelancers hold contracts with clients who are billed monthly for a set amount of work while some get paid on retainer. This means that they’re guaranteed a set amount each month from a client, in return for completing pre-arranged tasks, adding consistency to the freelancers payroll. In some cases, where the client is new or the project is big, the freelancer may ask the client to pay a deposit. This is good for both the client and the freelancer because the client is reassured the project will be completed while the freelancers doesn't have top worry about not being paid by the end of the project. To actually get paid by the client , freelancers and self employees habe to create a clear, detailed invoice telling the client exactly what they owe the freelancer for.
Freelancers need to build a good reputation for themselves (or their company) as they want customers to recommend and come back for the services they provide. When a client goes to employ a freelancer, they are looking for someone with experience, a good quality of work and a loyal customer base. If you are selling yourself as a freelancer by saying you haven't got much experience and not many of your customers would recommend your service, your freelance business will fail to grow.
A way I think freelancers can use their time during periods of little work is by improving and networking their digital portfolio. Presenting your content is extremely important in giving the potential client a clear understanding of your style of work and whether you should work on their production. But when there are not enough of these clients available a freelancer should look to targeting a more diverse clientele, which will result in a portfolio of work that will attract a new audience of consumers. For example a freelance filmmaker that only works on short films and documentaries could target couples for wedding videos or promotional videos for small business. By networking and developing your portfolio, a freelancer can broaden their clientele and further grow their business. A way to share your current content with potential customers is by finding jobs online. Video Collective is a website for both companies and freelancers in the Film and TV industry offering work for professional freelancers and freelancers for companies working on projects. The website gives you the option to find a job or post a job depending on your position. As this website is specifically media based, I think this would be the best place for freelancers to advertise their skillet as well as find jobs around the UK.
For a freelancer, communication is key. Clients will often non understand terms used in the industry which can cause frustration on both sides so ensuring the customer has a clear understanding of your vision is vital. It is important to be patient with the client without talking down on them in any sort of way. Making the client feel belittled by your knowledge is not a good impression; after all, they are paying for your services. Translate any terms you make that they don't understand; most creative people should be able to translate using comparisons or metaphors so this should come naturally to a freelance filmmaker. A freelancer should also take the clients point of view into consideration and compromise by communicating working together. It is also important to make your client aware of all the hurdles you meet in the production process as well as offer options if something goes wrong. A good freelancer will plan ahead for scenarios that may proceed not as planned which reassuring to the client when problems occur.
How to approach clients:
- Hand out business cards
- Offer your take on an existing product (design, ad, illustration)
- Use existing contacts - let your friends and contacts know what services you offer
- Offer other freelances help on their productions
- Find out where your target consumer spend their time. (conferences, events, film festivals)
- Establish a style that make your work stand out.
- Work on some projects for free to gain experience
How to be approachable for a client:
- Be very available
- Answer emails and calls consistently
- Listen to the client
- Create an attractive portfolio that showcases your content in the best way possible
- Have easily accessible social media links
- Ask previous clients for their input on your work and production process.
references
Jarvis, P. (2014). An Experienced Freelancer's Guide to Finding Clients.Available: https://lifehacker.com/an-experienced-freelancers-guide-to-finding-clients-1610357303. Last accessed 06/01/18.
Hendrick, K.D. (2015). Communication Skills for Freelancers. Available: https://ithemes.com/2015/05/15/communication-skills-for-freelancers/. Last accessed 07/01/18.
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/job-listing/runner-development-programme-framestore-JV_IC2671300_KO0,28_KE29,39.htm?jl=1995176923
http://www.warnerbroscreativetalent.co.uk/Home/Opportunities/Articles/Apprenticeships/Warner%20Bros%20Studios%20Leavesden
Hendrick, K.D. (2015). Communication Skills for Freelancers. Available: https://ithemes.com/2015/05/15/communication-skills-for-freelancers/. Last accessed 07/01/18.
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/job-listing/runner-development-programme-framestore-JV_IC2671300_KO0,28_KE29,39.htm?jl=1995176923
http://www.warnerbroscreativetalent.co.uk/Home/Opportunities/Articles/Apprenticeships/Warner%20Bros%20Studios%20Leavesden