ILPC 2027

Job seeking tournaments and supportive social ties: the paradox of work in the creative industries

Abstract

This article deals with a paradox of work in the creative industries: that while jobs are fragmented and insecure, with an over-supply of labour, declining pay and working conditions and entry ‘tournaments’ (Marsden 2004; Marsden and Ryan 1995) to project-based work that are effectively extended for a working life; the social relations between the workers did not reflect the insecurity and instrumentalism that might be expected in such a short-term industry.  Rather, professionals often went to a great deal of trouble to behave in ways that were pleasant, generous and even altruistic.  This article, drawing on a study of freelancers and small independent production companies in UK film and television production draws out the reasons for that. It argues that this social cohesion was due to the nature of the work and the shared interest in a good (creative) final product; the strong behavioural norms in the industry which demanded a particular style of conduct; and the comparative social homogeneity of the professionals themselves.  It argues that this social cohesion ameliorated the worst aspects of the fragmented industry but also made it possible to operate an industry where conditions were declining and prospects for many were extremely poor.

The research, on which this paper is based, was qualitative. It had a number of different strands: in-depth semi-biographical interviews with industry professionals, interviews with ‘key informants’, three months of participant observation in a small independent film and TV company during which the second author observed filming a documentary and one day of filming with a freelance director/producer. There were 86 interviews in total, 77 with industry professionals and nine with key informants including screen agencies, professional associations, the terrestrial broadcasters and trade unions.

Marsden, D. 2004. "The 'network economy' and models of the employment contract." British Journal of Industrial Relations 42(4):659 - 684.

Marsden, D.and P. Ryan. 1995. "Work, labour markets and vocational preparation: Anglo-German comparisons of training in intermediate skills." in Youth, Education and Work, edited by L. Bash and A. Green: Kogan Page.