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Opportunities
Autonomous Animator By Martin Grebing
I
The Joy of Working for Yourself
’ve never been a big fan of coloring inside arts. But for the sake of this article, let’s focus because you want a change of scenery for a the lines. Well, maybe a little at first — but on the independent animator, artist or cre- few months while you work on upcoming once I figured out all the angles, creating ative small business owner/operator who is projects? As working remotely has become not tied down by the confines of a standard quite the norm, you can practically work anymy own lines became paramount. I’m here to tell you how great being your jobby-job. where in the world and deliver your content to Working for self means having the power to practically any other place in the world, and own boss and working for yourself is, but I’m also here to tell you it’s not all roses. Going choose lifestyle first. How much money do you your clients might not even know the differout on your own can be a harrowing experi- want to make? How many hours per week do ence. And even if they did, they probably ence. In the beginning, you will more than you want to work? Would you want to take wouldn’t care. likely fail more than you succeed. There’s a this Tuesday off ? How about next month? Working for yourself makes your calendar good chance you will be late with rent, your Want to sleep until noon because you were up elastic, causing days of the week to lose their car payments, student loans, and a host of oth- late last night checking out a DJ without meaning in the traditional work-sense. Highs er bills more than a and lows are not dicfew times. You may tated by the day of the not know when or week, but rather what where your next goals are accommeal will appear. You plished, how much fun may have to beg and you have being your borrow from everyown boss and how one you know. many times you thank the stars for not being The struggle to bea member of the Misercome your own boss is more than just a able Monday Club. collection of harsh Working for yourself learning lessons, it’s a means unlimited earnrite of passage. Howings potential. This one deserves repeatever, if you feel this is ing: unlimited earnings your true calling and potential! Chances are, you can persist Indie Stars: Artists such as Alberto Mielgo (Windshield Wiper), Joanna Quinn (Affairs of the Art; photo: M. you’re already an overagainst a world that Rojas) and Bill Plympton (Demi’s Panic, Guard Dog) have been able to juggle personal, indie animated achiever and make no seems hell-bent on projects with commercial fare throughout their amazing careers. qualms about working the demise of all who dare buck the system, the rewards can be expo- needing to call into work, pretending to be 80+ hours in a week, so why not do it for yournentially sweeter. But be warned, once you’ve sick? Not a problem! As long as you have all self, while moving toward your own dreams? tasted the sweet life, there’s no turning back. your responsibilities taken care of in advance Want to make $10k this week? There’s nothing Once you achieve a certain level of success, or so everything runs smoothly while you’re on holding you back, it’s all up to you to find the clients and projects to make it happen. practically any level of success from working for siesta, the sky’s the limit. Working for yourself certainly has its chalself, the mere thought of returning to the 9-to-5 lenges and is definitely not for everyone, but grind under the thumb of an overbearing boss The World = Your Oyster! will forevermore send nauseous shivers straight Working for yourself also means you can for those that dare to tread this path, the reto your gut. work anywhere you want. How would you like wards can be things of legend. Working for Before digging too deep, let’s take a look at to make $1,000 a day from your home studio, yourself is more than just doing your own exactly what being independent means from never needing to change out of your pajamas thing, more than having unlimited earnings a dictionary perspective: 1) Not relying on while a movie marathon of your favorite films potential and more than being able to call others for aid or support. 2) Not being under plays in the background? I don’t know about your own shots. To those of us who are able to achieve it, working for youryou, but for me that sounds a lot like heaven. the rule or control of another. self is essentially freedom. ◆ These definitions could apply to those that What about taking your laptop and umbrella are independently wealthy and don’t need or to the beach, sipping on fruity drinks under Martin Grebing is the presiwant to work. They could also loosely apply to the sun, hearing the waves crash against the dent of Funnybone Animation the unemployed or even a wandering monk sand and seagulls caw while animating a Studios. He can be reached who travels through the Old West armed only character for a local advertising agency? Or at funnyboneanimation.com. with his spiritual training and skill in martial how about taking a sabbatical to New Zealand www.animationmagazine.net 36
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may 22
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