"The screen industry is sadly lagging very far behind, but I’m hopeful that these webinars will be the catalyst to help change that.”
Given the impact of the pandemic on the screen sector, emerging from lockdown should feel like relief. However, for many, the truth is likely to be more complicated – and that’s okay, writes actor, filmmaker and mental health advocate Ben Steel ('The Show Must Go On').
Netflix, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Fox Studios Australia and Ausfilm have partnered to support a new wellbeing social enterprise led by Ben Steel, including training to upskill 60 production and post-production leaders in mental health first aid.
Together with business partner Margaret Tillson, Ben Steel has officially launched Screen Well, a website and social enterprise dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for the screen industry.
The Australian Directors' Guild and Screen Well are currently running a survey to better understand work/life balance for directors.
Directors feel burnt out and fatigued, see industry pressures leading to poor mental health outcomes
Preliminary findings of Screen Well and the Australian Directors Guild's work/life balance survey - to inform a webinar on the subject this coming Monday, World Mental Health Day - suggest directors are burnt out, fatigued, and see industry pressures as contributing to poor mental health outcomes for both themselves and their colleagues.
On World Mental Health Day next year (October 10), Screen Well will hold an inaugural awards program, designed to recognise and celebrate wellbeing initiatives and innovations in the screen industry.
On set leadership and culture, and how it impacts mental health and wellbeing, will be the focus of a new research project between Venn, a production and consultancy group, and social enterprise Screen Well.