Are Young Workers Being Exploited?
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June 2021 THE TV SWEAT SHOP ARE YOUNG WORKERS BEING EXPLOITED? Television www.rts.org.uk September 2013 1 LOVE TV? SO DO WE! R o y a l T e l e v i s i o n S o c i e t y b u r s a r i e s o f f e r f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t a n d m e n t o r i n g t o p e o p l e s t u d y i n g : TTEELLEEVVIISSIIOONN PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN JJOOUURRNNAALLIISSMM EENNGGIINNEEEERRIINNGG CCOOMMPPUUTTEERR SSCCIIEENNCCEE PPHHYYSSIICCSS MMAATTHHSS F i r s t y e a r a n d s o o n - t o - b e s t u d e n t s s t u d y i n g r e l e v a n t u n d e r g r a d u a t e a n d H N D c o u r s e s a t L e v e l 5 o r 6 a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o a p p l y . F i n d o u t m o r e a t r t s . o r g . u k / b u r s a r i e s # R T S B u r s a r i e s Journal of The Royal Television Society June 2021 l Volume 58/6 From the CEO There have been way of working needs to emerge. British TV may be the best in the many disturbing The Government’s “levelling-up” world, but South Korea is the home of headlines of late about agenda continues to concentrate global entertainment formats – Stuart sexual harassment minds. Our Friend in the North East, Kemp provides a rundown. and bullying on TV Graeme Thompson, uses this month’s Maggie Brown’s new book on Chan- LOVE TV? and film sets. Our column to sound a note of optimism nel 4 – avidly reviewed by Narinder cover story highlights about the BBC’s plans for the region Minhas – reminds us that the broad- another, more widespread malpractice after listening to the corporation’s caster has never stood still. Indeed, it – the gruelling working conditions director of nations, Rhodri Talfan keeps on innovating, as Shilpa Gana- endured by young people at the start Davies, address the RTS. We carry tra’s exploration of its fantastic new of their TV careers. a full report of Rhodri’s interview. comedy We Are Lady Parts demonstrates. SO DO WE! Caroline Frost speaks to a wide After that long, cold and often wet cross section of production workers spring, summer is finally here. I, for one, and discovers that new recruits rou- am looking forward to the great sum- tinely work punishingly long hours mer of TV sport, so badly missed last and are frequently forced to do jobs year. Matthew Bell’s article on the Euros R o y a l T e l e v i s i o n S o c i e t y b u r s a r i e s o f f e r f i n a n c i a l they weren’t contracted for. A better will get you in the mood for kick-off. Theresa Wise s u p p o r t a n d m e n t o r i n g t o p e o p l e s t u d y i n g : TTEELLEEVVIISSIIOONN PPRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN Contents Charlene Chika Osuagwu’s TV Diary Aid for unscripted JJOOUURRNNAALLIISSMM On the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death, A new training fund is aimed at workers in genres such 5 Charlene Chika Osuagwu reflects on what has changed 21 as specialist factual building careers outside of London EENNGGIINNEEEERRIINNGG Comfort Classic: Drop the Dead Donkey Channel 4 revives its punk spirit Steve Clarke alternately giggles and squirms at a biting Shilpa Ganatra salutes We Are Lady Parts for subverting CCOOMMPPUUTTEERR SSCCIIEENNCCEE 6 satire on media mendacity 22 stereotypes of young Muslim women Working Lives: Fight director Beauty of the Beast PPHHYYSSIICCSS From Corrie to Romeo & Juliet, Kate Waters has choreo BritBox lifts the lid on its first original drama, The Beast MATHS 8 graphed a lot of fights. She shows Matthew Bell the ropes 24 Must Die, an ambitious thriller with an allstar cast MATHS TV’s dirty secret The sober art of sharing joy Young TV workers are routinely bullied and forced to Writer Russell T Davies, producer Nicola Shindler and 10 work punishingly long hours. Caroline Frost investigates 26 commissioner Lee Mason on how to create hit scripts F i r s t y e a r a n d s o o n - t o - b e s t u d e n t s s t u d y i n g Our Friend in the North East Ads bounce back As the BBC boosts