Krystian Sobczyk
21.05.2024
405
Animation is a fascinating industry and many creators have been involved in creating amazing animated content over the years. We've all seen Disney and Pixart cartoons. They are amazing in their picture and drawing and what if we tell you that you too can get into similar projects by working on freelancing. Of course freelancing is not a stable thing, but it opens up the possibility of participating in the lottery where you will have the opportunity to take off in a second grabbing a promising project.
Of course working as a full-time animator has many advantages: Stability, management opportunities, and perks like health insurance. But on the flip side, freelance animators have the flexibility to work on a variety of projects, the ability to collaborate with teams around the world, and generally higher daily pay. Freelancers also have more freedom to pursue their own creative projects, which is a huge advantage for animators. The path you choose depends on your personality, lifestyle, and the type of work you're interested in. Let's take a look at how freelance animators work, how to begin and what options are available to you in this field.
Some of the best sites to find freelance animator jobs include the following:
FlexJobs is a well-established job board that offers jobs for all types of freelancers. One of the main features of FlexJobs is its huge database and collaboration with the biggest animation companies in the industry. Pixar, DreamWorks, Bardel Entertainment, Mercury Filmworks, and other industry leaders have hired freelance animators on FlexJobs. Due to the size of the site, competition for jobs on FlexJobs is very high, but if you have a strong portfolio and the talent to back it up, FlexJobs can be a great resource for you.
This site is specifically for animators and is a great place to find freelance animator jobs. Not all jobs are for contractors, so be sure to look for keywords like "remote work" or "freelance" in the listings. AnimatedJobs also has tons of resources for job seekers, such as how to protect yourself during your job search.
Indeed is a huge platform for job seekers, but did you know that there are hundreds of freelance animator jobs posted here all the time? You can categorize jobs by category, location, or salary level.
You can find the largest number of jobs on Indeed, but don't forget about their quality. If a potential employer asks you to pay an application fee, if someone offers you a job without an interview, or if you can't find information about a company online, chances are you've fallen for some kind of scam. You may have to do some searching, but if you do your homework, you can find some really good job postings on Indeed.
Most freelancers are familiar with the pros and cons of Upwork. Once you understand how this system works, it can be a reliable source of freelance work for animators. On Upwork, you can either request posted projects or advertise your services for a flat rate. Creating a profile can take some time, and you will need approval from the site before posting or applying for work. The good news is that the approval process helps weed out low-quality freelancers who give the whole "gig economy" a bad name.
Guru is a major job search platform that hosts tons of freelance animator jobs. Compared to Upwork or Flexjobs, the number of freelancers and posted jobs is a bit smaller, so competition can be a bit stiffer. However, Guru is a subscription service, so you will have to pay a monthly fee to bid on jobs. This helps weed out low-quality bids, but it also means that, in addition to the fee, you have to be willing to spend time finding clients on this service.
Freelance animator jobs involve a variety of skills. If you're in doubt about whether this job is right for you, read on to see if your skill set fits into one of these categories:
If all of this sounds like a good fit for you, then you're probably ready to dive headfirst into the world of independent animation. Here's what you need to know before looking for a job in independent animation:
Freelance animator work can be competitive, but for many artists, the flexibility of a contractor comes at a cost. Spend time developing your skills and portfolio to have the best chance of winning bids. Remember that networking is a great tool for finding quality freelance work. People you know are very important in this field, so look to local networking groups, online forums and LinkedIn to find valuable mentors. With careful planning, proper marketing on the right message boards, and enough patience, suitable freelance animator jobs are sure to be found.
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