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Even though the strikes are happening across the pond in America, it is having major impacts in the TV and Film industries in the United Kingdom. According to a recent survey conducted by BECTU (a UK entertainment industry union), found that three quarters of workers are currently not working. Most of those who answered they are not working are freelancers.
“The financially protective infrastructure that is there for other industries to protect workers is totally missing in the TV film industry.” stated Ceri Joanne, a costume maker.
While the American strikes are physically far away, it’s no secret the filming locations are often done in the UK and therefore also at UK studios. Nearly 80% of Film and TV workers have had their employment negatively impacted by the strikes still ongoing in America. This leaves many (35%) of the Film and TV workers in the UK struggling to pay bills due to the lack of work. Because the vast majority of workers in the industry are left forgotten with long breaks in between work and no real security systems in place to survive, about 1 in 4 people responded they don’t see themselves continuing to work in the industry in the next five years. This will have a massive domino effect on all things related to Hollywood, not just delaying release dates of long expected films and series.
“I don’t see myself continuing to work in this industry. Situations like this cause so much stress financially on top of the stress the industry can already have while you’re working… I know a lot of people living paycheck to paycheck.” stated a respondent of the survey.
Since the strikes began, it is clear that almost no one in the Film and TV industries have had work since July. They also haven’t heard anything about future work for reassurance. These strikes are quickly turning workers in these industries against each other. Operators on the production crew such as camera ops, sound mixers, costume departments, etc. are beginning to lose sympathy for the strikes and their cause. While some are still holding true to the belief of “This industry is really only for second and third income, so you should always have something more stable.” Let’s be honest, most freelancers are working contract to contract and are expected to work ridiculously long hours during those contracts so this quickly becomes their first and second income.
For those who are wondering, “Why didn’t they see this coming? The strikes have been happening for months?” Head of BECTU, Philippa Childs, actually did warn people in July that a “perfect storm was brewing for freelancers”. Clearly, she was right. It’s been a long time coming that the governments who claim that the creative industries have cultural and economic value need to put their money where their mouth is and aid those who work in these valuable fields. Though the spotlight will remain on the strikes, we must never forget everyone involved in a production and how we as a team affect each other’s futures.
Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive in her work. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020, and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending some time on tour. Drew's favorite by far though, has been the chance to work on Broadways and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry.
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