Monica Davidson is in an unusual position – she has never had a ‘proper’ job. Apart from a brief stint waitressing as a teenager, all her work has
been as a creative freelance. Monica has never received a group certificate, had a paid sick day or been provided with superannuation. Here's some
more info about the woman who invented Freelance Success.
been as a creative freelance. Monica has never received a group certificate, had a paid sick day or been provided with superannuation. Here's some
more info about the woman who invented Freelance Success.
Monica has been a freelance creative since her very first gig at the age of sixteen. She was a student writer for the “Classroom”
supplement of the Newcastle Herald, volunteered in a local theatre two nights a week (she was drastically under-aged, but made a great
G&T), sang jazz in restaurants and printed t-shirts for her favourite local band. She learned early on that the more things a creative
freelancer can do, the better off she'll be financially!
Monica finished high school in 1988 and moved to Sydney to start her degree. She had a succession of film and journalism jobs (paid
and unpaid) while studying, as well as supplementing her income with some dodgy waitressing gigs. Receiving cash in a envelope every
Saturday night was the closest that Monica would ever get to a 'real' job.
supplement of the Newcastle Herald, volunteered in a local theatre two nights a week (she was drastically under-aged, but made a great
G&T), sang jazz in restaurants and printed t-shirts for her favourite local band. She learned early on that the more things a creative
freelancer can do, the better off she'll be financially!
Monica finished high school in 1988 and moved to Sydney to start her degree. She had a succession of film and journalism jobs (paid
and unpaid) while studying, as well as supplementing her income with some dodgy waitressing gigs. Receiving cash in a envelope every
Saturday night was the closest that Monica would ever get to a 'real' job.
In 1994 Monica started Twoshotmedia, a production company that specialises in creating unique and beautiful productions for a range of clients. Although initially focused on corporate
clients, since 2000 Twoshotmedia has worked almost exclusively in the areas of community, non-profit and government-sponsored film and video. For example, in 2009 Monica and the
Twoshot team completed a series of web videos about the European colonisation of Australia and convict life for Learning and Teaching Scotland's Australian unit, and a DVD about
astronomy aimed at preschoolers and financed by Questacon.
clients, since 2000 Twoshotmedia has worked almost exclusively in the areas of community, non-profit and government-sponsored film and video. For example, in 2009 Monica and the
Twoshot team completed a series of web videos about the European colonisation of Australia and convict life for Learning and Teaching Scotland's Australian unit, and a DVD about
astronomy aimed at preschoolers and financed by Questacon.
Alongside her creative work, Monica has also been a trainer for over fifteen years. In addition to creating and devising Freelance Success she has written and led a number of different
courses, primarily in business skills, film production and writing. This includes the celebrated film production course Shooting A Short, once the most 'cost-effective' (i.e cheap) practical film
course in Sydney. She also runs creative workshops for disaffected groups, including kids at risk, people with mental illness, and the long-term unemployed. In 2002 Monica was extremely
chuffed to receive the Stephen Lardner Award for Excellence in Adult Education by Sydney Community College.
courses, primarily in business skills, film production and writing. This includes the celebrated film production course Shooting A Short, once the most 'cost-effective' (i.e cheap) practical film
course in Sydney. She also runs creative workshops for disaffected groups, including kids at risk, people with mental illness, and the long-term unemployed. In 2002 Monica was extremely
chuffed to receive the Stephen Lardner Award for Excellence in Adult Education by Sydney Community College.
| Click the logo for more info about Twoshotmedia |
Photograph (c) Anthea Williamson 2007
| Read Monica's blogs about the freelance life on WordPress. |
Monica is still the head honcho of Twoshotmedia, but after a decade focusing on other people's ideas she decided to go back to making occasional films of her own devising. Monica started
Girlhouse Films, the creative division of Twoshotmedia, in 2005. The first production of Girlhouse Films was a documentary entitled Lesbians on the Loose, a history of LOTL magazine. It
made its premiere screening at the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in March 2007 and has since been invited to screen at both Madrid and Torino Gay and Lesbian Film Festivals.
Girlhouse is currently in development of a feature-length documentary in production called Handbag, as well as a new TV series about filmmaking.
