The Freelancer’s Guide
Animation Ireland, Animation Skillnet, Screen Ireland and Screen Skillnet have launched an online Freelancer’s Guide – www.freelancersguide.ie
The Freelancer’s Guide was created to support freelancers across the Irish animation and screen industries. The site functions as a manual and directory, offering guidance in the areas of personal development, business, and marketing. The website was developed with the support of the BAI Sectoral Learning and Development Fund.
Commenting on the launch of the website, Gareth Lee, Skills Manager at Screen Ireland said, “The Freelancers Guide is a welcome addition to the suite of supports that our collective organisations offer freelancers. Covering topics that range from networking, to tax, to CV writing, the website offers information for freelancers at any stage of their career”.
To coincide with the launch of the website, a series of free Lunch & Learns focusing on some of the site’s topics will take place from January 31st – February 4th 2022.
Registration details below.
Date: Monday January 31st / 1pm – 2pm
Lunch & Learn: Marketing Yourself with Michael Downey
In this session Michael will take a look at the marketing tools that all freelancers should have in their armory, including an online presence, cover letters and CVs.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvcemprzktE9X1JGzun0I2kmwExoI4qh6U
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. (Please check your spam)
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Date: Tuesday February 1st / 1pm – 2pm
Lunch & Learn: Time Management with Anne Hennessy
Join Anne as she discusses the importance of time management for freelancers covering topics such as boundary management, self-awareness, and avoiding the dreaded zoom gloom.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErde-srzsrGdFtzVfzdvmu1QW_TiQfQmDd
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. (Please check your spam)
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Date: Wednesday February 2nd / 1pm – 2pm
Lunch & Learn: Understanding your Tax Obligations with Peter Daly
In this session Peter will take us through the main tax obligations of freelancers, including:
-who needs to do a tax return.
-how to do one.
-when it needs to be done.
-what are the main pitfalls.
-some tips and tricks to simplify the process.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckde6rqz4pH9GeNFv7cpTi9rhqNiGp6Hpn
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. (Please check your spam)
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Date: Thursday February 3rd / 1pm – 2pm
Lunch & Learn: Master Your Mindset as a Freelancer with Kate O’Dwyer
Success in freelancing means a lot more than simply being great at the work you do; equally important to your career is adopting the right mindset. In this workshop, you will learn how to master your mindset to set yourself up to build a sustainable and enjoyable freelance career.
Register:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAufuqrrTosHdHnb0yWKQBSGTM8-AZWOG4N
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. (Please check your spam)
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Date: Friday February 4th / 1pm – 2pm
Lunch & Learn: Minding Creative Minds with Ann Marie Shields
In this session Ann Marie will take us through the well being and advise services provided by Minding Creative Minds. Ann Marie will also go through some simple tips for looking after your own professional and personal well-being and provide an opportunity for a short peer discussion in breakout rooms.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoceGupjwsH91s3fsF9LOwf3PUf5qcvqtr
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. (Please check your spam)
Please note the sessions will take a ‘meeting’ format with all participants visible in the room. Spaces are limited so early booking is advised.
Please register for each individual session that you wish to attend.
Lunch & Learn Speakers
Michael Downey
Michael is an experienced Talent Acquisition professional with over 8 years of experience as a Recruiter in busy operations environments. Currently, he is a consultant recruiting talent for studios around the world. His recent work has helped studios complete 2D TV Series, 3D TV Series, five CG Animated Features, and one 2D Animated Feature. Previously he worked at Boulder Media, recruiting talent for their upcoming CG Feature My Little Pony and 2D projects. Michael has extensive experience bringing candidates through hiring processes from start to finish. His industry experience includes Animation, Technology, and Cybersecurity. Educational credentials include a Post Graduate Certificate in Animation Production Management from IADT and a CIPD Diploma in HR from NCI.
Anne Hennessy
As a chartered business psychologist Anne has worked on numerous projects supporting the development of organisations and individuals. As an executive coach she coaches senior leaders and executives from various business sectors with a particular interest in transition coaching. She has the capacity to create reflection space and through supportive challenge brings about fundamental change and personal growth. As a group facilitator she has designed and delivered various leadership programmes, facilitated team coaching interventions and delivered various talent assessment projects.
Peter Daly
Peter is a Chartered Accountant with 20 years post qualification experience. He trained with PricewaterhouseCoopers and worked in various private and publicly quoted companies in the years since qualifying. Peter set up his own accountancy practice, Peter Daly, Chartered Accountants in early 2015. The practice caters predominantly for freelancers – many of whom work in the Arts – and small companies, including some Arts organisations. Alongside his accountancy work Peter works as an actor, and more recently a writer. He has worked with most of the theatre companies in Ireland including The Abbey, The Gate, Rough Magic, Druid, Fishamble and many others.
Kate O’Dwyer
Kate O’Dwyer is a freelance casting producer and a mindset coach for creatives and entrepreneurs. She has worked as a freelancer in the Irish TV industry for the past 10 years. Her most recent work includes working as the guest booker on The Tommy Tiernan TV show for the past 5 series. She is a qualified coach with the International Coaching Federation and recently received a first class honours post graduate qualification from Trinity College Dublin in Workplace Wellbeing. She is passionate about coaching creatives on how to thrive rather than survive in the freelance world of work.
Ann Marie Shields
Ann Marie Shields is Head of Careers, Industry, Guests and Events at BIMM Institute Dublin. She was on the team that successfully acquired University accreditation for BIMM Dublin’s degree course prior to opening. She designed and taught the BA3 Music publishing module and BA4 Professional Development module for many years. Ann Marie is a director of Minding Creative Minds. Ann Marie has her own AMS Records label, with releases from Side 4 Collective, Shelley Bukspan, SELK, and Vernon Jane who she also manages. She has worked extensively in the music industry working closely with bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Dinosaur Jr, Rumer, Rob Ells (PJ Harvey) and Charlotte Hatherley (ASH/Bat for Lashes). Ann Marie spent 3 years on the steering committee and interim board of AIMI (Association of Independent Music Ireland) to successfully launch the association in Ireland and she spent 6 years at Warner Bros. flagship label Reprise Records based in London where she also managed label imprint Morpheus Records. Ann Marie moonlights as a film music supervisor with ‘Music 4 Movies’.
