Out of curiosity why is there a period of little to no TV work between November and February every year?
Is it a lack of commissions?
Some sort of quota been reached?
Or do people just want a break?
I'm just interested as there is a gap in the market and plenty of people willing to work?
Why the winter break?
by Tom Walden on 10th Feb 2020 Answers
To add your answer, please
I don’t know for sure by I think it has to do with Xmas and the cycle of commissioning over the year.
In UK Factual, fewer commissions or decisions happen in December it seems and it takes a while for everyone to get their heads back in gear after Xmas.
Those with kids may take extended breaks for school holidays, and that can delay meetings. Although Xmas in the US is not the 2 week break It is here, so perhaps the US broadcasters are less affected by this.
Certainly in Factual, I have always tried to find contracts that take me through the Xmas period.
The Tax year may impact broadcaster commissioning cycles too.
Best of luck.
You're right, it's always quiet over Christmas... From a camera point of view, if you're show is based around shooting exteriors, it proves to be alot more expensive if the shooting days are short for sunrise and sunset.
Grownups tell me it's to do with commisioning cycles too...
This is my first year freelancing after a decade and a half of staff jobs at one company or another.
Despite recalling those places being quieter most years, the lack of work over the last 6-7 weeks has still been fairly alarming! Slightly squeaky bum time!
Honestly? I'm not sure. In production, certainly a lack of commissions is a factor, although things already in post will trundle on over the course of an offline. Some post houses send staff on rig shows/location throughout the year and fill the gaps 'back at base' with freelancers. Of course there's less in terms of big shoots this time of year, so the big guns in Soho are able to man their stations with what they have and not bring in us slightly more expensive freelance folk! :-P
Just my musings!
From my days in the film industry it is just more expensive. If you want to shoot a pub interior you could rent it for the day for a couple of hundred pounds. Over Christmas and new year their income increases by a minimum of 400% so they charge more for rental to cover the loss of income. Then freelancers will charge more to be away from their family over Christmas, equipment rental will be more, etc etc.
It's about cash flow for production companies. They want to layer up busy production periods. It allows them to have a skeleon crew for that period. and then maximise the busy.