Skillset/UK Film Council Feature Film Production Workforce Survey 2008

1.1 Aims and objectives of the survey 

The goal of this research is to continue the biennial cycle of film production surveys by obtaining a reliable picture of working patterns, current and future skills development needs, existing provision, and barriers experienced to receiving training and development from film sectors not covered elsewhere by research.

This will serve a number of purposes, including:

·        Obtaining information on current skills development and needs, to monitor trends and inform future training policy.

The first film survey identified the need for business skills training and in July 2005 the Film Business Academy at The Cass Business School was launched, the first ever dedicated film business centre in the UK.

·        Providing evidence of skills shortages or strengths in different departments on a regional or national basis, enabling appropriate targeting of training initiatives in the right sectors and geographical areas.

Travel bursaries are now available from Skillset through training providers, which recognise evidence from the first survey results that crew are based throughout the UK, even when the provision may not be.

·     Providing evidence of the availability of skilled crew based within the UK, which can be used to encourage investment in productions shot within the UK.

Data from the 2005 film production survey report has been quoted extensively in publications addressed at UK and international audiences, for example Oxford Economic Forecasting’s report ‘The Economic Impact of the UK Film Industry’, published in July 2007.

·        Illustrating movement of the film workforce between sectors, which helps locate the film industry in the context of the wider audio visual industries.

Evidence of cross sectoral working taken from the first production workforce survey has enabled Skillset to target investment in training that will cater to individuals working across sectors.

·        Informing the debate on setting new rates for lower budget productions by providing information about earning patterns.

Evidence from the 2005 film production survey report has provided a backdrop for development of new production models including the UK Film Council micro-budget programme, to encourage more consistent film production employment for crew at a slightly lower rate.

·        Underpinning the introduction of new sector-specific policies or initiatives to improve working conditions and practices where appropriate.

An example of this, prompted by the first survey, is the introduction of Skillset’s assisted job share scheme,  to benefit those with family or additional responsibilities outside the workplace.

·        Promoting better understanding of the experiences of the workforce, particularly new entrants, which will continue to lead to new ideas about marketing the film industry as a career option.

Availability of the first survey’s findings, and other related resources like Skillset’s film web site and careers advice team, ensure up to date and relevant information about working in film production is available to new and potential entrants as well as existing members of the workforce.