Freelance props and set design by 544713 Ben Butler - Student https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v en-us 2016-09-21 10:15:38 UTC 2016-09-28 14:53:01 UTC hello@padlet.com equipment; materials; work space; finance; time; personal. 5447131 https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125337861 2016-09-21 10:19:02 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125337861 To be a freelance prop and set design engineer you would need a vast range of resources. This would include art materials like fabrics, paints and adhesives but you would also need sculpting materials like plaster, clay and metals. The list is almost endless but you would acquire only what you needed when given the task to limit expenses. The same goes for equipment; from soldering irons, sewing machines and rubber moulds to kilns, brushes and knives. Having these items would be helpful but renting them is a possibility (but should be considered to be part of the expenses). 5447131 https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125338428 2016-09-21 10:21:34 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125338428 Depending on the job depends on how much space you will require. Obviously making a single mask will require less space than making a set for a Broadway show. A freelancer could make props in a studio apartment, a huge set in a rented space like a warehouse or some theaters have spaces of their own to create props and sets (workshop[s). 5447131 https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125343527 2016-09-21 10:48:06 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125343527 when working on props and set design you will be expected to work unsociable hours especially when you have an order for multiple items like 100 spoons. On top of this multitasking and workflow is vital as there could be allot of time where you are waiting for things to cool, dry and set. you might have to make more than expected just as a contingency in case any of the products break or are deemed as inadequate.  5447131 https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125344730 2016-09-21 10:54:38 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125344730 The company or person you work for should cover all material expenses unless you would like to add some touches yourself then you may be responsible for buying some of the materials and equipment. if not buying, then most equipment can be rented and the same goes for space (sometimes you will be provided with a space to work in depending on what you prefer). as all freelance goes the amount you are payed could be completely random but will be disclosed before starting the project. 5447131 https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125350831 2016-09-21 11:30:30 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125350831 health and safety. 5447131 https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125410547 like all professions it is important to risk assess everything you plan to do. this often gets done during planning with blueprints and sketching. Equipment like knives and scissors require guards to avoid cutting yourself, flammable materials should stay away from heat and flamesto avoid combustion and masks should be worn as to avoid inhaling toxic fumes. Make sure to have breaks while working to avoid stress and always be conscious of the position your body is in so that you don't get cramps, bad back, neck ache, ect. If you are self employed then you can not sue a company for faults because you are under your own employ.

NSEAD has a list of materials and equipment that requires basic health and safety considerations in the classroom which can apply to freelancers.



http://nsead.org/hsg/hs701.aspx#a1
]]> 2016-09-21 14:11:25 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125410547 Contractual  https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125415590 confirming the nature of the commercial relationship is always a good idea . The conduct of employment Agencies and business regulations 2003 state that , where a freelancer is supplied through an agency , any terms must be agreed in writing . Despite this freelancers still fail and sign any written terms before starting a project . The problems with this are that few if any protections will be implied i.e there will be no notice to terminate, no specific timing of payments Etc .  ]]> 2016-09-21 14:21:35 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125415590 It is important that you consider personal resources as well as everything above. make sure to leave time to see your family, eat, drink and sleep. Make sure you finance adequately so that you can eat each day and so you can have somewhere to sleep. leave some personal time to yourself so that you are mentally sound. (this also fits in to health and safety). 5447131 https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125417169 2016-09-21 14:25:07 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/125417169 Professionalism 5447131 https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126812451 Reliability: Reliability is important as if one person doesn’t show up to film or edit, the whole project could fall apart as everyone has an important part to play in each project.  
 
Meeting Deadlines: Meeting deadlines is important as if you miss a deadline it would look very unprofessional and people may not want to employ you it would also give you bad reputation.   
 
Time Management: Using your time wisely is important as each thing has a specific time, if you don’t use your time wisely you will get confused and not know what you need to do.  
 
Commitment: Commitment is important as if you aren't committed people won't hire you as they will think you don’t care about the project and ignore you.   
  
Business Relationships: It is important to have a healthy business relationship with your contactors as if they have a negative experience they could tell people negative things about your work and people won't hire you.  
 
Presentation Skills: Presentation skills are important as if you give a bad presentation people will be turned off and won't care about what you have to say, so It is important to give a positive vibe so they will be pleased with how you present your work.    
 
Communication Skills: Communication skills are important as if you don’t communicate as a team, not many people will know what they need to do, so the project won't go to plan.  
 
Dress Code: A dress code is important as you need to look professional and not like a amateur, if you dress professional people will look at you and think you know what your doing and hire you.]]> 2016-09-27 20:29:33 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126812451 Contractual continued  https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126884391 before you become a freelancer you'll need to learn the art of negotiating over wise the client will see your weaknesses and bump the price down for example if a client is willing to do a price for £450 and they see your indicisive and week they may drop the price down to say £350 when if you were strong and decisive you might be able to negotiate a bigger salary.   ]]> 2016-09-28 08:39:20 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126884391 Financial 5447131 https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126906429 it could be wise to have an accountant to manage your finances when working freelance to free up time and focus on work. you do not get any form of sick pay.
some clients like to work on a purchase order where they have to have a percentage of the total budget payed upfront before shooting starts and then the remainder is paid on completion however most expenses will be payed for you.

National career advice service describes the contractual hours and pay of a prop and set design freelancer as variable. expenses should be paid for by the client for things such as materials.

funding and finance- contractualy paid, out of your own pocket. personal buisness (comes along side prop design).

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/setdesigner.aspx]]> 2016-09-28 10:41:06 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126906429 This is a freelancepropand set designer who i will be referencing. 5447131 https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126909641 https://www.peopleperhour.com/freelancer/pauline/designer-prop-maker-and-craft-blog/39898]]> 2016-09-28 11:02:18 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126909641 things what are in contracts  https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126912526

  •  to start with the basics, you want the contract to outline exactly what is expected of you and in what timeframe. This is to make sure your client doesn’t suddenly turn around asking for more work and refusing to cough up extra cash because the contract has some vague wording.

    Get as specific as you possibly can. Something like “design a bedroom ” is open to too many interpretation 
    • Depending on the nature of the project, this might be an hourly or day rate or possibly a full project cost. Figure out which option is best suited and go with that. It’s also worth including that any hindrance from your client can cause costs to rise.
    ]]>     2016-09-28 11:23:20 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126912526     how and when should you get paid  https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126914217
    Late payments are the bane of every freelancer so it’s important to make this crystal clear in your contract. The most common practice is to be paid upon completion and the submission of an invoice (although these often give the client 30 days to pay).

    If you’re taking on a big project that means payment could be months into the future, it might be worth negotiating an upfront fee. For example, asking for 50% of the total fee upon acceptance of the job. Another choice could be to spread the full fee across a certain amount of time, such as 20% of the total amount every month for a 5 month project.

    Either way, you don’t want to end up going broke because you forgot to include something like that. Also be sure to include details on late payments fees. While you are protected by the law when this happens, it’s always worth getting in set and clear terms to encourage prompt payment from your client.

    ]]>     2016-09-28 11:33:18 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126914217     Working to a brief  https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126914483
    Sticking to a client brief is the best way for a freelancer to complete work to the client’s specifications. In order to understand what a client wants, the freelancer and client should discuss the brief and any related details to make sure that everyone is on the same page before any work is begun. for example 
    interior decorators may take on a project to decorate a bedroom, so that client brief should describe exactly what is desired for the room, if structurally changes are allowed, if new soft furnishings will be required, etc.]]>     2016-09-28 11:34:43 UTC https://padlet.com/5447131/ia9xlyvz3q9v/wish/126914483