Tag: freelance

Freelance Journey

How To Become a Freelancer – August 26 Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Have finally managed to buy a shotgun microphone – with hopes to have a complete sound recording kit by Christmas. In the meantime I have hired what I need for the shoot at the end of this month, which is two days before I start my new job.

So, on to the update!

Scripts Update:
I have officially decided to not record Legend of Aramelle until January. This gives me enough time to fully work through the notes I’ve been given, save up money to pay everyone and not be rushing to get it completed before I start work, which is what would have happened if I recorded this month.

Pushing that back has freed up my time a little and the two scripts I have been working on have been easier to write the first drafts of as a result of me not writing as much. I’m nearly ready for notes on my 1960s one – though sadly it will be beginning of September that that is finished. And I will have my time travelling witch script done by October.

Things Learnt:
I am surprised how much more writing I have been able to get done, now I’ve pushed back Legend of Aramelle recording. It was obviously the case that focussing on too many different things was actually making me write less instead of more! Instead, now I am free to concentrate on imagining time travelling witches and the 1960s to my heart’s content.

Freelance Journey

How to Become a Freelancer – July 26 Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
My Last Witch in Swanage script made it to the top 20% of Scribe Lounge Elevate! Sadly didn’t get shortlisted, but the top 20 meant it got a full script read!

In June, worked on an unpaid one-day shoot for a documentary and am also doing a sound edit of both the documentary and a short film by the same company. Plus a one-day paid shoot coming up in August. Doing audio editing is slightly different from editing video and sound together, but still enjoyable. Though I do have to take breaks doing it as I start to not be able to hear if I’ve edited a sound out or made it more noticeable if I work too long at once!

Anyway, on to the update!

Scripts Update:
I have the notes on Legend of Aramelle and am working through them. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely I’ll be able to finish editing the notes before the beginning of August, so a January recording is looking more likely now. However, this does mean I have more time to make the scripts as good as they can be, as I won”t be sending them out until the beginning of December!

I am working on two new scripts, plus an idea for a third – of the two, one is about a witch who time travels to the future to avoid being burnt and the second is much more realistic and set in the 1960s. Hoping to finish at least one of them before the end of July so I can get notes before the channel 4 scheme opens in September.

Things Learnt:
Have finally been able to buy a new piece of sound equipment – headphones – which will help to lower my hiring costs. Next thing to save up for is a shotgun microphone. Have also exhausted my list of agents to apply to this year. Though they were all rejections they weren’t forever rejections, but try again when you have some accolades/competition placements etc. rejections.

Freelance Journey

How To Become a Freelancer – June 26 Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Have a new day job!! It doesn’t start until August, so I am hoping to work on a few short films in July. Knowing I don’t have to be frantically looking for work in July is a calming thought. Also, it means I can take on unpaid sound jobs again to boost my credits. However, I am still applying to the paid ones whenever I see them!

Anyway, on to the update!

Scripts Update:
I am waiting for my reader to give me notes on Legend of Aramelle, before editing it and sending it out to the actors. As my new job is starting in August, my plan to record the series in September may have to be re-thought. It might be possible to film in August before my new job starts, otherwise it’s more likely I record in January next year and it goes out from April again as the first series did. I’m emailing my producer later today to see if we can’t finalise the timings between us.

Of the three scripts I have to work on over the summer, I will be focussing on them in July when I have free time! I have two that could be potential ones to submit to the channel 4 scheme this year, I just need to finish the first draft to see what might be a better fit.

Things Learnt:
As I now have a new day job coming up, I have relaxed my job hunting. However, the jobs I did apply for have been getting back to me one by one. Not one of the other jobs has given me an interview, even though I am qualified in everything I applied for. I know this is not a unique experience, but reminding yourself that just because you didn’t get an interview does not mean you should not keep applying for the same level of job is always worth remembering.

Freelance Journey

How To Become a Freelancer – April 26 Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Have been focusing on applying to new jobs this past month and remain interview-less for now. But in terms of writing, I’ve been making some small headway.

So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
I am doing what I call ‘paper edits’ of The Legend of Aramelle Series two script. If I can get through the script and write up the edits onto my laptop by the end of April, I should be ready for feedback in May. Once that’s done I should have the script ready to send to the cast by the end of June. Meaning the only thing left to organise after that is funding for the series!

I didn’t get the vertical drama job this time, but I’ve continued researching them and am going to finish the script I had in mind for the job. There are a fair few production companies searching for vertical production ideas, so if I have one to add to my portfolio, I can contact the production companies to see if it fits with any of them.

