Sarah, 35, Television Series Director
1. How do you make a living
I’m a TV series director working across lots of different UK entertainment shows.
2. Has your career been impacted by Covid-19 and if so, how?
It has completely stopped the whole industry. Around 70% of production has come to a stand-still.
Some people are furloughed, some people are not, but everyone has been impacted.
I’m a LTD company and the Government support package does not cover me at all.
Right now, my income has dramatically reduced.
966 freelancers from all levels of the television industry took part in a Viva La PD survey, from Executive Producers, right down to entry-level Runners.
Only 17% of freelancers interviewed are currently working due to Coronavirus. The rest have no income, having had their job cancelled (54%), or expected work has dried up (25%).
: A tracking vehicle day in
Buenos Aires
3. How has that impact made you feel?
Disappointed.
I’m disappointed that I and the people I work with don’t matter to the Government.
We contribute to the economy, we pay our taxes.
It’s disheartening that the arts world is not being noticed. There are efforts in the industry to get our voice across, but it’s not getting through.
4. How are you safeguarding your career during this time?
Working in television (particularly with reality shows) takes over your life.
The time that you get to think about what you want to do, and where you want to go is minimal.
I’ve got over the upset feeling now, so what I’m doing is updating my showreel. I’m trying to teach myself how to do it.
I want to send it to people as I’ve decided that I want to move into Drama eventually.
I can email producers, write personal emails to describe how I love the show and what I can bring.
I think the more doors you bang on, the more of a chance of getting somewhere right now or in the future.
:
Shooting a pilot in Snowdonia
5. What do you miss the most about the way you used to live your life?
I only bought my house last year and I’ve been out the country filming, so I haven’t been on my own all that much.
My really good friend lives close-by, so I safely cycle over to hers in the evening. We’ve both been self-isolating.
It gives me some company. The human interaction is keeping me going. That has helped me massively.
It has given me a bit of structure in my day too. We cook dinner, watch a move, drink wine together.
6. If you were to recommend one thing to do in lockdown - what would it be & why?
Make a list of what you want to do. A clear list.
I’ve started painting my house, I’ve never painted before. You’re never going to have this time again. Make a clear list of what you want to achieve. Making goals.
…. And exercise - take part in big group online classes. Gives you those happy endorphins in a group scenario. A great way to start the day!
: Bear Grylls the island in 2016 all of us who survived the island
7. If a helping hand could be given to you now, what would it look like?
A big fat cheque from the chancellor and a letter that says sorry and that what you do for a living matters
8. If you were to spend lockdown with a famous person, who would it be and why?
Joe Wicks!
You could work out with him
Play with his newborn baby
… And he cooks tasty food!
9. What excites you most about post-lockdown life?
Hanging out with friends - laughing, having conversations - Zoom chats are just not the same.
Be outside in the fresh air.
Seeing my parents, as I’ve not seen them since January.
Dating! I started dating someone just before Lockdown happened. We’ve done virtual dates - one was a Ready Steady Cook date, which was really fun!
Virtual dates are fun. A lot of my friends that are on dating apps - people have nothing to do, don’t they?
It also take out the physical side of dating, so you can really get to know someone on a deeper level.
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