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Alicia East

  • Alicia East

How Current Freelance Trends Are Affecting Us
How Current Freelance Trends Are Affecting Us 2560 1706 Alicia East

Remote, freelance, and gig economy are not synonyms, but the Venn diagram does have some overlap. While freelancers often do work remotely, traditional permanent employees can also work remotely and of course, have increasingly done so in the previous two years. The term gig economy refers to short-term contract work and is often facilitated by apps. Some freelancers fall under the gig economy umbrella, but not all. No matter which umbrella each worker falls under, the combined effect of these trends has revolutionized the economy and prompted technological and legislative changes. Anything that goes through such an evolution is bound to come with growing pains and challenges.

Legislation

In 2018, the ABC test changed the way workers are classified in California and had ripple effects throughout the business world. Most recently, the PRO Act is up for debate. The act, which has strong support among democrats and reaches across partisan lines to Marco Rubio would “make some of the most dramatic, and controversial, union-friendly changes to American labor law in decades.”

While its proponents say it’s “the most important piece of labor legislation in generations,” big business groups believe it will hurt businesses and workers alike. Whichever way this particular instance goes, it’s clear these trends will continue to affect legislation.

We’ll be watching this PRO Act and let you know how we see that changing things.

Technology

Technology that facilitated digital teamwork as wells as apps that facilitated the gig economy already had a solid hold before the pandemic, but it certainly accelerated and made things possible that weren’t previously. As the demand for digital solutions skyrocketed, productivity tools and online meeting platforms met the moment.

Benefits And Challenges

Whether it’s a main source of income or a side hustle, freelance income is continuing to represent a bigger slice of the pie (to the tune of 1.2 trillion!) for American workers. The gig economy is especially flexible and allows workers to supplement their income.  This is one slice of the economic pie that the government is trying to respond to–both to make sure it gets tax income and also to protect workers.

As the trend toward remote work increases, it can be harder for teams to function cohesively. While flexibility and freedom are cited as some of the main benefits to freelancing, they can be a double-edged sword. Finding enough work and having huge fluctuations in income is another challenge. Anyone with a home office will also tell you  how hard it can be to get work done when you’re in the same space as your laundry, your sink full of dishes, and your family life.

The Bottom Line

The times, they are a changing. We’ll help you keep up.

___

We relied on the following articles for this post.

A snapshot of the $1.2 trillion freelance economy in the U.S. in the age of Covid-19

Here’s how the PRO Act would impact freelance and gig workers

What Is the Gig Economy and How Will It Change the Future of Work?

  • Alicia East

How Would an Immediate $50K Change Your Business?
How Would an Immediate $50K Change Your Business? 150 150 Alicia East

If every late or missed payment you’ve ever had showed up in your accounts today, what difference would that make to your business? According to this report, more than half of freelancers have over 50K in unpaid/late invoices. That’s no small thing. It’s a kitchen renovation. It’s a really nice car. It can even be a security umbrella during an unexpected pandemic or an international crisis!

One of my earliest clients ghosted me on a small job. The client was (hand to my heart) a collections agency. The fact that I had just taken the scary step of leaving a regular job made the blow extra painful. I followed up for over a year before letting it go. I’ve had the good fortune of working for mostly wonderful clients but even at this moment, I have 2 invoices in the red column. Maybe you can relate.

No matter what, being a freelancer is hard. Especially at the beginning, when many freelancers operate like a one-man band. You pound the pavement to get work, you do the work, and then sometimes, you have to pound the pavement to actually get paid.

Among the other discouraging statistics, survey respondents reported the following:

  • 74% are not getting paid on time
  • 72% have outstanding, unpaid invoices
  • 59% are owed $50,000+

Okay, so how can you combat this discouraging truth?

1. Require Contracts And a Down Payment

This was one of my earliest adjustments. In addition to writing a contract prior to doing any work, I started invoicing 50% up front. This means even when someone flakes on the second half, it’s not a total loss.

2. Fill Your Pipeline With Work

Crew Connection empowers professional video service providers to take their schedules back into their own hands. Since our database is online and on-demand, it allows clients to search directly for you. Once clients find a potential match, they are able to message you directly to get the booking process started. Removing the middleman means you get high-quality clients and projects delivered straight to your inbox.

