This update covers our staff satisfaction survey, initial freelancer feedback form findings, gender pay gap research, Shadow a Filmmaker and Outline programmes.
Staff satisfaction survey
In June 2024, the ICO conducted an anonymous staff satisfaction survey which was analysed and shared at both a staff and Board meeting. The results were very positive overall with all staff noting their job satisfaction as good or above and two thirds as either very good or excellent. Everyone would recommend the ICO as a place to work and no one stated that they’d faced any discrimination or bias at work. 87% of staff also felt supported by their colleagues and line manager. 93% said they had a good work/life balance.
There were also areas highlighted where improvements could be made for example, 13% of staff felt they did not have access to professional development opportunities at the ICO.
The below areas were identified for development:
- Further career support and professional development opportunities
- Better visibility of our independent HR advisor
- Better distribution of Senior Management Team meeting agendas
- Evaluation of our recruitment process – explore possibilities of positive action
- Better use of staff meetings to discuss EDI
Freelancer feedback form
We’ve committed to working with a broader range of people when selecting speakers, writers, designers and other freelancers, as well as evaluating their experiences.
Initial findings show from 28 responses that:
- 100% of respondents would recommend working with the ICO to others and had no reservations to work with us
- 85% of people felt they received a fair fee for their work with some stating that they had ended up doing a bit more preparation work
- People rated the experience of working with us with an average rating of 4.9 (out of 5)
Gender pay gap
See our findings. This was collected in September 2024 and will be reviewed and updated in April 2025.
Shadow a Filmmaker
Our BFI Film Academy: Shadow a Filmmaker programme was created to offer aspiring young filmmakers the chance to experience a real working environment on a short film.
We funded two young deaf people to shadow the First Assistant Director and the Lighting Department on the set of Green Grass (Producer: Makenna Guyler, Writer/Director: Aram Atkinson), one of our BFI NETWORK funded shorts. The outreach work as part of this programme was integral to its success, benefitting from the reach and networks of Deaffest, BSLBT, DANC, Drummer TV, Deafinitely, DDPTV, Flashing Lights Media and Hot Coals Productions in order to attract and recruit two young people.
It was a beautiful environment to be in. Everyone was so welcoming and inclusive and I enjoyed every second. I learnt so much about Assistant Directing, Directing, acting for film, and how every person on the set fits in perfectly to make a piece of art.”
My first impressions of [the crew] are friendly and some of them [had learnt] to sign [which is] what I am most impressed with. They have a good number of BSL interpreters and I really enjoy working with them. Also, I like seeing deaf and hearing crew work together.”
Outline
Outline is our programme to develop writing talent in the South East, with a focus on those who are underrepresented in the film industry. This year we’re supporting writers or writer-directors of Black and Asian descent.
We received 91 applications and selected a cohort of 10, all of whom are of Black and Asian descent. The writers have so far met with Writer, Script Editor and Producer Cassandra Johnson-Bekoe and have submitted their first drafts. We will also be looking to connect them with prospective producers in 2025.