Unseen Talent: The impact of Public Service Broadcasting commissioning and production practices on the UK’s Nations film and television freelancers.
HEI: Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Glasgow
School: Glasgow School for Business and Society
Supervisors: Professor Simon McKerrell (Head of Department, Department of Media and Journalism, Glasgow School for Business and Society, Glasgow Caledonian University); Dr Katherine Champion (Senior Lecturer in Creative Industries and Cultural Policy, School of Culture & Creative Arts, University of Glasgow); Angus Dixon (Programme Leader BA Multimedia Journalism, Senior Lecturer in Broadcast and Online Journalism Department of Media and Journalism, Glasgow School for Business and Society, Glasgow Caledonian University); Paul Evans (Head of Industry Relations, Directors UK).
Keywords: Broadcasting, Freelancers, Commissioning, Media, Production
About Peter’s Research:
The UK’s broadcasting production ecosystem is undergoing an unprecedented seismic shift with profound consequences for off-screen talent, film and tv freelancers who work behind the camera.
Working in collaboration with Glasgow Caledonian University, the University of Glasgow and Directors UK, this ARCS PhD project will examine the current challenges surrounding inequalities in commissioning and production for Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) to understand the current geographical disparities impacting freelancers based in the nations of the UK.
The research is taking a mixed methods approach employing qualitative, (interviews, focus groups, ethnographic triangulation, coding), quantitative (survey design, sampling and survey data analysis), and participatory observation as well as reflexive approaches to working with the partner organisation, alongside desk-based research. Sampling will encompass working directors, freelance off-screen screen sectors talent, as well as budget-holding executives and policy makers. This will be facilitated by Peter and Directors UK’s extensive professional networks.
Core research questions include how the current Ofcom regional production regulatory system in the UK nations currently works in practice and what patterns can be observed about the geographical distribution of commissioning and production practices across the UK, particularly Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; how commissioning and production practices affect the geographical employment opportunities for off-screen talent, living and working in the UK nations; and, what proposals or alternative policy environments in public service broadcasting would provide better employment opportunities if implemented in the UK nations?
CONNECT WITH PETER
E-mail: peter.strachan@gcu.ac.uk
Linkedin: Peter Strachan