5 Must-Watch Films About Freelancers: Insights and Lessons

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 6 min read

As a freelancer, you might often find yourself searching for inspiration, motivation, or even entertainment that resonates with your career path. Look no further than the world of cinema! In this blog, we'll explore five must-watch films about freelancers that offer valuable insights and lessons. So, grab some popcorn and let's dive into the world of freelancers film!

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a captivating film that follows the life of a daydreamer as he embarks on an unexpected journey. This movie showcases the potential that lies within everyone, even those who might not initially realize it.

Insights and Takeaways

Embrace the power of imagination: Walter's daydreams allowed him to escape his mundane life and envision exciting possibilities. As freelancers, we can harness our creativity to come up with innovative ideas and solutions.
Step out of your comfort zone: Walter's journey challenged him to take risks and pushed him to grow personally and professionally. Freelancers should also be open to taking on new challenges to enhance their skills.
Appreciate the beauty of the world around you: Walter's adventure took him to breathtaking locations, reminding us to pause and appreciate the wonders of our surroundings.

Lessons for Freelancers

Never underestimate your potential: Walter discovered his true capabilities when he stopped daydreaming and started living. Freelancers should believe in their abilities and be confident in their work.
Be adaptable: As Walter's journey unfolded, he had to adjust to ever-changing circumstances. Freelancers should also develop the ability to adapt to new situations and overcome obstacles that may arise.
Find balance between work and life: Walter's story highlights the importance of finding a balance between pursuing your passions and maintaining a fulfilling personal life. Freelancers should strive for this balance to ensure overall well-being.

Overall, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty offers numerous takeaways for freelancers, from the power of imagination to the importance of stepping out of our comfort zone. So, next time you're in the mood for a freelancers film, be sure to give this one a watch!

Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia is a heartwarming film that chronicles the lives of two women: Julie, a modern-day blogger, and Julia Child, a renowned chef. As Julie embarks on a journey to cook her way through Julia Child's cookbook, she learns valuable lessons about passion, dedication, and resilience.

Insights and Takeaways

Follow your passion: Both Julie and Julia were passionate about cooking, and by pursuing their interests, they found success and happiness. Freelancers should also follow their passions to achieve a fulfilling career.
Stay dedicated: Julie's commitment to her cooking project, even amidst setbacks, highlights the importance of dedication and perseverance. Freelancers must stay focused on their goals, despite any challenges they may face.
Value the power of community: Julie's blog connected her with like-minded individuals, showcasing the importance of building a supportive network. Freelancers should also cultivate relationships with peers and clients to foster a sense of community.

Lessons for Freelancers

Set realistic goals: Julie set a goal to complete Julia Child's cookbook within a year, which was ambitious but achievable. Freelancers should set attainable goals that challenge them and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Embrace learning and growth: Both Julie and Julia learned from their mistakes and continued to grow as cooks. Freelancers should also view setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve their skills.
Share your journey: Julie documented her cooking project through her blog, which resonated with readers. Freelancers can benefit from sharing their experiences, as it helps build connections and showcase their expertise.

In summary, Julie & Julia is a delightful freelancers film that offers valuable insights into pursuing your passion, staying dedicated, and embracing the power of community. So, if you're looking for a movie that speaks to the freelancer's spirit, don't miss this gem!

Up in the Air

Up in the Air is a thought-provoking film that follows the life of Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizer who spends most of his time traveling for work. As he navigates the challenges of his job and personal life, Ryan's story offers valuable insights for freelancers.

Insights and Takeaways

Adapt to change: Ryan's constant travel and flexible lifestyle force him to adapt to new situations regularly. Freelancers can learn from this by being open to change and embracing new opportunities as they arise.
Balance work and life: The film highlights the importance of balancing professional and personal life. Freelancers should strive to find harmony between their work and personal commitments to maintain overall well-being.
Build meaningful connections: Despite his nomadic lifestyle, Ryan develops meaningful relationships with the people he encounters. Freelancers should also prioritize building strong connections with clients, peers, and mentors.