Your professional profile on Crew Connection lets you control your own destiny. Creating an impressive Crew Connection profile that includes your best stills, demo reel, and bio information helps you quickly build a pipeline of paying projects with our high-quality clients. A full pipeline and steady cashflow helps buffer you against slower times and late payments. 

4. Guarantee Net 30

Guaranteed payment in 30 days can be a game changer. Every Crew Connection job  is ensured within 30 days of receiving your invoice. Every. Single. Time. You don’t have to worry about harassing a late client or going up against a much bigger company.  Video production professionals have a powerful partner in Crew Connection.

And while you can do everything online if you want, you still have the same excellent service and support from our crew coordinators whenever you need it. Give us a call literally any time at 303-526-4900, drop us a message right on the Crew Connection website, or use our handy Crew Connection chat feature to get a quick response between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT. 

The Bottom Line

Make sure you never have another $50K of lost work by setting up your own professional profile in just minutes. Crew Connection puts a suite of marketing tools at your fingertips. Get your demo reels, stills, gear, awards, and more in front of the biggest clients all over the world—for free.

independent contractor
  • Alicia East

Engaging Independent Contractors The Right Way
Engaging Independent Contractors The Right Way 800 536 Alicia East

Every business leader knows that hiring independent contractors has many benefits. Among the many perks are being able to outsource tasks, engage workers only when needed, end engagement whenever it makes sense, have less onboarding hassle, and avoid paying for benefits. It makes sense why engaging independent contractors is often to a company’s advantage, but only when it’s done in accordance with IRS guidelines. Here’s what you need to know to stay out of trouble.

An Ounce of Prevention

Classifying workers correctly from the outset is the best way to prevent problems and unwanted interactions with the IRS since a worker’s classification guides what benefits they’re entitled to by law. No matter what size your business is, the IRS is paying attention. Legal disputes over worker classification have plagued everyone from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. Following the rules and classifying correctly from the beginning saves time as well as the potential for legal troubles.

Be Ready to Adapt

From workers to legislators, people are thinking about how to manage the evolving employment landscape. We can only guess how things will change, but we do expect them to change. Some envision an entirely new system with changing guidelines that suit changing times. Such a system might include “portable benefits” that travel with workers from company to company.

Whatever happens, businesses that stay in tune with legal considerations are in position to adapt as those changes come. When that’s not something a company can accommodate internally, engaging a third party to handle those details makes sense.

Protect Yourself

There are some basic ways to protect yourself should the IRS ever come knocking. The world of independent contractors offers benefits to workers and companies alike. While those benefits do include flexibility for workers and lower costs to employers, they don’t cover things we’ve grown used to such as built-in 401K plans, health insurance options, and worker’s compensation. For many independent contractors, that’s a problem. Understanding expectations helps protect everyone. It’s always good business to create a contract with an independent contractor. It’s not just good for businesses. Making sure everyone knows the expectations is good for employees, too.

The Bottom Line

Currently, there is no roadmap that guides businesses to pay contractors fairly while keeping costs down. The good news is that at PayReel, our sister company, we have been on this road long enough to navigate it legally and ethically. If you can’t (or just don’t want to) keep up with the rules and developments, PayReel can keep up for you. Check out this handy guide to see if you might benefit from having a third party handle these details for you. Our PayReel team manages worker classification, payroll, and payroll taxes. In addition, as the employer of record, we even take on all risks associated with a variable workforce.

Going above and beyond in the ethics department isn’t just a warm and fuzzy notion. It’s a sound business decision, too.

  • Alicia East

Still Photographers, Drone Operators, & More!
Still Photographers, Drone Operators, & More! 2560 1709 Alicia East

If you’re here, you know you can count on Crew Connection to hook you up with a solid, vetted crew for your shoot(s). Our crews also offer a world of other media services. Whether you need someone to film, produce, and livestream for a hybrid event or you just need to book a still photographer for a day, our media professionals are here for you!

Let’s Play an Emoji Game!  “Can Crew Connection Hook Me Up?”

With 🎥 ? Film/documentary/TV/ corporate shoots and more? Yes!

With ✈️+📷? Drone shots? Yes!

