OCTOBER 30, 2024

Post Problems

An abstract image of a vintage microphone

More needs to be done to help people struggling to find work in the post-production market in the UK by offering new training or opportunities in other roles.

That’s the view of sound mixer, editor, and industry mentor Emma Butt, who says that the sector is under enormous pressure now due to a downturn in commissions and program production.

In the latest episode of the Making the Media Podcast, entitled Post Problems, she says more opportunities need to be given to people already working in the industry in order for them to remain in the business.

“So, the TV industry, factual, and entertainment is the worst hit at the moment. There are barely any docs being made, there's barely any entertainment or factual shows being made, and drama has picked up a little bit more and so have feature films. But if you're a talented grader, editor, and sound engineer in factual and entertainment or documentary, you cannot move into drama or feature films because the people in hiring positions say, well, you don't have those credits so you're not going to be capable of doing this job. And this comes back to people not understanding post-production. It's like, well actually, they are fully capable of doing those jobs and it's transferable knowledge. All of the software is the same, the buttons are the same. The only thing that's slightly different is the workflow, and the workflow can be picked up quite quickly.”

The sector is also facing a skills shortage with a lack of new people coming into the industry. This is now being compounded by people leaving mid-career due to the current shortage of work, which has been ongoing for more than a year.

Emma says part of the issue is some people in leadership positions failing to understand the complexities of the post-production world.

“They all focus on new talent and what we really need now is not a focus on new talent because where is that new talent going to go? There's no work. So, what about focusing on the people at mid-career level? And to be honest, even before the state of the industry now, there was never a focus on mid-career. Like no one ever thought about, well, if you get to a certain point, especially if you're a freelancer, how do you progress into an HOD role? How do you progress into, you know, a more senior position? You need support, you need structure, you need training. And that doesn't exist—not for post-production. And it kind of comes down to the problem of no one really values post-production to the same degree as post-production professionals do.”

Emma also outlines work she is involved in that focuses on diversity within post production, and a scheme with the UK broadcaster, Channel 4, to offer new opportunities to people in mid-career.

Find out more in the new episode of the Making the Media podcast, available on all major podcast platforms on Friday, November 1.

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