Course Title: Provide freelance services

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2023

Course Code: PERF5101C

Course Title: Provide freelance services

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5413 - Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects)

Course Contact: Nat Bates

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 3326

Course Contact Email: nat.bates@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Kieran Doolan

e: kieran.doolan@rmit.edu.au

ph: +61 3 9925 4815

 

Program Coordinator: Nat Bates
nat.bates@rmit.edu.au
9925 3326

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to work as an independent operator within the creative arts industry. This includes promoting self to potential clients, negotiating work arrangements, managing financial and business aspects of services, and undertaking strategic planning.

 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAIND412 Provide freelance services

Element:

1. Promote self to potential clients

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Establish, follow up and regularly maintain industry contacts

1.2 Participate in and maintain required industry, employer and other networks

1.3 Identify and implement strategies for enhancing a professional reputation

1.4 Produce material about services provided and promote across different media outlets and social media platforms

Element:

2. Negotiate work arrangements

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Establish clear project outcomes with client and agree on fees, schedules and expenses

2.2 Confirm contracts or agreements contain payment terms and conditions that provide a viable cash flow

2.3 Confirm contracts or agreements include obligations of all parties and include a process for varying terms and conditions

2.4 Seek specialist advice for reviewing contracts or agreements before signing, as required

2.5 Store signed contracts or agreements securely for future reference

2.6 Adapt to client work demands without compromising ethics or reputation

2.7 Negotiate contract or agreement variations as required

Element:

3. Manage financial and business aspects of service

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Set up and use systems for managing budgets, finance, taxation and project documents, seeking expert advice and support as required

3.2 Set a realistic fee structure for services provided

3.3 Prepare a business plan outlining viable work schedule and cash flow

3.4 Send invoices in line with payment terms and conditions and promptly follow up any non-payments

3.5 Keep accurate and up-to-date financial accounts and records

3.6 Submit all taxation documents according to taxation requirements

3.7 Comply with business regulations, taxation and insurance requirements

Element:

4. Undertake strategic planning

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Implement strategies to identify work opportunities and risks

4.2 Identify and act on opportunities for expanding the client base, either alone or in partnership with others

4.3 Improve work performance and practices using constructive feedback from clients and other required personnel

4.4 Identify opportunities for ongoing professional development and to maintain skills and knowledge with industry developments

4.5 Regularly review and set realistic work objectives measured against quality of life, artistic and commercial goals

4.6 Identify risk factors and develop prevention strategies when planning work activities


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 


Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities may include, but are not limited to:

• lectures and/or lab work
• teacher directed group activities and projects
• concept development of group and individual projects
• group discussions and class presentations
• peer and teacher feedback
• WIP (work in progress) reviews
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection

Out of class activities may include, but are not limited to:

• maintaining secure daily backups of all assessment and project data to your RMIT OneDrive account
• accessing online tutorial resources
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection
• class excursions to events and locations outside of RMIT


Teaching Schedule

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

 

Week      Class summary - FRE2 Assignment
     
Wk 1
  • Intro to AT1 - Professional goals and profile development
  • AT1 complete:
    • Areas of Specialisation
    • Identify freelance work opportunities 
  • Complete RMIT Micro-Cred - Freelancing Fundamentals

 

 
Wk 2
  • AT1 complete:
    • S.W.O.T. analysis of specialisation and work opportunities
    • Skill development opportunities

 

 
Wk 3
  • AT1 complete:
    • Research social media and promotional activities of industry professionals
    • Collate personal folio and showreel material, and store on a content management system

 

 
Wk 4
  • AT1 complete:
    • Professional network engagement and profile development

WIP1: Submit your workbook showing work in progress for AT1

 

WIP submission due
Wk 5
  • Review your WIP feedback and make any required adjustments
  • Complete and submit AT1 - Professional goals and profile development

 

 AT1 - PROFESSIONAL GOALS & PROFILE DEVELOPMENT 
Wk 6
  • Intro to AT2 - Business Processes
  • AT2 complete:
    • Develop a business plan
    • Develop and manage financial documents

 

 
Wk 7
  • AT2 complete:
    • Securely store financial documents
    • Prepare business taxation documents

 

 
Wk 8
  • AT2 complete:
    • Address business risk management and get a quote for business insurance
    • Begin a contract negotiation with a student peer

 

 
Wk 9
  • AT2 complete:
    • Finalise the contract negotiation
    • Send an invoice stating payment terms, and follow up to ensure payment

 

 
 

MID SEMESTER BREAK

 

 
Wk 10

WIP2: Submit your workbook showing work in progress for AT2

WIP submission due

Wk 11
  • Review your WIP feedback and make any required adjustments
  • Complete and submit AT2 - Business Processes

 

 
Wk 12
  • Review your WIP feedback and make any required adjustments
  • Complete and submit AT2 - Business Processes

 

 AT2 - BUSINESS PROCESSES 
Wk 13

Review and refine all submission material for AT1 - Professional goals and profile development

 

 
Wk 14

Review and refine all submission material for AT1 - Professional goals and profile development

 
Wk 15

Review and refine all submission material for AT2 - Business Processes

 

 
Wk 16

Review and refine all submission material for AT2 - Business Processes

 

 
Wk 17

Scheduled review and feedback of all assessments


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency.  To be assessed competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

 

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria

Assignment 01: Professional goals and profile

You will undertake research, reflect, and discuss with peers, educators, and mentors.

Due week 5

Assignment 02: Business processes

In assessment 1, you identified several concepts for working in the industry. Choose one of those ideas, a service you could provide or a project you would like to realise and address the criteria.

Due week 12

Assessment in this course uses the following grades:

CA - Competency Achieved
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix for this course demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters.

Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. You are strongly advised to attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

Assessment:
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time): https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview