Wrap-Up: Should I Stay or Should I Go The Freelance Crisis?

First of all this is the last altmedia before Christmas, I wish all friends, colleagues and readers a happy Christmas and I hope that whatever you do, 2025 is a year of calm and new chapters. I am returning to the UK after helping the Singapore version of “I can See Your Voice through production.” It will TX in January and the team have created a highly entertaining version of the show.

As we close out 2024 and look ahead to 2025, the film and TV industry finds itself at a crossroads. For many professionals, the choice is clear but painful: Should I stay or should I go now? It’s a decision driven not just by passion, but by harsh economic realities. While some remain hopeful, seduced by the promise of a brighter future, others have already left, worn down by the hard realities of prolonged unemployment and shrinking opportunities.

The paradox of record-breaking investments and job creation figures versus the on-ground struggles of freelancers and creatives raises critical questions about the sustainability of the industry as it currently operates. Here’s where we stand—and where we might go next.

And just a couple of links if you are deciding if you pivot out of the TV industry. These two facebook groups are excellent sources of information and support:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetvmindset

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tvswitchup

AI

I’ve had some comments about AI taking jobs or threatening to take jobs. We can’t duck the single most important innovation since the internet. We need to embrace it learn it and use it. I don’t believe it heralds the end of the creative industries. It frees us to be creative. If you read up on how AI frames its decisions compared to humans we are several years away from artificial brains and decades of conscious machines. Ultimately AI will create jobs for developers and for prompt writers.

Yes, my graphics are generated with the help of AI. I’d only ever create my own, it would take hours and the end result would be rather poor. I don’t believe I have taken an employment opportunity away from anyone. But it enables me to produce this newsletter in a reasonable time. And I hope this newsletter is a source of information and a point of discussion about the state of our industry.

The Human Touch vs. AI: Finding Balance in a New Creative Era

AI is here to stay. While it sparks concerns about job security and copyright infringement, it’s already widely embraced by many, including graphic artists who incorporate it into their creative processes. After conducting extensive research on this topic, I believe the way forward is to approach AI’s role in creative industries similarly to how “fair use” operates under copyright law.

Legislating against AI’s use seems impractical—it’s impossible to “turn it off.” Instead, we should focus on defining clearer boundaries and ensuring transparency. Much like how Creative Commons tags are used to identify photo usage rights, AI-generated images and content should be tagged. This approach not only builds trust but also reinforces the value of human creativity, which remains unmatched in its originality and depth.

AI, by its nature, aggregates knowledge and produces results based on averages. The outputs it generates are accessible to anyone, often lacking the unique spark that comes from human creativity. Scrolling through templates on platforms like Canva feels eerily similar to using AI tools: functional but rarely groundbreaking. In contrast, the work of human creators still has the power to astonish with its originality and emotional resonance.

As a new Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (RSA), I’ve been exploring AI’s role in modern society. This organization is renowned for its thought leadership and research into societal challenges, making it an ideal space to consider how to integrate AI responsibly. Reflecting on the Luddite movement during the Industrial Revolution provides historical context for our current moment. While the Luddites resisted technological change to protect their livelihoods, today’s debates focus on ensuring that technological advancements benefit everyone—not just a privileged few.

Of course, these shifts won’t affect all sectors equally. For instance, I recently worked with a graphic design company that used AI to create a voiceover with text-to-speech technology—a direct replacement for a voice artist. While the motivation was cost, the lack of emotional nuance in the result highlighted AI’s limitations. This tradeoff—emotion versus efficiency—is central to the ongoing conversation about AI’s role in creative industries.

For my part, I’ve committed to clearly labeling any AI-generated graphics I use in my posts. Transparency is key, and so is fostering a discussion that values both innovation and the irreplaceable human touch. These debates are not just theoretical for me—they are part of my daily work and something I continue to engage with actively.

Let me know your thoughts—how do you see AI shaping the creative landscape?

This version refines the content, making it conversational and well-suited for a newsletter audience while maintaining the original’s thought-provoking tone.

Hard Realities vs. Rosy Narratives and Should I Stay or Should I Go?

1. Economic Uncertainty:

Many have waited patiently for an upturn, believing the glowing headlines about investment and job growth. Yet, for most at the sharp end of production, the reality has been gaps in income, falling rates, and growing mental health challenges.

