While the labor shortage is being felt hard on film sets, more than a third of workers in the audiovisual industry would consider changing jobs, if we are to believe a study published Monday whose The duty got a copy. Figures to be put into perspective, however, we would like to clarify, given the particular context of the pandemic.
According to this vast consultation of the National Institute of Image and Sound (INIS), which began in 2019 and will continue throughout the pandemic, 38% of workers in the television and cinema industry say want to leave their profession within the next five years, or at least say they are thinking about it. Of this number, approximately two-thirds plan to leave the audiovisual sector completely, so one-third would change jobs while remaining in the same field of activity.
“You should know that the work environment has been very discouraging for many people, with the wearing of a mandatory mask and all the other restrictive measures. These rules were necessary, but it is true that some people reacted less well. That said, we have seen this in all workplaces since the start of the pandemic. Everywhere, there are people who have decided to leave to do something else,” says Christian Lemay, president of AQTIS, the largest union in the industry.
Mr. Lemay, who also sits on the INIS board of directors, is not overly concerned about the results of this major survey. With the gradual return to normal taking shape, many will no doubt change their minds. The labor shortage, which has even delayed some shoots in recent months, should therefore not worsen due to a wave of departures, he believes.
On the contrary, he finds that the dynamism never seen in the industry is attracting new workers. In 2021, some 1,100 new members took out their AQTIS card, the union which represents, among other things, cameramen, sound engineers, hairdressers, make-up artists and props men.
“In the past year, there has been a record number of shoots, in particular because of the delays that we were catching up with because of the pandemic. But it will continue to go well in the coming years, with the increase in American filming and the growth of streaming platforms,” predicts Christian Lemay enthusiastically, not very concerned about the future of the industry in the short term.
Future retention problem?
The INIS study – which also concerns actors, screenwriters, directors and producers, among others – also suggests that the frenetic pace of production is what most disturbs artists and craftsmen in their profession. . The pace of filming having accelerated considerably in recent years, the industry should take note if it wants to keep its workers, underlines the president of AQTIS.
To attract young people, we may have to ask ourselves the question of working conditions and working hours.
“The industry will sooner or later be forced to reflect,” recognizes Mr. Lemay. The next generation does not have the same values as baby boomers, who are retiring. To attract young people, we may have to ask ourselves the question of working conditions and working hours. Me, I think it’s possible to clean up working hours while continuing to have this number of shoots. »
Other findings can be drawn from this vast consultation, which mobilized 1,334 workers in the sector over three years, all professions combined. Starting with the rate of movement which is particularly strong from one profession to another. What’s more, 38% of workers say they have at least two distinct jobs within the audiovisual sector.
For INIS, which offers a range of professional development programs for professionals in the field, this study is a reminder of the need to train a more versatile workforce.
“For example, there are a lot of actors who become screenwriters or directors. It must be recognized that workers can move within the industry. The results of this study will allow us to update the training programs, and not only those of the INIS”, summarizes the Director General of the Institute, Jean Hamel.