Course Title: Provide freelance services
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2025
Course Code: PERF5101C
Course Title: Provide freelance services
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5410 - Diploma of Music (Sound Production)
Course Contact: Rebekha Naim
Course Contact Phone: 61399254849
Course Contact Email: rebekha.naim@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: John Phillips
Email: john.phillips@rmit.edu.au
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
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work as an independent operator within the creative arts industry.
It applies to individuals who use a high level of self-motivation and discipline, and an entrepreneurial attitude when pursuing work opportunities. They are engaged for specific projects and are responsible for promoting themselves to potential clients, negotiating their own contracts and managing their business affairs.
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:
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- participate in industry networks and develop a dynamic list of industry contacts
- prepare resume and self-promotional materials and circulate using a variety of media outlets and platforms
- prepare a business plan that identifies a fee structure and work schedule to maintain a viable cash flow
- negotiate service contracts or agreements
- develop and maintain an effective financial and document records system
- develop and revise a strategic plan that identifies business opportunities and risks
- seek constructive feedback to identify professional development needs and opportunities
- review work objectives measured against quality of life, artistic and commercial goals.
Details of Learning Activities
In class activities will include a range of teacher directed group activities, projects, class exercises, review discussions/lectures and independent project based work.
Out-of-class activities include completion of individual design and pre-production work, preparation for class presentations and production work. Online research and occasional outside of class time group discussions will be required to maintain project work.
Teaching Schedule
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Week 8 Class 1 |
Intro to Unit & Assessments ------------------------------------------- Overview and Freelancing in the context of building a long-term career in the Media and Entertainment industries Look at examples of freelancers ------------------------------------------- SWOT Analysis -------------------------------------------- Look at EOP / Complete after class What sort of a freelancer are you? |
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Week 9 Class 2 |
Complete EOP in class -------------------------------------------- What is a Business Plan? (see Modules) -------------------------------------------- Business Planning 1 AT1 - Q2 AT1 - Q3 ------------------------------------------- |
EOP Due |
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Week 10 Class 3 |
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Week 10 Class 3 (Original) |
Look at required equipment for Studio as example Look at studio example plans EG - Studio requires sound equipment inc monitors, mics, cables, stands etc PLUS sound treatment, lighting, building materials... ------------------------------------------- Business Planning Cash Flow ------------------------------------------- Business Planning 2 AT1 - Q4 AT1 - Q5 |
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Week 11 Class 4 |
Project Budgeting and Contracts ------------------------------------------- Review equipment requirements for studio and others ------------------------------------------- BUSINESS PLAN ------------------------------------------- AT1 - Q6 MARKET ANALYSIS SWOT Competitors AT1 - Q7 ADVERTISTING / PROMOTION Note This week in class is s double class to catch up on interruptions and AFL postponing week 10's class |
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Week 12 Class 5 |
CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS ------------------------------------------- AT2 PtA CONTRACT Look to identify:
------------------------------------------- AT2 PtB INVOICING Look at Invoice formats |
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Week 13 Class 6 |
AT2 INVOICING Reviewing requirements from previous week (AT2 PtA) Submit invoice using template and address the following:
------------------------------------------- A1 - Q9 FINANCIAL PLAN Profit and Loss forecast |
AT2 PtA CONTRACTS Due AT2 PtB INVOICE Due |
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Week 14 Class 7 |
AT3 PtC RESUMES - CV / BIO Resume Writing and Self-promotion overview AT3 PtA PLAN Self-promotion and reflection ------------------------------------------- AT3 PtB WEBSITE CREATION ------------------------------------------- A1 - Q6 MARKETING Competitor Analysis SWOT Analysis A1 - Q7 ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION Choosing promotion strategies (These will be touched on in relation to the business plan, noting you have also covered these in the "Marketing" unit) |
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Week 15 Class 8 |
A1 - Q6 MARKETING Competitor Analysis SWOT Analysis A1 - Q7 ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION Choosing promotion strategies ------------------------------------------- AT3 PtA PLAN Review / answer questions |
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Week 16 Class 9 |
AT1 Q8 THE FUTURE AT1 Q1 SUMMARY ------------------------------------------- AT3 PtA PLAN Self-promotion and reflection ------------------------------------------- AT3 PtB WEBSITE REVIEW |
AT 1 BUSINESS PLAN Due |
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Week 17 Class 10 |
AT3 PtA Self-promotion and reflection PLAN QUESTIONS ------------------------------------------- AT3 PtB WEBSITE REVIEW |
AT3 PtA PLAN Due AT3 PtB WEBSITE Due AT3 PtC RESUME / CV Due |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
You are advised to look at myRMIT for ongoing updated information.
It is recommended that you bring materials to classes to make notes, for example;
a pen and notepaper or a laptop computer. You will need to have either a USB thumb drive or a USB/Thunderbolt Harddrive (or both) to store and manage your media. Your teacher will advise you what to get when classes commence.
The University Library has extensive resources. The Library has produced a number of subject guides that includes quality online and print resources for your studies. Lynda.com is available via your Library login.
The Library provides guides and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarians.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is ongoing throughout the course, and will include written submission and project work
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessments and once you have demonstrated competency you will also receive a result after your final assessment task.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Contracts and Invoicing. Due by class 6.
Assessment Task 2: Business Plan Due by class 9.
Assessment Task 3: Portfolio. Due by class 10.
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available on myRMIT for full assessment criteria.
Results that apply to Ungraded courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA Competency Achieved
NYC Not Yet Competent
SEC Student Engagement Ceased
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant 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: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students
Cover Sheet for Submissions:
You must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions.
http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s1llva641yxuz.pdf
Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you 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.
Assessment Feedback:
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/assessment-policy
Student Progress:
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/acadprogress
Adjustments to Assessment (eg. applying for an extension of time):
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/adjustment
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.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity
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.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview