As freelancers we are resilient, we’re used to knock-backs, competition, long hours and adapting to multiple jobs in any given year and we know that with each job’s end there may be a period of downtime before our next one starts. A lot of us value this time and appreciate the flexibility, a lot of us use this time to pursue other projects, but generally we know that despite the downtime the next job isn’t far away; there are options on the horizon, irons in the fire, there is hope, but with the effect COVID-19 has had on our industry over the last few months a lot of that hope has been lost as jobs disappeared over night and contracts were ended abruptly, leaving freelancers anxious with what lay ahead and fighting for survival with little or no support.
As a self-shooting director and edit producer I have been very fortunate with work over the years and I have manged to maintain consistent work, so large periods of unemployment wasn’t something I had experienced much until now - but just being part of a vulnerable industry that has been hit so hard and affected so many friends and colleagues made me, like many, question if a future of exposed instability and uncertainty is what I really want.
This sentiment rang true for all of the other Viva La PD admins and we felt that we needed to try and understand the affect this was having on freelancers and how we might go about trying to help. We launched our first survey back in April and we were pretty shocked by the results – we found that just one in five people said they were eligible for help from the government, only 17% of freelancers were still working and over half were considering leaving the industry if the situation extended beyond two months.
The general consensus from freelancers was that they felt abandoned by both the government and the production companies, highlighting the precarious nature of being a freelancer and falling through the cracks. This stark realisation made a vast majority of freelancers start to reconsider their options, myself included. Even though I was fortunate enough to still be temporarily working I had found myself one evening almost sub-consciously browsing new careers on the Met Police website.
People who have been in the industry for twenty plus years have been forced to reconsider their next twenty in a new, more stable one, abandoning a skillset learnt and honed over time for more security and reliability and all because the government seemingly fail to acknowledge that we aren’t in the five percent that earn on average £200,000 a year; a government that doesn’t appear to understand the nature of being a freelancer and who don’t seem interested in creating parity between PAYE and the self-employed. You can’t help but feel a sense of hopelessness and injustice.
Since publishing our findings myself and the other Viva admins have been working hard behind the scenes to share the results far and wide in an attempt to gain some traction and make change for freelancers that were being hugely affected by not receiving any support – but it’s a fight that hasn’t been easy, and despite trying to lobby for a change to the SEISS cap, its fallen mostly on deaf ears ….but we haven’t given up. Our persistence caught the attention of the Shadow Minister for the Cultural Industries, Tracy Brabin MP, who offered support and put questions to Rishi Sunak in Parliament about lifting the cap and making changes to lift more freelancers into help. We have also been working with the DCMS to give them an insight into how many freelancers are being affected and not supported and providing them with key recommendations on changes in policy to help the nearly three million forgotten freelancers.
After conversations with the DCMS about our first survey they were keen to hear more about the effect the pandemic was having on our industry after more than two months of lockdown. This coincided with the Viva La PD admins deciding to re-poll our member base and the wider community. So we conducted a second survey to find out in more detail how the last ten weeks had affected freelancers, and if the results from our first survey still corelated now that people had been living with the reality we all feared.
We had an overwhelming response with almost 2000 TV freelancers participating in the survey (nearly double our first survey) which gave us an even greater insight in to ‘hive mind’ of the freelancer - and it wasn’t a pretty picture. The survey found that despite extended support schemes 55% are still not eligible for help from either the CJRS or SEISS. With limited work still in production we found that only one in ten have worked consistently during the lockdown period and some have already started selling vital kit to help pay bills. With the prospect of continued months without work it was no surprise that almost 60% of us are considering leaving the industry, have already left, or have taken steps to find a more stable career.
These results paint a devastating picture of how lack of government support is affecting our industry and creating almost irreparable damage with most freelancers not having worked for three months and 57% with no work on the horizon for at least the next three months. This means that most TV freelancers are facing six lost months without work and no income or government support, through no fault of their own. We know that there are around 20,000 freelancers working in television production, so that potentially leaves 11,000 individuals without help and struggling financially. People with families to support and basic living expenses to pay.
Although we welcome the Chancellor’s extension of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, he still needs to address fundamental gaps. Over half the TV freelance workforce remain completely unsupported and face many more months like this. By not affording freelancers the same support received by staff employees, it will lead to the continued decimation of our industry. If there isn’t going to be any movement in the cap then the consideration of an industry specific grant for those above the threshold would be hugely welcomed.
