How to be a Successful Freelance Filmmaker with Jake Hawkins

The Honest Filmmaker

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Today I’m joined by filmmaker, editor, pixel pusher and owner of boutique video agency The Red Red, Jake Hawkins

Jake’s been working with some of the biggest brands in the UK for the past 10 years on all types of productions as well as co-directing the micro budget horror movie Zombie Resurrection.
In this chat I asked Jake for his tips on setting yourself up as a freelancer, how to set your rates, how to be professional, how to deal with clients and how find clients in the first place.
Jake is owner of The Red Red Video, a video and animation company based in Hampshire. Working with brands to help tell their stories through animations, video and 3D content.

Jake left university to set up The Red Red, starting as a freelance cameraman and editor. He now works with brands like MTV, Johnson & Johnson and Shimano on big budget projects.

Jake also co-directed ‘Zombie Resurrection’, a micro budget horror that was released across the globe.
Links from the chat
Accounting software https://www.xero.com/uk
Adobe After Effects Resource https://www.videocopilot.net

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Capíttulos

1. How to be a Successful Freelance Filmmaker with Jake Hawkins (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:00:15)

3. Jake's University Course (00:00:57)

4. When and how did he become a freelancer? (00:01:37)

5. Should you do freebies when you are starting out? (00:03:30)

6. Choosing your niche - what do you like doing? (00:05:10)

7. What you need to set up straight away (00:06:22)

8. The secret to 'Professionalism" (00:08:36)

9. The rate card - what should you be charging? (00:10:40)

10. Your showreel (00:13:50)

11. Getting paid by clients, how to get paid (00:14:19)

12. Retainer work - Client meetings (00:19:30)

13. How to find clients (00:23:24)

14. Networking tips (00:26:09)

15. Doing your accounts (00:30:07)

16. Lawyer up? Legal Eagles (00:32:59)

17. Animation and 3D modelling (00:34:09)

18. Using AI (00:37:22)

19. Making a feature film (00:39:54)

20. What they don't teach you at University (00:41:00)