A career in freelance film means juggling creative projects with legal and financial responsibilities. Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker, a visual artist, a writer, or any kind of creative, you’re not just an artist—you’re a freelancer running your own business. So, how do you protect yourself, secure fair pay, and avoid common pitfalls?

Join Freelancers Union for a dynamic session designed specifically for creatives navigating the freelance world. We’ll cover everything you need to know to safeguard your career, including:

• Understanding Your Rights: What the Freelance Isn’t Free Act means for you and how to leverage it to get paid on time.
• Contract Basics: How to spot red flags, negotiate terms, and protect your intellectual property.
• Getting Paid Without the Hassle: Tips for pricing your work, handling late payments, and writing demand letters that get results.
• Business Essentials: How to manage taxes and securing the right insurance.

Whether you’re a director, editor, cinematographer, producer, designer, or any kind of freelancer, this session will arm you with the tools you need to thrive—not just survive—in your creative career. Bring your questions for an open Q&A with experts from Freelancers Union.

Join Freelancers Union to learn how to secure your payments, protect your intellectual property, and negotiate strong contracts. We’ll discuss key legal protections like the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, plus share tips on managing taxes, insurance, and whether forming an LLC is right for you.

This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE

About The Speakers

Jalen Vasquez

Jalen Vasquez serves as the Director of Freelancers Hub, a coworking space operated by Freelancers Union. He is also a dedicated freelance multidisciplinary designer specializing in illustrations, graphic design, toy design, and design strategy. Passionate about community building, Jalen empowers freelancers to achieve sustainable careers through his various initiatives and leadership roles ...

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Rafael Espinal

Rafael Espinal is the Executive Director of the Freelancers Union and is dedicated to amplifying the voices of freelancers, strengthening the movement, and empowering independent workers to thrive in an ever-changing economy ...

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Freelancer’s Union

The Official Home of the Self-Employed! Freelancers Union is a non-profit organization serving as a support system for independent workers through advocacy, education, and benefits. So, whether you consider yourself a creative, a solopreneur, or a founder, we’re working to secure a better future for you. 500,000+ members make for a damn squeaky wheel! For over 25 years we've worked to write new rules for the new workforce. Freelancers Union is a support system for all independent workers. Our mission is to promote the interests of independent workers through advocacy, education, and services. We build novel solutions to support independent ...

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