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Fusion Crew Profile: Ram Mohial, Camera Operator

Hi Ram! Thanks for agreeing to take some time out of your busy filming schedule and answer some questions for

Fusion Film and TV

Apr 27, 2022
Ask Jo and Liz – Episode 6

In this series which appears in In Focus Magazine from The Guild of Television Camera Professionals, Jo Hodges and Liz Bell, camera

Fusion Film and TV

Jan 26, 2022
Ask Jo and Liz – Episode 5

LOCKDOWN BURNOUT After lockdown, I really felt I had learnt that a better work-life balance was important and that working

Fusion Film and TV

Jan 17, 2022
The Queen’s Club Championships 2021

Some of the Fusion Film and TV crew recently worked on the Queen's Club Championships and RF Camera operator Nico

Fusion Film and TV

Jun 23, 2021
Ask Jo and Liz – Episode 4

In this series which appears in In Focus Magazine from The Guild of Television Camera Professionals, Jo Hodges and Liz

Fusion Film and TV

May 19, 2021
Ask Jo and Liz – Episode 3

In this series which appears in In Focus Magazine from The Guild of Television Camera Professionals, Jo Hodges and Liz

Fusion Film and TV
Ask Jo and Liz – Episode 2

In this series which appears in In Focus Magazine from The Guild of Television Camera Professionals, Jo Hodges and Liz

Fusion Film and TV

May 18, 2021
Ask Jo and Liz – Episode 1

In this series which appears in In Focus Magazine from The Guild of Television Camera Professionals, Jo Hodges and Liz

Fusion Film and TV

May 7, 2021
‘Lock down rock up’ – the award winning short from Nico Hambleton

What a whirlwind! Recently, my passion project ‘Lock Down Rock Up’ won ‘Best Short Film’ at Kendal Mountain Film Festival

Fusion Film and TV

Jan 27, 2021
A day in the life of: Matt Payne Sports OB Cameraman

So what does a cameraman do?! Saturdays are the busiest day for a Sports OB cameraman. Most weeks you'll find

Fusion Film and TV

Jan 19, 2020

Hi Ram!

Thanks for agreeing to take some time out of your busy filming schedule and answer some questions for us.

Q: When did you first get involved with Fusion and what were your first impressions?

I started working with Fusion in 2008 at Stephen St Studios. I was initially booked on the crew for another project that Fusion were working on and Jo asked if I would be interested in coming on board for a roll-over project. Jo and Liz were very welcoming and easy-going whilst maintaining a very professional atmosphere in the studio. As our relationship built over the initial project an opportunity arose to join Fusion.

It can be very intimidating entering a new environment with an already established crew. Whilst I had a few years industry experience, I was still very green and new to the freelance world. The welcoming nature of Fusion eased any fears I may have had operating in my role and made me feel part of the team.

Q: What are the benefits of working with a regular team?

There are many benefits of working with a regular team. Much like most industries. It builds trust and an almost telepathic understanding within the crew. This is really important as we’re often working in high-pressure live TV environments, where critical decisions have to be made at a moment’s notice. It’s also fun working with your friends! I have developed strong friendships with crew members through regular bookings together.

Q: Is there anything unique about Fusions Crew or are all crewing companies the same?

What instantly makes Fusion crews unique is their diversity. Although good progress has been made within the industry to diversify, technical operations is still a male-dominated arena. A Fusion crew on any given job will have members with varying genders and ethnicities. This is so important to attract new and diverse talent to the industry when they can identify with other members of the team they are working with on that level, alongside skill-set and industry.

Crew Profile: Ram Mohial

Q: What do you like most about working with the Fusion team?

We have a lot of fun and everyone is nice! Broadcast television can often be unforgiving and unsociable hours, so working with such a nice bunch of people makes all the difference. There is a very inclusive, collaborative spirit with Fusion. We have each other’s backs on jobs and strive to create beautiful work as a team as opposed to focusing on personal accolades and validation (don’t worry, the latter will come too). The range of work Fusion provides is a diverse and interesting mix of genres which I feel is very important as a freelancer.

I also very much appreciate Fusion taking into consideration my Spurs season ticket when booking me in for work, despite Jo and Liz being lifelong West Ham and Arsenal fans respectively!!

Q: Any tips to newcomers about approaching a crewing company (what advice would you give to someone starting out)

One of the best pieces of advice I was given when I started out was that a proactive and positive attitude is the key to longevity in the industry. If you’re approaching crewing companies to get on their books, there’s a good chance you already know how to point a camera. Whilst technical proficiency and creative flair are important, an individual who is reliable, proactive and respectful of their peers is far more attractive to a company like Fusion.

When approaching companies, find a good balance between showcasing your work and examples of a solid team-working ethic. Do your research on who is on their books already and the productions they regularly crew up. If you’re on a job where other members of the crew are part of the same company, it’s the perfect opportunity to ask questions and show a willingness to be part of the team.

It’s inevitable that some crewing companies will say ‘no’ to you joining their books. There are a host of reasons for this, such as their books being full or not knowing enough about you or your work to make an informed decision on whether you would be the right fit for them. Don’t be disheartened, there will always be an opportunity further down the line. Television is a never-say-never industry, there is always a door waiting to be opened at the right time.

When you get on the books of a company, check in with them regularly. Ask about any projects on the horizon, let them know if you’ve worked on anything independently that aligns with any current projects they are crewing. The people behind the scenes who are scheduling you on to jobs have the thankless task of finding last-minute cover for their clients or other members of the company who can’t fulfil a booking. Be reliable and flexible, I guarantee you that will keep you at the forefront of their minds for regular bookings.

Q: What interesting fact can you tell us about Jo and Liz who run Fusion?

Not content with running a successful and time-consuming crewing company, Jo and Liz are also accredited Life Coaches; helping individuals and organisations to transform their approach and balance their lives.
Liz is also a published author and Jo can recite the WHAM rap word-for-word (accompanying dance moves included).

Q: What would be your final thoughts for new Camera ops starting out with crewing companies?

A cliché that holds very true in this line of work is “It’s not about what you know but who you know”. The industry is very small and you often see familiar faces wherever you go. With that in mind, the best advice I can give to someone starting out is simply – to be kind. Word gets around and if there’s positivity next to your name, you’ll always be one of the first names on the call sheet and enjoy a long, happy career in television.

In this series which appears in In Focus Magazine from The Guild of Television Camera Professionals, Jo Hodges and Liz Bell, camera operators and co-founders of Fusion Film and TV answer questions from readers and fellow camera operators on industry issues and give advice where needed.

In addition to camera operating/supervising and running their production company, Jo and Liz are both qualified transformative life coaches who work specifically with those in the media. You can read more about them and their work here.

Hi everyone, Happy New Year, and what a year it was!

For most of us, it was a mixture of super-busy while mentally recovering from the terrible year before. Quite a lot of us are feeling burnt out, jaded and understandably apprehensive about 2022.

We want to start by saying that it’s ok; in fact, Jo and I are feeling exactly the same way. It’s ok to own your reaction to what was (and still is) an extremely difficult and unpredictable time in our lives.

As we have always said though it’s our response to these things that matters. Acknowledge, Accept and Adjust! This is going to be our New Year’s mantra and we hope you also will find it helpful.

Life HAS been hard for us all but in January we have the time period people typically like to better and motivate themselves so let’s use that as our starting point to change our minds too. We can approach 2022 in any way we please and we understand everyone’s trepidation after last year’s perhaps over-zealous predictions, but we have the power to create all the possibilities in our worlds and make 2022 a positive and fulfilling year.

So, how do we do this? Well, first we look at our last few years and appreciate the difficulties we have been through and the lessons we have learned. Then we accept that we can’t change the past events and appreciate the fact we have survived them possibly even against the odds. Then we agree to adjust the things that need to change for us to let go and move forward. Just making that decision to let it go will make you feel stronger and once you do you will free yourself up to begin 2022 with the excitement that a new year of possibilities deserves!

With all of that in mind, we’re delighted to be able to answer the following questions and hope that our answers prove useful and thought-provoking. You can email us your own questions at the address below.

CAN YOU TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS?
Q: I still want to stay in the same area of TV but would like a change as I feel I’ve done everything I have wanted in my current area of camerawork and am starting to feel a bit stale. Any suggestions?

I really like this question because you are acknowledging that maybe it’s time for change and you are willing to do something about it, so that’s the first hurdle completed – brilliant and well done!

When it comes to deciding what areas may be for you there are a few things you can do. Firstly I would sit down and write a list or sketch out a mindmap (love these either with a good old fashioned notebook & pen or there are a few good apps too that are great fun) of all the things in TV that you enjoy and are excited by still or that inspire you. And then compile another list of all your current skill sets. This is a great way to get a feel for what may be the right area because although you might need to either re-train or take a step back you might be surprised at how much you already know and the skills you have acquired over the years.

Do you want to stay doing a technical job? Or do you want to move to a more administrative role, perhaps you need to consider whether your age could be a deciding factor with regards to the physical capabilities of a different type of camera work? These are things that will be good to write down too. Then after those lists sit with it for a bit look at how you have answered and eventually make another list (yes, I do love writing stuff down) of possible job or area ideas after your first two lists. Go mad, just write down anything that comes into your head no matter how stupid or outlandish it may feel- get it out there and on paper because you can dismiss anything that’s not right for you, later.

I feel pretty sure if you do this you will have some great ideas to contemplate and research and then eventually try out and see if they are the right fit.

Remember, there are no right or wrong ideas and you may need to experiment a little before finding what you are looking for but that’s all part of the fun. Good Luck! – Liz

IS WORKING IN TV COMPATIBLE WITH FAMILY LIFE?
Q: I’m about to have a baby and have been happily freelancing for 10 years so would like some tips on maintaining my career without sacrificing time with my child, knowing you often have to say yes to maintain client relationships. Any suggestions would help!

Firstly, huge congratulations! I’m assuming this is your first child given the question so that’s really exciting stuff.

My first piece of advice would be not to overthink it and have it ruin the buildup to what will be the most wonderful experience of your life. It’s very easy to spend all your time worrying about what might be and not enjoy what is! I have to say this is probably one of the most common complaints though about being freelance and I think pretty much everyone reading this will relate to as overworking affects staffers too. Now, the million-dollar answer is not one that everyone is going to like because it’s about you changing your perspective on it.

When it comes to overworking generally it’s done through fear and not saying no when you absolutely know you should. It can become a vicious cycle really because the more you work when you don’t want to, the unhappier you are at home and then consequently continue to work more! Yes, it doesn’t make sense but as humans, we hate saying no and we hate changing! But here is the best thing you will ever do for your work-life balance; let go! Stop and just pause, take yourself out the loop and view it from an outside vantage.

Generally, I operate on a level of two simple questions: Do I want to do this job? and Am I actually really available? (as in I don’t have other plans that I don’t want to miss). It’s not always easy to really answer these honestly but if you work on the basis that “if I weren’t worried or anxious about never working again with this particular client, would I do the job?”. Also I may point out that we never really know what if any repercussions will be and you may never get asked again even if you do the job, so weigh the decision up on value. Is the thing or time with people I love worth the job? Often you will say no and therefore need to be brave and trust your own ability and skills.
Of course, I’m not saying you will never make sacrifices again once you have a child, but I am saying that you should make sure you are balanced within that decision and sometimes learn to say No. – Jo

Happy New Year to you all from Liz & Jo @ Fusion Film and TV / EqUa Coaching.

If you too would like your questions answered by Jo and Liz then email info@equacoaching.com

LOCKDOWN BURNOUT
After lockdown, I really felt I had learnt that a better work-life balance was important and that working all the time was just going to end up making me unhappy. I wanted to take that lesson of being happy at home more and integrate it into my freelance work, life, balance but instead, I’ve gone back to working long hours and am twice as busy as before. I now seem to have this fear that I need to earn as much as possible while I can and it’s making me really anxious. I am exhausted and know if I keep this up I will burn out very soon. How can I stop this from happening?

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately and it’s a worrying post-pandemic trend which I’m really glad you brought up. Currently, I am seeing an overwhelming amount of anxiety in clients – which is to be expected after the collective trauma we have all been through. Some of us who have lost our work during lockdown are now having to cope with the remembered anxiety of not having enough money to live off, having savings eaten into and backup plans exhausted and that will have stayed with us ready to do its worst with our thoughts and worries going forward. So how can we stop this from being our default state of mind?

Well, for fear of repeating myself from previous issues’ answers; your acknowledgement of the problem is already a massive step forward in helping combat it. Recognising that your brain is subconsciously trying to protect you from danger by putting you into ‘fight or flight mode’ which can cause both anxiety and exhaustion (it can’t always tell when it releases chemicals into your body if you are running away from a tiger or being asked to work overtime!). One of my favourite tools in coaching is the ‘lens swap’ perspective change because anyone who works with cameras totally understands changing a lens and getting a different outlook. Perhaps you can think about how when one of the worst things happened you survived it and that you still have a business to run and how you got through probably your worst-case scenario and are still here and working. It sounds like you are caught up in a loop of your anxious thoughts so use different lenses to break the loop – just experiment at looking at it differently. Sometimes with clients, I will get them to write down different scenarios and think about how they can look different through a different lens. Overall it’s hard to have perspective and make good decisions about work and life when you are caught in an anxious loop and not seeing clearly, so stop and breathe, be in the moment, clear your head and try your different lens. – Jo

TECHNOLOGY IS LEAVING ME BEHIND!
I’ve worked in the film business for many years and I am feeling very nervous about all the streaming sites feeling like they are suddenly taking over movies and changing the landscape of cinema. I work in this business because I love cinema and going to the movies is a big part of that. I understand change needs to happen and that progress has been affected by the last few years but it’s making me sad and upset that the cinema experience is being eroded by On Demand TV and resentful of being part of the problem when working for these companies. How can I be in the right frame of mind to keep working in the industry when I feel constantly fed up about it?

Ok, well this is a really interesting question and one I’m sure that we can all relate to. We can all view this with regards to our own passions around working in film and TV and the ever-changing landscape.

Most of us that work in this business are in it because we are passionate about it, we love the job and we love playing our part in the stories that are told.

But those stories have been told for many years and will continue to be told in ways we probably haven’t even thought of yet.

