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The film industry
The UK’s film industry can be divided into: pre-production and development; production; facilities; distribution and exhibition. Production companies are often formed to make one film so 90% of the workforce is freelance. The majority of facilities companies, which supply technical equipment and services to companies in the audio visual industries, are SMEs. Distribution is dominated by US owned companies. The top eight distribution companies accounted for over 95% of box office releases in 2003, despite handling less than 50% of the film on release. Exhibition has been growing steadily since 1998 and this is predicted to continue.
Worldwide the film industry is worth about £42.3 billion and it is growing by 6.3% a year. In 2007, it is forecast £54 billion will be spent watching films in the cinema and on video. In the last couple of year the UK film production has boomed. In 2004, UK film production totalled over £800 million which is up 47% from 2002.
Key statistics of the film workforce:
- the total film workforce, including pre-production/development, production, post production, facilities and studio equipment hire (who also work for tv, commercials etc.), distribution and exhibition is around 38,900 people
- there is no permanently employed workforce, but rather a fluid pool of labour available on demand
- most roles in film are on a freelance basis
- there were around 10,000 people working on UK productions in 2002 which was considered a busy year
- over 90% of the production workforce is freelance
The facilities workforce is around 10,000 people: 3,500 in studio and equipment hire; 6,000 in post production and digital special effects; and 700 in special physical effects. It is estimated that 32% of this workforce are freelancers. Only 25% of the workforce is female, 5% are people from ethnic minorities and 1% are people with disabilities
The distribution workforce comprises only 500 people who are mostly employed on permanent contracts. The workforce is 50% female and 8% from ethnic minorities.
16,500 people are employed in the exhibition workforce of whom 45% is female and 9% from ethnic minorities. This workforce are mainly employed on permanent contracts.
Source: Skillset 2005a and Skillset/UK Film Council 2005
For a more in-depth look at the film industry and what is involved in working in this industry go to the Skillset website.
The UK Film Skills Strategy A Bigger Future (2004) is a complete training and education strategy for the UK film industry. The report has information on:
- career information, advice and guidance
- further, higher and postgraduate education
- new entrants
- professional and company development
Click here for Skillset’s 10 key skills issues for UK film.
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Last cached: 2008-05-06 04:56 PM