Almost 4000 – that’s three quarters of all freelance film and television workers are currently out of work as cutbacks and the ongoing Hollywood strikes hit the UK film and television industry and some are reaching their wits’ end.
That’s according to a survey from Bectu, which found that 9 out of 10 are worried about their financial security and more than half have struggled with mental health.
The union has reiterated its call for the industry, employers and the government to come together “if we want the UK to remain a cultural hub.”
“Much of the rhetoric surrounding the US dispute is about the actors, but as our survey shows the impact on crew and other film and TV workers is severe and cannot be underestimated,” explained Head of Bectu Philippa Childs.
“This is a workforce that has already faced incredible hardship throughout and following the pandemic, and has now been hit by a second crisis in just a few years. Many of our members have been laid off from productions under ‘force majeure’ clauses with little notice or pay, and with 6 in 10 respondents telling us they are struggling with their mental health, it’s clear the impact also extends beyond financial insecurity.
“The number of freelancers questioning their future in the industry should sound alarm bells. For too long we have seen a pattern of engaging crew where they are picked up and dropped again with little notice, protection or reassurances about future employment. They are often the first to suffer and the hardest hit when production is impacted.
“This is a fight with many of the same employers who frequently undervalue crew in the UK, and therefore our solidarity with US actors and writers is important for raising standards domestically and globally. However, there is no getting around the very real and devastating impact on UK workers.
“The government is vocal about the huge cultural and economic value of the creative industries; it must put its money where its mouth is and look after those who work in the sector. Likewise urgent industry collaboration and commitment from employers to support the freelance workforce is critical if we want to UK to remain a cultural hub.”
25% of those questioned are thinking about leaving the industry entirely, but Bectu points out that this could have an even bigger impact on the sector moving forward. It’s estimated that an additional 20,000 film and television workers are required in the UK over the next 5 years to sustain its growth.
“There needs to be more support from the employers,” National Secretary, Spencer MacDonald told BBC’s The Media Show.
“Because it’s a pool of freelancers that are shared amongst all the different production companies. It’s not freelancers who are attached to one particular production company and they work for them throughout their careers. They share this pool of freelancers, so they need to step up and actually support the workers in the industry.”
A reddit community has also sprung up detailing some of the difficulties facing production staff.
One writes:
“Over the years, I’ve experienced the dreaded perma-lance contract, extreme sleep deprivation, completely unrealistic schedules, absurd budgets, bullying, sexual harassment, professional ghosting (one of my favourites!) and ridiculous skillset demands when working. You are expected to be a jack of all trades and a master of them too. Travel – that’s a fun one. I’ve been expected to fly across the world to film, start filming the day we arrive and work the entire shoot block without a day off whilst staying in a dirty, bug-invested hotel.
Concluding:
“With the rise of the new media threatening to outdo mainstream broadcasters, we need an industry that will be bold, but for that, it requires talent that feels empowered, stable and protected. Right now, it’s an industry pushing out the talent it needs for the change that is already knocking at the door.
“Will I stay, or will I go? Despite everything, I’m still deciding.”
Another has written their “resignation letter” to television:
“What surprises me most about this year is how isolated we are as freelancers in these times of crisis, with few, if any, checking in despite years of relationships being built. To me, it emphasises the massive hole in our industry, where there is no continual connection between us all. Like the TV Access Project where broadcasters have come together for a joined goal on diversity, the industry would benefit from a similar project to support all freelancers.
“As freelancers, we have had to navigate an industry that only protects those we work for, having established careers on great risk and little reward – you only need to read a standard freelance contract to understand this comment. A friend in the industry actually referenced their experience in telly like having an abusive partner; thinking that next time it will be different and being enticed back, only for it to be more of the same. Perhaps extreme words, but I did resonate with their thinking.
“There are some ‘good egg’ production companies that have treated me well during my career, with hours, rates and wellbeing considered. I want to make a point of recognising them here, and saying thank you. The Garden, Blast! Dragonfly, and Wildstar Films.
“So with all that said, I quit.
“I quit to the volatile workflow, I quit to the constant worry of where my next job will come from and I quit to feeling like I have to give up every ounce of myself on production.”