Again, we come back to perspective, as Jo said earlier. When TV arrived everyone thought cinema was over but it just re-established itself in a different way. When VHS (and Betamax!) and then DVDs came out, the same thing was said and yet cinema kept on adapting. I think the root of your question is not wanting responsibility for a part in killing something that you love off and that you feel protective of but perhaps it would be better to be a part of keeping it alive. Perhaps view it like being in it and having your love and passion will help keep the roots of cinema within the newer formats. Accepting, embracing that change opens up other possibilities for telling the stories. You are getting upset about things that haven’t happened yet – wouldn’t it be better to be here and now and participate with your care, love and knowledge. I have heard people say the same about Live TV being at risk too but when massive sporting and music events are still happening, that will never be – we will just have the ability perhaps to see more of it in a different way.

Nostalgia is good but don’t let it stop you from bringing all that knowledge and passion to new concepts. You might be pleasantly surprised. – Liz

I WANT TO BREAK FREE!
I work in a specific field in TV (sports) and would like to branch out to different genres, music maybe, but it feels quite closed off. How can I break through that mentality that I only work in sports?

I think we all recognise this scenario! Even if you quite happily work across different areas already there will be times when that will be made to feel wrong because you aren’t seen as specialising. But when people react like that it’s usually fear-based particularly of someone who wants to do things a different way to them. Bang to the beat of your own drum!

Personally, I have always worked across different genres and benefited very much because of it, from both a mental-health perspective and a financial one too as different areas are often busy at different times and it can be great for inspiration and variety. Whenever you get an industry that has a high percentage of freelancers it will be a bit more closed-off because people are scared of losing their work and when some people are scared they let their egos take over. Please don’t let that stop you though because there are many wonderful people who will help you. You just need to root them out! In fact, The Guild is an excellent place to start with its workshops and forums. Their members are a collective of like-minded people all in it together so just ask questions and see what comes back. If your gut tells you to want to branch out into different areas then listen to it. Whether freelance or staff there will always be someone in every area and every industry who will help if you ask. And there will be plenty of others who won’t! Remember, it’s fear-based egos that are at the root of the problem, it’s not personal to you. Good luck – Liz

If you too would like your questions answered by Jo and Liz then email info@equacoaching.com

Some of the Fusion Film and TV crew recently worked on the Queen’s Club Championships and RF Camera operator Nico had this to say:

Working as an RF camera operator on the recent Queen’s Club Championships has been a blast!
For the first time in a while, the RF camera team were able to meet in person, we all hit it off straight away and we knew that the week ahead was going to be a good one.

As always with these live outside broadcasts, the first day was a busy one. Logistically speaking it takes a while to find your way around the grounds, (turning up on the wrong court is a no-no!) familiarise yourself with the kit, understand the schedules and know where you are meant to be at specific times. Pretty challenging under normal circumstances but add in sweltering 30-degree heat with no breeze and while I now have an excellent tan, it was thirsty work.

Physically speaking, it’s not easy carrying nine kilos of camera and tripod around for a week but team work makes the dream work as they say, and the crew all pulled together to help.

What an incredible privilege it’s been to work courtside. I’ve always loved tennis as a sport and enjoy watching it on TV. Standing within 10 meters of the players filming the match I realised that what you see on TV does not do the speed and the accuracy of the game any justice. Watching the players that closely was awe-inspiring, seeing the ball go over so close to the net, time after time; hearing the speed of Berrettini’s 140 mph serves was just incredible. Another favourite moment was when the RF team and I were waiting to do Andy Murray’s flash interview; we were all super nervous, as we had had some technical issues out of our control on the previous flash interview. We didn’t want the same thing to happen again. Suddenly it was our turn to go, I ran out to the position with the tripod and camera, followed by Radzi Chinyanganya, (he’s a fabulous presenter by the way), and the rest of the RF team. We had literally 30 seconds to get everything ready to go, time flew by in slow motion. Boom pole held by Mark over my head, I gave the thumbs up to Radzi. The interview with Andy Murray was brilliant and emotional. We were all absolutely buzzing after. Fast-paced, seat of your pants, live television at its best. Unfortunately, it was his last interview with us as he lost the following match though!

My first day off, I slept for about 11 hours but wow what a week it’s been at the Queen’s Club Championships. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

Andy Murray at the Queen's Club Championships being interviewed with Fusion's Nico on camera

In this series which appears in In Focus Magazine from The Guild of Television Camera Professionals, Jo Hodges and Liz Bell, co-founders of Fusion Film and TV answer questions from readers and fellow camera operators on industry issues and give advice where needed.

In addition to camera operating and running their production company, Jo and Liz are both qualified transformative life coaches who work specifically with those in the media. You can read more about their work here.

LACK OF MOTIVATION DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC
Q: “I’ve really been struggling with motivation during the pandemic and a general feeling of being lost. What can I do to change this feeling as it’s really starting to get to me and affect my work?“

First, know that you are not alone. The pandemic has had a huge effect on our collective mental wellbeing this past year. We have effectively experienced trauma together. And this is what I would like you to take a moment to remember. My second piece of advice would be to stop and see how it feels to not add another emotion to your already suffering headspace, guilt! It’s ok to not be motivated 100% of the time, you are after all a human and not a robot. That being said there are lots of things you can do to reconnect and gain direction that will help you get through this difficult period and once more regain your feeling of purpose.

