Why supportive offboarding matters

In film and TV, endings come with the territory. Productions wrap, teams dissolve, and whole workforces shift overnight. But for the people working inside this cycle – especially freelancers – the constant transitions can take a real toll on wellbeing, confidence, and long-term career development.

Too often, freelancers finish a contract with no feedback, no acknowledgement, and no opportunity to reflect on how the job went or where they might go next. Over time, this lack of closure can erode self-worth, increase anxiety, and leave talented people feeling adrift in an industry they love.

At the Film and TV Charity, we want to shine a light on how supportive off boarding can play a major role in protecting mental health and helping people build sustainable careers.

And thanks to pioneering research from Bournemouth University, supported by Fremantle, we now have a practical, industry-tested model that shows how simple, structured conversations at the end of a contract can make a huge difference.

The problem: freelancers are left without feedback or support

Unlike permanent employees, freelancers and fixed-term workers often move between productions with little or no formal people processes. One of the biggest gaps is the absence of performance feedback.

Without it, freelancers are left asking themselves:

• Did I actually do a good job?
• Why wasn’t I asked back? Was it me?
• What skills should I develop next?
• Where do I go from here?

This silence has real consequences: it becomes harder to plan for the future, harder to grow, and harder to maintain confidence in a competitive and unpredictable field.

Constructive, compassionate off boarding fills that gap.

What is supportive offboarding

The Supportive Offboarding model developed by Bournemouth University and Fremantle is a short, structured meeting that takes place as a freelancer’s contract approaches its end. Think of it as a moment of care during a transition point that can otherwise feel abrupt or disconnected.

It centers on four simple elements:

1. Feedback to the freelancer: Clear, constructive feedback is vital for learning and progression. Freelancers rarely receive it – and many say that not knowing how they’re performing is one of the most stressful parts of their working lives.
2. Feedback from the freelancer: Every production can benefit from understanding what worked and what didn’t. Freelancers often see issues that staff can’t – but rarely get the chance to share them.
3. A career conversation: Talking about future aspirations, training needs, or next steps can give freelancers a huge sense of direction and reduces the anxiety of ​“What now?”
4. A simple thank you: it sounds basic, but many freelancers finish a job without any recognition at all. Gratitude helps people feel valued – and it costs nothing.

This model doesn’t require an HR department, extensive paperwork, or a big-time investment. What it provides is connection, clarity, and closure.

Why Supportive Offboarding matters: the link to mental health and industry retention

Our own research – including our Looking Glass studies – shows that lack of support is one of the biggest contributors to poor mental health among people working in the screen industries.

Supportive off boarding helps by:

• Reducing anxiety around job performance
• Boosting confidence through acknowledgment and guidance
• Preventing isolation, one of the biggest mental-health risks for freelancers
• Supporting career development and encouraging people to stay in the industry

The broader industry context makes this even more urgent. Over the past decade, film and TV have experienced two major booms and two deep downturns. Each time the industry contracts, we lose skilled, mid-career professionals who feel unsupported and decide not to return.

This ​“brain drain” is not due to lack of passion – it’s due to lack of care.

Supportive offboarding is one of the practical ways employers can actively help retain talent and protect wellbeing.

Celebrating Bournemouth University and Fremantle’s leadership

The groundbreaking research led by Bournemouth University, with the support of Fremantle, deserves real recognition. Their work puts the needs of freelancers front and centre and offers production companies a simple, human, and evidence-based approach to treating people better.

The Film and TV Charity is aligned with this vision. We believe that good mental health and good working culture aren’t ​“nice to haves” – they’re essential for a thriving, creative, resilient industry.

What employers can do today

Even small changes make a big difference.

• Build a 15-minute off-boarding conversation into every contract-based role.
• Use consistent, fair questions for anyone leaving.
• Focus feedback on growth and clarity – not criticism.
• Thank people for their work every single time.
• Encourage freelancers to share their thoughts about how the production can improve.
• Offer training recommendations or signpost places to develop new skills.

Supporting people at the moment they leave is just as important as welcoming them on day one.

And for workers: you deserve support

If you are a freelancer coming to the end of a contract, remember:

• You are entitled to feedback
• You are entitled to be acknowledged
• Your mental health matters
• Your career deserves structure and support