With 🖥️+⌨️? Post-production services? Yes!

With 📷? Still photographers? Yes!

With 🐭🏰🎡👸🏽? Animation and motion graphics! Yes!

Bottom Line

Crew Connection’s photographers have the skills to capture stills of everything from headshots to company parties and interiors/exteriors of buildings.

So next time you’re thinking about refreshing your team’s headshots, dreaming of a sweeping overhead shot to complete your vision, or producing a whole season of reality TV, think of Crew Connection first! We have your vetted and insured crews.

Crew Connection is your one-stop shop for video crewing, still photography, post production services and more. Check out our online database to make every aspect of your project quick, painless and, most importantly, high quality.

  • Alicia East

Safety Designations to Prevent Injuries and Deaths
Safety Designations to Prevent Injuries and Deaths 1181 1181 Alicia East

The film ‘Rust’ will always have a dark cloud hanging over it. It wasn’t the first completely preventable gun death on a set but with proper training and safety considerations, it absolutely should be the last. Accidents like this don’t happen without a number of failures along the way. In fact, it’s hard to think of it as a true accident considering the many faulty procedures and missteps.

Whether you will ever be on a set with a gun, you always have safety considerations for everything from COVID to filming from a moving vehicle.

To Keep Your Camera Crew Safe

1. Get Proper Permissions

One of the foundational safety considerations is to get proper permits and permissions for where and when you’ll film. Cutting corners in this way led to what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) called an “entirely preventable” death in 2014. Sarah Jones, a young camera assistant, was struck and killed by a train in 2014 while working on the set of “Midnight Rider.” For their part in her death, filmmakers faced criminal charges and the production company and individuals faced fines. A jury awarded $11.2 million to Jones’ family. The director of “Midnight Rider,” Randall Miller, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in her death.

Midnight Rider filmmakers had been denied permission to film on the tracks but took what they likely believed was low risk and filmed there anyway. When you’re dealing with safety, the stakes are just too high to make your own rules.

2. Hire Crew With Appropriate Training

Depending on your production, you’ll need crew members with different levels of training. A property (prop) master handles everything from wigs to firearms, each of which will require a different level of training. You must also consider additional safety designations if your set will include pyrotechnics, filming from a moving vehicle, or filming underwater. In addition, even small shoots need to consider COVID compliance. Bigger shoots need a COVID compliance officer. 

3. Consider Temperatures

Winter is coming and with it, cooler temperatures. Provide shelter and breaks as needed. Similarly, in the hottest months of the year, staying compliant with OSHA’s guidelines to provide water, rest, and shade keeps workers from getting a heat-related illness. It also prevents them from missing work and you from getting fined.

Bottom Line

Budget constraints should never hinder safe practices. Measures such as on-set medics, COVID compliance officers, street closures and more are necessities, not luxuries. If you don’t have the funds or resources to keep your camera crew safe, you don’t have a project.

Need a Crew?

Our crew coordinators are on call around the clock and can help you find the crew that is trained for your needs. Sign In to Crew Connection, call 303-526-4900, or email info@crewconnection.com to find exactly what you need.

  • Alicia East

Working With Colorists in an Even More Digital Era
Working With Colorists in an Even More Digital Era 2560 1440 Alicia East

I interviewed Brian De Herrera-Schnering, a colorist for Pinto Pictures who has flexed his color-grading muscles on everything from commercials and corporate projects to feature-length films. We talked about what has changed in an even more virtual era of production, what remains the same in every era, and how he stays inspired.

Conversation edited for brevity and clarity. 

Alicia East (AE): Who should think about color-grading as a career? 

Brian De Herrera-Schnering (BDHS): There’s the artistic aspect and there’s the people aspect.

You need to be able to appreciate what an image can do to a viewer when it comes to the look, feel, and emotion. People with artistic vision and a love of art, color science, and color theory will thrive in this work. You’ll also need to be inspired and have the ability to appreciate other people’s work.

It’s a tech-heavy role so you really need to like technology and be able to learn the tools, which are always evolving. It’s very important that colorists like collaborating. The DP and producers and directors are the boss so you have to be able to enjoy helping someone else achieve their vision.

AE: What is your top 5 list of must have equipment/fave tools for color grading? 

