Tag: freelance

Freelance Journey

How to Become a Freelancer – January 2025 Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Have submitted Troy to the Edinburgh New Writers Collective competition. I always like a competition that Troy is eligible for.

Am searching for sound jobs around February as my first set one isn’t until March.


So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
My goals for this year are to contact agents, now I have The Legend of Aramelle as a showcase of my writing and a growing portfolio. My other goal is to finish one of the four scripts I have in various drafts. From my gold rush script to the 1960’s script (Which still needs a name) and finally two scripts that are not set in a specific time period for once, but are about two sisters and two actors.

Am still writing the second series of Legend of Aramelle. I hope to finish the first draft by the end of January, but the speed I’m going at the moment it will be closer to the end of February.

Things Learnt:
The Edinburgh New Writers competition needed a one page CV – something which I was able to do by taking out most of the description of my non-writing jobs. The difficulty is in keeping in information about transferable skills, but I do have a spearate skills section of my CV, so crowded them all into there. In an aesthetically pleasing way, of course!

Freelance Journey

How to Become a Freelancer – December Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Have finished editing everything from the film course! (Except for one where my video files got corrupted.) As I currently only have the free version of Vimeo, I’ll have to switch the Brighton School documentary with the film Somewhere Below. I do think this is a better example of my work, as it showcases my screenwriting as well as editing and sound skills.

I also have a version of the film that uses the song that inspired it (Grand Hotel by Regina Spektor), but the one I’m uploading uses good old royalty-free music from the Adobe library!

Have two sound recording jobs lined up for the new year – one without a definite date yet, and the other filming one weekend in March. The one in March will be my first profit share job – which essentially means I will get paid if the film makes a profit (and not if it doesn’t). This is a step up from the expenses only ones I’ve been doing so far!

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
Put Last Witch in Swanage into BBC Writersroom. I edited it a bit, but not too much before submitting.


The as yet unnamed 1960s pilot is definitely the script I’ll be submitting to most competitions next year, just as soon as I think of a title.

My goal for 2026 is to contact agents. I have a big enough portfolio of scripts now that I can do this.

Things Learnt:
Tailored cover letters in job applications can make a big difference. I knew this already from when I was a retail manager and in charge of hiring new staff. I was much less likely to interview the people who sent generic applications! However, I think it is even more true in crew jobs. I have had three jobs offered to me without an interview, just based on my cover letters being tailored to the job and person I am applying to work with. While part of this might be a scramble to fill roles as the shotting dates get close, it is also clearly making an impact on the hirers to see that I’ve read about the film and found out their name before applying.

Freelance Journey

How to Become a Freelancer – November Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Have nearly finished editing everything from the film course. I only have two items left now. Have uploaded my short documentary film about the Brighton School of film-makers to Vimeo. I still want to add some narration to better tell the story, but am very pleased with how it’s turned out!

Ended up with two sound recording jobs in October – the second was Behind the scenes interviews for a film. Very fun, the difference between sound for films and sound for interviews is interesting though. Sound for films is lots of short takes, and interviews are obviously conversations so can go on for ages with just one take, as I did not have a stand available, this made my arms very tired by the end of the day!

I have an interview for another film coming up, which doesn’t start shooting until January so I can try to save up money to use hireacamera.com again!

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
Put Last Witch in Swanage into The channel 4 scheme, but am continuing editing it until BBC Writersroom opens in December.

I also had an idea for another pilot set in 1960, which I was able to write the first ten pages of in one day! So obviously, it wanted to come out of my head! I’ve already begun to edit the first draft of this, and am hoping to put it into some competitions by the new year. It might be ready for BBC in December, but I’ll probably stick with Last Witch in Swanage for this year, as that way I know I’ve put the same thing into both Channel 4 and BBC and can’t repeat those submissions next year.

Things Learnt:
Depending on how early you need to be somewhere for a film shoot can make a big difference to how much your ticket costs! Peak times are obviously more expensive than non-peak times but I had a train ticket double in price to nearly £90 when I’d only budgeted £45! From now on, I’m just going to assume it’s the expensive ticket and go from there!

