IPC’s Impact of Injury report shows prevalence of cast and crew injury whilst working in film, TV and theatrical production.
Today, Thursday 6 March 2025, the Injury Prevention Consultancy (IPC) released a report looking into the impact of injury in film, television and theatrical production.
Authored by IPC founder, Tome Levi, the report shows the high prevalence of injury in film, TV and theatrical production and looks at the human toll and economic impact this has on the people behind the process.
The findings highlight the harmful effects that workplace injuries can have on the physical, mental and financial wellbeing of professionals in the creative industries, with 85% of performer respondents experiencing injury whilst working on a theatre production and 76% being injured whilst working in film and TV. Performer respondents indicated that the physical demand of a role is the primary physical factor for work-related injury.
As well as experiencing acute pain, factors like stress, anxiety and a loss of earnings were identified as impacts of a personal injury. The report reveals a general feeling of pressure to keep working despite being injured, with 69% of those surveyed being of the opinion that creative vision for a show is prioritised over cast and crew safety at work. Only 7% said they felt safe to voice concerns about safety at work.
Tome Levi commented, “These findings paint a picture of an industry where powering through injury is an accepted norm and broadly considered to be a measure of dedication. Working in a sector where job security is fickle and fear of ostracisation is rife, performers often feel that they are expendable, which could not be further from true.” She continues, “This report platforms the voices of these very storytellers on whom the industry relies on to bring beloved stories to our stages and screens. They are telling us there is a problem. We should listen.”
The occurrence of injury in production not only affects individuals but can also have a ripple effect across departments, affecting cast, crew and, at times, risking the viability of productions altogether. The report presents an opportunity for industry stakeholders to address the sector-wide problem that injury presents, not only to cast and crew, but to the productions themselves. Recommendations are detailed in the report to help prevent injury from occurring in the first instance.
One recommendation that impacts our casting director members is for more detail to be expressed in casting briefs about the physical demand of performance roles in projects. Of those surveyed, 40% of performers said that the physical demand of acting or performance roles was expressed during the casting process.
A recommendation for our agent members is to look at including injury prevention measures to be taken at the contract stage. Some suggested inclusions are: capping of permissible working hours and engaging an injury prevention consultant on productions.
Spotlight’s Managing Director, Matt Hood, said, “Spotlight is honoured to be asked to help highlight this vital research into the rate of injury in film, television and theatre. The industry can only build sustainable careers for performers when they are guaranteed a safe environment in which to work – enabling them to concentrate on demonstrating their world-class skills. This report should be a wake up call to the creative industries to put performers at the forefront of their health and safety planning, and to ensure that communication about risks and physical skills required for a performance is discussed at auditions to allow performers to be engaged about their safety from the outset. It is vital for performers, but essential for the creative industries and we look forward to being part of the discussion going forward.”
- Read the Impact of Injury report.
- Listen to our podcast episode with Tome Levi about the report’s findings and recommendations.
Spotlight members who are 18+ and based in the UK and Ireland can get mental health and wellbeing support with Wellbeing in the Arts as part of our Member Assistance Programme. Find out more about the support and services provided and how to contact Wellbeing in the Arts for help.
If you’re currently suffering with an injury, the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) can help. See all the services BAPAM provide including their practical advice about injury prevention and be sure to check our events page for upcoming webinars about physical health.