So where do we go from here?! With 94% of freelancers wanting some form of change in our industry, now is the time to start implementing them as we tentatively look towards returning to some form of normality. With large numbers of people anxious of bearing the brunt of reduced budgets and excess labour supply by being forced into accepting lower rates, the ‘squeeze’ is very real and unfortunately more often than not ends up on the shoulder of the freelancer and that simply can’t happen. As freelancers we understand that with advertising revenues down there is going to be less money than BC (before Coronavirus), but it’s up to the broadcasters to recognise and understand the affects the reduced budgets are having on freelancers and evenly distribute this squeeze across the board. We desperately don’t want to see a race to the bottom and we don’t want to be taken advantage of – but with 60% of freelancers already considering another career, the ‘lifeblood’ of this industry may well run dry sooner than we think unless we see change, starting at the top.
Please do take the time to read the results published below and we urge you to email it to your local MP with the bullet points below and ask them to put pressure on the Treasury and DCMS
The findings in the report are based on a survey of nearly 2000 freelance professionals working in the television industry who have been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown and are falling through the gaps of the Chancellor’s income protection schemes.
55% of TV freelancers don’t qualify for either of the government’s Coronavirus support packages.
57% of the workforce have no work on the horizon at all for at least the next 3 months. Together with a lack of work for the previous 3 months, this leaves most freelancers facing the prospect of no work for half a year.
Almost 60% of freelancers are considering leaving the industry or have already left for another sector.
TV FREELANCERS: SIX MONTHS OF NO WORK AND NO SUPPORT
In early April 2020, Viva La PD, a community of television Producer/Directors conducted a survey of almost 1000 freelancers from across the TV industry. We have since re-polled our member base and the wider TV community, and have discovered worrying trends. The following findings are based on a new poll of nearly double1 the number of freelancers who took part in our last survey.
KEY FINDING
Over half of freelancers have not worked at all throughout lockdown.
Just 1 in 10 have worked consistently during the same period.
57% of freelancers have no work on the horizon for at least the next 3 months. Together with a lack of work for the previous 3 months, this leaves most freelancers facing the prospect of no work for half a year.
55% of our respondents are not eligible to receive assistance from either of the Government's coronavirus support schemes for workers.
Nearly 100 respondents are already selling their specialist TV production equipment to pay basic bills. Others said they are selling personal belongings, selling their house, or living off money they will owe in tax.
Almost 60% of freelancers are either considering leaving the industry, or have started working in a different sector already.
94% of respondents want to see a change to the way they are hired. Half of them would like a comprehensive review of freelance terms and conditions.
RETURN TO WORK NEW FINDINGS
Upon the industry return to work, freelancers have several concerns. The most pressing being:
82% worried about job availability as inevitably there will be low demand and high supply.
76% are concerned they will bear the brunt of for the double impact of reduced budgets and excess labour supply through drastic cuts to their professional freelance rate.
58% have serious concerns about their own health & safety in relation to Covid-19 safe working practices
51% also concerned about the impact on their mental health and wellbeing. The same number expressed worries about the pressure and workload expected on them upon their return
1* 1896 respondents took part in the survey.
FREELANCER FORUM
As in our previous report, we understand how important it is to give a voice to the freelancers who have responded to the survey. The below extracts are typical of those affected by the current situation, and the impact it could have on the future of the freelance workforce.
Common Themes:
Lots of people have put themselves in to debt to help survive the last few months
A large portion of people have thought about leaving the industry or are actively seeking a career in another industry
People still feel abandoned and feel there has been no support from the government or production companies, which has exposed the precariousness of being a freelancer
There is a huge concern for the future and what TV will be like when we return to work in terms of lower rates and an over saturation of freelancers looking for work
Concerns about the strides made for women, BAME and people of lower social economic backgrounds, who will have to find other work to survive.
Worry about how the industry will go forward: smaller rates, smaller teams, risks to health and safety to maximise profits.
Some responses have been lightly edited for clarity, spelling and grammar reasons. The number above each is allocated by the survey software to identify each responder separately.
#84
Both myself and my partner work in the TV industry and we have literally lost all future work. It’s extremely worrying as we have two small children so we can’t just up and leave to a new location for work. I’m concerned that when jobs do become available, there will be so many unemployed freelancers fighting for the position, that it will be hard for either of us to get work. And when will there actually be any work Available? It seems unlikely that any dramas (in which we work) will go ahead in the next few months. It’s such an anxious time and I’ve fallen through the cracks for government help so when our money runs out my family will have to support us.
