Film That Responds to Economic Hardship

Amid economic hardship, creative industries must remain strategic in their approaches for crafting and releasing content. Seeing that the economy effects creators and consumers alike, the ways in which filmmakers ethically reach their audiences are being put to the test, as budgets change and expenditures tighten. Therefore, creative industries—including film—must respond to economic turbulence with original outreach, fair wages for their team, and quality productions.

Filmmakers and members of creative industries have to respond to economy fluctuations

Creative Outreach Responses

Filmmakers have to think creatively about their advertising and promotion efforts in times like these. With the economy strained, people might begin trimming their streaming services and trips to the theatre—justifiably so. To reach interested audiences, then, filmmakers have to be intentional with what resources they utilize to bring attention to their films. This can mean better hooks with thought-provoking messaging, or it could be trying something completely new to warrant discussion. Whatever it takes, creators have to take this time to strategically situate their products for success across platforms. Harnessing messages on social medias and building hype around their films might look different and may require stepping outside of the norm. By reaching beyond their comfort zones, filmmakers contend for viewership when it’s needed most—for when is a better time for social advocacy than in a plethora of economic evidence that justifies its need? 

Fair Wages Throughout Economic Scares

During times of economic duress, creative industries take some of the first cuts. This means talented writers, producers, actors, and crew members are afraid for their jobs. It is important that filmmakers don’t just promote their creations, but that they pay their talent, too. Not only does this set the example and raise positive press, but it also offers jobs and economic reprieve for talented contributors. Audiences will feel better supporting a film that generates career growth for others, too. And, when situations improve and industries rebound, the filmmakers who treated their employees fairly are more likely to reap the benefits of loyalty in their fanbase and talent. If creative industries fight fear with more fear, they risk losing far more ground than if they find it in themselves to buckle down and pay the people who deserve compensation.

Quality Content in Films

Creative industries have to bring quality content to consumers, now more than ever. Audiences who need the escape, education, and joy that films so often bring deserve to feel good about what they have consumed; a project poorly executed, or pushed with little care, cheats the team behind the film and the people who are watching it, too. Answer quantity production and overconsumption with quality, and filmmakers will stand out as refreshing and worth the expense. Raise the standard for films, rather than the production of them. This way, people facing the blunt end of the economy’s decline are not further used, but rather, treated with something truly good. Filmmakers and creative industries alike should remember that when money is sparse, and consumers choose to spend money on their creation, the consumer deserves a product that was of their best effort.

With creativity, fair pay, and quality productions, the film industry can continue providing for others

Film That Responds to Economic Hardship

Film is but a small component of the wheel, and when times are tough, it can be hard to think that what any one creator does contributes to the uphill climb that is to come. There is always something to be done, and for filmmakers, it starts with ethical retaliations. Film that responds to economic hardship with creativity, fair wages, and quality production serves as an example for what is right—it requires the creators walk the walk as they push for advocacy, and it means that despite the stakes, the creative industry is a human industry.