In the world of 3D animation and special effects, as in live-action cinema, many writer-directors work on a freelance basis. This has a major impact on their work. It’s not always a smooth ride.
THE TASKS OF THE FREELANCE WRITER-DIRECTOR
The profession of freelance writer-director is often a path taken by image professionals after a tour of the studios, sometimes in different positions, when they have the desire, the urge and the ability to take matters into their own hands out of passion, determination and professionalism.
One thing is certain: when it comes to making a commercial, music video or animated short, the freelance writer-director is the conductor of the orchestra.
They generally start out working on short films, which they manage from A to Z: they deal with production and logistical issues, take charge of scriptwriting and directing, and even handle certain aspects of post-production themselves.
Despite this versatility, and the need (especially when budgets are tight) to wear many hats, they need to have a minimum of support, especially when it comes to delegating the more technical aspects.
KNOW-HOW, KNOWLEDGE
The lifeblood of freelance work is finance. The writer-director is often dependent on it.
They will need to rely on a well-stocked contacts book to approach production companies, distributors and financial partners.
Sometimes, for reasons of freedom or necessity, they may have to go it alone. In these cases, they will need to be very shrewd, organised and thrifty, in order to find solutions to their problems and make do “with what they have”.
Here again, your contacts (riggers, animators, special effects specialists, editors, etc.) will be invaluable in bringing your projects to life.
Clearly, you need to be highly organised while taking on the tasks of your salaried colleagues: imagining, designing and communicating.
You need to be motivated and tenacious to have any chance of success.
CAREER AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
In the absence of distributors, writer-directors can now rely on the Internet, a distribution platform, to disseminate their creations.
Festivals and other artistic programmes are also a way of publicising their work. Freelance writer-director is a profession in which you must not hesitate to force your way in.
Be aware that your activity and your remuneration are subject to specific declarations, which enable you to be affiliated to the self-employed artists’ scheme for social protection.
Remuneration varies (fees, royalties, broadcasting rights, etc.).
