Working class creatives in film and TV at lowest level in decade

The old adage "it's who you know not what you know" has always applied to the creative industries and despite attempts to change the image of a sector dominated by nepotism, and run by the upper middle class, this programme can reveal that less than 10% of film and TV workers are from working class backgrounds, the lowest in a decade.
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And most of them are based in London.
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[@pallascat1743]

The arts are probably the only thing left that British people could be proud of but like every other industry, the government has strangled it denying working class creatives the chance they had in the past.

[@johnlennon7453]

I have been trying for many years to get into the film industry. I can't say the things I have had to go through over the many years. I have worked very hard as well as others I know. There is no other industry I have witnessed so much nepotism. One lesson I have learned the hard way in life. Its not always what you know, but who you know. Very true

[@lepolhart3242]

For your own health and sanity, it's probably best to just stick with your local amateur dramatics and do TV/film extra work when you can. From what I've heard, the industry has always been this way but there is no job in the world sacrificing your sanity over. It must be very hard if it is your dream but the sad reality is life is not like the Disney channel. Life for most people is hard and most rich people don't care about the poor so you won't get any sympathy.

[@simonjackson1571]

It's not just the creatives. It's behind the scenes too and those running the industry too. Just look at the senior leadership of the majority broadcasters.

[@theukeconomist6518]

Not sure why this is a surprise. If you don't have the bank of mum and dad you will struggle in this industry. If your parents can't pay for your living costs whilst working on indie projects for free to build your portfolio, then you have little chance.

[@art837arm]

I think you’re missing the point

[@DystopianUtopia8]

Been this way in the USA for decades.

[@paddy9091]

The arts in Britain have always been exceptionally snobbish. There was a time especially in the 60s and 70s working class drama and music was the popular and even a profitable thing in the industry. But you always stood a better chance in acting especially if you went to one of the top schools. And pretended to be working class afterwards. And you always needed money and investors for films 😉

[@dcanes5720]

Exactly… why are people so shocked. This is nothing new and it won’t change

[@souxcasa]

The thing is people from working class backgrounds used to be wonderfully represented in the arts because the cost of living wasn't extortionate. Now the fact that you have to have someone else's money to work off is a damning indictment of the current economic pressures on the working class. The arts shouldn't be a luxury they should be accessed by everyone

[@Ziggy_Shakespeare]

The last thing conservatives want is intelligent working class people to have a voice in the main stream. They don't want another Lennon problem.

[@sapainca]

Lennon wasn’t working class. He like McCartney, however, benefited from a grammar school education:. Something no longer afforded to anyone living in those areas thanks to Labour. Do some research before you make statements

[@luns486]

They’re not just told they can do whatever they want, they can do what they want. Very easy to have an unstable career in the arts if mummy and daddy are paying the bills.

[@JNN170]

Here in America it’s pretty similar, I went through a Production Assistant program for people of color and they put me on jobs after I finished. I really think there is no way I would have gotten to work on the high level production sets as a Production Assistant without that program. In America most people working in TV and Film behind the scenes are white and male. They also grandfather their kids, cousins and nephews in as PAs as well and they never do real work. Most are lazy, spoiled and entitled. This is why KZbin and becoming your own creator and creating your own platform or production company is so important. The old media is dying and the new media is being created by everyday average people.

[@nomsi4263]

I love this industry. But I absolutely hate how hard it is to get in. Working class and still struggling. Always trying to get whatever you can. Its who you know not what you know.

[@Summitic]

In the creative industry, while connections can open doors, talent and innovation ultimately drive success. Many ground-breaking artists and creators, including self-taught ones, have risen from humble beginnings, proving that skill and creativity can outweigh socioeconomic barriers. You can create a powerful portfolio on a portfolio platform and social media using basic tools including your phones or cheap action cameras. You can impose your talent and skills on the industry.

[@nomsi4263]

@Summitic I get that but many people who I know are talented and self-taught. As you said need a portfolio. Even for a runner job. Which meant to be entry. That's like saying you need to be a doctor to get a cab driving job. You can work on short films other freelance work. But most aren't paid. So, how do we survive?

[@Summitic]

@@nomsi4263 The comparison is ridiculous ! If you want to work in the industry you need to prove your talent and skills and one way to do that is through a portfolio of personal projects before commercial projects. If individuals can't do that, they will need to revaluate their interest and passion.

