It's not necessarily how difficult it is on its own. It's how much more difficult it is by comparison. And when it comes to EU trade, we can enjoy an incredibly beneficial arrangement in pretty much every way.
The Creative Industries are a major part of the British economy and contribute massively to our exports. Music, film, design, architecture, photography, software and more are all part of the mix. A TV commercial can cost hundreds of thousands and include music rights, actors, set builders etc and be almost as complex to set up as a feature film.
At present these talents can do assignments in the EU without restriction, carnets or tariff problems. Its easy because the EU is on our doorstep. Trying to do assignments for clients in different time zones is another level of hassle. Its not like selling baked beans.
For those ignorant of how individual assignments work, be it a TV commercial, album recording, or advertising photograph, I’ll explain what a photographer, who is often a one person business needs to communicate for a fairly typical shoot.
Client phones and determines whether you are available in 2 weeks time for a one week shoot in Barcelona. He describes the layouts, 3 models, mother, father and child each photographed 2 ways, at night and in the morning.
Photographer spends a day putting together a quotation including, freelance assistant, models, air fares, excess baggage charge, film and processing, hire of studio and lights, insurance, etc etc..
First thing next morning photographer phones client with the quote, half an hour later the client phones back to confirm. They also have a discussing about casting.
Another half an hour and the client phones back with his choice of model. She lives in Paris and will fly down for the day.
Photographer phones model agency in Paris to agree her fee. Phones the client back.
A short while later client phones and says his client wants to include an older couple in the campaign. That means another 4 shots and running over into the next week.
Photographer re-jigs the quote which entails phoning the insurance company to add the extra days and costs.
Photographer phones back and gives the client the revised quote.
Client phones to discuss hairdresser and make up artist. Photographer agrees with client’s choice.
The ad agency account exec meanwhile has been dealing with the money, how the expenses will be paid etc. Phones the photographer for agreement.
Next day the client phones with a problem. The child will also be appearing in the tie-in TV commercial which involves sliding down a bannister. This child just cannot do it so another child needs to be found.
Finally everything is decided. All the photographer has to do is confirm flights, models, assistant, do lighting tests and pack. (When outside the EU Carnets will need to be obtained. That requires a full list of every single item to be taken. Not only the cameras and lenses but every cable release, roll of background paper, roll of gaffer tape, reflectors etc etc.)
Now consider Liam Fox’s plan to encourage us to export more to far off countries in different time zones. Imagine if, in the account above, every decision involved a night instead of just half hour turnarounds.
