Award-Winning Executive Producer, Author, Show Runner, Director, Consultant//I make highly-rated content that finishes on time and on budget//I develop talent//Listening is leading//craig@colbyvision.net
“It feels to me like I’m grieving, TV has been a massive part of my character. When it’s taken away, you feel like you’re not yourself.” This article about the lack of work in the television industry is set in Britain, but it could be about Canada, the United States, or anywhere. In the last few months I've heard from a top researcher who is not doing well because the phone stopped ringing and his calls are ignored, two people who have lost jobs they've had for the better part of a decade, a producer who worked on a doc for 5 years and made just $40,000, and a producer doing a survey of his contacts to see what the hell happened in our industry. People are scared. Along with the terrifying loss of income comes the depressing hit to identity. Creative jobs become part of your soul. Our industry is facing a mental health crisis as well as a financial one. I have heard digital producers say these are the shockwaves of a dying industry, and have hailed the democratization of YouTube content. Perhaps. Some of the digital content succeeds by commenting on our work. We're still part of that ecosystem. This is not the part of the post where I suggest a solution or attempt to say something inspiring. I don't have any answers. Despite having two great years, my future is uncertain. I'm scared too. I just think it's important that we acknowledge where we are right now in our industry. Our people are hurting so let's be kind to each other. Call a friend who has gone silent. Go for a walk with a colleague in a similar situation. And for mercy's sake, if you have a job, don't ghost the people looking for work. Civility and honesty cost nothing. Pick up the phone and be as truthful as you can about what's going on. You may be in the same situation before you know it. We need each other now more than ever.
Senior Executive Producer, Factual Entertainment at Woodcut Media Ltd. I develop & produce shows with heart & humour. In my spare time I campaign to make the industry better. Bectu Unscripted Bullying & Harassment Rep.
Very sad to read these personal stories. Earlier this year I was part of the unscripted Bectu team who declared the situation in TV and film an emergency. It’s not just about people’s finances, it’s their hard-won careers, their pride - and of course it’s about the future of the industry as good people leave. I know things wlll get better - I am an optimist- but I also know this year has been so tough for so many and it would be wrong to ignore that. Good to see it getting wider coverage.
Sara Davenport
10mo
Two things - I totally agree with the issue of your identity being tied to TV news. It's so common for those who us who had a deep passion for the industry, and made our way up the ranks. Leaving TV is complicated, and untangling the identity issue only adds to it. However.... I have to say there isn't a shortage of TV jobs in the US. There are so many open! But here's the true problem: Stations are offering positions that pay less than Pizza Delivery people, and less than gas-station workers. They offer jobs that have long contracts and massive buy out clauses. They offer jobs that have zero advancement possibilities (Scripps is getting rid of news anchors). So.....the jobs are there. But they are a shadow of what they used to be. It's one reason local news is dying in the good old USA.
Ian Cunningham
10mo
Craig Colby, this quote you posted... “It feels to me like I’m grieving, TV has been a massive part of my character. When it’s taken away, you feel like you’re not yourself..." now clarifies the grieving I still need to do after losing my first job in radio. One I held for 20 years. And it's been more than 10 years since I lost that job. The passion of creative people in creative industries goes deep. So deep the scars that are left behind barely, if ever heal. But just knowing that we share the same feelings helps with healing. I've moved on from the industry now. But I'll always miss that adrenaline rush of creating things that connected with an audience. If you're suffering, find help. Your value is way beyond your job!
Barry Silverthorn
10mo
I still believe that there are opportunities to make great TV on SVOD platforms in the tier between YouTube and Netflix. A group of less than a dozen talented and resourceful people can put together a channel almost overnight based on their common interests, and by partnering with other businesses they can gain an audience quickly. And it can be done on a scale that can be achieved using a bit of $ credit and an equipment lease. And if it doesn't work out, no one is bankrupted.
Penny Greenberg
10mo
Craig. I've said it before and I'll say it again: you are the voice of reason. From your mouth to God's (and everyone else's) ears.
Craig, posts like this one are why I like you. You've got a heart as big as all the outdoors.
Joan Stalker
10mo
Craig, thanks for sharing your insights and vulnerability.
Isabella "Izzy" Post
10mo
A powerful quote for anyone who has been placed in a decision where a choice had to be made.
Author of Careers AF! ...New rules, new tools for the post-pandemic gig economy
10moWow. I could write a book about this post! I couldn't tell you how many ppl in the industry I have coached who have lost work, revenue, and yes, their identities since Covid onset. And they feel like failures. But I assure them "YOU haven't failed your industry, your industry has failed YOU." The latest line of defence I offer under-employed creatives is a) keep creating; while you b) build on former successes, and find something new (product/service) to create that is related to original product; c) get a survivor gig (2 days a week) to ensure you're financially diversified; d) find a way to monetize a hobby you love (sidehustle/small business) for even greater financial diversification. But don't stop creating! Just as screenplay/teleplay can be turned into a TV show, which can be turned into a book, which can be turned into a podcast, keep developing product as offshoots from original IP property. And then find six ways from Sunday to monetize that/those new product(s). It demands a lot of digital up-skilling, (AND time management) but I've found for myself, that driving passive income from creative works, is the way to go. ...Think: "little bits of monies coming from any/all directions..."