[@nomsi4263]

@Summitic Alright, for how long? I know people who work their asses off and still struggle. To make it. You can't say people need to rethink their passions and careers when they have to survive. They use what they can. Crowdfund whatever. So, although I understand where you are coming from. I do find it a bit arrogant to say to people struggling to get into the industry that they don't have enough passion or have to prove themselves first. When clearly they are trying and still struggling.

[@Summitic]

@@nomsi4263 how do you go from talking about getting into the industry to surviving in the industry or outside of it ? . there is a distinction between the two. the topic of the video was clear and I am still referring to that context and that topic !

[@globalist1990]

It feels like going back to Victorian times.

[@csharpe5787]

Yep, and all the while upper and middle-class people will say they got where they are through hard work! The class system is hard and fast within this country. The privileged doesn’tprivileged don’t even realise that they are.

[@CR-og5ho]

​​@@csharpe5787 spot on, its depressing how few people see the truth.

[@Fefflefeff]

What those women said is really upsetting, but she hit the nail on the head. This government doesn't care about the arts, this government doesn't care about working class people. As a middle class man working in a creative industry I do see barriers being put in place of women from backgrounds that are different from mine, and it's horrible watching that happen to your friends.

[@ActuallyHoudini]

It's because everything costs too much money and the industry was a lot less insular. I say this as someone with privilege, it's a fucking shithole for talented people who can't afford the in.

[@stephenwalker2924]

This is why contemporary music is so rubbish, mostly. Bands have got nothing to say. Middle-class punk or rap music: "My daddy gives me loads of money. He even bought me a car. The b*s*ard!"

[@pallascat1743]

Yet the only music offering critiques of Tory governments past and present has been 'middle class punk and rap'. Both genres have working class DIY roots.

[@TsaoneKgomo]

Most rappers are from working class backgrounds ? I don’t understand your statement

[@hugo9547]

@@TsaoneKgomoAgreed, the film industry is much worse than the music industry regarding classism, music is more mainstream in all facets tbh whereas acting is still typically seen as a middle-class endeavour

[@stephenwalker2924]

@@pallascat1743 I was just light-hearted poking fun at The Beastie Boys, or The Clash, to be honest...

[@stephenwalker2924]

@@TsaoneKgomo I was just light-hearted poking fun at The Beastie Boys, or The Clash, to be honest...

[@csharpe5787]

Really, what can you expect when the arts are barely taught in State school anymore?

[@CaptainHowdy-mw9vc]

The entertainment industry is a reflection of society itself. An obsession with representation of different races but not different classes.

[@Maffayoooo]

Working freelance is so hard when you have no back up. No flat that your family owns in London to live in while you look for work. Not knowing who to trust. Having to lie about where you live just so someone will give you a chance. Having to constantly ask to be paid on time, or for the days / hours you’ve worked, just so you can eat, then being labelled as awkward or difficult for doing so. Babysitting the posh kids because they often don’t know how to work hard (not always but often!). Giving your all to a production, and not getting a phone call when the next series gets commissioned, because you dared to call out bad behaviour. Standing up for others in the same position. Being paid less than minimum wage and having to live in a shoe box, while your colleagues working at the same level go home to houses with swimming pools, and go out to drink in fancy cocktail bars, and being labeled rude when you don’t come. Pretending you have been on a skiing holiday. That runner you just shouted at could well have lied about where they lived to get a job on your production and is probably living in their car and eating out of a tin of baked beans everyday because you aren’t paying them enough (true story from a colleague). They say they want us to work in this industry, but it isn’t true. They just want people to do the work for cheap, for the privilege of saying they work in the industry, and working class people can’t live like that. Working class people need long term contracts, invest in us, invest in our talent, invest in our stories, we will work our butts off for you, all we ask is you show us decency by paying us good wages that we can live off, with decent long term contracts.

[@RapidBlindfolds]

that sounds awful. you should have been in this documentary!

[@lilybrown9833]

Wow never seen someone from Ashton represented in mainstream before. Amazing so inspirational to me as a college student from ashton !

