Barriers to Diversity in Film – A Research Review – Aug 07

for women who have caring responsibilities and for disabled
people.
• In film production, 81% of staff were recruited by word of mouth
with half being approached by a producer or director.
• Almost half of the film and video workforce is freelance, which
may legitimise informal methods of recruitment. There is much
job insecurity.
• Black and minority ethnic employees were more likely to do
unpaid work in the sector than their white counterparts
• Both employers and minority ethnic perspective employees felt
that many students did not have the right qualifications to enter
the industry, and that media studies courses may not teach the
practical skills necessary to enter the industry.
• Minority Ethnic led (MEL) companies feel that in the
commissioning process, there is a lack of clarity and openness
in decision making, with respondents identifying a lack of
dialogue about their projects and the inaccessibility of decision
makers
• Women and minority ethnic groups feel indirectly discriminated
against in the film sector. Breaking out into the mainstream has
been defined as a barrier for ethnic minority owned businesses.
What we don’t know……
C:\Documents and Settings\mcorless\Desktop\Intranet\Barriers to Diversity in Film_DS_RB 20 Aug
07.doc
81