I always tell clients that if they are feeling lost to step back for a bit and stop looking. We generally feel this way when things feel out of our control or are going in a direction we aren’t comfortable with. Stop with your expectations and go with the flow for a few days. Take some time off from worrying about it all and give yourself a set period of time to focus on the little things that give you pleasure instead.

Enjoy doing things that make you happy or relaxed with permission from yourself to have a mental holiday. The aim is to change your current state of worry which is unhelpful, into a more balanced state.

Be in the moment of whatever task it is that you are doing. Really give it thought and let it bring you joy. Whether that’s listening to music, watching a film, reading a book or talking to friends. Enjoy anything that brings you out of your current anxious state.

Once you have done that for a week come back to your motivation thoughts and see how you feel. I suspect with some quiet mind time and less berating of yourself you will be in a much better place to look at where you are.

For more techniques to help with motivation have a look at our website for podcasts and blogs and consider a free introductory session with either me or Jo.
– Liz

FURLOUGHED AND ANXIOUS ABOUT RETURNING TO NORMALITY
Q: “I am a single person who has during both lockdowns been furloughed from work. I have really struggled not seeing people and am suffering from great loneliness and fear of socialising. Now with things looking like we are heading towards some level of normality, it’s making me feel really worried about going out again and seeing people. How can I cope with the anxiety this causes?”

I totally understand and I think all of us will struggle to a certain degree mixing again in public – particularly with masks on which are such a barrier to real social contact.

I would say that it’s also perfectly natural to become more introverted when you are forced to stay inside for 90% of the day during the winter months. With this in mind, I would suggest taking it slowly and reframing your perception to help stop it from becoming a growing thing in your head.

Firstly remember you are not alone, literally! There will be many people who are feeling just like you and maybe some of your own friends and family. Be honest with them – perhaps arrange a chat one-to-one rather than in groups to begin with, so that you don’t feel caught up in the ‘I’m OK Jack’ mentality of a group chat. Once you have spoken to a few of your friends separately then re-attempt a group chat because you will have already talked through your concerns and can just enjoy the company.

Because some of us currently have so much time on our own we have been spending a lot of time in our own heads. After all, there’s nowhere else to go! As a result though it’s very easy to overthink everything. Doing some basic meditation or mindfulness exercises will really help reassure and quiet your mind. There are some great apps out there and the results can be really helpful when your mind is anxious and stressed. Mostly though I’d reiterate that you need to stay in the present because it’s the only thing that’s real! Yesterday and tomorrow exist only in your head and it really helps to remind yourself of that fact.
– Jo

I STARTED A BUSINESS DURING LOCKDOWN!
“Q: I am relatively new to being freelance and the pandemic couldn’t have come at a worse time as I was just starting to make good contacts and gain clients. Now I feel like I’m back at square one. Do you have any tips for networking as I’m not the best at it and feel really uncomfortable bothering people?”

Gosh yes, you have picked an interesting time to begin your new business but you are doing the right thing by acknowledging areas you aren’t as strong in.

When we go freelance we are beginning our own business and it’s best to treat it like you would any other business ie: with a plan. As camera operators we are very technical and often selling ourselves is not a natural skill we have but planning and highlighting areas you may need help with is just good business sense. So my suggestions are write a networking and marketing plan including areas to target, people you know already and potentials you can approach. Its always good to target areas you want to work in but keep your options open, particularly at the beginning. Start with the contacts you know first and keep notes of what you have sent so you don’t bombard anyone and date it so your follow up can be well timed.

With regard to nerves about contacting people again the plan will help as you will feel more confident being well organised and structured with your emails or calls.

There are techniques that will help for calming nerves some of which we feature on our website and podcasts but first and most importantly breath and centre yourself before you begin.
– Liz

WANTING TO PROGRESS UP THE CAREER LADDER
Q: “I have been a camera assistant for 3 years and feel I am ready to make the move up to Camera Operator but I can’t seem to get the chance. What can I do to progress my career?”

Assistants can often find it tough moving into operating whilst still actively assisting. Some find the only way out is to start turning down assistant work and stating they are now operating only. This works as long as you are comfortable taking the risk that you might go without any work initially. If that is your plan then you can take some steps to prepare for it by mentioning to people that you are going to start operating and also putting aside some money to help you through any lean crossover period.

Finding a mentor that you already work with who you can talk to and ask for advice is also a good idea. You need someone in your corner who will cheer and vouch for you and will perhaps let you have as much time as possible on camera – maybe in downtime when you are assisting or if there is a camera that doesn’t require much operating wise – just to get as much red light experience as possible.