BDHS:

  • Calibrated broadcast monitor
  • Control panel
  • Powerful workstation
  • Fast storage: SSD, hard drive RIAD, NAS, etc.
  • Ergonomic environment

If you’re just playing around and uploading pieces to YouTube or Vimeo, you may not need a calibrated monitor, but once you start doing paid work, you’ll want to invest in the tools and software that allow you to manipulate the images better than a mouse alone. Like everything, you can invest in entry level gear as you get rolling and upgrade as you go.

AE: What recommendations do you have for working in the COVID-19 age? 

BDHS: Accurate and precise communication has always been important, but now it’s more important than ever. If you can’t meet in person, you have to be better about phone calls, email, social media–whatever it takes to maintain channels with clients, collaborators, and friends.

Setting up an online collaboration workflow that works for you and your clients is crucial. You’ll need easy methods for uploading project files, downloading/uploading footage, etc.. I like Dropbox. Frame.io is great for client review/internal review. You can set timecode notes and check action items off as they’ve been addressed. Being able to have an organized conversation around a particular note is incredibly helpful.

In the color-grading space, being able to stream a color session live is useful. I use AJA Helo because it works with Youtube, which is familiar, user friendly, and allows me to keep the work unlisted. It also allows instant collaboration and feedback you just can’t get through links. My system has about a 3-second delay, but clients can just open a Youtube link and get the SDI feed out of the workstation. The initial cost was an investment but it paid for itself after a couple of color sessions. The only catch is that Youtube has its music copyright whiskers on which can be prohibitive for editorial work.

Just experiment and see what works for you.

AE: How do you stay inspired?

BDHS: I love visiting art museums. Being able to see the Van Gogh exhibit and view his work chronologically as his use of color became more refined was fascinating. I was blown away. I’m always looking at graphic artists, photographers, and DPs on Instagram for their taste/style. I watch some movies and TV. I’m always watching for interesting color palettes, treatments or cumulative work.

Bottom line 

This highly-specialized arena of post production may not be for everyone, but for the right people, it makes an incredible career.

Whether you’re looking to hire a colorist or an entire video production crew, you can be sure you’ll find a highly-vetted option from our online database. And for those looking for work in production or post-production, you can apply to be a part of our database here.

Brian is a Director and Motion Picture Artist at Pinto Pictures

Brian De Herrera-Schnering is a filmmaker and colorist in Littleton, CO. He owns and operates Pinto Pictures (www.pinto.tv), a boutique post-production and color studio. His work has been seen around the world at numerous film festivals, on broadcast TV, and has garnered millions of views. When not working he loves cooking, playing soccer and hanging out with his wife, 3 children, and hounddog.

  • Alicia East

Your Vote is Your Voice
Your Vote is Your Voice 750 500 Alicia East

Wherever you fall on the issues, one thing most people can agree on is that this election is an important one.  Whether you expect to celebrate with a Mazel Tov cocktail (it’s a thing!) or spend Nov. 4th working on your emigration papers, now is the time to make your voice heard.

DEMOCRACY DEPENDS ON THE PEOPLE’S VOICES

Democracies aren’t perfect, but the core idea remains: Every vote counts and every voice matters. No candidate will represent your views perfectly, but casting your ballot for the one who most represents your values is the best way to make your voice heard and to play a part in the course the country takes.

Every election is important, but with interference from foreign forces and the misuse of social media platforms playing an increasingly important role in shaping public opinion, our democracy’s vulnerabilities are on full display. According to the FBI director, one way to combat misinformation is to get your information from reputable sources like your state’s page (which will end with a .gov) rather than social media.

MAKE YOUR PLAN

Increased absentee ballot requests cause increased concern over lost or invalid ballots. The best way to combat all of these issues is to observe CDC guidelines for masks and social distancing and to vote early / in person. Make your voting plan today. Whatever you choose to do, this site provides all the information you need. Just select your state and you’ll get all the information you need in one place.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

2020 has been the year of curveballs, including added anxiety about getting to the polls. The possible effects of in-person voting have caused some poll workers (who tend to be older and more at risk) to sit this one out. The ripple effects mean some polling locations could be closed. You may also consider becoming a poll worker. Bonus: you will most likely be paid! Groups are especially interested in recruiting bilingual candidates this year.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Just in case you need a refresher, here are just a few of the top issues at stake in the 2020 election.

