A true crime producer who took his own life after working on Channel 4’s In the Footsteps of Killers had called out the TV industry as “exploitative” in a letter left to his family, shared with The Talent Manager.
Medical professionals diagnosed that John Balson, who took his own life on 17 May, likely had a vestibular migraine disorder. Balson had said that this was brought on by the extreme chronic stress of having worked in the factual TV industry.
A seasoned factual producer, Balson's previous credits include shows such as Netflix’s Making a Serial Killer, Amazon Prime’s Dog Dynasty, Channel 5’s The Murder of Penny Bell and Channel 4’s Two Sisters, One Body.
In his letter, Balson had referred to the TV industry as "exploitative" and its workers as "expendable", adding: " There was never any care for how the hours or the stories affected us."
He asked his family to give the letter to Bectu and wanted his message about work-stress safety to be publicised.
"It is out of control in factual TV and there must be many others almost at breaking point like I was without knowing it."
Alaska TV, which produces In the Footsteps of Killers, has paid tribute to “an extremely talented and thoughtful director” who “will be hugely missed by us all”.
Alaska is not commenting further on Balson’s claims as C4 has enlisted lawyers to undertake an independent investigation. It is also in talks with Bectu and is offering its support to his family.
In a statement, the broadcaster promised the investigation will be “as swift as circumstances allow” and vowed to “take whatever action is appropriate in response to its findings”.
It added: “While we do not employ production staff directly, the wellbeing of all those working on the productions we commission is vitally important and is something we take very seriously.
“We are committed to supporting our production partners in ensuring those productions are safe and professional workplaces, with safeguarding measures in place.
“Our Supplier Code of Conduct outlines our commitments and is well communicated to all production companies we work with.”
Balson’s widow, Yumeno Niimura, speaking to The Times has said her husband’s death is “a failure of the industry”.
She said: “The industry can find a replacement the next day, but there will never be another John Balson.”
Niimura said that Balson had told her that small indies have “unrealistically low budgets” and “often force extra work and unrealistic assignments on freelancers like him”.
She said he had been “genuinely excited” to be picked from more than a hundred candidates for the In the Footsteps of Killers job, but soon found the job stressful, with its commitment to commuting to an office two hours away three times a week.
“Was the programme worth making someone work themselves to death?” the Times quotes Niimura as saying.
“Was there any support system for people like him? Was saving money to make the programme worth risking his life? Why did he get all the blame when he was trying to honour and save the story? Was he treated with dignity and respect?”
While Balson is understood to have had no long-term mental health issues, his medical history had shown that he had struggled for a few years with long hours in the UK, US and Japan and with the stress of dealing with difficult topics and contributors.
Mental health charities including the Samaritans take the position that no single factor should be attributed to an individual's decision to take their life.
As well as his wife, Balson leaves a three year-old daughter. The couple’s second child, also a daughter, is due in August.
A gofundme page set up for Balson’s family has so far raised more than £73,000. To donate, click here.
SUPPORT
For confidential support, the Samaritans can be contacted by calling 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org
The Film and TV Charity's support line, open 24 hours a day, provides access to trained counsellors and further mental health support to anyone in the industry, as well
