I meet a lot of production freelancers in my training, working in TV, film and theatre. Where the EU vote has come up it seems most are natural remainers, as indeed am I.
If you're still wavering, here are a few reasons why you should vote remain.
- Freelance finances are pretty precarious, especially when you start out. You need stability and confidence in the economy. I know from personal experience that worries about financial shocks to the UK stops clients spending (e.g. 2010 when the coalition came in). We could have a very long period of instability if we vote Brexit. Don't just take my word for it.
- You can go where the work is, and that includes the whole of Europe. I regularly meet freelancers who work in another European country too. They can travel to find work (almost the definition of freelancing) and it's fun. Why would you shut off that opportunity?
- Your skills training is often supported by EU money. The EU Social Fund and Regional Development Fund push money into areas where skills need to be developed. I've run courses for production people in London and Glasgow which have been part funded with EU money.
- You'll find EU money in some swish production facilities around the country, because the EU cares about cultural development. One example is The Space Project in Manchester.
- If you don't believe me, listen to your colleagues. Most in the production industry recognise the value of being a great exporter of TV, as reported in Broadcast magazine. The production union BECTU is keen for us to vote remain too.
- Holiday pay. That's an EU thing.
You know production is all about teamwork. So is working with your neighbours to make the world a better place. Don't let them down.
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