What is a “freelance” or “contracted” employee?
A freelancer or contracted employee is one “who follows an independent trade, business, or profession in which they offer their services to the public.” It is also one who can determine his or her own schedule and the work that he or she does. “The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the person for whom the services are performed have the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not the means and methods of accomplishing the result.” (Quotes taken from here)
Then why does MovingImagesNW go through an application and interview process?
We screen our freelancers to identify like-minded goals, ambitions, work-ethic and service to our clientele. It is important to us to have a high level of trust between ourselves and our freelancers.
How do I know if I am hired?
Everyone who applies with MovingImagesNW is eligible for a position with us. Once a potential videographer has completed our screening process and we feel comfortable and sure he or she will fit in well with our team, we place his or her name and email on our “availability list” and will notify them of any future video shoots requiring additional videographers. These events may be weeks apart and may be one to four days long.
How does MovingImagesNW notify me of video shoots?
We notify all of our videographers on our availability list via email of up and coming video shoots and videographer requirements. It is their privilege to accept or turn down any particular shoot or any specific date. We appreciate notification if the videographer is not interested and will respect their desires by not asking him or her to work that particular event. At any time our videographers are welcome to view our online calendar to see our upcoming events and can request to work a specific shoot ahead of time.
How do I get picked for a particular video shoot?
After we send out the mass notification email, we schedule people on a first-come, first-served basis. The people who respond the quickest get first pick on dates/events they would like to work. Since we schedule our videographers in this fashion, they will need an email address that they check frequently if they would like to get first pick on our video shoots. We will always confirm with our team regarding specific dates/times they have been assigned and expect our videographers to honor their commitment and have the courtesy to notify us as soon as possible should a change of plans take place.
How am I paid?
All freelance videographers are paid by the hour and at the conclusion of each video project that they have been scheduled to work. Wages depend on quality of work as well as if equipment was provided or not. Taxes are not withheld, and it is the videographer’s responsibility as a contracted employee to fill out necessary tax forms at the end of the year. Since we average one to four days for each video shoot and three to ten projects per month, one should not expect this position to be a full-time, bill-paying job!
What are the opportunities for me in the editing process?
We do all of our editing in our home office in Rochester, WA. Any trusted videographer who shows an interest and/or desire to edit is welcome to learn the process but must be willing to travel to our offices to do the work. Once he or she is comfortable with the software (we use Adobe Premiere Elements and Pro), they are free to come when their schedule permits. Anyone interested can add “editor” to their list of skills!
Are travel expenses reimbursed?
No. We do not compensate for gas or mileage. However, if an independent contracted employee keeps track of his or her mileage to and from work, he or she can receive credit by declaring the mileage to Uncle Sam on the appropriate tax forms. If a videographer is scheduled to work at a shoot requiring an overnight stay, lodging will be provided and paid for by MovingImagesNW.