Freelance Journey

How To Become a Freelancer – September Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
The final episode of The Legend of Aramelle is up! You can listen to it here on WordPress, on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Pocketcasts.

The film shoot I was on went well. The first day was recording on location, and there was an issue with one of the microphones in that it couldn’t be heard through my headphones. It was recording sound though, and both other mikes worked fine. If I had had an hour to figure out the issue, I would have been able to, but that wasn’t possible without delaying filming significantly. I haven’t heard anything from the editors, though, so I assume it did record fine in the end, just without me hearing it!
The next day was on a set and I used a different microphone to avoid that issue and it worked fine. I am excited to see the final edit! It’s a very strange thing to be able to hear someone across the room more clearly than someone directly in front of you, if they’re miked up. Plus, it can be extremely tiring to hear things to that extent for so much of the day, but I do find it enjoyable and have already applied for my next job!

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
Am working on the feedback for The Last Witch in Swanage (puritan witch script). The channel 4 scheme opens on 22 September and as Troy isn’t eligible for that one, I’m hoping LWIS is at a good enough level to submit it this year.

The BAFTA Rocliffe competition still hasn’t opened.

The date for the final screening of the film course got moved again! This was due to building work being done over the summer, so I am hopeful I will be able to attend after all.
However, there’s no update on when the screening will be now.

Things Learnt:
I’ve made a spreadsheet for my expenses/income and coded it so the sums get added up automatically. I added my expenses for the film shoot and then subtracted them again once the expenses had been paid. For this first year, I’ve only made one spreadsheet for the entire financial year as it’s unlikely I’ll be making enough month to month to warrant monthly ones.
I an hoping to finish all the projects before the screening and, now the editing for Legend of Aramelle is complete, I will have more time to focus on them.

Freelance Journey

How to Become a Freelancer – August Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Another late in the month update, but, I hope, one worth waiting for as I have my first job as a sound recordist! It’s on a short film shooting next week, and once edited, it will give me my first IMDB credit!

The Legend of Aramelle is going well. Episode eleven is due up next Saturday (23rd August). You can listen to it here on WordPress, on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Pocketcasts.

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
Finally finished a draft of The Last Witch in Swanage (puritan witch script) and have received feedback from two people for my next draft. I hope to enter it into the BBC open call this year, so still have time to work on it.

The BAFTA Rocliffe competition still hasn’t opened but, when it does, I’ll be submitting my Troy script this year.

Finally, am in the process of editing everything I shot in the film course and am about half-way through all the projects. Sadly, I won’t be able to make the final screening as it’s the same day as my sound job starts. Though, I’m hoping I can meet up with people from the course in the coming months as I was looking forward to seeing everyone at the screening.

Things Learnt:
As this first job is expenses paid only, I have made sure I’ve been collecting receipts and invoices for the travel I’ve booked. Now I’ve actually started doing it, it’s much less daunting than it seemed before I started and just need to make sure I keep everything in one place!

Freelance Journey

How to Become a Freelancer – July Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Now I am back at work full-time, I am having to plan my editing time for The Legend of Aramelle, more closely. I am still on track, though, with episode eight due to go up this Saturday (12th July). It can be listened to here on WordPress, on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Pocketcasts.

I have been applying to sound-recording jobs (and a few assistant director or producer jobs) on Mandy and Backstage, which has led to a few interviews, but no paid work, just yet. However, I am keeping track of how many interviews I’m getting and it’s over half of what I’ve applied for!

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
Am still waiting for the release date of the Bafta competition this year, as I will be submitting my Troy script into it. I am also nearly finished with my script for the BBC writersroom this year (will be nice to finish with plenty of time to edit). It’s my puritan witches script and I’m going to ask my writing group to give me notes in the next week or so.

Am in the process of editing the films from the film course. I may not finish all of them before the graduation, but should have a fair few edited and ready to be shown.

