News
- Bectu
- May 27
- 2 min read
End long hours culture in film & TV
“I cried at work from pure exhaustion, it was humiliating. I never see my family, I neglect most of my personal life to be able to keep up with the hours.”Anonymous
Behind the glitzy image of film and TV is a workforce pushed to the limit. Workers are routinely asked to "break turnaround".
A worker is considered to have ‘broken turnaround’ when they are required by their employer to return to work within less than 11 consecutive hours in each 24-hour period. This is in breach of workplace rights.
Freelancers across the industry are routinely working 14-16 hour days, often with little rest, few breaks, and no meaningful increase in pay. Long hours culture is the norm.
Bectu's Broken Turnaround survey revealed widespread breaches of basic turnaround times, alongside testimonies that expose a culture putting workers at risk.
Despite years of promises, the industry has failed to act.Talk of work life balance means nothing without real change. Enough is enough.
We are calling on the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact) and the wider industry to:
Enforce safe working hours and proper rest periods
Guarantee regular, protected breaks
Make overtime voluntary, not expected
Apply premium penalty rates to minimise its use
Commit to collective agreements that protect crew
Sign this petition to demand safer, fairer working lives for everyone behind the camera.
Why is this important?
Long hours are dangerous. Fatigue leads to accidents, harms mental and physical health, and puts lives at risk on set. Enough is enough.
SIGN THIS PETITION to demand safer, fairer working lives for everyone behind the camera.
Why is this important?
Long hours are dangerous. Fatigue leads to accidents, harms mental and physical health, and puts lives at risk on set. Enough is enough.
This 2-day invaluable workshop is open to the following GBCT and non-GBCT crew:
Who have stepped up
Who have experience but want to up their skills
2nd Assistant Camera, who have step-up days as a focus puller
Date: 14-15 July, 8am start 'til 6pm
Location: Sunbelt Rentals, Wembley
Workshop fee: £350 incl VAT
Limited no. of workshop places: 12
(Attendees will be divided in to groups)
Tutor Bio:
Dean Thompson is a well-respected features focus puller, who has worked with many well-known and established cinematographers and directors. His knowledge is invaluable and learning from him is not to be missed.
Learn the skills Dean uses and has used over the
Please register your interest under the Training tab by sending your CV to info@gbct.org
The revised Deadline to register your interest:: Friday 3 July