Who are you, what do you do, why did you decide to go freelance, and how long have you been freelancing for?

I’m Hugh Chaloner, I’m a freelance film editor and photographer, two distinct but related professions. I became a freelancer (again) in April of 2009 after the company I was working for collapsed and I felt I had to expand my horizons from a creative perspective. I’ve been self-employed for about 11 of the last 18 years.

What are the top two projects you’ve worked on this year?

I’ve been lucky enough to be able to do some charity work as expedition photographer on a trek in the Himalayas to Kala Patthar, Island Peak and Everest BC for the Hope Foundation. Hugely rewarding and physically tough, it gave a great insight to Nepalese culture as well as some stupendous scenery and a perspective on the national predicament.

On the commercial side, I’ve developed a relationship with Red Rage Films and have edited a number of commercials with them (Today Fm, NALA, Erin) great bunch of people and lots of fun to work with. There’s another project this side of Christmas with Richie Smith which also has huge potential.

What are the qualities/characteristics of your dream client? Does such a person/organisation even exist?

A dream client communicates a brief clearly, collaborates, listens, is flexible and fun and ultimately pays. There are plenty of them out there.

How long did it take you to get on your feet as a freelancer? What were some of the challenges?

I’m still getting on my feet. One of the challenges is finding the time to do administrative tasks. Also, working from home can be tough.

How has your chosen field changed since you entered it, aside from there being more technologies? What do you think the climate for freelancers is like?

The price of entry into both professions has dropped dramatically since I first became a freelancer. When I bought my first piece of editing kit in 1992 it was about €30,000. You can buy a better piece of kit now for about €3,500. The upshot of this is that there are a lot more freelancers out there, and there’s huge price competition. Younger freelancers without kids and a mortgage can afford to charge less and frequently the clients who purchase these services find it hard to justify the higher cost of a more seasoned professional. So, while the industries are burgeoning, it’s tougher to compete.

Did you struggle with time management when you began freelancing? How did you resolve those issues?

Yes. I’m still trying to resolve them. Our family focuses on a daily evening meal and we eat well. We attempt to stick to this.

Give us an overview of the activities you do regularly to keep up with marketing yourself

I rely on websites such as Freelance Ireland and social media to get myself out there. Every email I send out has a link to my website in the signature. Word-of-mouth is also really important and it seems to be easier to find your next gig if you’re already working on something.

What other methods do you recommend for other freelancers to boost their image and get more positive press?

If you don’t already have one, register a domain and either build a website or have one built for you. Engage in some charity work. Attend professional gatherings, look up old college friends, you just never know where your next job might come from. Keep updating your CV even if you’re not contemplating full-time work. Ensure that you get out as much as possible to keep up your social skills, a lot of freelancers tend to stay in solitary confinement!

What’s your typical day like?

It depends which activity I’m doing: on the editing side, I travel to wherever I’m editing (if not at home) and spend the day cutting, collaborating, presenting or handing over to the finishing house; on the photographic side, prepping the kit for the next shoot, sorting, uploading, photoshopping and finishing images from previous shoots.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

More editing of commercials, a few possible long-term editing projects and broadening the scope of my photography.

Any advice for anyone looking to break into this field?

Know your equipment inside and out to the extent that you don’t have to think about it when you’re in the creative or production environment. It needs to be second nature. Work on your communication skills. Get fit. If you’re already fit, get fitter.

And finally, which is better – being freelance or working full-time for just one organisation?

Being a freelance offers me more flexibility in my chosen fields.

And just for fun – entirely up to you if you answer this or not – how true to life is this cartoon by The Oatmeal? http://theoatmeal.com/comics/working_home

I love The Oatmeal, particularly on the use of the semicolon

Web: www.hughchaloner.com

Twitter: @hughchal

Facebook: www.facebook.com/chaloner

Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/hughchal/sets/72157594289514257/show/

 

About the Author

Freelance writer/journalist/web writer/copy writer. I have written for Time Out Magazine, Time Out Guides, timeout.com, Associated Newspapers, Comic Relief, Red Nose Day, Sport Relief, steveredgravefund.com, LIVE8/Make Promises Happen/DATA/One, Marks & Spencer (Books), Freelance Ireland and The Times (London). My specialisms are entertainment, charity and human interest. www.katyodowd.com