Things Learnt:
Am getting better with writing succinct cover letters when applying to jobs. Have found the best way for me to write them is to write them in a Notes app and then add them to my application. I tend to follow the formula of mentioning things they have mentioned in the application and then adding my own skills where appropriate. It may not sound like much, but as someone who used to not add cover letters at all until I was about 28 (when I was a manager and realised I wasn’t impressed when people didn’t send cover letters to me), it has changed how I apply to jobs!

Freelance Journey

How to Become a Freelancer – March Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Still recovering from my burns and still off work, meaning my main focus for the next few months is whatever is going to save me the most money, as statutory sick pay is not built for prolonged absences!

However, I am getting there (I now only need one nap a day, as opposed to last month’s three).

The date of The Legend of Aramelle podcast release has been pushed back to 5th April. Partly to allow me to edit them well while still recovering. Also because I have found someone to compose original theme music for the show and wanted to give them enough time to deliver.

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
The Legend of Aramelle podcast is recorded, sound effects are in place and apart from the music, the first episode is ready for release!

Troy script was entered into the Roadmap competititon, which has altered its closing date to 12th March. Am going to submit Troy into Oxford 42 as well, but have until April to do so.

The next competititon I am entering is my time-travel script which will be entered into Scribe Lounge Elevate by the end of March.

Once I’m recovered fully, I will have to make up some work on my other scripts. However, I don’t have any plans to enter those ones into any competitions for a few months, so am focussing on one script at a time while I’m healing.

Things Learnt:
Am getting better at layering sound in Garageband and the first episode really has a good sense of atmosphere when it’s needed: such as an angry horde of villagers chasing my main character and a river progressively getting louder as they near a waterfall.


Have also learnt the benefit of leaving scripts alone for as long as possible between editing. My usual method of working is to keep going back to a script until I reach a point I’m happy to send it to competitions. However, with my time travel script I hadn’t edited it in about a year and as such have been able to identify many changes to make!


From scenes that last time I edited them seemed like vital parts of the story, that I now realise can be altered or cut completely, to adding in scenes that fit the narrative past the pilot episode has been great. Also, turns out that leaving a script for a long time means I like editing it again, rather than finding it a chore.

Freelance Journey

How To Become a Freelancer – December Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
In November, I finalised the cast and recording dates for my podcast and we will record in January!

I also signed up to a screen-writing course in Brighton in January and had my interview for it, so January is looking set to be a busy month!

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
I finalised the scripts for The Legend of Aramelle podcast and have sent the scripts to the cast today!

I put in one of the first scripts I ever wrote – What Came Before – to the BBC. I admit it’s not a great script for competitions, hence why I haven’t entered it to the BBC before. However, I thought as I was writing the podcast scripts – which are too short at 15-20 minutes an episode – then I could either put in an old script, or put in my Gold Rush script before it was ready. Submitting What Came Before means I can still submit my Gold Rush script in their next submission window, when it will be better. As What Came Before is a small part of a very large story, I may as well submit it to a free competition as it’s likely to never be made until I’ve made lots of other things first!

In my interview for the writing course – I did reveal to the interviewer my plan for the Trojan Horse. It’s the first time I’ve told anyone and they said it was a fascinating idea. Apologies for not repeating it here, but one day I hope you’ll find out!

Things Learnt:
Am still learning sound on the film course and getting better at it. Yesterday we were filming a short film on the beach. In December. With both the waves, wind and seagulls to contend with, I was worried the dialogue wouldn’t be hear-able at all. I couldn’t do the boom mike operating myself as well as the recording so did have help from a fellow student. Meanwhile it was my job to make sure they were pointing it in the right direction, and what levels to put the sound at so the sea is in the background and the words are in the foreground! The director listened to some of the recordings afterwards and said they sounded perfect, so I guess I’ll keep learning!

I also helped to produce that short film. The director is interested in writing themselves, so I pointed out where things could be re-written or changed but allowed them to decide how to actually re-write them. I also got to write call sheets for everyone and went about getting permission from the council to film on the beach! I did have to ring the events officer directly when I hadn’t had an answer for a few days, but that was easy once I’d found their number!

Had to promise the council I’d give everyone a H+S briefing about the sea. So here I am telling everyone to not touch the sea!
Freelance Journey

How To Become a Freelancer – November Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
In October, I met with someone who is interested in helping me produce my fiction podcast, and we have begun pre-production on it!

