As a long-time devotee of cinema, hailing from the bustling heart of Hollywood, I can’t help but feel a surge of optimism and relief upon hearing about the BFI’s new WorkWise for Screen initiative. Having spent decades navigating the often turbulent waters of the industry, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that many in our community face, from unjust working conditions to the struggle for inclusivity and respect.
The British Film Institute (BFI) recently announced a fresh, £1.5 million ($1.9 million) initiative to improve work environments and procedures within the screen industry of the United Kingdom.
Titled “WorkWise on Screens,” this initiative aims to offer essential tools and advice to foster equality, inclusivity, and respect within the entertainment field.
The initiative will provide a no-cost digital platform, along with a podcast collection, as well as a collaborative network geared towards the leaders of small to mid-size companies in the visual entertainment industry, encompassing production, animation, special effects, video games, distribution, and presentation.
A collaborative project, designed with input from key industry figures, will be facilitated by Counterculture and spearheaded by Keith Arrowsmith, a specialist in creative industries law. Its purpose is to assist the industry in adapting to forthcoming changes in U.K. employment law due to the Employment Rights Bill. This initiative offers legal contract models, policy templates, educational resources, and pertinent guidance to help navigate these adjustments smoothly.
The WorkWise for Screen project encompasses themes like managing teams, fostering diverse leadership, promoting mental health strategies, establishing fair hiring methods, and recruiting inclusively. This venture is in line with insights from the BFI Skills Review and studies such as the Film and TV Charity’s Looking Glass Surveys. Financed by BFI National Lottery funding, this program will adapt according to industry requirements and be influenced by an advisory board from the industry, a technical group focused on HR matters, and a team of producers.
Sara Whybrew, the director of skills and workforce development at BFI, stated: “We create top-tier screen content in the U.K., with much of this success attributed to our exceptionally talented workforce – exceptional individuals excelling in a vibrant and innovative field. However, frequent accounts of people facing difficulties in their working conditions, mental health issues, and work-life balance call for action. We aim to help the industry construct workplaces that are fairer, safer, and more inclusive.
Arrowsmith stated, “WorkWise for Screen was designed collaboratively within the industry to ensure the well-being of everyone contributing to the screen sector’s success. This program is firmly based on existing regulations to offer all necessary resources, maintaining a safe environment for the industry.
John McVay, head of Pact – a U.K. trade organization for autonomous production and distribution companies within the screen sector – expressed approval for the new initiative. He stated that this trial program will serve to bolster various industry-driven efforts aimed at preserving the U.K.’s film and television industries as thriving sources of employment, careers, and attracting talent from all around the country.
I had the privilege of being part of a collaborative process that brought together a diverse group of organizations such as BAFTA, Bectu, BFI Filmmaking Fund, British Board of Film Classification, British Screen Forum, Create Central, Creative Wales, Film London, Great Point Seren Studios, Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries, Manchester Animation Festival, Northern Ireland Screen, Pact, Production Guild, Reeltime Media, Screen Alliance North, Screen Manchester, ScreenSkills, Sgil Cymru, Talent Trust, Tape Collective, TV Human Rights, U.K. Screen Alliance, and We Are Parable. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to learn from several freelancers who generously shared their insights from various roles within the industry.
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2024-10-15 11:16