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If you want to work your way up in the entertainment industry — especially in unscripted television — chances are you are going to spend more time freelancing than working staff jobs. Today, Joey Korenman, entertainment professional and author the book The Freelance Manifesto is here to inspire you to greatness. Get practical, hands-on tips to help you find freelance work in “Hollywood” (or wherever you are.) More importantly, start weighing what’s truly important to you…and your happiness. Plus, some amazing free resources from Joey Korenman and School of Motion to help you improve your filmmaking skills by using better design. This episode is about more than just your career and making pretty pictures…it’s about your dreams, and living a fulfilling life.
Joey Korenman – Running a School of Motion…and More
Like we discuss in today’s episode, we first discovered Joey Korenman and his School of Motion while prepping for our new CNN/HLN TV series. Shortly thereafter, Joey released The Freelance Manifesto, and we just knew he was our kind of guy — and yours.
We reached out to Joey, and he even had us stop by his podcast to share some advice for artists who want to work in unscripted TV…and to grill us about how the unscripted television and reality TV business works.
Joey is an inspirational, ambitious professional who has dedicated his life not just to his success, but to helping others achieve their own.
Design Your Career, Your Projects, and Your Life…
As we discuss in today’s podcast, freelancing…especially in unscripted television…is one of the only ways to “work your way up” through the ranks. But it can be a scary proposition.
What we love about Joey’s new book, The Freelance Manifesto, is that it offers easy to follow, no-nonsense advice that’s not scary.
It’s important to note that the book is aimed at those pursuing a career in motion design. However, the advice completely transfers to any area of the entertainment industry (or any industry, for that matter.)
It’s the same kind of advice we give aspiring editors, cinematographers, directors, and producers all the time.
Because we know YOU, our listeners and readers, are smart people, we have no doubt that if you do pick up the book, you’ll put it to good use, no matter what career you’re pursuing.
Just some of what we discuss with Joey Korenman today:
- Being ready when opportunity strikes
- Taking creative control of your career
- Rolling the dice on yourself
- Creative risk versus job stability
- Is job stability an illusion?
- Building a bigger safety net
- Working your way up to “shot caller”
- Does achieving your dream equate to happiness?
- Climbing the “wrong mountain”
- Going freelance versus taking a staff job
- The importance of freelance in unscripted television
- Where to find staff jobs in unscripted television
- The five phases of freelancing (sort of!)
- Tips to connect with people who will hire you
- Getting specific with who you contact during a cold call
- Personalize your cover letters using internet research
- Is showbiz a meritocracy?
- Why being the “most talented” doesn’t guarantee you work
- The traits that get you rehired
- Fighting perceptions people have of you
- Our favorite tip from The Freelance Manifesto
- Plus…where to find great free design resources to improve the look of your productions
- And…Biagio gets way too excited about working with text!
Your career is important. Your happiness is crucial.
Press that giant PLAY button at the top of this page for advice that will help you achieve the success you want, while ensuring you won’t lose track of the happiness you need.
Helpful and Related Links
- The Freelance Manifesto – great read by Joey Korenman, aimed at motion design professionals, but the advice will work for ANY creative (or non-creative) freelancer.
- The School of Motion site, get a free account and watch HOURS of amazing free training.
- Joey Korenman piece on Motionographer – a wonderful, insightful article about “climbing the wrong mountain” and more
- It’s Not Worth It – Adweek’s coverage of the original thought-provoking article A Short Lesson in Perspectve by Linds Redding. It should have all of us considering just how much happiness we want to trade for success.
- Free Design Bootcamp Webinar – this is the one Biagio watched where he picked up his new favorite design concept…Value Structure.
- Follow School of Motion on Twitter: @SchoolOfMotion
- Follow us on Twitter: @JokeAndBiagio – we’re around often and try to respond to most tweets.
Let’s Make Some TV Together
Trying to break into unscripted television, reality TV, documentary series, or true crime? Want to pitch to our company? Here’s what to do next: