Levi Ashlyn of Story City, Iowa asks:
How do you deal with extended gaps between jobs?
Gaps between jobs are a fact of life in the freelance world, but I look at the situation this way: I’m extremely fortunate to do what I do. I enjoy it so much that carrying out my duties has never once felt like work.
During the rare occasions when a gap persists a bit longer than I might like (it happens to everyone at some point), I always remember that it’s a temporary state and has nothing to do with me personally. Something else comes to mind, too. Whatever salary I’ve been paid for being a cinematographer throughout my life hasn’t been for the work I put in. It’s been for the downtime I’ve spent in-between, waiting for the next job to reveal itself!
A final tip for the up-and-comers… Whatever you do, don’t live above your means! Be judicious about how you spend and save money. That discipline will help you to weather the lean times that are inevitable as you climb the ladder to success.
In the meantime, I send everyone my best for St. Patrick’s Day…
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
And, barring any of that…may all your gaps be brief!
Richard, great advice for not only our industry but for life in general. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
“There are good ships and there are wood ships,
the ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships,
and may they always be.”
I’m with you, Jacqueline…!