Lessons for Freelancers

Stay organized: Ryan's ability to manage multiple clients and projects on the go showcases the importance of being organized. Freelancers should develop systems to track their tasks and deadlines effectively.
Embrace new technologies: In the film, Ryan is initially resistant to new technologies that can streamline his work. Freelancers should embrace new tools and technologies to stay competitive and optimize their workflows.
Value face-to-face communication: Although Ryan conducts much of his work remotely, he recognizes the importance of in-person interactions. Freelancers should also prioritize face-to-face communication when possible to foster stronger connections and better understand their clients' needs.

In conclusion, Up in the Air is a captivating freelancers film that delves into the intricacies of balancing work, travel, and personal relationships. By learning from Ryan's experiences, freelancers can adapt to change, balance work and life, and build meaningful connections in their own careers.

The Social Network is a captivating film that tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of Facebook. While not directly about freelancing, the movie provides valuable insights and lessons for freelancers, particularly those in the tech industry.

Insights and Takeaways

Importance of innovation: The film highlights how Zuckerberg's innovative ideas transformed the social media landscape. Freelancers can take inspiration from this by continually seeking new ways to improve their skills and deliver creative solutions to clients.
Collaboration and teamwork: The development of Facebook was a collaborative effort involving multiple individuals. Freelancers should recognize the value of teamwork and seek opportunities to collaborate with others to achieve greater success.
Learn from failures: Throughout the film, Zuckerberg faces numerous challenges and setbacks. Freelancers can learn from this by embracing failure as an opportunity to grow and improve.

Lessons for Freelancers

Protect your ideas: The film showcases the importance of safeguarding your intellectual property. Freelancers should be mindful of their ideas and take necessary precautions to protect their work.
Develop strong communication skills: Effective communication is crucial in the film's storyline, and the same goes for freelancers. Mastering the art of clear and concise communication can help prevent misunderstandings and foster better relationships with clients.
Stay committed to your goals: Despite facing multiple obstacles, Zuckerberg remains committed to his vision for Facebook. Freelancers should also stay focused on their goals, even when faced with challenges.

In summary, The Social Network is an inspiring freelancers film that offers valuable insights into the world of tech entrepreneurship. By learning from the experiences of Mark Zuckerberg and his team, freelancers can embrace innovation, collaboration, and the importance of learning from failures to achieve lasting success in their careers.

The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness is an inspiring film based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who eventually becomes a successful stockbroker. This heartwarming tale offers valuable insights and lessons for freelancers, demonstrating the power of perseverance and determination.

Insights and Takeaways

Overcoming adversity: Throughout the film, Gardner faces significant personal and professional challenges. Freelancers can learn from his resilience by developing their own strategies for overcoming obstacles and setbacks.
Hard work and dedication: Gardner's success is the result of his unwavering commitment to his goals. Freelancers can emulate this by dedicating themselves to their work and always striving for excellence.
Never give up on your dreams: The film emphasizes the importance of pursuing your passions, no matter how difficult the journey may be. Freelancers should remember this message and stay true to their dreams.

Lessons for Freelancers

Be resourceful: Gardner's resourcefulness in overcoming challenges is a key element of his success. Freelancers can benefit from this by thinking outside the box and finding creative ways to solve problems.
Develop a strong work ethic: Gardner's tireless work ethic ultimately leads to his success. Freelancers should cultivate a similar attitude by being disciplined, focused, and committed to their work.
Stay positive in tough times: The Pursuit of Happyness teaches us the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, even during difficult situations. Freelancers can apply this lesson by staying optimistic and believing in themselves, regardless of the challenges they face.

In conclusion, The Pursuit of Happyness is a powerful freelancers film that offers valuable insights and lessons on overcoming adversity, hard work, and dedication. By learning from Chris Gardner's story, freelancers can develop the resilience, resourcefulness, and positive mindset needed to achieve their goals and find success in their careers.

If you're an aspiring composer looking to connect with filmmakers and learn more about the world of indie film composing, don't miss the workshop 'Indie Film Composing: Finding Filmmakers' by Daisy Coole. This workshop will provide you with invaluable insights and tips on how to network and collaborate with filmmakers in the indie scene.