Help for artist Zack Finfrock of Nuka Break

My name is Zack Finfrock and thank you for your time reading this and watching my short video. If you don’t know my name, you may know the face…and even if you don’t know the face, you might recognize me as a slimmer version of that guy from the webseries Fallout Nuka Break, my original fan film production on YouTube. I’ve done a bunch more since then and as much as I loved making those series and trying to make a living as a filmmaker and professional artist, my bills were always paid by real life work in illustration and design.

Like so many of you this year in retail, corporate and even in game development I found myself jobless this past October, losing my position as an Apparel Designer for Hot Topic. I’d been with them since September of 2021, originally hired as a “Temporary Apparel Designer” with talks of getting a permanent position once one opened up, so while I only talked with and did work directly with Hot Topic Inc employees, I was working through a temp agency in the end. So after 2+ years of working, I was cut with little notice. I don't blame them, but I will say I did not expect it. Based on the position, I do not qualify for unemployment. In the end I believe there probably never was a non-temp position waiting for me. They just got to pay me a flat weekly rate to draw them designs that made them a lot of money, all while not having to give me any benefits. It is what it is and I’m not mad about it…business has been challenging this year for so many and in the end there just wasn’t enough work to keep me on board.

As everyone does in that situation, I went into panic mode, immediately beginning to look for a new full time position anywhere in a creative/art capacity, but on the one hand the market is crowded and on the other…creative has had a difficult year as companies look to newer technologies. Even currently I’m applying to jobs with over 300+ applicants and I don’t even know if anyone has even seen my applications much less my portfolio. If some of you follow me on social, you’ll know that I’ve been trying, struggling, cutting everything I can, exhausting everything I had. While I do believe it’s a “who you know” type of industry, everyone I’ve reached out to is also either in a similar situation or unable to offer anything at the moment.

I didn’t and don’t know what else to do but to ask for help. I hate saying it, I hate feeling like I need it, but though they’ve been accommodating…my rent is two months past due and if I lose my living space that is going to make my situation so, so much worse. All I’m asking for is some help to cover my November and December rent while I look for work and give me some breathing room. In the end I know I’ll find work out there somewhere with the start of the new year. I know I’m not alone in finding myself cut loose this year. I know how that feels, the shame and self doubt that comes with it. I wouldn’t be asking for it if I didn’t need it.

To that end I don’t want to ask for something without giving something back in return. I’ve been doing commission work on the side. So if you are willing to help me with this GoFundMe, I appreciate it…BUT if you’d prefer to support me through commissioned work either can make a big difference in my life right now. You can see a large collection of my art here and contact me there. I also post newer art on my Twitter and Instagram, which I've also begun to sell on apparel and prints. I’m happy to take any kind of creative work commissions you may need if you’d rather do that than donate to this. There is very little I won't draw at this point, so if you have a custom request, just reach out. Who knows, maybe someone you know needs that perfect holiday gift and have yet to see my skills and what I can offer?

Any amount helps at this point, as I'm not being given any more leeway with the company that owns my apartment building. They have been incredible to me over the years when I've had slumps in work, but this is the longest I've gone without consistent paying work in years and they can only excuse it for so much longer before they start with eviction proceedings.

I know its the holidays, I know inflation is terrible…and I know everyone is living with the reality of going paycheck to paycheck, but if you can and only if you can…anything helps. And if you can't donate (which believe me, I understand) please share this. Unfortunately I don’t have the reach that I did back in the Nuka Break days, so even just sharing this to help me get word out is helping me and I won’t forget it.

Again, thank you for your time and have a wonderful end of 2023.