The Reel Cost: How Can We Protect Our TV & Film Workforce?

The UK TV & Film industry is facing a crisis.

A recent survey from the Film + TV Charity revealed that 45% of TV & Film workers are finding it difficult to manage financially. 40% of those surveyed also claimed they’d struggle to make ends meet for more than a month without income.

The industry has faced a barrage of challenges in recent years, from the COVID pandemic to mass actors/writers strikes and a cost-of-living crisis. After weathering storm after storm, the market has barely had time to recover - and this is now being felt by everyday workers.

While personal finances are a pressing concern for the TV & Film workforce, this is also creating a snowball effect that’s impacting mental health, diversity & inclusion, and long-term industry growth.

The UK TV & Film sector has historically been a creative and economic powerhouse, and if we want to protect this key industry (and more importantly, the people working inside it) then we need to take action.

In this guide, we’ll be deep-diving some of the core issues affecting the TV & Film workforce - and explaining how all of us can make a real difference.

What are the biggest issues facing the TV & Film industry?

While several factors have contributed to this TV & Film crisis (i.e. COVID, strikes, economic turbulence) they’re all leading to the same outcome - a rapidly declining workforce.

Sparse job opportunities are pushing talented people out of the industry as we speak. In September 2023, 24% of workers were planning to leave the sector within 5 years - as of February 2024, that number has jumped to 37%.

Not only is this bad news for the future of the industry, but it’s also having an immediate impact on workforce diversity. 40% of female survey respondents claimed they saw themselves in another industry in 5 years, and 50% of black respondents said the same.

If this trend continues, any previous efforts made to improve diversity & inclusion across the industry may be undone in a matter of years.

Unsurprisingly, financial pressure and career difficulties are also proving to be hugely detrimental to the mental health of TV & Film workers. 75% of survey respondents claim to be struggling with their mental health, and this is hitting younger workers particularly hard - a staggering 90% of 18-24s and 82% of 25-34s are experiencing issues in this area.

And although there are signs of hope emerging, thousands of workers are still finding themselves grappling with fleeting job opportunities, commissioning slowdowns, and uncertainty about the future.

For example, while the recent UK Spring Budget promised helpful tax relief for production companies, more needs to be done to support the individuals at risk. BECTU (The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union) stated:

“...this budget is one that has met a number of business asks but contains no measures to directly support the freelancers that make these industries so successful. The government must match its investment in creative businesses with urgent and sustained support for a workforce that has long been struggling.”

This is a pivotal moment for the future of TV & Film in the UK. As the sector moves forward from the latest strikes, every stakeholder (from business owners to government leaders) needs to focus on supporting, nurturing, and retaining industry talent - before it’s too late.

4 practical ways we can protect our TV & Film workforce

Government support will undoubtedly play a huge role in protecting the UK TV & Film workforce - but if you’re a business owner or hiring manager, you can also make a massive difference to real workers. Here’s how:

1. Actively bring on contract workers and freelancers

By using contractors/freelancers, you can enjoy working arrangements that are significantly more flexible and cost-effective. Not only that, but you’ll also provide exceptional TV & Film talent with much-needed job opportunities.

Since contractors usually work on a day-rate basis, they’re a great option for businesses looking to control their budgets. If you need specialist support on a specific project, you can bring on a contract worker for a set number of days/hours and pay them accordingly.

(Plus, if you find a freelancer who delivers outstanding results, you can establish a long-term working relationship while still maintaining flexibility and cost-efficiency.)

At Harmonic, we can provide step-by-step guidance on finding contractors, establishing day rates, and offering roles - so don’t hesitate to reach out for support!

2. Partner with a dedicated recruitment agency to find talent

TV & Film is an incredibly network-reliant industry, and that’s understandable. If you’ve got a proven track record with certain workers, it makes sense to bring them on for future projects - but you also need to ensure you’re not limiting your access to top-tier talent.

This is where a recruitment agency can be a game-changer.

Partnering with a specialist recruitment agency offers many valuable benefits to your business, including:

Helping you to find the best candidates for a role, even if they’re not actively applying. This includes identifying workers with both the right technical skills and cultural fit for your business.

Supporting hiring staff/candidates at every stage, and setting up an equitable recruitment process that actively encourages diversity, mitigates unconscious bias, and maximises your chances of finding the right hire.

Accessing an established network of industry-leading talent and professional connections. By partnering with a recruitment agency, you’ll be working alongside experts with an in-depth knowledge of your industry, challenges, and requirements.

The TV & Film industry is absolutely brimming with amazing talent. When you work with a recruitment agency, you ensure that you’re bringing on the perfect workers for the job, rather than just relying on the same connections you’ve hired previously.

3. Make deliberate efforts to encourage diversity and expand your network

While many businesses claim to value diversity, they often fail to incorporate D&I into their hiring processes. Fortunately, by making a few key changes, you can ensure that you’re creating a level playing field and attracting high-quality, diverse talent across TV & Film.

As an example, you can use techniques like blind CV screening to stop unconscious bias from creeping into your hiring decisions. Everyone is influenced by biases to some degree, and by making efforts to prevent this, you can diversify your candidate pool and create more equitable job opportunities.

A recruitment agency partner will be a huge help here.

Agencies can assist you in attracting prospects from diverse backgrounds and building hiring processes that are fair and impartial. They’ll understand how to navigate hidden biases, support new candidates, and ultimately allow you to find the right talent for your company.

4. Treat candidates with respect and transparency

If we want to support our TV & Film workforce, then we need to treat them with respect, honesty, and kindness.

This may sound simple, but in a highly turbulent and extremely challenging job market, your attitude towards workers will make a world of difference.

For instance, if you’re not planning on hiring a candidate, try to avoid stringing them along. Time is of the essence for TV & Film workers, and the quicker you can make a clear hiring decision, the easier it will be for them to move on and chase new opportunities!

(And while it’s not always easy to turn down a candidate, it’s important. Younger workers need to get comfortable with rejection, and if you provide clear communication and constructive feedback, these interactions can actually keep candidates motivated.)

If TV & Film talent feel respected by potential employers, even if they’re ultimately not hired, then we have a much better chance of keeping them engaged and enthusiastic. Finding a job is hard enough in the current market, but our approach to hiring & interviewing can make a positive impact on the entire candidate experience.

How can Harmonic help you?

At Harmonic, our recruitment specialists will help you refine your search process, discover outstanding candidates, and ensure you’re tapping into the biggest possible talent pool.

Below are just some of the ways we can help:

All of our recruitment experts complete anti-bias training, equipping them with the tools they need to build inclusive, progressive hiring processes.

We specialise in finding qualified, motivated, and skilled candidates for your business - but we also take the time to screen for a strong cultural fit.

If you need more hiring flexibility, our team will support you in finding reliable contractors with transparent day rates.

We’ll manage all candidate communications on your behalf, and advise you on making your company as appealing as possible to a broad, diverse talent base.

The TV & Film workforce is facing a genuine crisis - but with an open-minded hiring approach rooted in D&I, we can all make a big difference to the future of the industry.

If you’re keen to discuss your recruitment options, or just want to learn more about how you can support TV & Film talent, then don’t hesitate to reach out to Halle ([email protected]) for more information!