We all know that last year was the one of the worst in years in livingÂ
memory from all of us freelancers. It is the first time in over 20 yearsÂ
that I heard sommano people talking about leaving the film industryÂ
Altogether and just as many talking about leaving the UK - fed up withÂ
the cost of living as well as the lack of opportunities in the UKÂ
compared to other throwing areas of the world (from India, to theÂ
Middle East and even China).
And yetâŚđĽâ°đ
đđźÂ This is my third proper recession after 2008 (which was great for
me but not too bad actually) and 2014 which I didnât feel at all.Â
Last year though, I think most freelancers felt it. Yet in every single oneÂ
of these recession, the film and TV industry bounced back with the mostÂ
amazing opportunities to be had.Â
â°Like every year I had a very quiet January and February. đThen theÂ
phone started ringing for enquiries. Swiftly enquiries became jobs;Â
in the beginning, it was docs and short content. Yesterday (probablyÂ
Due to 40% tax credit) I got my first serious enquiry about aÂ
multi-million feature film from a serious player. Interesting, isnât it? đ¤ˇđťââď¸
đŠđťâđIndependent films are back. Investors are back. Film is back. TVÂ
never went away. The 40% tax credit will have an impact and the jobsÂ
will keep on coming. But letâs just be smart.Â
đ° Let's have sustainable productions without trying to milk the
independent producers for every penny and have another crisisÂ
soon. đ
đđźÂ Independent producers are not Netflix. They have tighter budgetsÂ
and cannot pay Netflix rates. But without a new generation ofÂ
independent producers willing to take chances on first-time directors,
we cannot have a sustainable industry where not only the âsons andÂ
daughters ofâ get access to first features opportunities.Â
And also look around the world. The UK is not the only place to makeÂ
a first feature. But itâs not a bad place at all to start đ
â Â Join us at our next networking night @London Independent FilmÂ
Festival
â Â Our Film funding guide is on our website
â Â Our next Producer course starts in June
đ Enquiries on our website below.Â
đIs your phone ringing???
âď¸Â Share your stories?Â
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