Girlhouse Films, the creative division of Twoshotmedia, in 2005. The first production of Girlhouse Films was a documentary entitled Lesbians on the Loose, a history of LOTL magazine. It
made its premiere screening at the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in March 2007 and has since been invited to screen at both Madrid and Torino Gay and Lesbian Film Festivals.
Girlhouse is currently in development of a feature-length documentary in production called Handbag, as well as a new TV series about filmmaking.
| Read about Monica's business on the NineMSN Small Business website |
| Read an interview with Monica in the Sydney morning Herald's Radar section |
| Hear Monica on FBi Radio's Out of the Box program. |
| Hear Monica's two-cents worth about Work Choices on Radio National's Perspectives |
| Read an article with Monica in the Wentworth Courier, Sydney. |
Monica graduated with a Bachelor of Arts/Communications (majoring in Film Production) in 1991. Despite making a few well-received
short films as a student, she was naively surprised to find that she was effectively unemployable in the 'normal' 9 to 5 world. She moped
for a while, then started working any film and TV jobs she could find, often as a volunteer, in practically every role available - except
catering, which is probably for the best.
short films as a student, she was naively surprised to find that she was effectively unemployable in the 'normal' 9 to 5 world. She moped
for a while, then started working any film and TV jobs she could find, often as a volunteer, in practically every role available - except
catering, which is probably for the best.
Monica's big break came after a drunken conversation at a dinner party in 1992. After spouting forth on the state of the Australian film industry, Monica caught the attention of a producer who
was looking for someone young and plucky to work on a TV movie. After a few weeks as 1st AD on the film, Monica was promoted to the role of director. The production was successful, but
Monica's learning curve was just about to begin. Shortly after post-production was complete, Monica entered a complicated legal situation with the producer, who had not paid her what she
was promised. This unexpected situation made Monica realise that directors didn't hold as much power as she'd thought - that producers owned the purse strings. She then decided to
become a producer herself.
was looking for someone young and plucky to work on a TV movie. After a few weeks as 1st AD on the film, Monica was promoted to the role of director. The production was successful, but
Monica's learning curve was just about to begin. Shortly after post-production was complete, Monica entered a complicated legal situation with the producer, who had not paid her what she
was promised. This unexpected situation made Monica realise that directors didn't hold as much power as she'd thought - that producers owned the purse strings. She then decided to
become a producer herself.
In the twenty-plus years since her first freelance job, Monica has over 100 credits to her name as a producer, director and cinematographer, and has had her writing published in over a dozen
magazines and websites both here and overseas. In 2006 she consolidated her various business adventures into the corporation M.A.D Endeavours Pty Ltd. Monica has also remembered
to have a life, and is mother to three growing daughters, the girls for whom Girlhouse Films was named. Her hobbies include loud karaoke, champagne, wanton dancing, travelling the world
and indulging in yummy food. She is a firm believer in both having cake, and eating it.
magazines and websites both here and overseas. In 2006 she consolidated her various business adventures into the corporation M.A.D Endeavours Pty Ltd. Monica has also remembered
to have a life, and is mother to three growing daughters, the girls for whom Girlhouse Films was named. Her hobbies include loud karaoke, champagne, wanton dancing, travelling the world
and indulging in yummy food. She is a firm believer in both having cake, and eating it.
Monica has aways continued her writing, on subjects as diverse as the arts and creative freelancing to parenting issues and profiles. She was editor and co-writer of a mini-book about the
experience of migrants coming to Sydney entitled Welcome Zone, published in 2004. Monica's latest foray into the printed word includes three books, including the Australian version of
Freelancing for Dummies. It was published in August 2008 and is currently available from leading bookstores and the books page.
experience of migrants coming to Sydney entitled Welcome Zone, published in 2004. Monica's latest foray into the printed word includes three books, including the Australian version of
Freelancing for Dummies. It was published in August 2008 and is currently available from leading bookstores and the books page.
Monica is living proof that it is possible to make a successful living by working for yourself in the arts.
Thanks to Kit for the mp3!
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Freelance Success is a registered trademark #1241679.
Freelance Success is another business adventure owned by...
Freelance Success is a registered trademark #1241679.
Freelance Success is another business adventure owned by...
| Click the logo for a brief history of Freelance Success |
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