Author: Lee, David

Source: Creative Industries Journal, Volume 4, Number 2, 27 June 2012 , pp. 155-170(16)

Publisher: Intellect

Abstract:

This article focuses on television workers' attitudes towards craft and creative practice within the field of factual television production in the British independent television production sector (ITPS). Based on longitudinal qualitative research, it argues that a radical shift has occurred in the professional values that television producers' associate with their creative work, by focusing on ethical and professional norms within factual television production. By considering the historical and contemporary discourse of 'craft' within this area of creative work, the article interrogates the nature of the changes that have taken place. The wider significance of these changes is also considered, through an engagement with theoretical concerns about the place of craft within late modernity, and with debates about the changes that have taken place within the political economy of independent television production. The article's findings have contextual significance within contemporary debates about creative work. Despite the celebratory policy rhetoric of the 'creative industries', the transformed production environment within contemporary British television has had a detrimental effect on skills retention and development, as well as on the potential for creativity within the industry.

Keywords: creative labour; cultural industries; television production; craft; ethics; deskilling

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1386/cij.4.2.155_1

Affiliations: 1: University of Leeds

Publication date: 2012-06-27

More about this publication?

• The scope of the Creative Industries Journal is global, primarily aimed at those studying and practicing activities which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent, and which have a potential for wealth creation. These activities primarily take place in advertising, architecture, the art and antiques market, crafts, design, fashion, film, interactive leisure software, music, the performing arts, publishing, television and radio.We are pleased to announce that the Creative Industries Journal has been included in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) list 2010.
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