Why I Quit Working in Television - And Why It Was the Best Career Move I Made

Blog by London Videographer - Any Other Media 

I joined the television industry a bit later than most as I decided to swap careers just before I turned 30. Documentaries and filming were always a passion of mine and I wanted to explore this option before it was too late. With no prior experience, knowledge of how to break into the industry or contacts, I was very lucky to land my first role as Junior Researcher (after months of trying).

Full of excitement I got stuck in, grateful to be given so many opportunities early on. Highly educated and with a career behind me, I had a lot of transferrable skills to bring and I was embracing working in a creative industry. Unlike other jobs, you feel a buzz when working in TV. Being on set, meeting famous people, using high end equipment. It felt rewarding. It felt addictive. I felt important.

However, things started to feel off very early on... I started to notice the same patterns repeating themselves at every production company I worked at. Which most employees are aware of, but it always gets brushed off as 'a rite of passage', or that's how it was described to me whenever I mentioned it. Long working hours, poor work life balance, unethical practices, short contracts and exploitation.

I spent years working in television between a researcher and an assistant producer, the kind of jobs people would imagine are glamorous. But behind the scenes, the reality was very different. I've been on productions where crew would cry themselves to sleep, I've been shouted at and humiliated by senior members of staff for things out of my control. I've been treated in ways that would be unacceptable in any other workplace. Not that people in TV are horrible, it's just everyone is under such tremendous pressure. They won’t think twice about throwing you under the bus for shot at progression.

I often thought it was maybe because I was still quite junior and so get the less glamorous jobs, but things never got better even after becoming an assistant producer. On top of that, I would even hear the desire of senior staff wanting to change careers. That's not to say I hated my time in TV, I have mostly good memories, but since I was forced to join another industry I now wonder if I just overlooked the bad to fuel my ego. A means to an end. The end goal getting to be a producer/director on science documentaries. Not just because I enjoyed it but because it was seen as a 'desirable' job.

The thing no one tells you about TV, is that you don’t often choose which shows to work on, which company to work for, or even what genre.

It mostly comes down to how desperately you need your next job so you end up taking whatever is available. Years down the line, you realise that you've been pigeonholed into working on shows you have no interest in - just to pay the bills. Something very common amongst friends who frequently ended up stuck in crime genre.

If you were to ask anyone outside of TV, they often think it's a 'cool' job, with lots of perks. To some extent it is, but not enough people talk about the sacrifices and the toxic work conditions. How you get called up on a weekend to unexpectedly drive 3 hours to a shoot with 2 hours notice. How after a 7-hour shoot, you are expected to drive 3 hours back, carry heavy kit into your third-floor apartment late in the night with no help. The number of times I had to choose between eating dinner or just get the drive home over and done with so I can get some sleep. Even thinking back at some of things I was expected to do, it feels crazy how often we all normalised these situations. I once had to take a 7-hour flight to the US and immediately drive 4 hours to the hotel because production want to "save a few pounds". I'd never even driven in the US before! There were so many long days where I'd had no time to eat or use the bathroom. Everything is at the expense of the employees health and wellbeing. In an industry where every penny counts, employee welfare will always be at the bottom of the priority list.

But time and time again companies get away with it because the vast majority of the workforce are freelance. Which means you are in constant fear of losing your job or never getting a callback after you finished your current role - even when you do a great job.

Most of the workforce is predominantly made up of white middle class people. As a person representing the Latin community and from a working-class background, I was often overlooked and saw jobs given to the same type of people, repeatedly. How do I know this? In the industry we use a job site called Talent Manager. Here I could do a bit of digging and find who got the job instead of me and see their experience in comparison to my own. Despite them being less experienced, I couldn't help but notice there is a subconscious bias embedded deep within the industry. Sometimes it's not even hidden. I have been in situations where I've been replaced because the producer’s 'mate' suddenly becomes available and it would be great to catch up with them again. There is an unregulated toxic environment where people can hire who they like without justification, making it an exclusive industry and out of reach for people like me.

So, after all that, what makes people stay and pursue a career in TV?

The people are great - it's the system that's the problem. Budget cuts and the way it's unregulated. Companies are allowed to do whatever they want as long as its within budget. Treating staff however they like with no consequence and creating a real fear of speaking out.

Recent years has seen a decline in TV. Content slowed, budgets shrank, companies began to go disappear, jobs became infrequent and contract length got shorter. Now more than ever, its really was a case of who you know to land a job. Taking odd jobs in between contracts to stay afloat. TV became unsustainable for the vast majority... unless you knew someone from the inside or had a wealthy parent who could financially support you.

Television is its current state is in crisis. For those who are still in the industry and follow its progress, it clear to see it's outdated and no longer has a future unless it's willing to evolve.

Something has to change, and that change for me was jumping ship.

I could no longer stress about my next job, taking on roles I didn't want to do, pretending I was excited to work with celebrities I did not care for, putting up with terrible production companies because I needed the money. Whilst still working in TV, I began to look elsewhere. I started looking for jobs which shared similar skill sets. That lead me down a path as a freelance camera operator and then finally landing a permanent job as an audio visual technician for a well known art institution. A job which was more technical than creative but part of an industry that is evolving and expanding.

I have now spent over a year working as a full time member of staff and I must say, life feels calm again. I work 5 days a week, 6-hour days with an hour lunch and get paid nearly the same as TV but with none of stress. I have line managers that care and will always put employees ahead of work. Not only is there an emphasis on mental wellbeing, inclusion and diversity, but a good work life balance. Due to this balance, I can still work as a freelance videographer. Maybe it's industry specific but I get encouraged to have my own practice, visit art museums and go to the cinema during working hours. Best of all, as I often work in live events and get paid overtime for any work carried out past 5pm! Something unimaginable in TV.

Ok, yes. I often do miss working in TV and remember the days when I was so excited for a shoot, especially those abroad. But honestly, now have a job where I matter, valued, respected and that's clear from how they invest in my training. I am free to speak my mind without fear because my department is built on good communication. Putting people first. I have so much more time now to enjoy life and you can't put a price on that.

Since leaving TV I've had time reflect.

On how creativity doesn’t have to come at the cost of my wellbeing. That passionate doesn’t have to equal burnout. My advice for anyone thinking of leaving TV is start looking. I began to take steps when I realised I'm getting older and need stability. How long can I keep bouncing around jobs? Hoping someone will employ me, based on how fun I look rather than my skillset. The thing is, working in TV is work in the fast lane. If you can handle working in TV, you can handle any industry. We are used to working effectively, being resourceful, resilient, giving 100% and becoming masters of any topic. Give or take 2 weeks.

The next step convincing another industry to take a chance on you. Becoming good you at selling yourself. Practice how to sell yourself and how to handle rejection.

Leaving TV isn’t a question of abandoning creativity. It's about choosing a healthier, more sustainable version of life. If you're feeling stuck, burnt out, lost or undervalued in TV, know there are creative industries out there where you can thrive, not just survive.

In my other posts, I will be looking more in depth at how my TV skills landed me a job as an Audio Visual Technican.

I'd be interested to hear about your experiences or advice about leaving TV in the comments.