Bectu Vision: Flexible working
Part of Bectu Vision
Long working hours of the film & television industry are a challenge for any crew member, we know how important offering flexible working is to help retain the talents of those with caring responsibilities, mental or physical health issues or who simply want a better work life balance.
We offer support, advocacy, and initiatives to crew and productions looking for advice and practical solutions.
If you would like any more information about any of the work outlined below, please get in touch – vision@bectu.org.uk
How to Make Flexible Working Work in Film & TV Report
Bectu Vision and flexible working experts, Timewise, have published a new action research report which is the first step in leading a 3-phase practical drive to tackle the long-hours culture in film and TV.
The research, supported by Screen Scotland, included a series of in-depth interviews held over the course of six months with a range of industry experts including commissioners and heads of production alongside production teams and crew on four scripted productions in Scotland, discussing flexible working, their working hours and the impact on their lives.
Read the report: ‘Making Flexible Working Work in Film & TV’
Alongside the report publication is the release of a guide to help productions consider and bring more flexibility to roles when recruiting crew.
Flexible Working and Shorter Working Hours for Scripted Productions Webinar
BECTU Vision, Timewise and Screen Scotland hosted this webinar discussing the findings of the report, the upcoming shorter working hours activity and share information about the support available to productions and crew members in Scotland to help make flexible working work:
A recording of this webinar will be available shortly.
Shorter Working Hours Research
Supported by Screen Scotland and the Film and TV Charity, in collaboration with BBC Drama, BECTU Vision and Timewise are now beginning phase 2 in their drive to tackle the long-hours culture in film and TV by investigating practically how to create and deliver a shorter working hours production.
Over the coming months we will be surveying scripted crew across the UK to assess what kind of adjusted working patterns would suit their lives best, identifying any existing examples of individuals and production companies reducing the length of the working day in drama productions and reviewing the wider commercial considerations with commissioners, production companies and key industry stakeholders.
Alongside this research we will work with the support of production teams from Vigil 2 (World Productions) and Shetland 8 (Silverprint Pictures), to create 2 parallel shorter working day production schedules and budgets, to develop a blueprint for how to create and deliver a shorter working hours production.
Playgroup
Our playgroup is a space to support parents and carers working in the film and tv industry in Scotland.
Come along with your children and catch up with crew friends over a cup of tea and some soft play.
See the latest playgroup pics here – https://bit.ly/BV_Flikr
Bectu Vision Playgroup Next Date:
Wednesday 25th October 2023 // 10:30 – 12:30
Kelvinhall Soft Play, 1445 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8AW
Free entry to soft play and tea and coffee provided. If you’d like to join us for the October playgroup or our future ones in December and February please get in touch with us – vision@bectu.org.uk.
Job Sharing – TakeTwo
We offer bespoke support for any people looking to job share, new pairings and productions. Find out more here.
Job Splits
Are you interested in working less hours on a production and helping to up-skill those in your department?
In 2023 we will be piloting ‘Job-Splits’ for the first time. The model enables an experienced practitioner to work on a production on a part time basis to support someone stepping up in their department. This can be flexible depending on the role and where most support is needed – ie in prep or across a full production.
If you would be interested in being part of a job split please contact Amy Shaw – vision@bectu.org.uk to be kept up to date with this initiative.
Flexible Working Champions
To help create flexible working in film & tv we are creating a network of Flexible Working Champions in Scotland which will be created with representatives from all departments.
Flex Champions will be supported by Timewise and BECTU Vision to learn about the support available to individuals and productions, how flexible job design works and be an advocate for change within productions for their department. They will also help identify what individual departments need to create flexible working opportunities.
If you are passionate about flexible working and would like to learn more about how you can support it in your department let us know by emailing Amy Shaw – vision@bectu.org.uk
Case Studies
We are currently creating flexible working case studies. If you have worked flexibly in film & tv and would like to share your story, please get in touch – vision@bectu.org.uk
Read about Assistant Location Manager Lyndsay Tannahill’s experience of flexible working here.
Bectu Vision’s Drama Training Programme is supported by Screen Scotland, BBC and Scottish Union Learning in partnership with Bectu.