its local activities, Graeme Thompson TV advertising is rebounding but reforms are necessary r e l e v a n t u n d e r g r a d u a t e a n d H N D c o u r s e s a t 13 is optimistic about the region’s future as a production hub 28 for the sector’s longterm future, says Gideon Spanier L e v e l 5 o r 6 a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o a p p l y . The beautiful game gets complicated TV’s middle-aged wild child Matthew Bell explains how broadcasters are covering Narinder Minhas reviews the second volume of Maggie 14 the Euros, which kick off this month 30 Brown’s history of an unfailingly turbulent broadcaster Korea’s technicolour dream shows Stories hiding in plain sight F i n d o u t m o r e a t Weird, wacky and allconquering – Stuart Kemp peeks Key people in the creation of BBC One’s Small Axe share 16 into the formats factory that gave us The Masked Singer 32 the backstory of Steve McQueen’s film anthology r t s . o r g . u k / b u r s a r i e s Strengthening trust in the BBC A serious bid to reach past the M25 Does the BBC need a new regulatory system following BBC director of nations Rhodri Talfan Davies tells the RTS 18 Lord Dyson’s report? Caroline Thomson judges the case 34 how the Beeb’s ‘Across the UK’ strategy will deliver # R T S B u r s a r i e s Editor Production, design, advertising Royal Television Society Subscription rates Printing Legal notice Steve Clarke Gordon Jamieson 3 Dorset Rise UK £115 ISSN 0308-454X © Royal Television Society 2021. [email protected] [email protected] London EC4Y 8EN Overseas (surface) £146.11 Printer: FE Burman The views expressed in Television News editor and writer Sub-editor T: 020 7822 2810 Overseas (airmail) £172.22 20 Crimscott Street are not necessarily those of the RTS. Matthew Bell Sarah Bancroft E: [email protected] Enquiries: [email protected] London SE1 5TP Registered Charity 313 728 [email protected] [email protected] W: www.rts.org.uk Television www.rts.org.uk June 2021 3 SWEEPING & DRAMATIC AUDIONETWORK.COM/DISCOVER SEND US YOUR BRIEF [email protected] TV diary fter eight months necessary conversation around the working across impact of domestic abuse on children. two productions Following the broadcast, Hampton for Zinc Media, it is Trust received several calls from officially my last perpetrators seeking help. day here. During Accounts like this act as a reminder my time at the of just how powerful and transforma- company, I have produced Brook tive our medium and industry can be. ALapping’s Ian Wright: Home Truths, a single documentary exploring the ■ New week, new lockdown rules. devastating impact of physical and The country is one step closer to psychological abuse in childhood, and “freedom” – albeit with the per- two glitzy, feature-length episodes for Charlene Chika Osuagwu sistent cloud of new coronavirus Blakeway’s series about Hollywood in strains overhead. But, on the bright 1939. Cue the old adage: “no two days Charlene Chika Osuagwu side, at least we get to (sensibly and in TV are ever…” cautiously) sit inside a bar this week. reflects on the first British weather is unforgiving. ■ As most freelancers in our indus- try can attest, the reality of finishing anniversary of George ■ Today marks the anniversary of one job, juggling work offers and Floyd’s death – and the killing of George Floyd – a mur- moving (hopefully, quickly) on to der that was seen around the world, the next always comes with mixed experiences what it’s and one that turned the name of an feelings of dread and anticipation. like to make a film that ordinary man into the chant of an Although I am super nervous about uprising seen, felt, and heard across what is next and when exactly that changes people’s lives the globe. next may be, I leave the wonderful Since his death, I often reflect on Brook Lapping greatly energised and this notion of martyrdom as it relates optimistic about what is to come. to the black experience and the ■ It is the morning after Ian Wright: exhausting need to reaffirm that ■ An article I wrote addressing both Home Truths aired.