State of the industry summarized in an Insta post

[IronFilm]

On 1/3/2025 at 4:59 AM, MrSMW said:

It’s mostly been that way actually as in one where very few creatives actually make any real money and the financial benefit is usually in favour of having more regular employment.

As freelancers we certainly do get paid very well on a per day / per hour basis. But yes, we don't get to work the same number of days per year as a regular Monday to Friday person does. 

Last year though I was looking at the rates that IT Contractors get, who are always freelancers (thus on a per hour / per day basis should be earning higher than those who have the perks and stability of normal full time employment), for the bottom couple of rungs in the IT sector (i.e. fairly inexperienced newbies, we're not talking about high qualified people here with decades of experience) then it's not too different from what say a Boom Op or AC in the film/tv world would also earn as a freelancer. Really puts it into perspective how well (or not) we get paid relative to other industries as a freelancer / contractor. 

 

[MrSMW]

2 hours ago, IronFilm said:

Really puts it into perspective how well (or not) we get paid relative to other industries as a freelancer / contractor.

I’ve never really compared what I earn with anyone else or anything I do with what anyone else does, or charges for.

In fact I don’t really know. Or care.

I don’t mean to sound in any way flippant or pretentious, but I genuinely have little to no idea what anyone else is doing in my industry or who my ‘competitors’ are, but simply/instead ask am I hitting my own set numbers?

If so…and I have more or less for 25 years now, then that is where my interest and time spent on that ends.

If I broke it down, pro rata, per hour, I’d probably be on an ‘above average’ rate, but then factor in everything else from number of hours worked per annum to full-time employment perks and benefits, then pretty sure I would be ‘below average’.

It’s all relative and yet irrelevant if the overall big picture of life vs income etc works for each of us as individuals.

My neighbour have a Porsche parked on his drive, a 5 bed mansion and earn 250k a year…but he also works 80 hours a week and has no life other than working relentlessly to support that lifestyle.

If that’s his choice, fair enough, but would not be and isn’t my choice!

[ntblowz]

Well said! It's all about how you want to live your life!

 

I just send my resignation letter recently to a 9-5 job in a production company, I m going back to freelancing (but not actively pursuing jobs), I want this year to be me exploring options, not just limited to video side. 

 

10 minutes ago, MrSMW said:

 

It’s all relative and yet irrelevant if the overall big picture of life vs income etc works for each of us as individuals.

My neighbour have a Porsche parked on his drive, a 5 bed mansion and earn 250k a year…but he also works 80 hours a week and has no life other than working relentlessly to support that lifestyle.

If that’s his choice, fair enough, but would not be and isn’t my choice!

 

[zlfan]

5 hours ago, MrSMW said:

I’ve never really compared what I earn with anyone else or anything I do with what anyone else does, or charges for.

In fact I don’t really know. Or care.

I don’t mean to sound in any way flippant or pretentious, but I genuinely have little to no idea what anyone else is doing in my industry or who my ‘competitors’ are, but simply/instead ask am I hitting my own set numbers?

If so…and I have more or less for 25 years now, then that is where my interest and time spent on that ends.

If I broke it down, pro rata, per hour, I’d probably be on an ‘above average’ rate, but then factor in everything else from number of hours worked per annum to full-time employment perks and benefits, then pretty sure I would be ‘below average’.

It’s all relative and yet irrelevant if the overall big picture of life vs income etc works for each of us as individuals.

My neighbour have a Porsche parked on his drive, a 5 bed mansion and earn 250k a year…but he also works 80 hours a week and has no life other than working relentlessly to support that lifestyle.

If that’s his choice, fair enough, but would not be and isn’t my choice!

your neighborhood is nice. you must live a comfortable life too. 

[newfoundmass]

11 hours ago, MrSMW said:

I often get pissed off with parts of my job and then I remind myself I have no mortgage, no rent, no borrowing of any kind, everything is bought and paid for, low living costs, no early morning commutes, no arse of a boss to have to put up with 5 days a week etc…

Exactly this! I don't want to come off as though I am trashing my friends in the industry who complain or who had to move back home after moving to the big city with big dreams, but they all had the same things in common: leasing vehicles that were way too expensive, getting apartments that were too big (and expensive) for them, didn't want to take jobs that they didn't think they'd enjoy, constantly spending money (often on credit) to purchase new gear they didn't need, etc. Just unnecessary spending.

They don't fully understand or appreciate the freedom this job can give them if they just changed their outlook. I too would love if every job I took was interesting and tickled my creativity, but if I'm pretty lucky being able live comfortably with low living costs and no real boss. I'll take it over office or labor work anytime!

