Brooklyn’s New Freelancers Hub Offers Relief for Filmmakers’ Woes

NEW YORK—Over 57 million freelancers operate in the United States across various industries, with approximately 400,000 of those working or living in New York City. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. freelancers contribute $1.4 trillion annually to the national economy.

While freelancing can allow workers to be their own boss and enjoy flexible working hours, it can also come with challenges around working conditions and getting fair and on-time pay. The Freelancers Hub opening in Brooklyn on October 17, stands to help freelancers in the media and entertainment sectors negotiate these and other challenges they commonly face.

A Tough Road for Up-and-Coming Filmmakers

Donald Conley, a graduate of the New York University Tisch School of the Arts and 10-year freelance filmmaker, said getting paid within a reasonable timeframe and at a reasonable rate were two of the greatest challenges he faced when starting out as an independent filmmaker.