Becs Hall shared a link from www.thetalentmanager.com on the TM Hub

TM HUB WEBINAR ⏰ 'Lets Reset: Freelancing and Mental Health with the Film and TV Charity'

FTVC chief exex Alex Pumfrey heads up a panel with Tamara Abood (psychotherapist & former C4 commissioning editor) Abby Kumar (freelancer producer & Coalition for Change organiser) & Lisa Marie Hall (well being ambassador) and exploring how everyone - indies, broadcasters, campaigners, welfare experts and individuals - can play their part in making sure freelancers feel supported, connected and valued.

Using the charity's Let's Reset campaign as its starting point. the session features useful tips on looking after your mental health needs, what resources are out there, how employers can help and why everyone benefits when freelancers are supported.

https://www.thetalentmanager.com/pro/videos/54/industry-issues-lets-reset-freelancing-and-mental-health-with-the-film-tv-charity

[Access: this event includes closed captioning ] #tmhubwebinar

Alix Mottershead

As a new entrant into the industry, who finished university during the pandemic, how can we look after new entrants who are often overlooked, working the long hours on very short contacts and who are new to freelancing. How do we protect ourselves, and how can we be reassured that our voices are being heard about what needs to change. Also, perhaps off topic, why are university degrees so undervalued in the industry? We are lead to believe that these degrees will increase our value to employers

2055 years ago

Susannah Traill

@AlixMottershead I'm currently mentoring young people into the industry so feel free to contact me. """

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Robin weaser

Agreed @SusannahTraill . Who do you go to? It's about accountability. There is a relentless pressure on budgets. As well as mental health there are increasingly concerns about physical safety on location due to under-resourcing something Directors UK have highlighted."

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Matt Born

The issue of line managers is an interesting one. Surely the ultimate line managers are the broadcasters/ commissioners. Does the panel think they take enough responsibility for what is made on their behalf? What could/ should they be doing differently?

Thanks Sarah. There are many of these 'raising awareness' sessions happening but very little real change happening on the ground? As a PM I see firsthand how production companies are squeezed by the broadcasters to push people to work long hours to make up for lack of preparation at the commissioning stage. It's simple - give people better conditions to work in and everyone from the top down will look after each other better.... I think most people are aware of their limits mentally....

I agree with the panel. I've just finished 2 x days of 13/14 hour days on a studio pilot for a well known streaming service. Trying to schedule shorter days is not possible within the budget and deadline. I've taken the day off to recover but most of my peers are picking up the slack in my absence and have been working 10 to 12 hour days for months....The streaming service PM reads the budgets line by line but never question the hours or human cost of making it.....

But who's going to call them out????? Certainly not the HOP's or production companies who are bidding for the work....

I talked to my 50 strong crew yesterday about all this stuff... and they all agreed that as freelancers is worse than before pandemic. I talked to the Head of Production about scheduling and budgeting for shorter days within longer timeframes and she's very open to it but the system is currently not facilitating that.....

Jemma Coutts

What practical solutions do the panel think are needed to change stop the overworking and burnout?

Amazing talk, thank you so much for your time

Neil Williams

As someone trying to kickstart their career after being made redundant by an employer for being signed off sick by my GP with anxiety caused by intimidation and bullying, I am seeing a lot of this type of talk but absolutely no support for those of us who are trying to find work? I've applied to over 400 jobs now and can honestly say that I have never felt supported by anyone in the industry. All I want to do is work and do what I love...

4 years ago

The Talent Manager

The Talent Manager shared a link from www.thetalentmanager.com

Industry Issues - Let's Reset: Freelancing and Mental Health with The Film & TV Charity