Behind the Scenes: An Investigation into the Exploitation and harassment of Film workers in the UK

Lights, Camera, Action!

Behind the scenes of your favourite Film is a world of systemic abuse and exploitation. Covered with a little movie magic and a tone of NDA agreements lies the sad but very real truth. In the UK film industry, countless individuals suffer from harassment, lack of protection, unallocated sanctions, and exploitation of their rights.

But why hasn’t this issue been stopped yet? Despite countless years in the spotlight that’s slowly been unveiling the validity of lurid statements we’ve seen published in the news. After years of scrutiny and the implementation of sanctions, the issue persists. While initiatives like the 'Call it App' for anonymous reporting and Netflix's production hotline offer avenues for recourse, the underlying problem remains unresolved.

In my conversations with industry insiders like 'Source A' (a freelance sound department worker), Spencer Macdonald (Bectu National Secretary), and 'Source B', it became clear that the industry still struggles to provide a safe and equitable working environment. Source A's experiences shed light on the prevalent exploitation and difficulty in negotiating fair compensation for overtime.

Speaking to Spencer who had a wealth of experience and knowledge about this particular industry, has introduced a ray of light through the darkness. Spencer's insights reveal ongoing efforts, such as the 'Eyes Half Shut' campaign, aimed at combating the pervasive long-hour culture. However, he also underscores the prevalence of harassment, exacerbated by the industry's reliance on freelancers. This vulnerability discourages reporting, perpetuating a cycle of abuse and impunity."

Mental Health

A survey conducted by the Film and TV Charity revealed that 9 out of 10 individuals working behind the scenes in the UK film industry have experienced mental health issues. The prevalence of bullying, harassment, and exploitation exacerbates these challenges, contributing to a negative impact on the mental well-being of workers. The pressures inherent in the fast-paced nature of the industry further compound these issues, leading to a pervasive epidemic of mental health crises within the entertainment world.

During my conversation with a freelancer in the industry, 'Source C', it became evident how these factors directly affected his mental health. Source C, a neurodivergent man of colour, recounted his experiences of exploitation, verbal abuse, and toxic relationships while working on major projects without a contract. His encounters with a manager who acted as an "instigator/abuser" left him feeling belittled and humiliated. Source C's struggles were exacerbated by instances of intoxication-induced remarks from superiors, which further deteriorated his mental well-being. As a result, Source C felt like an outsider and eventually sought help from his recruiter, expressing a desperate desire to escape the situation.

In light of these challenges, initiatives such as the Film and TV Charity's Freelance Wellbeing Hub aim to address the mental health struggles faced by freelancers in the industry. However, there remains a significant stigma surrounding seeking help, perpetuated by the notion that one must "tough it out to be successful." This stigma, coupled with the lack of job security inherent in freelance work, creates a reluctance among individuals to speak up and seek assistance.

As part of its long-term commitment to supporting well-being, the Film and TV Charity established a 24-hour support line in 2018, prompted by the tragic death of UK-based location manager Michael Harm. These resources serve as vital lifelines for individuals grappling with mental health challenges in the industry.

So whose to blame? 

The biggest issue feeding the issue of harassment and exploitation is the lack of HR departments and structures to protect victims and witnesses. Compared to formal workplaces like accounting for example where there is a dedicated HR person alongside protocols and rigid processes. To gain further insight on not having access to HR.

One of the main sources concerning codes of conduct and regulations in place to address this systemic issue is the BFI - by looking at their set of principles and guidance in 2018. I spoke to Jen Smith, Head of Inclusion at the BFI, via email. 

I asked her how the Action List has shifted attitudes on and off set and the feedback the BFI have had is that it’s a really useful digest, which has helped both employers and the workforce to understand their rights and responsibilities. 

Harassment and discrimination are prevalent in many UK industries including the government, school systems and other media companies, however, the Film industry is especially detrimental to our society, as the role of the media is to convey and subliminally change the opinions of the audience consuming said media.  

Exploitation and harassment exponentially affect minority groups, including race, sex, and gender in the film industry. I heard the gritty truth from my Interview with Source B, a woman of colour who works as a runner on Film sets in the UK. Source B disclosed that “As a POC in the industry I find myself feeling judged whilst at work, a lot harsher and to a higher standard than my white friends, and we do the same job! I’ve been yelled at more, made to stay ridiculous over time and have been degraded by my peers and employers.” Despite this being the 21st century, the industry still holds the opinions and values we’d expect to have been dismantled and left back in the 70s and 80s.

Despite recent improvements and industry-enforced acts being imposed countrywide, film harassment and exploitation continue to be an issue.

After all this, has anything changed? 

The ‘Equality Act of 2010’ defines equality protection to mean that ‘You’re protected from discrimination: at work, in education, as a consumer, when using public services, when buying or renting property and as a member or guest of a private club or association’. But when does workplace harassment and exploitation such as what we see in Film become unlawful?  

This comes up to a year after the BFI published the official findings of their investigation into diversity standards. I wonder has there have been any significant changes or improvements to the diversity amongst British films. The BFI Diversity Standards Act (2016), was created to evaluate and explore whether films have been reaching an acceptable level of diversity behind the scenes and on screens.

An article published by LSE highlighting how the UK Film sector is failing to stop discrimination, Analysis by DR Clive Nwonka, an LSE Fellow in Film Studies within the Department of Sociology at LSE. Dr Nwonka’s research focuses on BAME individuals, and how they are the worst affected in media by this lack of representation.

The study focused on a range of films that were examined from June 2016 – March 2019, investigating whether each film made in this time filled three basic rubrics to increase diversity in leadership roles, developmental opportunities and pre-and post-production roles. Any productions seeking funding through BFI must meet these criteria.

However, despite the act being introduced just 50% of all productions met the criteria for on-screen representation of BAME – 63% for gender. Source B says “On any given set, I could know as little as five or six other POC and most of the time the ones that are there are men. It feels so alienating and lonely, to look into a room and feel like the odd one out.” Even though there have been many measures put in place to tackle harassment, exploitation, mental wellbeing and equality, issues will still arise, and it will be left to those who are responsible to ensure they don’t arise again. Which leaves us with a question. Is the problem with laws created that govern film or is the industry that is broken and corrupted as a whole?