Your self belief is also key here, believe that you have the capability to step into operating and show that belief. People are much more likely to take a chance on someone who believes they can do the job than someone who doubts themselves and shows it. Skill levels can be taught and increased but enthusiasm and self belief are both something that are inherent and only you can show, so make sure that those you work with see it. I’m sure you will do well if you apply these strategies and good luck, it’s a very exciting step you are taking.
– Jo

CONSTANTLY HAVING TO EXPLAIN MY DAY RATE
Q “I’ve worked in television for a long time and some would say I’m at the top of my game. Recently though I’ve been feeling old and undervalued as I’m now considered expensive and I just don’t have the energy to sell myself continuously and defend my rate. Shouldn’t I reach a point in my career where I don’t have to constantly explain myself? It’s really getting me down and I feel like I’m not even sure I still want to do the job. Do you have any advice to help me?”

This is such a difficult emotion to deal with; feeling like you are at a stage where you should be respected and in demand but unfortunately the reality of being self employed in a highly competitive industry is that your experience can often be overlooked when it comes to budgets and even personnel. Productions having less money (although that’s not always the case) and the influx of new blood from the overwhelming amount of TV and production courses means it’s even more competitive than ever so I can understand your frustration with rates as it’s an ongoing struggle throughout most TV freelancers’ careers.

It sounds like you are feeling quite jaded with the situation overall and my first piece of advice is to stop analysing it and making it seem personal. I realise to you that it is, but stepping away and seeing that it’s not actually personal will help you get some perspective. Secondly, looking at the industry as a whole – can you still say you enjoy what you do, and do you feel you have enough work at a reasonable rate? If your answer is No’ to either part of that then you have some tough decisions to make. But if your answers are ‘Yes’ then you need to stop torturing yourself and look at your actual reality – not one our brains sometimes make up through worry. The great ‘what I should be earning’ myth is just that, a myth and sadly not real! Now, I’m not saying you should work for less than you are worth but I am asking ‘Are you earning the same as other colleagues in the same job?’ I do believe in fighting for rates to be reasonably progressive and I also advocate rewarding experience but if you feel that you aren’t being treated well then try to find other clients even if it feels outside of your comfort zone – maybe that’s what you need to shake things up a little. They are out there and have faith that you have the right experience and background to find them and trust they will respect you at the level (and rate) you are comfortable with.
– Liz

IR35 IS MAKING ME CONFUSED AND ANXIOUS
Q: “Help! IR35 really confuses me and my accountant seems as confused as I am. Do you have any tips about how to approach companies that are asking if I am compliant? Anything to do with tax and finance is just an added worry at the moment.”

While I don’t profess to be an expert in employment law or IR35 it is a common worry that we’re hearing more and more, and I’m afraid, I’m a firm believer in Knowledge is Power!
My advice is to first take some time out to research IR35 and your own business situation asap. Don’t shy away from it and hope it goes away because as a business owner the buck ultimately stops with you. If you are reading this then you already have access to a wealth of useful information and a great IR35 workshop on The Guild’s website.

Next, a call to your accountant will determine whether they think you are in or out of the IR35 remit and when your clients make their decision (as it’s up to them to do) you can agree or disagree based on what you have learnt. No matter what the outcome though please remember it’s not something to get stressed about. Like most situations that appear daunting to start with, most are able to be resolved with a little thought and knowledge. The most stressful thing to do would be to ignore it or pretend it will go away and not deal with it! Rather than worrying about something you don’t know and waste energy making things up in your head, take control, learn a little and get advice because you will prove to yourself that it’s not as scary as it once seemed.
-Liz

FEELING REJECTED AND REPLACED!
Q: “A new director has been brought on to a show I’ve worked on for many years and wants another camera crew to film it, how do I cope with the rejection and feelings of insecurity?”

This is such a common issue in our business and one that never feels ok really. First, it’s important to acknowledge it’s ok to be upset about this. You liked doing the job and have feelings of loss at not doing it anymore. You probably feel all the work you have put in over the years is not being acknowledged and valued. This of course isn’t true as productions don’t tend to think like that as it’s all very transient but it is how being replaced can feel.

So how do we deal with this? It’s kinder on ourselves to accept that it probably will happen again and that it happens to all of us at some point in our careers. I’m sure you know this already but let me say it again, it’s hardly ever personal as most directors have their favoured crew and will want them on their projects. It generally works the other way round too as you may have been brought on to a job without even realising there was a crew before you.

Most important to these situations is how you handle them and take ownership of them. They want to go a different way, have a fresh perspective and so should you. See it as a chance to learn and move on to pastures new. In this situation it’s best to wish the new director and crew well and suggest if they need any information to let you know. This way it feels like you are meeting the situation on your own terms, and you won’t let it affect your future confidence as much. See it for what it is – a chance to expand your own working world and change things up a bit. Don’t see it as an insult but a choice of yours and theirs. You are good at what you do so now someone else can experience that and you can grow new connections. If you have the right attitude then this can be a positive thing for you, not negative.
– Liz

IS THE CURRENT COVID SITUATION A GOOD TIME TO GO FREELANCE?
Q: “Should I leave my staff job and go freelance as I crave a bit more variety, but I’m wary that this might not be the best time to do that?”

