Connections

[artist_cg]

hi game artisans :) , i am back again with more questions
i want to work as a freelance ,
know the problem is the connections ,
should i start sending emails to studios offering my services (as extra hand)
if they needed one , i tried using freelancing sites , but its all about logos
and small projects
ok , my point is can i get to work as a game freelancer ?!
and if yes , then how to increase my connections?!
is the internet enough to make connections ?!
yeah u can see that i am confused with many questions :brick:
but u get the idea , thanks in advance :)

[FluxAmbassador]

hi game artisans , i am back again with more questions
i want to work as a freelance ,
know the problem is the connections ,
should i start sending emails to studios offering my services (as extra hand)
When soliciting new business, e-mails tend to be worthless. Companies have spam filters. Plus, the people who work there have far more important things to do than sort through the "I'd like to work for you" e-mails.

You can send out physical, snail mail material promoting yourself, but the response tends to be 1/100 or 1/500 in terms of response. Most people will throw junk mail out. Those people who don't probably won't respond immediately. Usually, they will let it sit in their desk for weeks or even months. It's never about when you need them. It's always about when they need you. If they don't need you at that moment, they'll just sit on the info - if they keep your promotional material.


i tried using freelancing sites , but its all about logos
and small projects
It's not about what you want to do. It's about what pays the bills. You may not like what "x" project is, but you should never thumb your nose at it. You learn something from every project. Whatever you do, always keep working. Try not to create any large gaps in your resume. Eventually, something you do like will come along. In the meantime, you still get paid.

ok , my point is can i get to work as a game freelancer ?!
and is yes , then how to increase my connections?!
A good first step is posting your work on sites like this, CG Talk, & polycount. A lot of people here & there have been offered full time jobs or freelance assignments based on the quality of their work. Keep yourself in the spotlight. If your work is top notch, you'll stand out and employers might actually seek YOU out.

Also, don't be afraid to apply for a full time job. You may not get it, but - like with the mailers - your reel/resume may end up getting somebody's attention later on down the line. You may not get hired immediately, but an employer may keep you on file and contact you later on to see your updated reel/portfolio.

Developing connections is all about getting your work out there to be seen. Contribute to the community. Make it known that you're available for work. Show a love for what you do. Attend conventions, if you've got the money. Shaking hands, physically networking, and passing out business cards will open a lot more doors than e-mail spam.

Even if it's in your spare time, join some community group project. A collaborative effort not only keeps your skills primed, but it also greatly expands your networking potential.

Posting on freelance sites and contacting human resources departments is a good start, but they're not your only avenues. If nobody will open doors for you then you have to make a name for yourself and open those doors on your own.

Also, keep in mind that the global economy sucks ass. It's hard for every freelancer nowadays. You can get an assignment immediately or you can suffer and not even get a hint of one for months. That's why many freelancers are opting for more stable full time opportunities atm. Working freelance is a hard life these days.

is the internet is enough ?!
No.

[blankslatejoe]

The easiest way to gain freelance gigs in the games industry is to really really pump up your portfolio. Once you've demonstrated mastery over the various game art techniques, then you could apply to one of the contact houses out there, which farm out work to remote employees. This may not be the 'best' way to get freelance contracts, as the house will take a large cut, but it does remove all of the searching and such from the job.

Alternatively, contracts may come to you, but probably not until you've worked in the industry for a long while and have developed a good reputation.

You can try posting your portfolio link and the kind of work you're looking to do in specific places on forums like cgtalk, conceptart.org, gameartisans and polycount, but don't expect to get many serious contacts unless you've gotten REALLY good. Usually, you'll mostly get people looking for mod or free work.

Once you go freelance, if you're particularly good you might find yourself having to turn away work, but you'll most likely have to spend as much time marketing yourself to potential clients as you would have to do making actual art. That's where the actual connections part comes in--and flux did a good job describing it above.

But really, the number one thing that will keep/get people's attention is skill.

Goodluck!

[artist_cg]

thanks guys for the detailed answers