What is
freelancing?
A freelancer is a person offering defined services, who typically works on multiple unique contracts within a year. Freelancers earn money on a per-job basis charging hourly, daily or weekly rates for their work. Freelancers are usually self-employed and therefore are responsible for their own sources of work, pay, accounts, taxes and pension. However, some freelancers work on a PAYE basis moving from one employer to the next.
In order to work as a self-employed Freelancer you must register with Revenue as self-employed.
Freelancing is particularly common in the animation and screen industries because of the project-based nature of the work where certain roles are required for defined periods of time ranging from days to months.
Advantages of being a freelancer
Flexibility
Freelancers choose when and where they work.
Variety
Freelancers have the luxury of moving between different types of projects; from a four week feature film on location to a sixteen week TV series in studio.
Control
Freelancers are not confined to the career trajectory of certain employed roles. They have the ability to manage and drive their own career in a way that is bespoke to their unique needs year on year.