Film and TV Charity reissues mental health survey
The Film and TV Charity has relaunched its Looking Glass Survey, two years after the 2019 research project first revealed serious mental health issues within the industry.
The results of the re-issued survey will enable the charity to track trends and adapt the support services it offers, and influence the £3m Whole Picture Programme that was launched as an urgent response to the outcomes of the original research.
The charity is calling on everyone who works in the industry to complete the survey and share it with their colleagues.
In 2019, the Looking Glass research captured the experiences of more than 9,000 people working in the industry, uncovering a high prevalence of mental health problems – 87% reported having experienced poor mental health, far higher than the 65% UK national average, and more than half (55%) reported having considered ending their life. Another serious finding was a working culture in which 82% of respondents had experienced or witnessed bullying behaviour.
As a result of the original research, the Film and TV Charity is developing a range of interventions designed to increase support for individuals and instigate sustained culture change within the industry. In March, the charity launched one of the first major outputs of the programme, a suite of Bullying Pathway services, designed to offer expert guidance and resources to support individuals who have witnessed or experienced bullying, harassment or discrimination.
The charity is also piloting a Toolkit for Mentally Healthy Productions with a range of small and large production companies, a flexible set of guidelines that puts wellbeing at the centre of all productions made in the UK, and later this year will launch a flagship behaviour change campaign.
The charity also runs the free and confidential 24-hour Film and TV Support Line, providing specialist mental health, legal and financial guidance and aid.
Alex Pumfrey, CEO, The Film and TV Charity, said: “Our 2019 Looking Glass survey confirmed what many already knew – that people working in the film, TV and cinema industry are disproportionately more likely to suffer from poor mental health.
"With the events of the last 12 months having increased the pressure for many, we are asking every colleague from across the industry complete the survey again, or for the first time. As well as acting as a crucial barometer of the wellbeing of our workforce, it will help us to design the support services people need, and will contribute to the delivery of meaningful, systemic change that we know will benefit everyone.”
Also on The Knowledge
Studios Spotlight – OMA V Film Studios
The latest in our Studios Spotlight is OMA V, due to be fully open at the end of this month in Radlett, Hertfordshire. We speak to Location Collective MD Becky Butler about the new 100,000 sq ft, three-stage facility, the company’s studio portfolio and the plans for the future.
Final series of Vera begins filming
Filming has begun on Series 14 of Silverprint Pictures’ crime drama Vera, as ITV confirmed it will be the final run.
Climate Spring’s development lab returns
Climate Spring’s The Hot House development lab is returning, with screenwriters encouraged to craft “stories of the climate transition.”
Sustainability system launches with new Sky comedy
With sustainability at the top of the agenda for production, managing the eco credentials of your film or TV project is becoming more important every day.
Emma Thompson, Ruth Wilson to star in Mick Herron drama for Apple TV+
Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson will star in Down Cemetery Road, based on the book by Slow Horses author Mick Herron, for Apple TV+.
Studios Spotlight – Behind the scenes at The Bottle Yard Studios
The latest spotlight in our Studios series shines on Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios, the largest film and TV studio in the west of England.
