A call to the industry: Listen to working-class voices

Natasha was invited to write an opinion piece on the lack of support for working class talent in the film and TV industry. The article was first published by C21 which is a leading international entertainment publication.

You can access the article here: https://www.c21media.net/perspective/listen-to-working-class-voices/

A copy of the article in full:

Co-Founder of Northern Heart, Natasha Hawthornthwaite says:

Belatedly perhaps, but the TV & Film industries have made some leaps forward in inclusion, especially for women, ethnic groups and people with disabilities. However, the drives for diversity and regionalisation seem to be leaving authentic working-class talent more marginalised than ever – and they need support now.

I grew up on a council estate in a small Northern mill town. My family had no money, and my future prospects were non-existent. Film, TV and the arts didn’t provide proper jobs and if my family did want to take me to the cinema, they often couldn’t afford it.

My Mum is a factory worker who values rolling up her sleeves and putting in the hard graft. I can thank her for passing on her stubbornness and the steely determination required to make it in this industry.

I’m also aware that my backstory is terribly unoriginal. A working-class cliché you’ve probably heard hundreds of times before and one you’ve likely seen on screen for decades, mostly produced by people without those lived experiences.

Fast forward and I’m now 31, working in Film & TV . At 24, I set up Northern Heart Films with my long-time collaborator and fellow working-class filmmaker, Scott Bradley, so that we could start telling the type of stories we really care about and champion authentic working-class voices, changemakers and those fighting societal injustices.

In the few years we’ve been in business we’ve made several award-winning short documentaries, films with a very emotional and human focus that those working with us really respect. But, we’re still very much a small company on the fringes of the industry looking up at the high walls, trying desperately to find some crack to sneak our way into.

All the conversations we’re having with colleagues point towards the fact that working-class representation in Film & TV seems to be getting worse, not better. For all the big talk of change, diversity and inclusion, this is one marginalised group that appears to be going backwards.

What I find really frustrating is that the most obvious ways to help won’t cost a penny, they just require time. Time to meet with working-class talent. Time to really listen, to offer genuine support and advice.

The industry needs to really care. And, right here, right now, I don’t think it does.

As an example of the hypocrisy we find in the sector, Scott and I attended an event earlier this year and for an hour we listened to various leaders discuss the challenges working class filmmakers face. After the event we approached one of the panellists, and they couldn’t get away from us fast enough. Their advice was basically this; “There’s nothing I can do. Go speak to someone else.”

This echoes another experience soon after I’d graduated from film school. I went to a networking event at Media City and was cold shouldered by quite a high-profile exec producer. Completely pushed out of the conversation. I never want to become that kind of person.

We all have imposter syndrome to some extent, but our ‘working classness’ doesn’t half make us feel out of place. I spent most of my 20’s trying to tone down my Northern accent because I was afraid it would make me sound unintelligent in a world said to be led by well educated southerners. Scott was even asked outright if he would be willing to change his accent to boost his own career prospects!

These are just a handful of examples, but I could list many more. We don’t like complaining at Northern Heart Films and if we do, we back up our complaints with action. So, in 2022 we decided to create the ‘Northern Heart Doc Fund.’ A scheme dedicated to supporting emerging Northern, working-class voices as they create a short documentary.

We do this by providing mentorship, a cash grant for production, kit hire and a big screen premiere. Our scheme is so unique we’ve managed to partner up with some fantastic industry leaders to help deliver it again in 2023. If we can make this happen, why can’t others do the same?

We are a micro indie and don’t get paid to do this, but we’re doing it anyway because we just don’t believe there is enough desire from the top of our industry to really help working-class filmmakers, particularly in the factual / documentary space. In 2019 the film, television and video sectors contributed £12.6 billion to the UK economy. I’m not buying any excuses that there isn’t enough money to help.

For us, it’s all about choices; you either want to help create proper representation in the industry or you don’t. Whatever decision you make, we’ll continue to do our own thing, pursue authentic stories, connect and work with wonderfully talented people who get what we’re all about.

I don’t want our story to be an underdog tale where we come out on top at the end and surprise everyone with our talent. Have a chat with us, and people like us, now. And listen. The industry will be a richer place for it.