When you first stepped into freelance as a director/writer/DOP/editor/etc

Hi guys,

I was wondering. How was it first starting freelance work? What things do you know now that you wish you could have told yourself in the past?

Also how did you create your rates?




Do some filmmakers or producers find making very low rates for yourself appealing? Or is it a kind of red light not to go for you? I've seen some classifieds by some actors and cinematographers saying they are completely dedicated to learning the craft and will work for low rates.

I could imagine a larger company would shy away from that, but for some indie film makers with no budget for their project could be godsent. I could also imagine if you list yourself as dedicated but "new" or "have cheap rates," that someone who sees your name again might think in the future to avoid you even after you do improve. I don't see myself as a novice nor a guru. But I feel like by now I should have already done more freelance work.

Looking to hear from all perspectives of filmmaking: directing, writing, producing, cinematography, lighting, promotion, editing, etc etc.

When starting you cannot expect to get top rates. So yes, we
all start by offering very low rates. And you are correct, it's
difficult to get jobs - clients do not want to pay someone to
learn, they want to pay a pro to do pro work.

You list eight very different jobs. Each one will have a different
answer. I can touch on three:

As a director I started by making several music videos I paid for
myself. I used those to get small bands with no money to let me
direct for free. Once I had several music videos I started getting
paid - very low at first; working up to better pay. It was essentially
the same with movies; a few shorts, a couple of features I didn't
get paid for at all, several where I was paid very little.

A writer is very different. You have a completed product to show.
So you CAN get top dollar right away.

Since I edited all my early music videos and most of my short films
and features I started editing for other people based on my past
experience; starting with no pay, movies to low pay and now when
I edit I can get top dollar.