I also managed to get onto the latest TallStoryPictures script callout and received feedback from it, as well as feedback from Bafta for my plague script.

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
I wrote some sides – mainly short monologues for The Legend of Aramelle podcast – and have already begun to receive some audition tapes!

This is the first time I have heard any characters I’ve created be performed back at me (not counting writers reading aloud my scripts) and I enjoyed hearing them so much that I spent my Friday evening making notes!
The auditions are still open until 13/11 if you would like to send in your own tape!

Received feedback from TallStoryPictures on my Troy script, though I had given them a version prior to me (once again) re-writing the beginning after a brainwave, the feedback was very useful. It made me realise that the script is worth pursuing still even if it’s not quite there yet. Plus I will take comfort in receiving the following feedback: “you’ve got a great knack for creating characters that immediately feel like flesh and blood.”

I also received feedback on All Plays Prohibited which I submitted to the Bafta film competition. Didn’t get shortlisted, but receving such detailed feedback makes me feel like it’s worth entering again and going back to edit that script again! Plus received a specific note that I have received on this script before, which shows people do enjoy reading it, even though I am aware it needs further editing! “This is a great idea for a film because it’s a storyworld that most people aren’t very familiar with, and one that’s placed in a traumatising situation we are all very familiar with (a pandemic).”

Finally am still editing my Gold Rush script, so it’s ready for BBC Writers room which opens in November. I’m putting it through the Full Script Group on Scribe Lounge, which hopefully will help me work on the ending.

Things Learnt:
Am learning sound on my film course; the subjects I most want to freelance in are: Screenwriting, Sound and Video Editing. Doing sound does take some getting used to. You are wired up quite heavily and have a microphone cable to drag around with you most of the time, too. It’s made slightly harder by the fact that I’m under five feet tall, so a boom mike usually ends up being twice my height.

However, I am getting better at managing the cables, figuring out the correct levels to record at for different scenes and setting eveything up at the beginning. I next need to learn how to put everything away again, safely, and remove all the cables on the first go. (They have various clips and buttons to make sure they stay in place, so just pulling them out isn’t an option!)

Freelance Journey

How To Become a Freelancer – October Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
In September I submitted my time travel script to the Channel 4 Screenwriting scheme and have begun a Film-Making Diploma that takes place on Saturdays.

I also went to the TV and Film Meetup in London on 14th September, where I managed to make contact with an actor who is interested in my fiction podcast.

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
I met with an actor about my fiction podcast idea and have been advised by them that the next best step is to write some sides for potential auditions. I am hoping to do this within the next week.

Having someone else interested in the project has given me new drive for it and it is highly possible that I will be able to record the project in January!

Am also editing my Gold Rush script, so it’s ready for BBC Writers room which opens in November. The story is there now, it’s just the ending that still needs work.

Things Learnt:
Have begun to build myself a profile on fiverr for freelance work, as I think it will work better for me than Upwork’s system does. I am likely to be busy over the next month (all those general life things I’ve been mentioning for months are all coming to fruition before Christmas) but, once that dies down, I can give myself the Christmas present of a freelance profile!

What a good way to start the new year!

Freelance Journey

How To Become a Freelancer – September Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
In August, I received notes on my Troy script and have entirely changed the beginning point of the story as a result!

I have also signed up to a new Improvisation course starting in a few weeks’ time, and will be going to the TV and Film Meetup in London on 14th September.

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
I have the extract of my film script set dring the 1665 plague lockdown ready to submit to the BAFTA Rocliffe competition. I just need to check over all my corresponding materials and put them in the correct formats before submitting.

I finally got round to redesigning this website! Now have my own domain name (see above) and am slowly adding pages such as my new CV page.

The showreel page is still very much a work in progress and not yet live, but will be added to the site in the next few months.

In the meantime, proof-reading requests can be sent to me here. I really wanted this to be a pay-what-you-can service, and am still working on how to make sure this is set up correctly. So don’t feel like you have to go through the PayPal section to get a message to me. As long as I receive a message, I am able to work through any requests.

