Using NDAs as a Shield to Protect Creativity, Commerce and Privacy, with Peter Adediran
When should you ask someone to sign an NDA? And how do you make sure it protects your business without silencing legitimate concerns?
In this episode, Keith Arrowsmith speaks with Peter Adediran from Pail Solicitors about one of the most misunderstood tools in the screen industries: the non-disclosure agreement. From protecting scripts and budgets to safeguarding personal health information on Call Sheets, Peter explains why tailored, proportionate NDAs are essential for creative businesses while warning against their misuse as weapons to stifle whistleblowing.
Peter breaks down the two categories NDAs should protect, firstly creative commercial material and secondly personal private matters. He explores why a runner shouldn't sign the same NDA as a casting director, and why proactive, clear drafting prevents costly disputes down the line.
From the importance of proper translation for non-English speakers to allowing for disclosures of wrongful conduct, this conversation provides guidance on how to put together an NDA which is used to protect creativity, commercial activity and privacy, rather than to attack or intimidate.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
The two categories NDAs protect: creative commercial material and personal private matters
Why NDAs must be tailored to different roles and access levels
Protected disclosures: what NDAs cannot and must not cover
The importance of proportionate, clear, plain English drafting
Proactive vs reactive approaches to legal agreements
When mediation and conversation can prevent disputes
CHAPTER MARKERS
(00:00) Introduction with Keith Arrowsmith
(02:37) The Types of Information Protected by Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
(06:24) Misuse and Limitations of NDAs
(08:19) International Considerations of NDAs
(10:29) Fairness and Proactive Legal Approaches
(12:51) When Mediation is Needed
(17:47) Conclusions with Keith Arrowsmith
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Peter Adediran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peteradediran/
Pail Solicitors: https://pailsolicitors.co.uk/
ACAS Guidance on Settlement Agreements: https://www.acas.org.uk/
Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) Information: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/23/contents
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21:20
Building Community and Resilience: Supporting Freelancers and Leaders to Bridge the Skills Gap, with Sara Putt
How do you combat the isolation of freelance work when your entire industry runs on short-term contracts? And what can we learn from "considerate constructors" about treating our crews with the care they deserve?
Sara Putt, founder of Sara Putt Associates and Chair of BAFTA, joins Keith Arrowsmith and Sally Bendtson to explore how to build a community that breaks down the isolation experienced by both freelancers and company leaders in the screen industries. With 35 years of experience as an agent and with her leadership roles at BAFTA and the Film and TV Charity, Sara brings unparalleled perspective on the challenges facing our rapidly changing sector.
From the tangible benefits of networking events where opportunities are created and shared, to bridging the soft skills gap that leaves talented people struggling to manage large teams, Sara discusses the challenges facing the freelance backbone of our industry - and why she is positive about the future.
With insights ranging from French three-course film lunches to the potential return of eight-hour workdays, this conversation explores what it means to create sustainable, inclusive careers in the screen industry while maintaining the creativity and storytelling that defines our work.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
The isolation of freelance work, and why community building matters.
Creating tangible employment opportunities through networking and collaboration.
Remote technologies as tools for accessibility and regional inclusion.
The soft skills gap: management training and professional development beyond technical skills
Learning from other industries.
Business cases for inclusive practices and the role of CIISA standards
CHAPTER MARKERS
(0:00) Introduction with Sally Bendtson and Keith Arrowsmith
(01:50) Challenges and Changes in the Industry
(02:53) Building Resilience and Community
(04:45) The Role of Freelancers and Building Relationships
(09.53) The Importance of Soft Skills
(13:48) Learning from Other Industries and Countries
(23:13) Conclusion with Sally Bendtson and Keith Arrowsmith
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Sally Bendtson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallybendtson/
Limelight HR: https://limelighthr.co.uk/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Sara Putt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraputt/
Sara Putt Associates: https://www.saraputtassociates.co.uk/
BAFTA: https://www.bafta.org/
The Film and TV Charity: https://www.filmtvcharity.org.uk/Creative UK: https://www.wearecreative.uk/
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24:02
BONUS: Building longevity in a freelance world with Daniel Pearl
How do you build career paths and lasting teams in an industry built on short-term contracts? And what happens when traditional employment structures disappear, even at institutions like the BBC?
In this episode recorded at our Sheffield event, Dr Amit Patel is joined by Daniel Pearl, Creative Director at Lion Television, the company behind hit series such as Castaway, Britain's Biggest Dig and Horrible Histories. Daniel discusses the challenges of creating career stability and growth opportunities in today's fragmented screen industry where "everyone's a freelancer" and there is a lack of structured career progression.
