In article ,
Andy Hall wrote:
So yes, there probably is an oversupply of bods. Of course there are a
vast number of BOFs like me around who will be off the scene shortly -
I'm part of the BBC2 'boom' where the BBC had to near double their in
house production.

I was wondering how this could have come about. From screen credits,
etc. there seem to be a large (growing?) number of (I presume) small
production firms around producing programs shown on terrestrial and
satellite channels. Are these really companies of any substance or
just a small management who pulls together individuals from contacts
etc. when they want to make a programme?

Pretty well yes. I don't know of any small independant who employed full
time staff in the 'crafts'. Because setting up any programme requires
planning and preparation, and if you look at the actual shooting crew,
there will be different lengths of contracts for different skills.

For example, the art department will need time before shooting commences
to buy in the necessary props and to decorate or build the sets and or
dress the premises, etc. A location manager does much of her/his work
before also - scouting round to find suitable locations and issuing
contracts for the time they're needed. Costume need also to purchase such
clothing etc as may be needed. The director *should* know exactly how
she/he is going to shoot something long before the event. On my side of
it, on the 'average' programme, assuming I've been given decent
information about it - or have watched one - I can near enough turn up on
the day. But doing the sound on the Proms would be rather different. ;-)

Are most of these ex-BBC people?

Only in that it was a major employer who has decided to sack staff and
use freelance labour. But near an equal number will have started in ITV
who've done the same trick.

Is this another situation of a sector with a population of well
trained and experienced people that will fade as they retire or go and
do something else - i.e. a skillset that will be lost, or are there
new people coming into it who know what they are doing?

There are plenty of good youngsters around. The big difference is they
are *very* specialised - just knowing the narrow field they work in.

My BBC training gave me a good understanding of the basics of all the
relevant crafts. But this is expensive. And at Thames TV, I worked in near
every aspect of TV sound - the thing I miss most now, as you tend to be
pigeon holed by those who are likely to employ you.

--
*What am I? Flypaper for freaks!?

Dave Plowman London SW
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