In short, our answer at the moment would be NO! In this current COVID crisis there are so many people struggling for work both within the television industry and outside of it. You are one of the lucky ones that has a solid job and you should stick with that for the time being until things have settled down. Once normality has returned then that’s when you can begin to look at the possibilities of going freelance. Of course it’s understandable with free time to ponder your options but timing is everything. That’s not to say that in the meantime you can’t broaden your horizons and possibilities in other ways without leaving your job. Side business, CPD, hobbies or volunteering perhaps. Many of us have a bit more free time on our hands at the moment as we can’t do all the things we usually like to do, so it might be good to use that extra time to get involved with projects or people you are interested in, start making contacts by doing some shadowing (where possible) or research who you need to be in touch with from a freelancing point of view at various companies. Maybe enquire with a crewing company or relevant areas you are interested in. This would also be the perfect time to build that new website and create that showreel, things that take more time than you think. That way you are really ready to hit the ground running when the time is right.

From a mindset point of view it’s good to want to do more but the balance is in finding the right time to spread your wings.
– Jo

SICK OF THE BOYS’ CLUB ATMOSPHERE BUT AFRAID TO SPEAK OUT
Q: “As a female operator who mostly works with men I have at times felt like I want to correct sexist behaviour but am always scared about the response as it’s such a small industry. I also feel that if I don’t then I’m not helping other women in the job. How can I be the type of person who helps change behaviours for the better.”

This is a great question and a really important one. Both myself and Jo are keenly aware of the fine line of being a killjoy, and of making a valid point when jokes or discussions take a turn that feels uncomfortable. In a part of the industry that is still quite male (although this is changing) it’s tough to be ‘one of the boys’ and hold true to your female values. In my experience, although difficult, I would trust your gut, if you are uncomfortable then that suggests it’s the time to say something. I think most of my male colleagues would be horrified if they felt you were uncomfortable and often what we are afraid of is in our own heads. Be brave and talk to your colleagues who you feel would understand, as the more you explain, the more they can see it from your perspective. I have found most of my colleagues are very aware these days and want an inclusive environment too, some even have expressed their own uncomfortableness if they hear something they feel is derogatory to women. You sound like a very sensible person in that you want to help change attitudes, so be confident and I think your peers will surprise you. There are always of course the odd rotten apples in any environment and I would steer clear of them as some people’s attitudes you will never change. Stay away from toxic people and give the rest of your peers a chance to listen to your points of view as a valued, strong and equal member of the team.
– Liz

FURLOUGHED AND WORRIED ABOUT RETURNING TO ‘NORMAL’

Q: I was furloughed during lockdown and have recently been taken off the scheme and am slowly returning to work. I am suffering with anxiety about being around other people and trying to act normally around them. What can I do to help as it’s causing me tension headaches and I don’t feel like I’m enjoying my work anymore?

You are not alone with this reaction! We have all been through a traumatic experience and need to be kind to ourselves by remembering it’s ok to not be ok. Tension headaches are a natural response to being worried so with that in mind, I would suggest that you accept it’s ok to feel like this as we all return to “normality”, and put some strategies in place to get a handle on your anxiety and help you feel more in control. There are some good techniques you can use for easing the feelings of stress and panic such as Mindfulness, and I do a ‘magic magnet’ technique on our “Find Your Balance” Podcast (Ep 13 +1) which is similar to a ‘Body Scan’ and takes just 5 minutes. I’d also advise you take one day at a time and try to be in the moment at work or whenever you are with people. Really concentrate on the particular task or activity you are doing and put everything else aside until you have completed it. This really helps to centre and focus your brain and just needs your intention and concentration to implement.
– Liz

HELP! MY FITNESS LEVELS HAVE PLUMMETED DURING LOCKDOWN!

Q “I didn’t work during lockdown and as I am a freelancer I didn’t have a company to furlough me. I’ve just started to work again but my fitness levels are really low and I’ve put on a lot of weight. I can’t afford a gym at the moment and I’m finding my motivation is low and we all know how easy it is to eat bad food working on OBs! Please can you help?”

Hands up anyone who hasn’t put on weight! Don’t beat yourself up about that, we’re all in the same boat here. We’ve all been moving less, eating more and not sleeping well due to the stress of it all. As we each return to our own normality, it’s important to remember to be kind to yourself. You are in control of your choices though so although it is hard to eat healthily on OBs it’s not impossible. Make the choice that’s better for you, not the choice that’s easier for you. When we commit and make it a priority in our lives it’s actually pretty easy to drop some pounds and feel healthier. Having said that, taking that first step is always the difficult one. Here are some tips to help you begin:

Make the commitment! Stop telling yourself you can’t, because if you say you can’t, then guess what? You can’t!

Drink plenty of water. Being hydrated reduces cravings although perhaps isn’t wise for long stints up a gantry!

