Stress and burnout are showing up more and more across the industry. Yet, they’re often brushed off or misunderstood. For everyone involved, from individuals to managers, knowing the difference between stress and burnout matters. It’s not just about staying productive; it’s about keeping people well, staying legal, and respecting everyone’s dignity. 

Stress is how your body and mind react to pressure. In small bursts, it can sharpen your focus and drive you forward. But when it never stops, stress turns harmful, causing tiredness, irritability, anxiety, and sometimes real health problems. 

Burnout is what happens when stress sticks around for too long without relief. It’s more than feeling worn out. It’s a deep emotional drain, feeling disconnected from work, and often a sense of hopelessness. Where stress makes you push harder, burnout pulls you away, leaving you numb or unmotivated. 

Think of stress as feeling there’s too much on your plate. Burnout feels like there’s nothing left to give. Both are signals that something in the work or life balance needs attention. 

In the screen sector, the pressure is unique. Producers scramble to secure funding, runners pull long shifts, and freelancers juggle unpredictable workloads and pay. Add creative deadlines, last-minute changes, and uncertain contracts, and it’s no surprise stress is everywhere. 

Managers carry extra weight too. They have to deliver projects on time while supporting their teams’ wellbeing. Freelancers and crew often face blurred lines between work and personal life, plus the worry that asking for help might risk their next gig. This creates a pressure cooker that everyone needs to manage together. 

It’s also important to know mental health struggles like anxiety or depression can be protected under UK law. If these conditions affect daily life for the long term, they may qualify as disabilities under the Equality Act. That means employers (even for short-term or freelance roles) have legal duties to provide support. Calling mental health issues “just part of the job” or ignoring them can be discrimination. Workers should know it’s okay, and necessary, to ask for help. 

Stress and burnout don’t always shout. You might notice trouble sleeping, a quick temper, or feeling anxious. Or maybe work loses its joy, and dread takes over. For others, changes show up in missed deadlines, lateness, or pulling away from the team. These aren’t flaws - they’re signs someone is struggling. 

Catching these signs early makes a huge difference. If you notice something feels off in yourself or someone else, pause and check in. Silence doesn’t mean everything’s fine. 

Making the screen industry healthier doesn’t need big gestures. It starts with paying attention. Managers can hold informal check-ins and listen carefully without judgment. Spotting patterns, like someone always working late or skipping breaks, can prevent bigger problems. 

Setting clear boundaries helps too. Avoid sending emails outside work hours. Build schedules that allow rest. Show that wellbeing is a team priority, not just a personal choice. It affects the quality of work and everyone’s safety. 

For freelancers and junior crew, knowing your limits and protecting them is key. Don’t wait for a crisis. Talk to someone you trust, get support, and take breaks when you can. Saying no or asking for extra time isn’t unprofessional - it’s what keeps you going. Tracking your hours can also reveal if you’re overworking, which might even break work time laws. 

Changing the culture is everyone’s job. Crew and creatives can support each other by checking in and sharing resources. Managers need to back policies that truly prioritise wellbeing, not just pay it lip service. 

Companies should step up with clear wellbeing guidelines, mental health training for managers, and easy access to confidential help. 

If you’re wondering where to start, there are great resources out there. The Film and TV Charity offers 24/7 support, Bectu Vision has practical wellbeing tools, and Mind provides mental health help designed for creatives. 

Stress happens in this business. But burnout should never be accepted as normal. Everyone, from commissioners to crew, deserves a workplace that protects mental health, encourages open talks, and takes wellbeing seriously. 

Whether you’re leading a team or managing your own workload, your role matters. Spot the signs, support each other, and push for change. That’s how we care for ourselves and the industry we all want to see.