The Supreme Court

Top of mind after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing is the direction of the Supreme Court. Republicans are moving quickly to fill the seat while Democrats are urging them to apply the same standards as they did in 2016. During President Obama’s last year in office, Republicans insisted the vacancy shouldn’t be filled until the new president was installed. With the Supreme Court steering the course of the nation for decades, it’s no small issue.

Health Care

Coverage, cost, and quality are all at play here. Oh, and politics, of course. NPR breaks it down here.

The Economy

Election season uncertainty knows no limits—it affects individuals as well as businesses owners. Between unemployment, shuttered small businesses, and a global pandemic still raging, it’s an especially profound consideration this go around, though we won’t be able to measure its full effects anytime in the near future.

The good news is that while short-term volatility often increases immediately after election day, the uncertainty tends to ease in the months following. Still, 2020 is the year of no guarantees, so…

THE BOTTOM LINE

We are now 40 days from election day. Now is the time to make your plan and use your voice. Do it to it. Vote!

  • Alicia East

Ever Been Ghosted After a Job? We Got You, Boo.
Ever Been Ghosted After a Job? We Got You, Boo. 2560 1707 Alicia East

Every small business is familiar with that one invoice sitting in their pending receipt queue, racking up late fees while you wait for a client to pay up. Sure, you could hold deliverables hostage until you receive a check. But that’s not always feasible. And wouldn’t it be nice just to know you’re gonna get paid in 30 days no matter what? Our crews tells us that’s one of the biggest advantages of booking jobs through Crew Connection.

That, along with simplified prospecting means more legitimate leads (and therefore, projects) and a more reliable cash flow.

Here’s what our crews love most about booking projects through Crew Connection

1. High-quality leads seek you out

Every potential new client is inherently a gamble. You don’t start the project with the guarantee that they’ll pay on time—or at all. You don’t know if you’ll spend hours on a proposal only to have it go unseen. Not only does Crew Connection guarantee Net 30, it also takes the grunt work out of submitting proposals.

2. Bids turn into projects

Crew Connection’s tools make it easy for clients to find the crews that are the right fit for their job. And when they know they’re getting the best (that’s you!), they feel more comfortable booking. One crew told us that 100% of their leads actualized. 100 percent!

3. Get the best clients and projects without the hassle

One of the biggest challenges for crews and clients alike is accurate, easy, organized communication. Our online database centralizes details and simplifies communications. You can view and manage every detail—including gear and budget from our centralized, easy platform.

Ready to book better projects? 

Update your profile and ask your next client to book through our platform.

  • Alicia East

Remote Video Production Q&A
Remote Video Production Q&A 2560 1707 Alicia East

We reached out to one of our crews, Yuki Uemura of Urban Samurai Creative, to answer some questions about remote video production. His company is leading the charge on the effort and we talked with him about the challenges, benefits, and user experience.

Alicia Sample East (ASE): What was the most surprising challenge you’ve faced as you’ve rolled this out?

Yuki Uemura (YU): The biggest challenge we faced was how to fit the best tech within the smallest package. As we developed the Remote Crew, we spent a lot of time swapping different pieces to find the best arrangement and weight. Creating quality video requires many different components, such as a proper camera, lights and audio, but one of our objectives was to keep the product realistic in size and convenience. We wound up going through multiple prototype versions before finding our final design. Compared to our early adaptations, our current model has shaved off a few pounds, now includes an audio mixer, and is condensed for shipment.

The tech itself was important to consider. As tech-savvy creators, we have a strong idea of the varieties of equipment to choose from, but again, we wanted to make sure to have a comprehensible interface for talent/corporate clients who don’t have the same knowledge as us. Ultimately, there will have to be some preparation on the client’s part because of the entire idea of a “remote crew,” so we aimed to make the setup of the product as simple as possible. With the Remote Crew, all the talent needs to do is plug in power, ethernet, attach their microphone, and adjust the camera to be ready for a shoot. 

ASE: How did you overcome that and other challenges?

