Pact has today published a new Production Support Initiative for anyone involved in the production of High-end TV (HETV) Drama, including broadcasters, streamers, unions, guilds, agents, production companies, line producers, HODs and crew members.
The resource, which has been developed by Karl Liegis, Head of Production at 60Forty Films alongside Pact, is intended to complement the production support already in place across HETV production, introducing new resources and connections and providing an indicative guide to potential cost implications at the different band levels.
It aims to demonstrate that no matter what HETV band a production is working at, there are opportunities to create examples of positive action and provide production support.
The Production Support Initiative is broken down into five key areas where users will find a ‘pick and mix’ of available support in:
- Accessibility
- Career Development and Training
- Counselling, Wellbeing and HR
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
- Sustainability
Within each area, there are some suggested foundations for HETV productions at all bands in relation to policy, guidelines and best practice; training; and initiatives/allowances.
A directory of all material mentioned in the resource, including information and details about companies that provide relevant services is included, with the hope that these areas will immediately grow.
Accessing the Resource
& Providing Feedback
Currently, the resource exists as a downloadable PDF which can be accessed via the Pact Resource Hub.
It is free to use for anyone in the industry, not just Pact members.
We welcome any feedback from within the industry to help improve the resource. Whilst the information has been compiled legally, please let Pact know of any additions or amendments that you would suggest so that it remains comprehensive and informative by emailing [email protected].
The intention is to next create an online version, which will constantly evolve and provide up to date information accessible to users whenever it is needed. It is also hoped that further Production Support Initiatives can be developed for other areas of the industry, such as unscripted, feature film and children’s production and then nations and regions.
Companies who provide relevant services to the HETV production sector and would like to be added to the directory should send two industry references to [email protected].
Based on the advocacy and contributions from broadcasters, streamers, unions, heads of production and line producers, the HETV Production Support Initiative is the centralisation of many positive actions that are being used across our industry already. The resource intends to make it as easy as possible for those of us who build the productions to integrate support into them. The document at its core is about inclusivity and this is demonstrated from the outset by the way Pact has actively made it available to everyone. It’s now time for us all to be unreasonable and unapologetic in the way we positively engage with, utilise and contribute to the Production Support Initiative to bring about positive transformation in our industry. This is Version 1, now it’s up to all of you to help create every version going forward.
A lot of hard work has gone into creating this resource which lays out best practice for productions and seeks to aid those attempting to incorporate the various industry initiatives around inclusivity and sustainability into programme productions, which are often constrained by tight budgets. Over the years, producers have led the way in trying to make the working environment more equal, accessible and environmentally sustainable - now all these varied resources can be found in one place.