Daniel J. Harris on changing times in the TV industry…
It seems that times are changing in TV land with two different articles this week pointing out the potential for major shake ups in both the BBC and Channel 4. But, what does this mean for the next generation of film and programme makers?
The Telegraph was reported that ‘Channel 4 faces a shock move to Birmingham’ with the government looking to either oust them from their expensive home in central London and make a few quid on the property sale, or privatise it and sell the entire thing off to the highest bidder! The Guardian asks the question ‘do we still need the BBC?’ As once again it looks like cost cutting will lead to job losses. With the bad publicity surrounding the alleged hiding of unsavoury acts by those employed within the BBC being joined by many questioning why they should pay their TV licence fee?
Nothing is certain – we know that much! However, the proposed changes to two of the biggest broadcasters in the UK could have major effects across the industry – and it could either mean tough times for new, up and coming film and program makers – or it could be the opportunity they need!
Why? Well if Channel 4 is up rooted and moved to Birmingham there’s a fair chunk of top-level staff who could well move on – as they wish to stay in The Big Smoke. That means other staff move up the ladder and there’s room at the bottom for new, emerging talent – as long as they don’t mind living and working in Birmingham!
However, if Channel 4 is flogged to the highest bidder and is no longer a non-profit, government-owned organisation – that could lead to a very different turn of events. If the channel’s new owners want to turn a profit – and why wouldn’t they? – Then the risks taken by C4 and its bold approach, plus the programs commissioned on content value rather than net worth could all be at risk. Young talent may not be given opportunities to showcase their talents in favour of commissioning shows that can turn a profit. They could turn to the older generation of program makers who have a track record – for a feeling of security in how they spend their money. Brave and bold becomes a thing of the past!
Across the capital at the BBC there are some slightly different issues, but they still hang like a dark cloud over the broadcaster. The likes of Saville and co haven’t painted the old Beeb in a very good light over the last few years. Still, the old institution has ploughed on attempting to inform, educate and entertain. The BBC seems to be enduring the storm of bad publicity, but now the public are questioning why they should pay their licence fees?
Also – BBC Three is moving purely online in the New Year. Is this a step backwards or forwards? Some may argue that the future of TV lays online in the midst of stats such as ‘only half of 16 -24 year olds watch live TV’. Others see it as the Beeb taking a step or two backwards as they pull a channel from live broadcast. They argue that they will still champion content aimed at young people, but will deliver where they consume their content – online.
The BBC has gone through a lot of cuts over the last few years and budgets seem to be coming down further with there being a gap in licence fee funding – and no sign of it getting any better. Another article posted on Wales Online says that ‘BBC Wales staff face uncertainty after corporation’s 1,000 jobs cut announcement’. 1,000 jobs to go! That’s a fair chunk of people through the TV industry who could be looking for work.
It appears on the surface that emerging talent faces a very uncertain future and that breaking into TV could well be harder now than it has ever been. Those 1,000 cut from the BBC wage bill will no doubt be looking to find employment elsewhere in the industry – I wonder if they face moving to Birmingham? And they will be taking jobs that should have been available to emerging talent already rising up that industry ladder. The knock on effect is those trying to break through from the bottom will have the rug pulled from under them surely?
That’s one way to look at it. Here’s another.
The TV industry has been rife with over inflated wages, wastage and people lining their own pockets. Those in the upper realms have been used to having money to spend, but their purse strings are now being pulled tight – and that flows down into the industry. So… they need to buy content cheaper. They need to save money. They need ambitious, engaging and exciting content that pushes boundaries and challenges audiences – but crucially doesn’t cost the earth! So, where they can find this content?
We are the generation of the filmmakers and content creators that have grown up in the digital age. We’ve learnt our craft on digital cameras. We’ve learnt to get a cinematic and filmic look by playing with the image in the edit. We’ve learnt to shoot a film with minimal crew and still deliver a quality story. We’ve edited our own scripts, arranged our own locations, and made the sandwiches that have fed our skeleton crew. We have been taught by the likes of Robert Rodriguez and his book Rebel Without a Crew that anything is possible.
We can make a film or program that is big in ambition, but small in budget, wide in appeal and efficient in production. We can bring big ideas on a budget.
Now is our time.
Daniel J. Harris and FOCUS SHIFT FILMS have just launched their crowd funding campaign on Go Fund Me. Click here to see the campaign page.
https://youtu.be/yIuEu1m0p2M?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published July 4, 2015. Updated April 15, 2018.
