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Taran Burns

Taz talks about life as a young freelance artist, and what made him decide to be one.

Further Info | Transcript | Credits

Further Info

This story was made during a collaborative workshop between Bristol Stories and Bristol City Council's Building Futures scheme, which helps young people start and develop their careers in the council.

Transcript

I took up freelancing because I was sick of my ordinary job. When I say “ordinary job” I really mean “mega snoozefest”: Stack, lift, push, serve…

To be honest I was a terrible worker. I slept in a lot and nearly always talked back, just to show I wasn’t a robot like everyone else.

So working freelance allows me to be as creative as I can. I can express things that can’t be heard and help others express what hasn’t been shown.

I don’t always make my money’s worth, but I try and do it for the experience alone. There’s a certain freedom of self that I love.

It’s very random too: one moment I’ll be filming a theatre production, the next I’ll be making a music video for someone overseas.

I don’t always know the outcome of my project either – that’s what annoys me. Some clients think the maker doesn’t care about the film he creates whereas it’s completely the opposite. A film-maker’s creations are his babies and he cares about where they end up. I’m just glad I know where this one is ending up.

Credits

bristolstories.org was a Watershed project from that ran from 2005 - 2007
in partnership with M Shed

with support from Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives and Bristol City Council

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