A new report by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has found that minority groups working in films, TV and games have to work twice as hard as their straight, white counterparts.
Commissioned by BAFTA in conjunction with Creative Skillset and the BFI, the report highlights efforts which have enabled employment for a number of minority workers in the industry, and outlines initiatives to help further progress.
The report, titled Succeeding in the Film, Television and Games Industries: Career Progression and the Keys to Sustained Employment for Individuals From Under-Represented Groups, involved interviews with entertainment business professionals from minority groups, as well as interviews and focus groups with employers, heads of departments and talent agents.
Among its findings is the suggestion that unilateral steps need to be taken across the industries to combat an environment of risk aversion and reliance on familiar ties.
It says individuals who have forged successful roles within the industry tend to be “the exception rather than the rule, and they often have to go above and beyond what is expected from their peers.”
The report also found that “company structures, recruitment practices and mind-sets do create additional barriers with which practitioners from under-represented groups have to contend.”
Based on the findings, BAFTA has announced a series of new initiatives including a bespoke programme to help elevate under-represented groups to the next stage of their career, as well as a plan to connect emerging below-the-line talent with writers, directors and producers.
Tim Hunter, director of learning and events at BAFTA, said: “We welcome the findings of this research which, in examining the factors that help individuals from under-represented groups succeed, also puts into sharp focus some of the issues that can create a barrier to success.
“Alongside our partners we are working to reduce and remove those barriers.”
