Skills Week / Max Meltzer / Freelancing In Games

Slide 1: Freelancing in Games Max Meltzer Principal Talent Agent International Talent Management www.itmcreatives.com

Slide 2: State of Market • 10 Years Ago: Very little freelancing • Now: Frequent freelancing not to same standard as film. • Future: Full freelance market.

Slide 3: Benefits to Freelancing • Higher Average Pay • Flexibility • Breadth of Opportunities • Effective for Employer

Slide 4: Becoming a Freelancer • Safe vs. Turbulent Environment • Openness to Rejection • Constant Pursuing of Next Contract • Self-Confidence • Networking • Career Control

Slide 5: Being a Good Freelancer • Communication Skills: 1. Listening 2. Verbal 3. Written • Ability to Interpret Briefs • Realistic • Imagination

Slide 6: Being a Successful Freelancer “It’s not what you know, It’s who you know”.

Slide 7: Personnel to Target • Outsourcing Manager • Studio Art Director • Art Director • Human Resources Manager • Producer

Slide 8: Where They Hang • IGDA Chapters • Developer Conferences • SIGGRAPH • Comic Book Con • London Games Festival • Wherever there’s beer!

Slide 9: Pitching Your Services Pivotal Question: • How do you recruit freelancers? Have Ready: • A Full Reel • CV • Statement of how you stand out.

Slide 10: Valuing Yourself • High End for any Artist is £500 a day • Low End is £200 a day • Share Knowledge • GRR!! Stands for: Gauge, Realism, Respect.

Slide 11: Intermediaries • The Recruitment Agent • The Talent Agent