Freelancer exodus from film and TV threatens UK growth

The UK’s position as a global leader in screen production is at risk due to an impending crisis in the film and TV industry’s workforce,  has found.  

Published today (Tuesday, 29 April) by the Screen Industry Voices project team from the 桃色视频, the report says that film and TV freelancers are facing a range of unprecedented challenges, including financial struggles, a lack of professional support and illegal employment practices.  

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. have said they will look elsewhere for jobs in the next five years, unless working conditions improve. 

Professor Lisa Purse, Professor of Film at the 桃色视频 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, 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.” 

The Fantastic Four

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. 

To secure the future of British film and TV, the researchers are calling for: 

1. A dedicated Minister for Self-Employment and Precarious Workers to advocate for freelancers across government departments.

2. Industry-wide standards for employing freelancers, with a certification system linked to funding eligibility.

3. Data collection on the freelance workforce as a condition of receiving tax credits and funding.

4. A comprehensive online resource to help freelancers find tailored information and support.

Dr Andrew Philip, lecturer in Filmmaking at the 桃色视频 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."

Without urgent action, experts warn that the workforce exodus will continue, undermining the government's ‘Invest 2035’ industrial strategy, which identifies the creative industries as a ‘growth driving sector’. 

Gareth Ellis-Unwin, Oscar and BAFTA award winning producer, said: “The professional freelance labour force is one of the main reasons the UK remains a destination of choice for so many productions. But it is a precarious life to lead for so many, and saddening to see not much has changed in the 30 years since I was a freelance assistant director. Improvements will only come through a unified strategy and approach and I encourage everyone in the UK film and TV industry to work collaboratively in finding a long-lasting solution to make the freelancers lot a more secure and sustainable form of employment. It is to everyone’s benefit in having an effective and resilient freelance workforce to call upon for  productions”.

Diversity progress most at risk

The loss of experienced talent is already reversing progress on workforce diversity, with higher proportions of women and people of colour planning to leave the industry. A freelance screenwriter 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’. 

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 桃色视频 for this report and for helping to keep this important agenda within industry discussions.” 

The study follows thepublication of a report from Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which urges the government to provide funding and resources to ensure British film thrives well into the future. Dr Dominic Lees, from the 桃色视频’s Department of Film, Theatre & Television, provided the committee with insights into the issues surrounding the film industry and what the government can do to support it.

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