Why YOU should come to BeTween PDX

Here's why BeTween PDX is an event for YOU!

You’re a freelance or independent animator:
You’re a great animator, but you’ve found that a lot of your freelance work involves completely different skills than animation- you’re being asked to do bidding and invoicing, manage clients and deadlines, perhaps act as an employer to other people. Often the work is challenging, and you have to cope with dry spells in between really busy periods. And sometimes it’s a bit lonely.
Maybe you have a labor of love, a personal project you’d love to work on but never seem to find the time, and it keeps getting pushed further down the list.
At BeTween, you can talk with people who are in the same situation, who have developed different (maybe even better) strategies and tools than you have. You can share tips and commisserate. And you have a chance to get advice from professionals (like Jeff and Kohel) in an informal setting. Ingrid Carlson from the RACC will be there to discuss the possiblity of getting a grant to further your personal work. And you’ll be not only getting information, but sharing it, making connections, supporting others in their work.

You’re a student or just starting out:
You’re looking for work, and know that it’s common for people to freelance in the industry. But you don’t really know what that looks like or how to get started. If someone approaches you with a project, you aren’t sure how to accurately estimate it or how to negotiate a budget.
At BeTween, you’ll be able to ask questions of people who are doing it, and get advice and perhaps learn from their mistakes. You’ll be making connections and building your network, and might find yourself having a good time.

You’ve already established your animation career:
You’re an animation professional, a producer or manager who works with animators all the time. You hire and work with freelancers, and sometimes it’s a challenge to staff up a project. Sometimes it can be hard to develop a good rapport with a new freelancer and establish the trust necessary to get the work done.
At BeTween, you’ll have a chance to meet a lot of freelance animators and maybe make some new connections for the next big project. And you’ll be able to offer advice, explain what you’re looking for, and what it takes to work successfully with you. You’ll have a chance to offer your insights and best practices to people who are ready to hear them, and use your experience to strengthen the whole community.

You’re a freelance or contract creative person who isn’t an animator:
You are interested in the event, but think that maybe it won’t apply to you, or that your experience won’t be relevant. Come anyway- you’ll find that the parallels are surprising, and your insights will be welcome.