Fix it in Post: Looking at Post-Production through a human rights lens with Amelia Knott

Has the area of post-production been overlooked when we talk about safe and fair working conditions in the screen industry?

In this episode, Tacita Small and Keith Arrowsmith sit down with Amelia Knott, Human Rights Specialist for the TV industry Human Rights Forum, to explore how to improve working conditions once filming has wrapped. 

From working for long hours with few breaks, to working with sensitive or disturbing material, to the pressures of shrinking budgets, Amelia shares some tips to create a culture where everyone working in post-production, including people in ancillary roles, feels comfortable to raise issues and speak up. 

The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.

This episode covers:

• The right to health in post-production, including mental and physical wellbeing and the right to family life
• Working with traumatic or sensitive content
• The pressures facing the industry and how these can impact individuals
• The challenge of championing creativity without forgetting about safeguarding 
• Making sure everyone on a production works in fair and safe conditions, including ancillary workers like security guards. 

Introduction to Amelia Knott and her work in the area of human rights, and the specific challenges involved with working in post production, from physical wellbeing to working with sensitive content. (0.00-08.15)

The pressures facing production companies, insecure working environments and how to consider the wellbeing of ancillary workers on a project while balancing the need to champion art and creativity. (08.15-13.11)

Amelia gives examples of a positive working culture where nobody is forgotten and a culture is created where everyone feels valued and able to raise issues. (13.11-end)

Chapter Markers

(00:00) Introduction with Keith and Tacita

(01:51) Amelia’s background and the human rights lens

(05:00) The human rights issues we see in post-production

(10:00) The pressures facing the post-production industry

(12:38) Considering everyone who is at risk on a project

(14:55) Creating a culture where everyone can raise issues

(18:12) Examples of good working practices to foster trust 

(21:34) Conclusions with Keith and Tacita

LINKS

WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/en

Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/

Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/

BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/

National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/

Amelia Knott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-knott-897a722/ 

TV Industry Human Rights Forum: https://www.tvhumanrights.org/