Freelance

[VickyR]

I was wondering if it is difficult to do freelance. How can you secure a job long enough so as not to have a large gap while searching for jobs?
Also how do you file your taxes if you're a freelance stage manager? I've heard some people having difficulties with taxes.

[SMMeade]

You questions are pretty vague, but if you poke around the forum some more I think you'll find the answers you're looking for. I haven't been out of school that long, but the way I've managed to do it so far is
1) luck
2) make people like and want to hire you
3) save up some cash for when you don't have any
4) never stop looking for work. If you have a show, look for your next show.

As for taxes I'm just taking them to someone who went to school to learn how to do them. I'm way too slammed to try and master freelance taxes right now.

[ambrosialx]

When I first graduated I worked part time jobs for over a year on top of freelancing to support myself. Not only are longer contracts hard to fin for anyone you are new so what you will most likely get is short contracts with low-no budget. Use those to gain experience and contacts. You are going to have gaps...thats life unless you are crazy lucky.
  Taxes, it really depends how you are contracted and how your employer views you and files taxes for you etc. If you are a true "freelancer" meaning a freelance contractor they will not deduct taxes (or CPP or EI if you are in Canada). That does not mean you don't have to pay them! Do the math and save that money because you will have to pay them at tax time. If you are on contract as an employee they will deduct and it will be the same as any job. If you are casual meaning like a couple hours here no contract you most likely won't get a record of employment or any tax paperwork from your employer. You have to keep track of how much you were paid, record it and declare it on your taxes and again pay the taxes on that income. It sucks.