[@history3042]

Game of thrones was the only time I've ever seen a diverse representation of british people exposed on the international level. Other that it's exclusively southerners from a few schools

[@AnjaRamaroson]

Being a film director is still one of my dream and no matter my working class I will always produce film and make film even though it's tough and hard. But I can't imagine my life without it, and not trying

[@lolo_bird]

Tracy Emin has said there is no way she could have become an artist nowadays, she basically lived off the dole in the 80s and 90s which is peanuts today

[@wildandbarefoot]

What do you expect after tory years of class war? Cuts to education and Grants.

[@moominmay]

It’s such a shame really. I’m from a working class background in the Midlands, child of first generation Indian parents. I excelled in the languages at school and after uni I wanted to pursue a career in publishing which is very difficult to get into. Based on merit, I had the chance to experience an unpaid internship with one of the major publishers in London to increase my chances of a career within that industry but my parents couldn’t afford to pay my living costs for those months so with a heavy heart I had to decline the opportunity. It hurts because those who eventually get the jobs aren’t necessarily the best for it but just have the best financial backing and less competition.

[@Daemoz]

When Drama School is Traumatic I can gladly say things could be much worse for us right now

[@SteveRose-iq1cs]

If someone from the working class could go to a Public school they would be made. Public schools were set up to help poor people and now just help rich people

[@stepheng9607]

An interesting report. It would be interesting to know the statistics by region. It certainly feels that if you are from the midlands then you are at the bottom of the list for consideration. London, then the North. Tv company wants to move out of London - move to the North. Opera company needs move out of London - move to the North. Even this report focused on Northern artists

[@potatopredicament3279]

It’s sad he said believe but it’s really just bank account

[@walkwithamos]

Yessss Samira!!!

[@rahuldahoob]

Brexit innit. Tories innit

[@user-ce1ol8bj7o]

no suprises here...even the advocates for inclusion are very well connected, otherwise it's the dei path where class is deffo a very dirty word as the daughters and sons of very rich families from africa, india etc dominate these areas in an exclusive and madly nepotistic way, it's a mess, its got much worse

[@Ne55y]

Define working/middle/upper class? I’ve knew someone who I regrettably told them I come from a poor/working class background. I was trying to make a point about something and relating it my social class. I don’t know anything different. This person mentioned they were also from the same background. I was confused as both their parents are in managerial positions live in a four/five bedroom house and this person is the first generation NOT to go to private school. What I understood in that moment, is that most people (or perhaps just British people) have different perceptions of what social class they are in. So I’m curious, how does the charity who conducted this research defines each class?

[@dondee7123]

#SaveMediaFreedom #SavePalestine

[@adev9764]

Not surprised with all the “eat the rich” by the rich films/tv and films and tv on upper middle class schools, families etc 😢

[@DaraM73]

Well, you guys shuttered Ideas Factory and 4Talent, twice. Stick to the channel’s education remit. (And what happened to the fiasco 4Radio?)

[@kevnev342]

the irony is the best actors/actresses tend to come from working class backgrounds

[@JetPackFlame]

Girl 1: I’m deaf Girl 2: I’m disabled Girl 3: I’m from Wigan

[@angel1988uk]

I work in the arts and 90% of the time i am the only woman in the team not only that i am almost always the only non uk born. The red tape, the low wages is making it difficult for working class people that need real wages to afford life

[@lprice5583]

I guess that sucks. Better go start a garage band and sing about it.

[@user-yv2xs9lb5g]

This is terrible for the future of our creative industries

[@RG-sv4qb]

Am I being really stupid? If 8% are working class and 60% are middle/upper... Who are the remaining 32%?

[@Icosamaxi]

It’s a relevant course to highlight but…@3:05 you mentioned 90% are white isn’t that roughly proportional?

[@csharpe5787]

No

[@belkentens]

@@csharpe5787 It’s 80%

[@Paul_Me_Once]

I'm willing to bet that the majority of the white people are from the middle and upper classes.

[@trivialgravitas9581]

Good

[@bobbobby9798]

Give up if your working class and a creative person. Not needed in the industry.

[@simonwilliams3227]

Honestly, complaining about an industry that is probably the most liberal and diverse is the craziest thing. Also, how did this go from being a story about working class in the arts to a story about ethnic diversity in the arts? Even the description has no mention of the latter yet the story seems to be mostly dominated by it.