For those who have left, the decision has been pragmatic rather than emotional: How much longer can I wait?

2. The Role of Ancillary Sectors:

• The rapid growth of ancillary sectors like distribution, marketing, and analytics has created new opportunities—but has it come at the cost of the production sector?

• Should these sectors bear greater responsibility for supporting the creatives who form the foundation of the industry? Are they doing enough to ensure that the production pipeline they rely on remains robust?

3. Global Dynamics:

• Across regions, the dominance of global players like Netflix has raised existential questions about the preservation of local production and culture.

• In Southeast Asia, South Korean content reigns supreme. In the Middle East, there is growing concern over the diminishing use of Arabic among younger generations, as English-language films and music dominate. These trends mirror historical worries in the UK when Australian soap operas influenced children’s accents and speech patterns in the 1970s.

• Does the industry need a course correction to preserve cultural diversity?

Where Do We Go From Here?

1. Rethinking Local Production Quotas

Governments could play a stronger role in preserving cultural identity through mandated local production quotas. While quotas may feel protectionist, they could ensure that local industries thrive in the face of globalized content.

• Historical Example: The UK’s concerns about Australian soaps in the 1970s led to government discussions about content balance to preserve local accents and culture.

• Modern Implications: Quotas could help ensure that Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other regions continue to see their stories told by local talent.

2. Reevaluating Tax Breaks

Many large productions benefit from significant tax breaks to film in certain territories. But how much do these breaks truly benefit the local economy or talent pool?

• Current Reality:

• Large productions often bring their own crew, minimizing opportunities for local talent.

• Local economic benefits are limited to construction, food, and beverage, and rental fees for facilities.

• Proposed Solution:

• Introduce a content tariff instead of tax breaks. The revenue could directly fund local productions and talent development, ensuring lasting benefits for the host region.

3. Supporting the Freelance Workforce

Freelancers are the backbone of the production sector, but they remain the most vulnerable.

• What Needs to Change:

• Ancillary sectors should reinvest profits from distribution and marketing back into production to create a more sustainable pipeline.

• Governments and unions must push for standardized minimum pay rates, fairer contract terms, and access to mental health resources.

4. Balancing Global Content with Local Voices

While global hits like The Crown or Squid Game are essential to the industry’s growth, they cannot come at the expense of local stories.

• The Cultural Question:

• Does every country in Southeast Asia want to consume only South Korean content?

• Does the Middle East want its youth to abandon Arabic storytelling for English narratives?

• Striking a balance between global appeal and local relevance is critical to maintaining cultural diversity and long-term sustainability.

A Space for Optimism?

Despite the challenges, there are reasons to hope. The very conversations happening now—about equity in tax incentives, the importance of local content, and freelancer protections—represent an opportunity for change.

• The Freelancer Renaissance: Governments, unions, and ancillary sectors have the power to turn the tide by addressing structural issues and ensuring production remains the beating heart of the industry.

• Global Awareness: Regions are beginning to question the impact of imported content and explore ways to preserve their cultural identity through regulation and investment.

Closing Thought: Building a Sustainable 2025

The path forward isn’t easy, but it’s clear. If the film and TV industry is to remain both economically viable and culturally vibrant, it must recalibrate. Production must remain the core, and freelancers—those at the sharp end—must be protected and nurtured.

The question remains: Will 2025 bring the changes needed to build a fairer and more balanced industry, or will we continue to see talent leave, taking with them the stories yet to be told?

Let’s make it a year of action and accountability, ensuring that the industry’s golden age is more than just a headline.

As to should I stay or should I go? Going isn’t the end, its a personal choice just don’t leave the decision to until it’s too late.

“Exploring the paradox to uncover the truth. With decades of global production experience, I’ve seen the industry’s highs and lows firsthand. The future of film and TV depends on the answers we find.”

– Jonathan Glazier

Media Consultant | Glazier Media Limited

Editor, alt.media

#FilmIndustry #TVProduction #FutureOfContent #FreelanceLife #BoomOrBust #MediaInsights #JobParadox #IndustryCrisis #CulturalPreservation #StreamingEconomy #2025Vision