[Andy Jackson]

Thanks for your input but you note you have been working for a company for 24 years and you would never go freelance as you enjoy having the guaranteed paycheck.

Its easy for someone like yourself come up with the suggestions you have in the situation you are in.

Im 41 and probably around the same age as yourself so some of your advise has gone out of the window.. sorry if it sound rude but im not looking for a life coach.

I enjoy what i do and it has been my full time career.
All i was asking is if anyone else feels the same as me who are self employed and probably going through the same difficulties

[Andy Jackson]

I was one of those brave ones.

Went from umaticsp and betacamsp to digital. Had to go with the times and never looked back.

Problem now is anyone can afford the gear even at hobby level.

And that causes problems for all video professionals

[Andy Jackson]

Taken me years to learn what i know now.

Might take the easy option and do a no brainer.. Give me a rest with less stress.

[Andy Jackson]

If it does not pick up by the end of the year I may just do that.

Long time since I`ve had a guaranteed monthly paycheck.

Could do any brain dead job for the minimum wage and get some tax credits on top. Could earn around 250 week.
Better still become a binman 350 week.

Will probably earn more than I`ve done over the past 2 years.

It seems that creatives are in the worst paid jobs at the moment and no one values it.

When i get a call for a job (probably about 1 every 3 months) and thats with marketing in all types of sectors their first question is “how much will it cost” not can i see your work.

Most companies now want videos done in-house on the cheap by a geek employee who likes to play around in his spare time. Does not matter if its professionaly put together, all they want is the message to get across and then posted on their site or crappy youtube.

They will buy a cheap 150 camcorder and use some free editing software of the web or better still purchase the FCP 10 software if their mac based now for 190 pounds.
Apple have reduced their software prices as have Avid.
This either proves they are struggling or the market is oversaturated with so called video experts who now have the market monopoly on the prices they will pay.

More people are starting their one man band video companies.
Clients are now playing one against the other because they know there is so many of us in the business to get the best deal.
Ever video guy wants the business so they will bid the lowest rate and so on.
I hear the sentence alot that not all video producers will play the lowest bid game but in reality they do…I know!

Have you checked the site “people per hour”– This will prove my point.

Funny enough i lost a job today due to a school wanting to film their show (which was booked 5 months ago)but at the last minute copyright issues from the writers put a stop to it. Made 150 deposit but also lost 1000.00 in orders. Its disheartning.

—–
In this business you can never plan your future.
You never know what or when work is coming in.
Most jobs are one offs then you have to look again for more work.
Never any solid guaranteed contracts.
No guarnteed salary…. Shall I go on?
—–

Most video guys I know now do the business part time and get a proper job to pay the bills.

I think i will be doing the same.