THE UNIVERSITY of Reading has warned of further risk to the UK’s status as a leader in the film industry as it reports that film and TV freelancers are facing “unprecedented” challenges.
Its Screen Industry Voices project team has found that the film and TV freelancers are facing a range of challenges which include financial struggles, a lack of professional support, and illegal employment practices.
According to the study, freelancers reported fears about a lack of information on available support, inconsistent and sometimes illegal working practices and frequent financial insecurity.
During their interviews, researchers heard how experienced producers are selling their homes to survive financially– some freelancers haven’t found work for over a year, and many work without basic benefits like sick pay or holiday pay.
The loss of experienced talent is already reversing progress on workforce diversity, researchers say, with higher proportions of women and people of colour planning to leave the industry.
One of the freelance screenwriters who spoke to the researchers said they believed the industry was ‘structurally racist’ as ‘black and brown talent is not valued in the same way that white talent is’, while a freelance post-production artist said they were frequently ‘the only black person in the room’.
The report comes as the UK government has placed the creative industries at the centre of its economic growth strategy, but researchers warn that its ambitions are under threat as freelancers consider leaving the industry.
Professor Lisa Purse, Professor of Film at the University of Reading and lead researcher on the Screen Industry Voices report, said: “Freelancers make up almost half of the UK film and television workforce. Without freelancers, the industry simply wouldn’t exist.
“The UK’s film and TV industry is worth £11 billion, and the government has rightly recognised the value of our world-class film and television sector to the UK economy. Without immediate action to support freelancers, we risk losing the talented workforce that makes the industry so valuable.”
Dr Andrew Philip, lecturer in Filmmaking at the University of Reading and a co-author of the report, was formerly a freelance editor and motion graphics designer.
He said: “Twenty years in the industry left me burned out with no pension and struggling to find consistent work.
“I left a career I loved to improve it from the outside–my experience isn’t unique – talented professionals are walking away from film and TV because the industry is failing them.”
Sara Whybrew, BFI’s Director of Skills and Workforce Development, said: “The workforce is the engine room of our world-class screen sector but reports of people struggling with working conditions, poor mental health and their work-life balance are unfortunately widespread.
“Much of the Screen Industry Voices report findings and recommendations chime with our Good Work Programme for Screen, which is providing £1.5m for the WorkWise for Screen pilot initiative, launched last year.
“Shaped with input from the industry, this free-to-access advice and guidance resource aids the adoption of good work principles and practices covering a range of topics to support greater dignity, respect and inclusion in the workplace.
“It also aims to help industry navigate and comply with the Government’s incoming Employment Right’s Bill, and associated Plan to Make Work Pay, with a emphasis on better supporting our sector’s self-employed and freelance workers.
“Thanks to the University of Reading for this report and for helping to keep this important agenda within industry discussions.”
