At least 170,000 lose jobs as film industry grinds to a halt due to coronavirus

Around 120,000 people are out of work in Hollywood, while in the UK it is estimated that 50,000 freelancers will lose their jobs

Coronavirus and culture – a list of major cancellations
Coronavirus – latest updates
See all our coronavirus coverage

About 120,000 film industry workers have already lost their jobs in Hollywood as a result of the coronavirus shutdown, according to the US entertainment industry union IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees).

The estimate emerged in a newsletter sent out by the ICG (International Cinematographers Guild) to its members, which said: “The IATSE reports that the pandemic shutdown has resulted in the loss of 120,000 jobs held by its 150,000 members. It is critical that our industry be included in pending federal relief package.”

The film and TV industry worldwide has experienced a near-total cessation of activity, with thousands of largely freelance crew laid off at short notice with little or no financial compensation. Scores of productions, ranging from studio shoots such as the Avatar sequels and Fantastic Beasts 3 to independent films such as Paul Schrader’s The Card Counter, have been halted.

The ICG, which has nearly 9,000 members, added: “Although some of our members are being paid for up to two weeks after their shows shut down, based upon the reality of the healthcare crisis we now face, it is highly unlikely that productions will resume after so short a period of time … This problem is likely to continue for months, not weeks.”

In the UK, the situation for “below the line” crew appears equally catastrophic. Bectu (Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union) estimates around 50,000 industry freelancers will have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic. The union’s head, Philippa Childs, said: “Nearly all film and TV production has ground to a halt in the UK … The [country’s] world-class film and TV sector is at risk of a whole generation of talent being financially ruined by this crisis.” A survey conducted by the union suggested that 71% of freelancers – about 35,000 people – in the industry will struggle to survive financially as a result of the shutdown.

Directors UK, the trade guild representing British screen directors, sent a letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak calling for further measures to support freelance and self-employed film industry personnel. Directors UK CEO Andrew Chowns wrote: “There is now a critical need for similar emergency support measures to be introduced for self-employed workers who are worried, not just about losing their current work, but at the prospect of facing months without income as productions are suspended longer term and, for some smaller productions, indefinitely.” Chowns called for the introduction of proportional income support and sick pay to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

The Guardian’s callout for insight into how the shutdown has affected film industry workers has revealed scores of anecdotes about the impact of coronavirus. A selection will be published in the near future.

Contributor

Andrew Pulver

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Film crew and cinema staff still face crisis after coronavirus shutdown
Freelance and self-employed workers are in ‘precarious financial position’ as many fear they are falling through the cracks

Andrew Pulver

01, Apr, 2020 @1:09 PM

Article image
Work in the film industry? Tell us how coronavirus has affected you
Releases are being cancelled, shoots scrapped and ticket sales are in free fall. But what’s the human cost? We want to hear from people on the frontline of the industry

Catherine Shoard

16, Mar, 2020 @12:24 PM

Article image
Ridley Scott mocks Donald Trump over coronavirus response
The 82-year-old film director speaks out on the president’s handling of the crisis and says Boris Johnson should bring back rationing

Catherine Shoard

27, Mar, 2020 @11:43 AM

Article image
Paul Schrader slams coronavirus film shutdown, says he'd rather 'die on the job'
Director criticises producers of The Card Counter who halted shoot in Mississippi after a cast member was diagnosed with the virus

Andrew Pulver

17, Mar, 2020 @11:15 AM

Article image
Outrage as Picturehouse makes cinema staff redundant 'with immediate effect'
Current and former employees call cinema chain ‘irresponsible’ as it lays off staff following coronavirus shutdown

Andrew Pulver

20, Mar, 2020 @1:15 PM

Article image
The government's new film production guidelines risk massive damage to UK industry
Until the government agrees to underwrite the insurance risk of Covid-19 the new rules will do nothing for homegrown productions

Andrew Eaton

01, Jun, 2020 @3:16 PM

Article image
Hollywood stars to be exempt from UK's coronavirus quarantine rules
Mission Impossible’s Tom Cruise among key personnel who can resume filming as part of a drive to kickstart film production in the UK

Andrew Pulver

06, Jul, 2020 @11:10 AM

Article image
Shaken, not deterred: the latest film delays are proof cinema is plotting a comeback | Peter Bradshaw
Only months ago, huge films were cast off to streaming services. Now studios are holding fire with a grand reopening in sight

Peter Bradshaw

22, Jan, 2021 @11:40 AM

Article image
Hollywood writers' strike looms as union authorisation vote passed
A high turnout of Writers Guild of America members has voted to take industrial action, as a three-year deal with production studios ends on 30 April

Andrew Pulver

25, Apr, 2017 @11:52 AM

Article image
Hollywood ending sees writers call off strike after last-minute deal
Writers Guild of America secures ‘good deal’ for film and television industry members as deadline loomed

Andrew Pulver

02, May, 2017 @9:57 AM