I also have another idea for a pilot script. I think this one would work best as a comedy, and seeing as most of my writing veers towards drama, it will be fun to see how the script turns out!

Things Learnt:
I’ve also begun an instagram channel @sagoandrestore, mainly to document the changes I want to make to my home. Though most of the changes I can make in the next few months are as close to free as possible, it has reminded me of when I had a youtube channel way back when. The videos are shorter on instagram and it feels like it’s more of a commitment than youtube as you have to post more often. However, even if I’m the only one watching the videos, I’m enjoying making and editing them, so I think I’ll continue for now!

Freelance Journey

How To Become a Freelancer – March 26 Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Have finally got my diploma from the Film-making course I did last year! It was delayed due to various reasons, but now I have the diploma I can frame it and stick it up on the wall.


So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
I have sent two scripts – The Trojan War Diaries and The Last Witch in Swanage – to two different agents now. The first one got back to me – it was a no, but a rejection is better than being ignored! I have put LWIS into the Scribe Lounge competition. As of March I will be downgrading my membership back to the free version to save money, unless I can find new work before then.

I have also applied to a job posted on Scribe Lounge to be a Vertical Drama Writer for an upcoming project. Though I vaguely knew about these, it was the first time I had tried writing one myself. I had to submit four pages for the application and am waiting to hear back.

Though they are different from how I like to consume my media, I can see the appeal. Short-form content, that you can watch in segments, so you’re never going to be late because you’re finishing an episode. From a writing persepctive, I think they have a lot in common with writing for soap operas and that is becoming harder and harder these days. Vertical dramas might well fill that gap.

Why? Well, with a soap opera, if you are a staffed writer, you have to write a certain number of episodes a week on an ongoing basis. You have a quick turnaround time and certain things, plotwise, have to happen at certain points in the script. The same is true of vertical dramas – just on a much quicker scale. With only a minute or two in each episode, there is no room for anything but plot. From the ones I have watched for research, it seems that a good way of looking at writing them is to presume half your audience is only watching – on mute – and the other half is only listening. This means if you say a character’s name, you should also caption it for the watchers, and if you show something, you should speak it also, for the listeners. This is a difficult but vital thing to learn in screenwriting. We are of course asked to show not tell in writing, but the audience does have to know what you’re showing to stay engaged.

It is similar to writing for radio – or a podcast, like mine – where you have to help the audience paint the picture you have in their own minds, so they can follow the plot. No, you shouldn’t say exactly what’s happening, but if, for example, your characters are watching a dragon fly through the air, one of them must acknowledge the dragon or the audience can’t.

I haven’t heard back from the company yet, but it’s been a useful writing exercise regardless and one I think I will continue going forward.

Things Learnt:
Aside from learning about vertical dramas, I’ve been thinking about those agent emails I’ve written and how really they are not too different from writing a cover letter for a job! You find the agent you want to write to, explain why you’ve chosen them, a bit about your script and why they would like to read it, then thank them for their time. Submitting to agents can be seen as just another job application, and that has taken some of my fear away from doing it!

Freelance Journey

How to Become a Freelancer – February 2026 Update

Christy.E.SLeave a comment

Intro:
Have successfully (nearly) finished my first paid sound job! It’s behind an NDA so I will tell you nothing more about it, but it’s been a good shoot and I hope it leads to more paid work.


I also got asked to be a Production Assistant at short notice on a short film last weekend. I ended up doing sound for them the second day as their sound recordist couldn’t make it in. Proving it’s always worth taking other jobs, as you can always get shifted to your field!


So on to the update!

Scripts Update:
Though I am still working on my witch script in order to put it into the Scribe Lounge competition at the end of February, I have also had to focus on applying to full-time jobs again. I’m most likely being made redundant in June, unless I can shift to another department. As last year I relied on sick pay for 4 months I don’t have enough savings to be a full-time freelancer just yet. I haven’t entirely ruled that out though. If I do manage to find more paid writing and sound work in the next few months, it’s not impossible. However, it would be a lot harder to start now than it would be in June next year which was my plan.

Am still writing the second series of The Legend of Aramelle. First draft is nearly finished, so am still aiming for that at the end of February. Leaving me with a few months to edit before sending it out.

Things Learnt:
As I have been applying to more jobs, I am reminded again about cover letters. Though I am better at writing these than I was the last time I was looking for a job, thanks to all the sound roles I’ve applied to! I still struggle to remember what should go into one and what parts of the advert I should concentrate on writing about.


I’ve essentially given myself a template at this point: why I want the job, what I can bring to it and conclusion. I can then easily re-write each time I apply, which saves a lot of time!

Freelance Journey

How to Become a Freelancer – January 2026 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!)