May - a month when usually many of us are deep in the throes of production. But this isn't a usual year....
Finally, we have on-the-record analysis beginning to explain why so many of us have struggled to find work this year.
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May - a month when usually many of us are deep in the throes of production. But this isn't a usual year....
Finally, we have on-the-record analysis beginning to explain why so many of us have struggled to find work this year.
https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcast-magazine/broadcast-indie-summit-indies-raise-concerns-over-mid-market-squeeze/5181321.article
The gist of this Broadcast article is: "Industry-wide, indies report that broadcasters are favouring expensive, distinctive shows or, conversely, high-volume, low-value shows to fill up space, creating a growing polarisation in the types of commissions available...it’s true that commissions are getting harder to come by – “the market is very cool”.
The article focuses on the impact on indies, but does not go into the impact on the freelancers who depend on these indies for work. Commentary on that aspect has been lacking from what I can tell.
I work in Specialist Factual and whilst I don't have any facts as such, there have been just a smattering of job roles in this genre for the last 6 months, so perhaps this is one of the "squeezed middle" type genres. Not helped of course by the fact BBC Four is no longer a commissioning channel. Is there enough work for us all, especially in a climate where it's so hard to cross genre?
[I know all genres are in the midst of a downturn, I am just focussing on Specialist Factual here because that's the area I know best].
Finally, we have on-the-record analysis beginning to explain why so many of us have struggled to find work this year.
https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcast-magazine/broadcast-indie-summit-indies-raise-concerns-over-mid-market-squeeze/5181321.article
The gist of this Broadcast article is: "Industry-wide, indies report that broadcasters are favouring expensive, distinctive shows or, conversely, high-volume, low-value shows to fill up space, creating a growing polarisation in the types of commissions available...it’s true that commissions are getting harder to come by – “the market is very cool”.
The article focuses on the impact on indies, but does not go into the impact on the freelancers who depend on these indies for work. Commentary on that aspect has been lacking from what I can tell.
I work in Specialist Factual and whilst I don't have any facts as such, there have been just a smattering of job roles in this genre for the last 6 months, so perhaps this is one of the "squeezed middle" type genres. Not helped of course by the fact BBC Four is no longer a commissioning channel. Is there enough work for us all, especially in a climate where it's so hard to cross genre?
[I know all genres are in the midst of a downturn, I am just focussing on Specialist Factual here because that's the area I know best].
And in addition, Directors UK have put out a supportive word to their membership, recognising the unusual lull that production is in
Many freelancers have long suspected that maintaining a career in the industry may depend on what skills you succeed in honing outside of TV, and this year has only confirmed it.
I’m not ready to jump good ship television just yet … but choosing to rely upon on it for any kind of job security/longevity now feels like too much of a risky gamble.