Fun, retro-style video from CMG drives home reasons to join a union

March 02, 2012 Editor Bit of fun canadian media guildcollective actionfreelance unionsnewsunion organizingvideo

For those not yet convinced, this video commissioned by the Canadian Media Guild/CWA Canada cheekily illustrates a few good reasons to join a union.

Produced by MyFilm Productions, with music by Incompetech, the narrative centres on "Jenny," who is excited to start her new job, only to discover that she was hired to replace a more experienced colleague, who will now be "restructured" out the door, and that her new employers aren't too interested in fairness or respect for their workers. Jenny needs a union.

The video takes place in a traditional office setting, but the benefits of joining a union apply just as easily to freelancers. Some of these were discussed in this post by the Born Freelancer, and even more are outlined on the CMG's Freelance Branch page.

[The video was first posted yesterday on the CMG website.]

Time to file: The Born Freelancer on taxing matters

February 28, 2012 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancerexpensesfinancesfreelance lifetaxes

This series of posts by the Born Freelancer will share personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? Your input is welcome in the comments.Death and taxes. The only things certain in life. That and the fact there will be nothing I want to watch on TV when I turn it on tonight. (And…

Why I quit blogging and why you should too (if you’re a writer) [UPDATED]

February 17, 2012 Editor Compensation bloggingfreelancer ratesgetting paidtreehuggerwriting

By Jeff NieldEDITOR’S NOTE: Changes have been made to this post as a result of a request from TreeHugger’s parent company, Discovery Communications, which claims certain disclosures in the original post were in violation of a confidentiality clause contained in an agreement signed by the author.Until last week, I was a part-time blogger at…

On professionalism

February 17, 2012 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancerchristopher hitchensprofessionalism

The Born Freelancer replies to a comment on bridge-burningLast month, "Dude" commented on my post about blowing up bridges: "I think it quite ironic that in this post you caution against bridge burning, then two posts down celebrate the life of someone who was fearless—and sometimes reckless—enough to burn every bridge he'd ever built. As for…

Seeking space: The Born Freelancer’s tips on finding an out-of-home office

February 03, 2012 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancerfreelance lifeoffice space

This series of posts by the Born Freelancer shares personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? Your input is welcome in the comments.In a previous post I discussed the various benefits of having your own office separate from your living space. In this post I will talk about the…

Nine soon-to-be unpaid writers leave HuffPost Quebec before it launches

January 31, 2012 Editor News arianna huffingtonfreelancer rateshuffington posthuffington post canadahuffington post quebectrouble spots

We bet that most everyone who writes for the Huffington Post for free doubts whether they should. Story Board readers have heard about that straight from a former HuffPost Canada writer.At least nine writers who were to begin writing for Huffington Post Quebec after its Feb. 8 launch have considered the pros and cons of contributing for free and…

Smart on the page, smart on the screen—smart for the writers?

January 24, 2012 Editor News compensationdocumentarieseqhdfreelance contractshigh fidelity hdtvthe walrus

According to this recent Postmedia News article, it's getting harder to fund documentaries in Canada. So the kind of partnership The Walrus and High Fidelity HDTV have announced—making documentaries "inspired" by Walrus stories and broadcasting them on High Fidelity's eqhd channel and on WalrusTV—might be what the industry needs to continue…

A room of your own: The Born Freelancer on the merits of out-of-home offices

January 20, 2012 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancercollaborationfreelance lifeoffice spaceworking from home

This series of posts by the Born Freelancer shares personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? Your input is welcome in the comments.The recent poss.ca article on the benefits of working at home, already recommended on this blog, is excellent. If you haven't looked at it yet, I…

Secrets worth sharing: Tips and tricks from three successful Canadian freelancers

January 18, 2012 Editor Event camilla cornelldavid hayesdawn boshcoffeventfreelancer ratesij schectermarketing yourselfpitchingprofessional developmentprofessional writers association of canadapwac toronto

As part of its ongoing Professional Development series, PWAC Toronto hosted an event entitled "Secrets of Freelancing Success." Its panel of experienced freelance writers shared—if not secrets, exactly—a boatload of valuable advice. This latest edition in PWAC's series, which we've covered before, really packed 'em in at the Miles Nadal Jewish…

Working from home, a survival guide

January 10, 2012 Editor Advice advicefreelance lifework from home

Being a freelancer means working from home, in between stints at coffee shops or the odd brief occupation of a client's office. For many who've never tried it, working from home sounds like a breeze—a dream, even. Imagine: tapping away on a laptop in your comfiest clothes or blasting your favourite tunes with abandon or taking guilt-free extended…