November 26, 2008 by John Dickinson | 770 views
The so-called global financial crisis seems to have hit some countries harder than others. Here in Australia it’s in the news almost every day but apart from a diving share market and dollar value, reduced business and consumer sentiment, and the threat of increased unemployment, so far things seem to be generally unchanged. My job seems as busy as ever, with plenty of work coming through the door. How has the crisis affected you? Have you lost your job? Are you freelancing and finding it harder to find work? I’m curious to know how the motion graphics industry is being affected around the world.
Don’t forget, that the tv ad times are booked well before the ads get broadcasted. So watch the numbers at the beginning of next year…:)
I do the media (website, videos, motion graphic promos, logos, etc.) at a church for my day job. However, with the rising cost of gasoline, groceries, and natural gas I have found myself taking freelance jobs as a way for extra income.
I agree with you that, at least so far, I can find all the extra work I need for right now — and so far that’s only with word of mouth. However, I will say that I would not feel confident that the available work out there would make me feel comfortable taking up freelance as a full time profession.
With that being said, technology continues to move forward. The reality is that the more people have seen what can be done with motion graphics and visual effects, the more clients feel they have to have them. And in a time when everyone’s fighting for their product to be seen, I’d imagine there may even be an influx of work — at least for a time.
I guess I’ll just wait and see… The new look here at Motionworks is pretty sharp, by the way! Great job!
I recently lost my job with the New York Times due to the economy. I was the main News Anchor at the NYT’s last TV station. Fortunately my wife is still working, but they just laid off 7 people at her company last week. No credit card bills, just the mortgage.
After 25 years in the business, I can honestly say I have never seen an economy like this one. TV jobs are harder to find, and they’re paying less than ever before as viewership falls away.
3 years ago, I fell in love with Motion Graphic Design and 3D Animation. I took my first step toward a new career right here on Motionworks.com.au, and John’s excellent tutorials. Only recently have I done a few paid freelance gigs. Not enough to pay the bills, but I’m encouraged.
This may not be the best time to start a 2nd career, but I did not choose the timing - the timing chose me. So, I’ve stepped out in faith and I’m hoping for the best.
I hope it won’t be affected cause I love it & want to keep it as a great job .
recession is coming throw are ways i’m afraid.
we might not feel it yet, but soon companies advertisement budget will shrink and commercials will be canceled and eventually it will effect us, just like a chain reaction.
So hold tight my friends and be strong.
I also feel that its coming, things my way have been a lot less elaborate (from client request) and the type of material produced has become a lot more generic (by this i mean the requests from the client). For those that don’t know I work in DVD post production, so this means less transitions and more still menus I’m afraid
Swanky new website, JD. Looks great.
Personally, I’ve found that whilst the volume of work remains the same, there’s been an increase in the shonks and spivs out there; since a lot of freelance gigs take place in a very short timeframe, contracts are rarely exchanged and both parties are operating from a position of (hopefully) mutual professionalism and good faith. I recently had a totally outrageous conversation with a (very wealthy) client in which, after two weeks of backbreaking labour, “as we discussed, our budget is only $xx (insert outrageously small amount here), so let me know when you are getting close to that…” Needless to say, said conversation never took place, as this individual was well aware - and fortunately I was able to produce emails that demonstrated otherwise.
Certainly I’d advise freelancers in this supposedly straitened financial climate to conduct as much of the business side of things via email rather than the more usual phone conversation as possible; or at least to request confirmation via email, “as per our discussion”. Because the sad fact is, when times are tough the sharp operators would really rather not pay once the work is actually in their hands - and very few freelancers or clients are in a position where watermarking footage till payment is received is a viable option .
And like Jonathan, I’ve found that any DVD’s I’ve authored recently have been stripped of the usual bells and whistles. February 2009 will be the real test of the climate out there…
There seems to be a chilling effect on new hires. I was in the middle of several great interviews with local motion shops here in Chicago when the news exploded with FUD about the economy, and suddenly everyone froze up.
It’s a pretty bad time to be looking for work, but like James said, we didn’t choose the time–it chose us.
Hopefully those of us cutting our teeth in the business right now will become more tenacious and persevering because of it. I do admit a certain amount of jealousy towards a friend who found a great job earlier this year (in a much smaller city, no less) while I was still procrastinating about putting together a reel and going on the hunt. If only I’d taken initiative sooner…but such is life.
Unfortunately countries like Brazil where I live (very close to the American continent U.S.) are the most disadvantaged in these hours of crisis.
Well, other than my job at LazyMovie I do a lot of freelance work but it’s more focused on writing. With the holiday season looming over our heads despite the crisis, people are spending a lot for themselves and for others. Oh the spirit of giving… *grin*
I’m from Iceland so things are getting seriously fucked up. I’m lucky that I don’t live in the capital but lot of jobs have been lost and mortgage is going up for everyone. Lucky for me and my family, we own our house be our buissness has a loan that is going up every do. It’s also a bitt harder to get assignments cus the budget in the ad buiss has just froze.
Adobe has just laid off 600 staff worldwide and announced various other cutbacks such as not exhibiting at this year’s Macworld. I wonder what the plans are for NAB 2009? It may be a pretty quite NAB this year…