Daniel discusses the reality facing creative leaders today, from receiving dozens of daily emails from people seeking work to witnessing talented professionals leave the industry entirely. He reveals how Lion Television, as part of the All3Media group, attempts to impose structure through longer contracts, cross-project team movement, and hands-on training opportunities, giving people real decision-making experience rather than just theoretical training.
The conversation explores practical approaches to talent retention, the loneliness of freelance work, and why creating connections between projects can make all the difference to both individual careers and business sustainability.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
This episode covers:
The reality of industry fragmentation and loss of traditional career structures
How longevity has become a key strategic focus for sustainable production companies
Making freelancers feel valued through longer contracts and cross-project movement
Hands-on training approaches: learning by doing rather than formal schemes
Practical approaches to creating career paths within production companies
CHAPTER MARKERS
(00:00) Introduction with Keith Arrowsmith
(01:47) The lack of Career Structure in the TV Industry
(03:31) Creating a Positive Workplace at Lion Television
(05:57) Training and Retaining Talent
(07:09) Diversity and Emerging Talent
(08:33) Conclusion and Resources
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Daniel Pearl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pearl-168a2132/
Lion Television: https://www.liontv.com/
All3Media: https://www.all3media.com/
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11:02
BONUS: Hire standards: Elevating your recruitment game, with Sally Bendtson
What's the difference between recruiting in a rush and recruiting with purpose? And why does treating candidates with respect matter just as much as finding the right skills?
In this episode recorded at our Sheffield event Dr. Amit Patel is joined by Sally Bendtson, the founder of Limelight HR. With years of experience helping Screen Industry businesses build better teams, Sally breaks down why clarity and honest communication is crucial for a successful recruitment process.
From painting an authentic picture of why someone should want to work with you to making sure you don’t waste candidates' time, Sally shares practical insights into how to offer a recruitment process that works for both employers and applicants and will protect your company’s reputation. With advice about not overselling roles, following through on promises, and avoiding making decisions under pressure, this conversation provides a roadmap for recruitment processes that builds great teams.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
THIS EPISODE COVERS
Why clarity about what you need beats recruiting under pressure
Being respectful of candidates' time and building an industry reputation
Moving beyond familiar networks to find diverse talent
Creating compelling reasons for people to want to work with you
Following through on promises made during recruitment
Practical resources for small businesses without dedicated HR support
CHAPTER MARKERS
(00:00) Introduction with Keith Arrowsmith
(01:29) Finding the Right People for Your Team
(02:29) Respect and Efficiency in the Recruitment Process
(03:34) Attracting New Talent: Building a Compelling Workplace
(04:35) Maintaining a Positive Work Culture Post-Recruitment
(06:05) Workwise for Screen Resources
(07:22) Conclusions with Keith Arrowsmith
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Sally Bendtson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallybendtson/
Limelight HR: https://limelighthr.co.uk/about/
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10:06
BONUS: How Team Satisfaction Fuels Creative Powerhouses, with Steve Wynne
What happens when someone who's always felt like an outsider builds a company that wins "Best Place to Work" not once, but twice? And how do you create an environment where genuine care for your team becomes your competitive advantage?
In this episode recorded at our live Sheffield event, Amit Patel is in conversation with Steve Wynne, the CEO of production company Strawberry Blond, to explore how unconventional leadership can build extraordinary workplace culture. From his working-class roots near Liverpool to founding a production company that prioritizes people over profit margins, Steve shares how questioning "the way things have always been done" led to sustainable success.
Steve reveals why he refuses to accept 12-hour shoots and how his team's recognition means more than any industry accolade.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
What it means to win workplace awards based on team feedback
Challenging industry norms around working hours and production culture
Why looking after junior team members should be a priority
The relationship between team wellbeing and business success
The value of questioning established practices
Chapter Markers
(00:00) Introduction with Keith Arrowsmith
(01:41) Strawberry Blonde's Best Place to Work Award
(02:17) Creating a Positive Company Culture
(04:02) Challenging Industry Norms
(08:32) The Role of Workwise for Screen
(11:16) Conclusion and Final Thoughts with Keith Arrowsmith
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Steve Wynne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynnesteve/
Strawberry Blond TV: https://www.strawberryblond.co.uk/
In the UK we have fantastic talent working across our industry from film to production, animation, VFX, gaming, distribution and exhibition. But as you know it's not an easy business to be in. We all grapple with complex questions around production and our working practices. On the WorkWise for Screen Podcast we’ll get the lowdown on all your legal and people management concerns from industry experts. The programme is an initiative to improve good working practices in the screen industries with the support of the BFI awarding National Lottery Funding. https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.
Netherlands