We have marveled at the fascinating stories of Disney & Co. on the big screen with our children's eyes. Do you still remember your first date at the cinema - in the ignorance of puberty and the mysterious darkness of the cinema? To work in film one day - wow - that was a life goal. Later, TV shows formed our idols. More than a whole generation wanted to do "something with media" after school. Now, of all people, we have a shortage of skilled workers and problems recruiting young talent. What went wrong?
The fascination of professional filmmaking is taking a back seat in the age of TikTok and YouTube influencers. Anyone can try their hand at directing, camera work and acting with a real audience. The barrier to entry is lower. In addition, media accompanies our everyday lives virtually everywhere and at all times. Overall, many more people are working with media without appearing on staff lists. The number of universities and training companies is also constantly increasing. In order to stand out from other industries, there is a lack of communication channels and answers to obvious questions about working hours, remuneration, work-life balance and environmental protection. The creative industries do not (also) consistently address the issues of young people.
This seems bitter, as individual aspects are addressed in a fragmented and sometimes competing manner. Credibility and transparency are blurred in the multitude of working groups. Instead of the many self-help groups, a common voice of the industry would have a more binding and direct effect - which, by the way, will also be a topic at the Talent Summit during the Munich Film Festival. Who would be suitable as the central voice?
Environmental protection is one of the big issues of our time. 10 years ago, Bavaria Studios optimized its operations for carbon neutrality. Only shortly before, 20th Century Fox had published its filming guidelines for sustainable production. “Keen to be green,” “100 Green Films,” “Green Motion,” “Green Film Pass,” and many regional initiatives have taken up the topic. The Green Shooting working group could provide a focal point for this topic. Before then, however, many important, open questions still need to be clarified. Green production must have a noticeable, direct advantage for producers and be enjoyable for filmmakers. Bureaucracy and rigid, impractical regulations make acceptance difficult. At least more and more important players are coming together behind the common “Green Motion” label.
Digitalization is a constant process. Established companies and bold start-ups present good ideas and interesting solutions. At second glance, however, some quickly turn out to be scams with inconsistencies in the media. There is a lot of room for improvement, especially in administration, the interface between production and the main building, production management and project management. adag payroll services offers an example of a particularly successful, tried-and-tested and at the same time natively digital implementation of tedious work processes relating to employment contracts. International Film Partners offers individual solutions, especially for the documentation of ESG activities (environmental protection, social justice, management quality) required by the financial market. The theater arts are presented in the area of costume rental with an internationally proven system. A digital shop window is complemented by a state-of-the-art rental process based on RFID technology.
Collaboration is the buzzword of the 2020s. American platforms are leading the way with general but easily adaptable solutions. Adaptation or in-house development is an important issue, especially for medium-sized companies in the creative industries. The company's individual requirements should be solved specifically. The specialists at XPERTS-network offer challenges and support expertise.
Work-life balance in the creative industries is created by many different aspects. Social security is an essential point, which has been reliably provided by the broadcasting pension fund for decades. Further training and networking also play an important role in an industry dominated by project business, for example at our Ensider:Academy at the Erich Pommer Institute . Personal recognition through mentions, performances or broadcasts, festivals and recommendations represents another pillar: Unified Film Makers Festival , Crew-United and German Films .
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