YU: Prototyping and testing. With the help of my employees, it took about 2 months to produce our current model. We sought feedback from our industry friends as well, and worked up to a sound and convenient design with a lot of experimentation. We also left plenty of room for further configuration as technology and projects adapt.

ASE: How do you establish a rapport with the clients and people in front of the camera when you can’t be in the same room?

YU: It is definitely a different experience going remote, but I think we’ve all gotten somewhat accustomed to the idea. One great feature that we’ve added is a monitor placed adjacent to the camera lens. With it, we communicate through Zoom the entire process from initial setup to recording to make our clients comfortable. Overall the experience is not too far off from a regular shoot, which I think they appreciate. We try to take as much of the work off the clients’ plate so all they need to focus on is delivering their best product on camera. We understand a lot has changed due to the pandemic, so we hope to reassure them with a sense of normalcy.

ASE: What place do you see remote production playing in a post-COVID-19 world?

YU: That’s difficult to say, because the Remote Crew was specifically built to solve the problems our customers are encountering now. At the beginning of the pandemic, we got many requests from clients to edit their webcam/camera phone videos, but the quality was all over the place. The clients want professional footage, but due to the social distancing restrictions, many video production options were simply not available.

As we’ve seen, however, in-office solutions are already being widely adopted, so we feel it’s important to keep up with our customer’s demands. We don’t know exactly when the pandemic will end, but clearly some form of the remote work trend will continue. We also see an increase in corporate panel discussions and live streaming, and feel this product definitely has future application in instances when sending an entire crew is unfeasible even in normal conditions. There’s sure to be plenty of applications for the Remote Crew in the future as we see that remote work trend settle in.

ASE: What are the benefits to remote production?

One and the biggest benefits is of course producing quality video content while maintaining maximum safety and convenience for our clients. A lot of clients are hesitant to continue forward with their projects because of current health risks, so it’s great to offer a service that is definitely needed. I think remote production will ultimately benefit both clients and producers who have seen our video industry brought to a standstill. The remote crew also has the added benefit of letting us work from home! We’ve seen several inquiries from reality and documentary TV shows producers who want to utilize our kit for quick interviews as main production has been stalled.

ASE: Where do you see opportunity for this technology to evolve and how are you preparing for that?

YU: It can always be more convenient! Right now we are working on a Remote Crew Mini—an even lighter package for clients who are looking for just simple interviews. We also feel that Remote Crew kits can be more adaptable to a client’s specific situation, so we keep up to date with any new recording equipment coming out so we can customize a more tailored service. We don’t know how long remote work will last, so I see it as a service to our clients to constantly be improving our product as long as it does.

 Click here to connect with Yuki’s crew or book your next shoot.

  • Alicia East

COVID-19 Vaccine: What to Expect
COVID-19 Vaccine: What to Expect 2560 1707 Alicia East

The first doses of the approved COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered and Dr. Fauci said, “we could really turn this thing around” by end of 2021. So what can you expect in the coming months?

Here’s what you can expect for business and travel as the vaccine rollout continues

Business: Employers don’t usually have authority over employees’ health decision, but because this virus is deemed a direct threat, they do have a leg to stand on legally if they want to implement a mandatory vaccine policy. That said, it’s still a tricky subject, especially in these early stages, while the vaccine is approved under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Some may lean more towards encouraging the vaccine rather than requiring it, while also allowing exceptions in certain cases. Similar to the flu vaccine, some industries (i.e. healthcare) will be more likely to implement stricter policies. Get the full rundown here.

Travel: Many travelers have indefinitely hit pause on non-essential travel plans but may be itching to get out and see the world–or their families–again soon. Some destinations may require vaccinations in order to visit and some airlines have floated the idea of requiring them to fly. This post says the industry is unlikely to change much in the short term. Even as the vaccine rolls out and becomes more common, you can expect strict mask guidelines to continue, for example. Check the State Department, CDC, and International Air Transport Association to verify you’re meeting requirements.

Bottom Line

2020 may be coming to a close, but its effects will last well into 2021. Virtual meetings and events are still the name of the game. If you need help with yours, our online database has everyone you need to pull off a remote production/shoot/event. Search for remote roles or chat with a coordinator at 303-526-4900 and we’ll tell you how.

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