[MrSMW]

4 hours ago, zlfan said:

your neighborhood is nice

It’s a hypothetical(fictitious neighbourhood. I actually live at the end of a country lane with 2 other small cottages and no Porsches to be seen! 😉

[John Matthews]

This conversation feels like it's about freedom, debt, and burnout. Debt traps us, stealing our freedom and leading to burnout. Sometimes, you don't even realize you're caught in this cycle until it's too late. Societal norms, the pressure to consume, and the desire to 'keep up with the Joneses' often play a bigger role than most will admit. The only way out, for some, is to simplify their lifestyle and buy back their freedom by escaping debt. I've done this myself—it was hard, but worth it.

I'm not in video creation beyond family videos, but I see parallels in education. Educators often start out wanting to make a difference, finding meaning in their work. Yet, burnout looms. Many students seem uninterested in learning or disrupt others, reflecting the challenges of our current society.

Ultimately, no job is meaningless, but life itself can feel trivial if we lose perspective. We take nothing to the grave. What endures is the relationships we build—primarily with family and friends. Occasionally, you might be remembered for something you've done or created, even if you never know it. So, enjoy your time. Treat others with respect. Honor those who came before you, and perhaps you’ll be honored in return. Reaching retirement is a gift—not everyone gets there.

[Benjamin Hilton]

I'm in the same boat. I work for a non profit, so it's a steady 9-5. But I love the work, most of the projects are my own creations, so videos I can get somewhat excited about. My salary is modest, but steady. We drive a 14 year old vehicle and live in a 900 square foot house in the country. No debt other than the mortgage. Most of my work is from home in a small mini barn I converted into an office/studio. It's amazing the peace you can find from living a simple lifestyle. Our income is pretty small compared to many these days, but we live really comfortably. Owning things in cash, buying used, and not trying to keep up with the Jone's can go a long way in building a comfortable life. 

[newfoundmass]

I definitely don't fault anyone who decides this isn't the life for them and moves on to other ventures (like driving a train, which honestly is a pretty cool job I think!); for some it's the right move to just go back to working on passion projects and working a "real job." I guess what bums me out is that many people don't realize there are alternatives or just can't fathom living a more modest life as a means of being able to continue what they love to do.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who appreciates a more modest lifestyle in exchange for being able to continue to do what I enjoy doing for a living. I think the trade off is more than worth it, personally.

[IronFilm]

On 1/4/2025 at 10:48 PM, ntblowz said:

I just send my resignation letter recently to a 9-5 job in a production company

That's brave! I wish you the best of luck in 2025 with your new path. 

On 1/4/2025 at 10:48 PM, ntblowz said:

I want this year to be me exploring options, not just limited to video side. 

What non-video things will you be exploring?

 

[ntblowz]

33 minutes ago, IronFilm said:

That's brave! I wish you the best of luck in 2025 with your new path. 

What non-video things will you be exploring?

 

Thanks! Might explore gaming and VR related stuff, one of the non-profit religion group I m working with have teaching in VR, that was quite a cool experience.

[Clark Nikolai]

11 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

for some it's the right move to just go back to working on passion projects and working a "real job."

Some years ago I took at course called Career Exploration (or something like that.) One thing I remember is that they said that you could do any job for awhile but eventually you won't be happy if it doesn't suit you personality type. They said to learn what your personality was (we did Myers-Briggs personality tests), and your tastes and interests and then from that you could go two different ways. One was to choose a career that fit your personality then you would make money and be satisfied at the same time, the other was that you could work at a job/career that didn't fit your personality but you could work at that and make money but then have your hobby on the side which would fulfill your personality desires.

For me, currently, I'm doing both. My job that I make money at is closely related to my interests (but not exactly), then with that I make money and with that money I pay for my life and I pay for my hobby/art form. It seems to be working okay so far.

[Leon Postma]

You feel the economic boot on your throat anon ?
 

Earning money is one thing. Preserving the purchasing power of your hard earned cash is another.
 

Hint: do not keep it in ever devaluing fiat but in a truly scarce asset which cannot be debased by central banks or confiscated by your government. 
 

The endgame ?

The boot will almost crush your larynx until you will be offered “relief” in form of a UBI (parachute payments) which will usher in digitally earmarked money (CBDC) -your funds which can only be spend on that which your government will deem fit or it will be revoked or just expire. China is at your doorstep
 

Wake the f up and opt out. I did since 2020 never looked back. 

[zlfan]

3 hours ago, Clark Nikolai said:

Some years ago I took at course called Career Exploration (or something like that.) One thing I remember is that they said that you could do any job for awhile but eventually you won't be happy if it doesn't suit you personality type.

totally true.

[IronFilm]

6 hours ago, ntblowz said:

Thanks! Might explore gaming and VR related stuff, one of the non-profit religion group I m working with have teaching in VR, that was quite a cool experience.

VR is fun! I've worked on a number of VR projects over the years. 

I've got my own 360VR cameras and an ambisonic microphone, so if you ever wish to get together to collaborate on anything then I'll be keen to join in and help.