institute for employment studies

press information centre

Minority ethnic led production companies face barriers to success

18 January 2005

New research commissioned by Pact and the UK Film Council on independent production companies in the film and television sector.

Minority ethnic led (MEL) independent production companies face particular barriers to success in the film and television sector. This is the finding of new research conducted by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) for Pact and the UK Film Council.

The study found the most significant barriers for MEL companies included the initial process of breaking into the sector; the commissioning process; and a lack of networks to allow access to key members of the industry, business advice and support.

IES provided both qualitative and quantitative data. This included interviews with industry experts and individuals representing both the TV and film sectors as a whole, and case studies with a number of minority ethnic led production companies to discuss their key areas of success and the barriers experienced. A number of recommendations for change have also been made.

A MEL company is defined as one in which the majority of decision-making power resides with an individual or individuals who consider themselves to belong to a minority ethnic group

The study provides a snapshot of company performance, and for the first time, maps the independent sector in terms of success and barriers to success.

The industry, particularly in TV, is rapidly changing, and failure to ensure MEL companies are in a position to join the rest of the sector in exploiting their newly-won intellectual property rights could build long-term disadvantage into the sector.

Difficulties experienced when attempting to break into the sectors include the lack of opportunities for gaining paid experience in large organisations, the fact that career path progression is ad hoc and the lack of role models. Building a positive reputation and track record appears to affect MEL companies to a greater extent as they are often saddled with outdated and negative stereotypes. Based on available data, IES estimates that MEL companies make up, at most, 10% of the independent production sector.

The report also addresses the barriers faced by MEL companies attempting to compete in the sector. Often small in size with a lack of resources, there is a concern that they are being squeezed out by larger organisations. MEL companies feel far more restricted, when compared with white led companies, by the lack of creative risk taking among film funders and television commissioners than other companies, with nearly 60 per cent of MEL companies describing this as a barrier most of the time.

MEL companies are also facing barriers related to the television commissioning process. Over one-third (34 per cent) of all respondents reported they experienced commissioners using preferred suppliers most of the time. This appears to be a particular issue for small companies. A quarter (25 per cent) of all responding organisations also reported regular problems with the lack of openness and clarity in the commissioning process.

Additional barriers for MEL companies compared with white led companies result from direct discrimination, ghettoisation and pigeon-holing. Findings suggest MEL companies are often expected to produce programmes or films for minority ethnic audiences or involving minority ethnic actors and writers and so find it difficult to receive commissions for more mainstream productions.

The research recommends a number of positive actions for policy bodies and key organisations including:

• the provision of general support for careers, training, and business advice, and explore targeted support
• encouraging the further development of networks, by policy bodies and key organisations both individually and collectively, to improve communication within and between the TV and film sectors
• tackling risk-averse attitudes of those in commissioning/funding
• improving and opening up the commissioning process to create a greater meritocracy, and
• monitoring the range of companies securing commissions and funds to evaluate trends over time.

Commenting on the research, Arts Minister, Estelle Morris, said:

‘The UK has a rich and diverse culture and it is essential that it is reflected in film and on television – we need to encourage a broader range of ideas and talent to develop out creative industries.

‘I welcome this report which I hope will lead to more doors being opened and all businesses in our film and television industries being given the same opportunities.’

For Pact, Chief Executive John McVay said:

‘Diversity is a catalyst for creativity and innovation. In such a highly competitive industry it is vital to make the most of the talent available across all sections of the population. This important piece of research will help all stakeholders in film and television understand more clearly the fundamental issues restricting the growth of this key asset.’

For the UK Film Council, Chief Executive Officer John Woodward said:

‘The UK’s multiculturalism is one of its most distinctive and valued assets and in addition to the principle of giving people equality of opportunity, there are sound business reasons for encouraging greater participation from all our communities in the UK’s film industry. Studies have shown that there is a direct link between good diversity policies and improved performance of organisations.’

Pact and the UK Film Council will be working with Ofcom and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and organisations such as the Cultural Diversity Network to encourage the industry to feed these findings into current and future work tackling issues of diversity.

For further information

Pact media contacts:
Tim Wilson
T: 44 (0)20 7331 6030
E: tim@pact.co.uk

Mary Jones
T: 44 (0)20 7331 6710
E: mary@pact.co.uk

UK Film Council media contacts:
Caroline Nagle/Ian Thomson
T: 44 (0)20 7861 7508/7901
E: press@filmcouncil.org.uk

Notes to editors

Pact is the UK trade association that represents the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies. Pact is the largest representative group of screen-based content producers in the UK and the largest trade association in the film, television and interactive media sectors.

The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. We invest Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development and export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education. Our aim is to deliver lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike through:

• creativity – encouraging the development of new talent, skills, and creative and technological innovation in UK film and assisting new and established film-makers to produce successful and distinctive British films
• enterprise – supporting the creation and growth of sustainable businesses in the film sector, providing access to finance and helping the UK film industry compete successfully in the domestic and global marketplace
• imagination – promoting education and an appreciation and enjoyment of cinema by giving UK audiences access to the widest range of UK and international cinema, and by supporting film culture and heritage.

The UK Film Council’s strategy consultation report, Success Through Diversity and Inclusion is available at www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk

Researching the Independent Production Sector: a Focus on Minority Ethinic Led Companies, E Pollard, E Shepherd, P Tamkin, R Barkworth. January 2005. (Free download)

How to order this publication.

  read the summary