Entourage Pro: Insights
‘Then & Now’
2019 – 2023
OverviewReportThe report, whilst available free of charge for use by the industry, is subject to copyright and remains property of Entourage Pro Ltd. Any reproduction, references, citations, data and quotations must be accredited to Entourage Pro Ltd.
Who We Are
Entourage Pro: Insights is the research division of Entourage Pro Ltd: The World’s first free, verified freelance global crew network, specialising in, and reporting on, the live entertainment sector.
No nonsense, impartial & detailed reports prepared by the industry for the industry.
In digitising traditional methods of sourcing and engaging with the global community of specialist production crew, Entourage Pro has built the New Way for freelancers to be seen, to be heard and to be hired.
In developing a robust and secure environment for skilled practitioners to exist, Entourage Pro provides the industry with not just a free resource to connect and employ crew but a route-one, direct line of communication with experienced production practitioners and those who are new to the industry. This is a live event production first.
Intro + Overview
The Entourage Pro: Insights Brexit/Pandemic Impact Report is a piece of work which provides a clear overview of the obstacles and challenges our community has faced during the past 4 years.
It has been developed with input from various organisations working towards a more stable future for our industry, its services and its people.
Its purpose is not to bring about a collective groan from the sector, but to add context to the concerns our freelance community have faced, to a wider audience.
The work has been shared amongst relevant parties with a view to fixing issues, brought about by the complexities of Brexit and the Pandemic.
The Respondents
603 core respondents from the Entourage Pro network consisting of UK-based freelance crew.
With every crew member verified by at least one colleague in the production industry.
Industry Disciplines
Audio Production
32%
Production Coordination
28%
Backline
13%
Lighting
10%
Video
9%
Other
8%
Years' Experience
Demand.
Overall 2019-2023 Comparison.
41%
...of all respondents are doing more or much more work now compared to 2019
25%
...are doing around the same compared to 2019
34%
...are doing less or much less
48%
...of respondents with more than 20 years experience are doing considerably less work now compared to 2019
59%
...of respondents with between 10 and 20 years experience are doing considerably more work now compared to 2019
All Respondents
0 to 10 Years Experience
10 to 20 Years Experience
20+ Years Experience
Demand.
EU 2019-2023 Comparison.
70%
...of all crew said EU touring was a vital component of their yearly income pre-2019
44%
...of crew now see EU touring as a vital component of their yearly income
All Respondents
0 to 10 Years Experience
10 to 20 Years Experience
20+ Years Experience
Travel
62%
...of all crew have had reduced earnings due to EU travel restrictions since 2019
74%
...of crew with 20+ years experience have had reduced earnings due to EU travel restrictions since 2019
58%
...of all crew say their ROW/US work quota has not increased to compensate
66%
...of crew with 20+ years experience say their ROW/US work quota has not increased to compensate
84%
...of all crew have seen UK/EU tour cancellations which have impacted them, or their friends/colleagues
EU Member State Touring
Other than the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and France, it's these countries that provide UK crew with the most work
The Netherlands
68%
Belgium
55%
Denmark
45%
Sweden
39%
Poland
35%
Portugal
31%
Austria
24%
Norway
22%
Switzerland
20%
Ireland
19%
The Major Factors for Having Less EU Work
75%
Increase in costs whilst lowering budgets
71%
Schengen restrictions (90/180 day period of working)
68%
Visa issues and red tape
51%
Fewer job offers/less work
42%
EU Promoters securing local crews
35%
More competition for work amongst peers
Loud and Clear
90%
...say there is not enough clarity surrounding post-Brexit touring regulations.
93%
...are unhappy and unclear with government guidelines.
94%
...say we need clarity surrounding visa-free touring.
79%
...need more clarity surrounding Carnets.
85%
...are not aware of the proposed Labour EU deal.
92%
...are not aware of the French Talent Passport.
91%
...are not aware of UK UK Creative Industries: International Strategy
95%
...have never heard of the Creative Export Faculty
83%
...have not been made aware of the necessary legislation and processes required to re-instate achievable travel solutions for artists and crew
Mental Health
34%
of all respondents are doing less overall work now compared to 2019
91%
have had their earnings affected
65%
have had their mental health affected
"There’s a lack of EU touring work."
"Smaller acts are now unable to tour and a sizeable earn out was from these artists."
"Borrowing money from family and friends.”
"Visa and carnet issues at borders, mean less US artists taking UK crew out."
“I’m finding it difficult to make ends meet."
"Band show fees are much less - meaning tighter budgets."
"Instability. Taking work at a lower rate which isn't good."
“Feeling the pressure of providing for the family and home.”
Conclusion
- General demand is up but there has been a huge drop in who now see EU touring as a vital part of their yearly income.
- Most freelancers have earned less due to EU restrictions.
- The main issues have been increased costs v lower budgets, Schengen restrictions and tour cancellations.
- Much more clarity is needed around general touring regulations, carnets and visas.
- The industry is still far from what it was pre-covid.
- Fewer European artists playing UK venues.
- Fewer UK artists requesting UK based crew for overseas work.
Whilst clearly there is still huge work to be done, critically, the industry’s resilience, adaptability and optimism again signals that we need to come out of a post-pandemic world stronger, and reach a definitive situation to the current EU touring situation.
There is evidence to support clearer guidelines, processes and representation to us as individuals and as businesses and a requirement to call upon the various industry bodies to come together, collectively for stronger more targeted representation.
We’d love to hear from you if you’re a manufacturer, supplier, promoter, operator or educator and you’d like to work with us. Find out how you can jump on our transformational tour bus, become an integral part of our amazing onward journey and safeguard the future of our industry – contact us at connect@entouragepro.com