In Association with

Finance for Freelancers 13-14th March 2017

Whether you’re starting out as a crew member, above-the-line talent or a creative entrepreneur with an eye on starting your own company this expert-led two-day workshop will give you all the key information you need about how to navigate the business side of being freelance.

Run by BECTU and Northern Film & Media, this two-day workshop will take you through how to put yourself on a secure financial footing leaving you free to concentrate on the work you love.

Topic addressed will include:

Registering as a sole trader versus setting up a company: the pros and cons, and which is right for you?
Different kinds of incorporations (e.g. Ltd companies versus partnerships versus CICs)
Business planning (market research, competitor analysis, cash-flow forecasting, writing a business plan, etc).
Assessing the viability of a business proposal
Tax and the creative industry professional. We will look at issues such as tax codes, how to keep books, how to do returns, relations with HMRC, National Insurance and VAT
Insurance
Assets: who owns them – you or the business? And what are the practical implications?
Setting price points: “How much should I charge?”
Contracts and how to write them
Understanding budgets
Paying yourself a dividend
Start-up costs: how to work out how much capital you’re realistically going to need

Delegates will also receive ready-made downloadable spreadsheets and templates, with access to follow-up support through David Thomas Media.

When: Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th March, 10.00am – 5.00pm (registration from 10am for a 10.15am start).

Where: BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art (Level 3 Meeting Room), Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA. Click here [http://www.balticmill.com/visit/getting-to-baltic] for travel and parking information.

Cost: Thanks to the support of the European Regional Development Fund places on this course are available to eligible North East creative industry professionals at the heavily subsidised rate of just £50. Full priced tickets are available to other delegates, BECTU members at £75, Associates £85 and Non Members £95.

Eligibility criteria for subsidised tickets: to qualify for a £50 ticket you must meet the following criteria:

Be resident in the North East of England (Country Durham, Northumberland, Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear)
Work the Creative Industries, paid or unpaid, for an average of at least 21 hours per week. Following the definition used by the Department of Culture Media and Sport, the following count as creative industries: film, television, digital media, arts, animation, radio, music, fashion, design, publishing, advertising, cultural businesses and marketing communications. Please note that for our purposes performance (e.g. acting and or work as an extra) does not fall within the creative industries.

Tea and coffee will be provided during breaks, but delegates must get or bring their own lunch. There are a range of cafes and food outlets within easy walking distance of the venue.

About the Class Leader

David Thomas is a highly experienced broadcaster, trainer and manager, with a special interest in communication and organisational skills.

He has trained freelancers and other creative people at the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, as well as the entertainment and theatre unions BECTU, Equity, NUJ and the Musician’s Union. He has also been involved in radio and online production for 30 years, mostly with the BBC World Service and local radio.

David has a reputation for reliability and sharp strategic thinking and is an excellent communicator. He has a keen interest in personal development and professional motivation of others, honed through years as a team leader and trainer.

David is a member of the Radio Academy and the BFI. He is also an Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Parking

Parking spaces are available in the BALTIC Car Park. Follow Signage for 'Gateshead Quays' and 'Other Car Parks' until specific signage for BALTIC Car Park becomes visible. Spaces are pay on exit and cash-only.

BALTIC Car Park charges are as follows:
Up to 1 hour £1.80
Up to 2 hours £3.30
Up to 3 hours £4.80
Thereafter £1.30/hour

Parking (Blue Badge Holders)

Blue badge holders park FREE. For ticket validation during gallery hours (10.00-18.00), please go to the Information Desk on the ground floor of BALTIC. Outside of these times please contact security via the intercom on exit. Motorcycles can park free at all times in the designated Motorcycle bay.

If arriving by train, the Baltic is a 20 minute comfortable walk from Newcastle Central Station:

Cancellation Policy

We appreciate that when circumstances change you may no longer be able to attend a training course date you have already booked and paid for.

Whilst we will always try our best to accommodate any alterations to your plans, BECTU has a standard cancellation policy, which is as follows:

if you notify us (phone/email) 3 full days or longer before the scheduled course date you will not be charged and will be refunded in full any course fees you have paid.
for any cancellation you make that is less than 3 full days before the course date, you will be charged 50% of the total course fee with 50% refunded. This is unless you can demonstrate to us extenuating circumstances.
if you do not attend the course and/or fail to notify us in advance you will be charged the full course fee.
we are unable to reimburse any non-transferable travel or accommodation expenses that may arise from a course being re-scheduled or cancelled.

BECTU reserves the right to cancel courses without liability. However, where possible, delegates will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Northern Film & Media has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund Creative Industries Business Support and Development Programme 2014-20. The ERDF programme is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region. This is partly funded by the European Commission.

Ticket sales have ended

Finance for Freelancers Gateshead 13th & 14th March