Start slowly but take some time to move. You don’t need a gym to exercise and you don’t need money either. There are plenty of courses and videos online to exercise in your home or the Couch25K is a great app for those who want to return to or start running. It’s really about changing old bad habits into new better habits and while it can take time to get fitter, you don’t need to overwhelm yourself – you can start small.
– Jo

LOST CLIENTS DUE TO LOCKDOWN AND HATE NETWORKING!

Q “I am a Ltd company and although I furloughed myself I had a very small salary and wasn’t financially prepared for the fact we might all have to stop working for three months. Thankfully I am now back in business but I have lost some of my previous clients during COVID and need to network to bring some new ones in. I’ve never been particularly good at this what can I do to get better?”

I would recommend you get a clean piece of paper and a pen. Start by writing down the areas you feel strong in and those you need help with. Perhaps you know you need a fresh and new online presence but don’t have the time or knowhow to create one. Or you might know of some online networking events to attend but are worried what to say or how to present yourself.

Often we are overwhelmed by all the things we think we need to do (particularly if we feel out of our comfort zone) and as a result, nothing gets done. So on your piece of paper, create a plan of action with an approximate timescale. It will help you feel like you are taking control and making a start rather than avoiding any action at all. Once you have a plan and strategy in place you can start ticking off one item at a time which will move you forward – giving you momentum, motivation and confidence.

There are many books, articles and people who can help you build your business so access all that’s around you. Ask other people in the same business and model your plan on those that you feel suit your particular line of work. Coaching is an area you can also explore. Practise with a professional to build your confidence, particularly if you haven’t networked or had to speak in public before. Remember, anything you do is better than nothing and sometimes we make it seem too big and daunting a task in order to stop ourselves from starting. Take the plunge and start today!
– Liz

What a whirlwind! Recently, my passion project ‘Lock Down Rock Up’ won ‘Best Short Film’ at Kendal Mountain Film Festival and by the end of the week, the film has been featured in at least 20 national newspapers, 3 radio interviews and a BBC North TV appearance! Then to top it all up two months later it won People’s Choice Award at the festival too. I can’t quite believe it.

I’ve worked in TV for 7 years and have been lucky to enjoy and participate in a range of outdoor and adventure sports for most of my life. My work goal has always been to combine these two passions. I had started by learning rope access and experimenting with rock climbing photos but ‘Lock Down Rock Up’ was my first bash to see what I could achieve in film.

The film follows Jerome Mowat as he takes us through the challenges he faced as a front-line paramedic during the global pandemic and how he used rock climbing as an escape. It illustrates the power of the outdoors and how it can be the best medicine for mental health.

Lock down rock up a film by Nico Hambleton

UK lockdown granted me the opportunity of time; a lot of my regular TV work dried up so, for the first time, I could dedicate myself to a personal project. September was looking quiet, so that’s when I arranged with Jerome to shoot. Despite my best predictions, the month became horrendously busy with work again which made shooting, editing and submitting to Kendal Mountain Festival a real challenge! But that’s filmmaking for you: un-predictable deadlines and massive workloads. I worked solidly juggling projects, 15+ hours a day for about 3-4 weeks!

I shot with my new Canon C500 Mark II. It’s an amazing camera and was perfect for this project. Shooting full frame was beautiful and I used the 24mm prime regularly; it was a great experience having a shallow depth of field on a wide shot. The other really useful feature is how the new design is modular, enabling me to use V-Locks with the expansion pack for long day usage but also quickly strip it down when shooting on the ropes.

Filming and meeting Jerome was a blast. He’s such a nice chap with an infectious smile, he even bloody smiles when he climbs! It made shooting so much easier being able to work with someone who is laid-back. That said, he did my head in when filming his interview! Throughout my questions about his experience, his selfless nature meant he kept talking about his team. An admirable trait, but it made editing the film really hard as I needed him to talk about himself for once!

As a camera op, I’ve worked on a few documentaries and programmes, but one thing you can always guarantee is that you never stop learning and to succeed it’s imperative you take away lessons from your own shoots and suck up information from others. Making ‘Lock Down Rock Up’ was a massive learning curve. It may have won, but for me it’s no way near perfect and there are things I would do completely differently next time I shoot a climbing film. One of those things is managing the amount of kit to take; I learnt the hard way walking to crags carrying 30+kgs of kit! Jerome and his legendary flat mate, John, helped carry the rest of the kit stuffing it between their bouldering pads.

It’s been a hard year for everyone. For me, my enthusiasm for filming was dwindling as demand dropped and my climbing trips had diminished. So, making this film played a vital part in my own mental health; it brought back the spark to two things I love. As a result, I’m already brainstorming for the next films and planning my climbing trips next year. It’s really important to find a hobby or interest that you can enjoy and escape to when needed, to talk to people and keep your spirits up. I hope this message resonates in the film and viewers enjoy Jerome’s story.

The film is now available to watch on Amazon.

Nico Hambleton | Lighting Cameraman & DOP
07803876583
hello@nicocam.com
www.nicocam.com

This article was first published in Zerb Magazine

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