Have also finished Draft 1 of my Gold Rush script, and have plenty of time to edit it before December for the BBC Writers room.

Things Learnt:
Am still very much trying to save money for various life reasons at the moment, so won’t be able to update any of my software before Christmas at the earliest.

However, have begun to build myself a profile on Upwork in the meantime and will make the profile live later on this month.

Freelance Journey

How to Become a Freelancer – July Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
In June, I went on an Arvon course for screenwriting – though I still don’t have the confidence to drive to the place. Was able to get professional feedback on two of my WIPs and the first ten pages of Troy. Have therefore been making some changes to the beginning of Troy based on the feedback.

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
Am still dealing with a lot of admin tasks in all areas of my life, so the podcast drama is still on the backburner for now.
Did not get the promotion at work which on the plus side does mean I don’t have any extra responsibilities at work now and can continue to focus on my writing.
Submitted Troy – now renamed The Trojan War Diaries – into the Scribe Lounge competition. This was before the changes to the beginning so will have to see how well it does in that competition.
Have a much clearer idea of the story I need to tell with my Gold Rush script, too, so have been making edits and hoping to get that ready for submission to competitions by September.

Things Learnt:
Was told during the Arvon course that a good spec script needs drama on every page. Don’t hold things back for the second episode. Get them in the first!

Freelance Journey

How To Become a Freelancer

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
It may have been nearly two years since I last wrote something on here, but that doesn’t mean I can’t start up again now.

I am not a freelance writer. Yet. But it is where I would like my career to get to. I have a special interest in scriptwriting and can also do proof-reading, fact-checking and general feedback.

Wanting to be a freelancer is all well and good, but it’s a difficult thing to actually get there. The idea of not making the exact same amount of money each month so as to adequately budget and not starve/get evicted etc. is a frankly terrifying one.

So what is the best way to go about it? Right now. I don’t know, but I am trying my best to walk towards it and a monthly update post on what steps I’ve made towards that goal seems like a good way of keeping track of those steps and keeping this blog updated at the same time.

Each month I will write an update of where I am at with each of the scripts I am working on, what I have submitted in places, things I have learnt that others may find useful and other (AKA things I can’t fit in the other three categories).

Scripts Update:
Currently I have six finished episodes of an audio drama, that I am working towards making as a fiction podcast this year – children’s medieval fantasy is the genre. I just need to work out how to book a podcast studio and pay some actors and I’ll be off on this one!

Not currently submitted anywhere ( but has been in competitions in the past) is my screenplay about actors in the 1665 plague lockdown.

My pilot scripts of a re-telling of Troy, and time travel are both submitted into a competition and waiting to hear any news.

The time travel one is submitted into another competition also.

I am currently working on my draft 0 of three different screenplays: One about a con-artist in the Californian gold rush. One about the Puritan witch trials and one about an alternate re-telling of the Napoleonic Wars where women were allowed in the army and navy in the 1700’s.

I am editing another screenplay about two actors both up for the same role and another pilot script about vampire highwaymen.

I have also written a short (3 pages) for an evening class I am taking in film-making. Where I should get to make the short as part of the course. This script is about a spider.

Competitions:
Haven’t heard back from any competitions I’ve submitted to in the first two months of this year, but I am taking part in the Scribe Lounge Elevate competition where the deadline for submissions is June.

Things Learnt:
Have learnt the importance of budgeting, but am not yet very good at actually doing it…

Plus as I mentioned before, am taking a short course in film-making, and though I do have some knowledge of editing, I didn’t have any knowledge of actually recording film. The course has been fascinating from this aspect thus far. I have learnt that technically, film isn’t really moving – it’s just a bunch of photographs taken really really close together and then put next to each other, which our brain interprets as movement because of how we see – this can be demonstrated by just waving your arm up and down in front of a mirror, you see your arm at the top and at the bottom, but not really in the middle; in the middle, it’s a blur and your brain fills in the gaps, creating movement where it can’t see it.

So my scripts currently submitted to competitions might be creating movement that I just can’t see yet.