On the 6th anniversary of the tragic death of respected British camera operator Mark Milsome, The Mark Milsome Foundation and Bectu have released the findings from a survey of film and TV crew about current views on health and safety training and protocols on British sets. Alarmingly, nearly three quarters of respondents said they have … Read more
Film London, in association with Bectu, celebrated the 2023 cohort of Breaking the Glass Ceiling talent for completing this year’s programme. Each of the twelve participants have now been assigned their own individual mentors from a list of industry leaders that includes Producer Barbara Broccoli, Eva Yates, Director of BBC Film, Tom Quinn, Founder and … Read more
Bectu’s Camera Branch is moving into the next phase of its campaign, ‘Where did the camera trainee go?’, and is calling on DPs to help. An initial survey for 2nd ACs and camera trainees was launched in late July 2023. The response was impressive, with more than 300 participants sharing their input. A second survey … Read more
Agents for change Although there is still some way to go to create a truly inclusive industry, there are many associations, initiatives and schemes making strides towards a more diverse filmmaking community. In part one of this special feature, we highlight some of the changemakers helping build a better, more supportive, and more representative creative … Read more
Bectu has launched a campaign to establish an agreed set of terms and better regulation of working practices for UK freelancers working in unscripted television. The union is calling for urgent action on the industry’s long hours culture, freelancer health and safety and mental wellbeing. Find out more about the campaign here. An open letter penned by … Read more
Film and TV production companies in Wales are being offered a unique opportunity to place a freelance WellBeing Facilitator on their productions, as part of a new pilot that seeks to combat poor mental health in the industry. The pilot programme is a partnership between Bectu, through its joint union learning programme CULT Cymru, and … Read more
Welcome to the third chapter in RA Agency’s series on mental health, well-being, inclusion and bullying within the UK film industry and how these issues affect those working behind the scenes. According to the UK Government Guide to Workplace Bullying and harassment, this entails behaviour that makes someone feel intimidated or offended. Harassment is unlawful … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated government lockdowns have been nothing short of a disaster for mothers working in the UK television sector. Being a mother in television has always been accompanied by enormous difficulties related to the nature of the working practices and cultures that have become prevalent in the UK television. The COVID-19 pandemic … Read more
The Pact/Bectu TV Drama Agreement was scheduled to be renegotiated in 2019, the review is now 2 years overdue. The agreement sets out mutually agreed terms and conditions for production companies engaging crew within the UK. It was scheduled to be reviewed after the first two years, but this never happened. In 2019 and 2020, … Read more
Digital Orchard Foundation has partnered with BECTU Camera Branch on a new programme to support talent moving into, and up through the camera department. The Virtual Cinematography Roadshow is designed to welcome those who identify as being from a group which is underrepresented into the film and TV industry. For example, new entrants such as those … Read more
The BFI and BAFTA announced earlier this year the next stage of ground-breaking work to tackle bullying, harassment and racism in the workplace with a new employer Action List for the film and television industry, as The Film and TV Charity launches new services, providing immediate support for workers. The announcement comes as Equality and Human Rights … Read more
Bectu is calling for a meeting of industry bosses, following an open letter signed by 1000 workers from across the film and TV industry. The letter, penned by producer and Bectu representative Meriel Beale, demands an end to a culture that turns a blind eye to predators and harassers operating in plain sight. It has … Read more
What needs to happen for the film industry to transition to zero carbon emissions by 2050? “It’s no surprise or secret that the film industry’s environmental footprint is high, and a lot needs to happen quickly to reduce it. Luckily, our conversations with the industry suggest they are up for the challenge. Like the TV … Read more
Industry associations including the GBCT, BECTU, the BFI, Directors UK, and ScreenSkills react to the annual budget announcements which included an extension of the COVID insurance scheme from April to the end of December. The £500 million Film and TV Production Restart Scheme guarantees productions are financially supported in the event of losses caused by … Read more
LOOKING AHEAD When the Brexit vote came to pass and the world did not fall off a cliff edge, the victors gloated over their vindication. Their hubris was the false assertion that the cliff edge would be an immediate plunge into oblivion. The descent was only ever going to start once the full effect of … Read more
Shining a light on… Gaffers ‘R’ Us / Andy Lowe Shining a light on… Gaffers ‘R’ Us / Andy Lowe Fact file Age: 42Born: Bury, ManchesterEducation: Derby High School, Bury / Sheffield Hallam UniversityLives: London Selected Filmography (as gaffer unless otherwise indicated) Cursed (TV Series) (2020)The Crown (TV Series) (2019)The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance … Read more
A message from BC President, Mike Eley BSC: Dear Members, These coming weeks and months will be the most challenging our industry has faced in most of our lifetimes. We are used to the ebb and flow of work, the peaks and troughs, but this is something altogether different; the virtual shutdown of our entire … Read more
Over £4million pounds has been collected from European sources by Screen Craft Rights for the benefit of cinematographers and HODs working on British film and TV productions since it was established as a collecting society in 2011. The total distribution for the year to April 2018 was just under £620,000, more than double the £350,000 … Read more
What value a cinematographer? GBCT News / Tim Potter What value a cinematographer? GBCT News / Tim Potter It would seem to be one of those things we take to be self-evident, that the person who creates the image for a visual medium should be the one member of the crew to be of higher … Read more