In the UK we have fantastic talent working across our industry from film to production, animation, VFX, gaming, distribution and exhibition. But as you know it's not an easy business to be in. We all grapple with complex questions around production and our working practices. On the WorkWise for Screen Podcast we’ll get the lowdown on all your legal and people management concerns from industry experts. The programme is an initiative to improve good working practices in the screen industries with the support of the BFI awarding National Lottery Funding. https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.
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In the UK we have fantastic talent working across our industry from film to production, animation, VFX, gaming, distribution and exhibition. But as you know it's not an easy business to be in. We all grapple with complex questions around production and our working practices. On the WorkWise for Screen Podcast we’ll get the lowdown on all your legal and people management concerns from industry experts. The programme is an initiative to improve good working practices in the screen industries with the support of the BFI awarding National Lottery Funding. https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.
BONUS: Building longevity in a freelance world with Daniel Pearl
The WorkWise for Screen Podcast
11 minutes
3 months ago
BONUS: Building longevity in a freelance world with Daniel Pearl
How do you build career paths and lasting teams in an industry built on short-term contracts? And what happens when traditional employment structures disappear, even at institutions like the BBC?
In this episode recorded at our Sheffield event, Dr Amit Patel is joined by Daniel Pearl, Creative Director at Lion Television, the company behind hit series such as Castaway, Britain's Biggest Dig and Horrible Histories. Daniel discusses the challenges of creating career stability and growth opportunities in today's fragmented screen industry where "everyone's a freelancer" and there is a lack of structured career progression.
Daniel discusses the reality facing creative leaders today, from receiving dozens of daily emails from people seeking work to witnessing talented professionals leave the industry entirely. He reveals how Lion Television, as part of the All3Media group, attempts to impose structure through longer contracts, cross-project team movement, and hands-on training opportunities, giving people real decision-making experience rather than just theoretical training.
The conversation explores practical approaches to talent retention, the loneliness of freelance work, and why creating connections between projects can make all the difference to both individual careers and business sustainability.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
This episode covers:
The reality of industry fragmentation and loss of traditional career structures
How longevity has become a key strategic focus for sustainable production companies
Making freelancers feel valued through longer contracts and cross-project movement
Hands-on training approaches: learning by doing rather than formal schemes
Practical approaches to creating career paths within production companies
CHAPTER MARKERS
(00:00) Introduction with Keith Arrowsmith
(01:47) The lack of Career Structure in the TV Industry
(03:31) Creating a Positive Workplace at Lion Television
(05:57) Training and Retaining Talent
(07:09) Diversity and Emerging Talent
(08:33) Conclusion and Resources
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Daniel Pearl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pearl-168a2132/
Lion Television: https://www.liontv.com/
All3Media: https://www.all3media.com/
The WorkWise for Screen Podcast
In the UK we have fantastic talent working across our industry from film to production, animation, VFX, gaming, distribution and exhibition. But as you know it's not an easy business to be in. We all grapple with complex questions around production and our working practices. On the WorkWise for Screen Podcast we’ll get the lowdown on all your legal and people management concerns from industry experts. The programme is an initiative to improve good working practices in the screen industries with the support of the BFI awarding National Lottery Funding. https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.