#525
Coming from a working class background, I simply do not have any financial support from my family, I’m on my own. Sadly, I’m not alone, no one in TV has tens of thousands of cash in their back pocket, and unless we get back to work ASAP or the government extends its help to us, vast amounts of working class people in TV simply won’t be able to afford to stick around. We’ll all get pushed out because we can’t fall back on the bank of mum and dad. The only ones left when TV starts again, will be the middle class white people.
#116
I have a 2 year old son and am expecting my second child. I had spent 4 months out of work before Covid hit due to the very quiet winter period we were just coming out of. Never before in 12 years in the industry have I ever had more than a week between contracts. When Covid struck, I suddenly found myself looking after my son full time so would have struggled to work even if there was anything about due to no childcare. I am soon to go on my second unpaid (!) maternity leave, after which I’ve decided I can’t return to being freelance. I need a staff job for security and to offer me flexibility as a mum, and it’s unlikely I’ll find this in the TV industry.
#123
The government policy towards limited companies is grossly unfair. Currently I receive circa £500 a month from the furloughing myself. I have a wife and 5yr old daughter. This is NOT enough to live on. I am extremely worried about the future and it is affecting my mental health.
#18
During a recent Skillset session, [A SENIOR FIGURE FROM A BIG PRODUCTION COMPANY] implied that freelancers would have to take a cut in rates and that it would be a 'buyer’s market' in terms of jobs. With this kind of attitude at the top of the broadcasting production companies, it is clear that the message isn't sinking in that freelancers have had a raw deal or that they prop up the industry. With so many having not received any government support, surely the industry should be instrumental in protecting our right to fair pay and a fair contract. I fear that as soon as the broadcasters and production companies stop panicking, the situation for freelancers will soon be forgotten.
#28
As a mature experienced BAME worker I already face many challenges maintaining a career. I am concerned that the "new" pressures will make diversity even more of an expensive idea and it will be sacrificed.
#66
I seem to fall through the cracks. I’m very, very scared about the future, I love TV and know nothing else as I’ve done it for 25 years since I was 18. I will be in competition with other Executive Producers as it’s obviously a pyramid of roles. It breaks my heart and scares me to think I will have to try to find another role.
#51
I'm giving serious thought to leaving the industry and had even set a deadline of April this year to do so. It's not just the insecurity of being freelance and never knowing if and when you'll be working. It's the lack of opportunities, mentorship and training. Companies have no reason to invest in people and it's incredibly difficult to find ways to move up the career ladder especially in today's climate when budgets and schedules have been cut.
#229
I’m pregnant and my earnings last tax year exceeded the 50k. However I was sick before lockdown with pregnancy sickness and couldn’t work and then I’ve been unable to work during lockdown. I’m living off the money I saved for my maternity allowance. Government maternity’s allowance is £152 a week. It’s a disgrace. Pregnant women should be able to claim extra support from the government especially as we are classed as clinically vulnerable.
#395
My partner and I are both paye freelancers, we both now have zero income. No help from the government and no help from our industry. We feel utterly alone. We’ve had to leave our home and move in with my partners family. Our landlord did attempt to help us with a rental holiday but we are living off our limited savings and would have spent all of them on rent, we don’t know when our industry will re open and therefore would have amounted a great debt that we wouldn’t be able to repay. I am now desperately looking at other careers as I feel so let down by an Industry that I have worked incredibly hard for.
#270
The lack of government support for people earning just over 50k means my family are now in a dire financial situation. We’re are in debt to family and banks and will not make mid year tax payments. It will take years to recover.
#263
Unless there are major changes within the next month or so, I’ll be leaving the industry. I see nothing actively being done by any production company that will actually protect their freelancers- I guarantee we will be thrown into the wolves with no proper protection in place for Covid- because all of us will be desperate for work so we will take anything.
#294
I have a dependent, my partner has left TV for more reliable work. That’s now a real prospect for me and many I know. I am concerned about the diversity of TV. Giving more of us a more stable future even if it’s not full time would work. Giving ltd companies help would also stop TV haemorrhaging experienced talent.
#355
I think this has shown how precarious our work is and the impact that has on the mental health of people in this industry is terrifying. It feels like there is no support and we are living in uncertainty. I have felt very disposable and alone and have decided to rethink my career as a result