[@RapidBlindfolds]

the idea that you may be getting about the arts being liberal and diverse may be from the media it produces, but thats incredibly different from the reality of working in it which is brutal nepotism and classism

[@wildsurfer12]

It’s all right everyone moaning in the comments about nepotism, but what are you all going to do to change the system?

[@lprice5583]

Gotta learn how to make your own money rather than looking for hand outs. I just don't get that you just expect money for your projects.

[@luns486]

I’m going to guess you’re from a wealthy family? One that you have had no financial benefit from of course

[@nealoade351]

Yahh just open daddy's black book like I did or like walk down any street in Cheltenham on a Saturday morning it's easy...rahh

[@lprice5583]

@luns486 I am solidly above median income for my state. I make $90k a year according to the IRS. I come from a family of roughly the same income level. Unfortunately, no, my parents weren't able to help me or my sibling due to their own issues. I have been poor, foodshelf poor. It was for a period of about 5 years. Then I figured out that I needed to start making better career and financial choices. Now I have a home and money in the bank. If you choose to be in the arts as a career, you need to know how to make money with it so that you can support yourself at the standard you want. Otherwise, you need to realize your art is a hobby, not a job. No one owes anyone a living.

[@AnneAlready]

@@lprice5583 I fear the UK is too far gone to realise your common sense. The subject of this piece says it himself very clearly - working class have little self belief based on what they've been indoctrinated with. When you, your parents and grandparents haven't even had to save for a house (your family's shelter) and you're stigmatised as someone who will always rely on state help your agency is stolen from you. It's a crime really.

[@gorgu08]

From across the uk = England then?

[@johnreese7973]

Yall just need to wait for the old white dudes to retire. The jobs have been held for awhile and the demographics changed faster than a generation dying.

[@johnberesford9906]

I don’t think its a old white dude problem, I think it's a class problem. 14 years of the Tories has absolutely destroyed the arts in Britain, along with everything else

[@ActuallyHoudini]

​@@johnberesford9906 It's both, really. Old white dudes who started off in the working class only to become big ol' media stars who's place is kept up by the Tories and their pro-nepotism beliefs. It's hard to find a creative these days who is still downtrodden by both classism and the insular nature of the industry.

[@fairy12324]

Hit the nail on the head 🫣​@@johnberesford9906

[@globalist1990]

@@johnberesford9906this. Mostly.

[@rahuldahoob]

They're are so many gays on TV. I'm not racist

[@niriop]

Why is she “traumatised”? She CHOSE to go there!

[@DIYsober]

What are the statiatics in Southasian countries.. I bet you won't be pulling the white card there.

[@user-pj7bs5qs7k]

There are literally thousands of schemes for ethnic minorities to privilege them in the arts and White men are explicitly excluded... So a lot of what was said was rubbish. Having said that Samira did seem like a sweet girl and I hope she does well. Not sure how Talitha is ethnic?!?!

[@moominmay]

I think the overriding issue is that for anyone regardless of colour, even if in the rare case you’re given the opportunity to go into the media/film it’s initially either unpaid or v poorly paid and often in London and these kids just can’t afford it unlike their wealthier peers who get funding from the bank of mom and dad to build up a portfolio and then the chance to become an established actor. No wonder the vast majority of Brits dominating acting all sound so posh. Tom Holland is a good example he literally grew up as a kid in the US whilst his parents funded his classes and living costs whilst still in their high paying UK jobs until he became self sufficient.

[@user-pj7bs5qs7k]

@@moominmay That is an additional and probably the main problem. But many Whites have been pushed out of housing in London and if you live there it helps enormously as you are eligible for clubs abd schemes and don't gave to pay to commute if you do get on a course. The wider problem with the arts is the same as the problem with politics and the economy in that over the last 4 or 5 decades there has veen relentless centralisation. Actors used to be able to train on the job as there were many dozens if not hundreds of provincial theatres and acting companies. Now almost everything is centralised in London and outside of London there are only about half a dozen centres that count and these are themselves controlled by centralised bodies like the Arts Council. We need locally funded and run groups (as recent award winning documentary about local film society) as well as patrons who are willing to go against the mainstream orthodoxies which are just now churning out bland drivel and have been for decades with a few exceptions... See the career of John Osborne for how things used to be.

[@dcanes5720]

Oh wow shock horror, who knew… wow I am so surprised 😮