Are any of you finding it increasingly difficult to find both freelance and permanent work because of your age, and seem to be facing ageism in our industry?
Especially those in the 40 to 60+ age bracket?
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Matt Born
Expert Contributor
Would be interesting to hear people's experiences re. this. Is it just a 'feeling' that you're the victim of ageism? The fact that work seems to be harder to come by? Or anything more concrete that people have said to you - euphemistically or explicitly?
Michael S. Wilson
@MattBorn Hey Matt, thanks so much for replying. No, this isn't a 'feeling' this is from much experience. The amount of interviews I've had where they take one look at me and I see their faces drop & their narrative changes to one of 'sympathy'. One even said to me: "you know we use digital now & not film?" I told the MD that he should be looking for someone to fill HER role if that's the attitude of those they employ, & walked out to much 'sorry, come back'. THIS is what I've been up against!
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Michael S. Wilson
I face this all the time where it's got to such a sorry state where I no longer put my age down on the forms, because I KNOW all too well what the final solution will be when it comes to hiring. I have others who tell me the same stories. Yet when I've worked in the States they can't BELIEVE the UK don't hire older applicants, they tell me they prefer them to the younger 20 somethings as you know they'll stick around & always get the job done. UK is one of the worse for this!
Michael S. Wilson
I ache to leave the UK & get the work where they value us (I've witnessed this myself on work I have done elsewhere outside of the UK), but without a money background, privileged gene-pool family tree or sponsorship it's like you're trapped in a prison cell you can't get out of as they've lost the key. Media is, no matter what most say, a 'middle/upper class' industry where the 'worker bees' just have to keep the hive running in what I call 'civvie' jobs LoL. But this is just what I see ;-)
Michael S. Wilson
Example: I was working on a high profile, big budget movie the other day (camera), I made a point of looking around at the worker demographic. With the exception of the Director, AD & main camera operators, EVERYONE was in their early to mid 20's. Not a SINGLE ONE was in the 40s to 60s age window. Sure they could do their jobs, but that's not the point, WE can too! Again, this was a US job! I've yet to get the same work here (see?). Employers are looking in the wrong place for the Holy Grail!!
Michael S. Wilson
Love you all xx
Michael S. Wilson
Hey guys, interesting! 80% agree that there IS a form of ageism in our industry. I am in no way looking for any arguments or abuse (as you do get it from things like this), I am just interested in the findings as I myself seem to always lose the jobs to younger applicants with less experience than me!
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Annette Gordon
Expert Contributor
Hi Michael - Yes, ageism is a massive problem in the UK TV industry. One that no one recognises because they're all in their 20's & 30's! ha ha. To be honest I've stuck my neck out here even responding. I think re. the male/female bias - women tend to do the support roles or the lower end creative jobs. Most prod companies have men at the top running everything - though there are women too. Re. Class (gonna show my age here) 20 years ago this was much less of a problem. I think it's got worse
Kirby Washington
I've spent my career in Below-the-Line crafts. I worked with a First AC who started dyeing his hair at 41 ... "just in case". Ageism is pretty bad in that universe. And we could do a chapter on ability discrimination as well!
Alex Meacock
Sometimes younger/less experienced people are chosen over older/more experienced for financial reasons or because they are more compliant in certain working conditions. Older people want paying a proper rate for the right hours...
Kirby Washington
On ageism in our industry: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/movie-directors-over-40-ageism-study-4170950/?fbclid=IwAR0DwiNpkCudniYs6gvq8w-FebbCetc_y7u5ZQx0wCBq31gls-urvPn7B6Y