MANAGING YOUR STORYBOARD TIME

I have been fortunately busy this year. I’ve gone from feature to commercial blocks to features to jobs on the weekends. Like, almost every weekend. I still have yet to get my taxes done.

When you are freelancing, you will fine that you will sometimes get more than one job at a time. You have to figure out should you take the job or just deal with the one you have.

Things to consider are how much is each job paying you, how bad do you need the money, and can you do them both without screwing either client. The last sentence is VERY important.

I had a friend in New York who was a better artist than I was technically, but he would “double dip” and ending up missing deadlines. He’d be late to meetings, oversleep and get things mixed up. His reputation went into the toilet. I had to stop recommending him.

When I take on a second job, I have to work out a schedule to where I can get the first job done but giving myself enough hours at day or night to do the second gig. You have to take care of the first job.

It helps to know your limits in how late can you stay up and still do effective work. Also (here is where my friend messed up) how much work can you put in where it doesn’t effect you the next morning.

If you feel yourself crashing or dipping, STOP. There is a point where the extra work hits you the next day and you can’t do your first job properly. This isn’t just for storyboards. It’s for anyone who works two jobs. And being an artist is murder on the eyes, if you didn’t guess.

I would start my main gig at about 9-9:30 in the morning, after a late night. I work it until about 6PM, and then after some family time, I’d go from 9-1 or 2 in the morning.

Thankfully, my wife took or son to school during these hard times, as that is usually my job.

James Cameron one wrote ALIENS, RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART 2 and a TERMINATOR rewrite at the same time.  Cameron divided his day into thirds and went to work. He was the master of mind over matter and proper scheduling. But then, he is James.