Erin Coubrough

In 2014 and 2015, Entertainment Assist and the College of Arts at Victoria University conducted a research project into the mental health of those who work in the Australian entertainment industry.  This project concluded that mental health issues are a lot more present in our industry than they are for the general Australian public. 

There are many causes for this, but some include:

- Working anti-social hours, and not seeing friends and family

- Touring to unfamiliar cities.  Feeling isolated and lacking support

- Some weeks, working up to 14 hrs a day.  Feeling over worked and under appreciated

- Competing for the next job (sometimes against friends) and hoping it will fit into your schedule

- Financial stress and facing unemployment when coming up to a closing night, a wrap of a film or the end of an event   

This industry can be an emotional rollercoaster and once you are on the ride its hard to get off. No one I know has come into this industry because they 'hope to be rich'. It's so much more to them than that. It's a passion. And passion is personal.

Work + Passion = A personal connection, risk and venerability.

                              = Stress, self-doubt, anxiety, depression. 

One conclusion of the study was: 

Strengthening social support may be a vital key for entertainment industry workers’ mental health. Given the negative culture within the industry reported above, social support structures can act as a buffer to this environment by providing a sense of belonging, competence, and mental health

(Pride, Passion & Pitfalls: Working in the Australian Entertainment Industry; Dr J van den Eynde, Prof A Fisher, Assoc Prof C Sonn; Victoria University; Dec 2014)

Hello!  My name is Erin Coubrough and I am the founder of The Crew Scene, a new social and support network for all those who work in Australian Entertainment.  I have been working as a stage manager in theatre for 5 years and I have seen the affects this beautiful industry can have on someones mental health.

The Crew Scene is here for ALL of those in the industry.  It's for performers, musicians, crew, management, creatives, EVERYONE!

There are 4 Crew Scene Programs:

     The Social Scene:  We support anyone who craves the social life, which is impacted on with our un-conventional working hours

     CrewFinder:  We support crew members who are trying to find the next job before their current production ends.  CrewFinder helps both employees and employers.  It is an availability list for all crew, detailing their strengths, previous employment, referees etc. and employers can filter the document quickly and easily so they can find the best person for the job. 

    The CrewShip:  A mentorship program.  We support the development of each and every persons skill set and encourage growth.

     The Resource Hub: We support those who are looking for a solution.  We do this through social media.  We will also be developing an online store, funds of which will go into supporting Social Scene events.   

I have a vision for The Crew Scene. A vision to provide a treasured nationwide network where we can support each other that little bit more. Talk to each other a little bit more. Get to know each other a little bit more. And maybe, just maybe, we can lower the numbers of those suffering from mental health issues in the Australian entertainment industry. I promise, I am striving for this goal, and I would love for you to join me on this journey.

For more information about The Crew Scene, visit:

www.thecrewscene.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecrewscene/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TheCrewSceneAus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_crew_scene/

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtGGYq3fteJ2ikZvm...

%23thecrewscene

%23bescene

%23DressedInBlackAUS

For more information about Entertainment Assist, visit:

http://entertainmentassist.org.au

To view the Phase 1 research document:

http://entertainmentassist.org.au/vic/entertainmen...

To view the Phase 2 research document:

http://entertainmentassist.org.au/vic/entertainmen...

For more videos and blog entries, visit the Updates page in the tabs above!

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The Crew Scene is only a month and a half old!  It is already getting a fantastic response, but we need to make it to the next level to truly help the entertainment industry!

We would like to raise $5500.00 

20% ($1100.00) -  Entertainment Assist.  This campaign proudly supports Entertainment Assist. 

70% ($3850.00) - The Crew Scene and the development of our programs:

: 25% - To start The Crew Scene's 'Backstage Black' clothing line.  Clothing for crew to wear backstage in theatre.  It will be sent to their theatre and money raise from this will go towards Social Scene events.

: 45% -  To the Social Scene and towards the development of CrewFinder and The CrewShip (Advertising, further development of the website, building the nationwide network, creating awareness.) 

10% ($550.00) will cover Pozible fees.

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My main challenge is getting The Crew Scene's name out into the industry.  I need people to know about it and once they start using it, it will become the treasured nationwide network I know it can be.

This campaign will help get the word out there so much faster than just word-of-mouth.  The Entertainment Industry relies on 'who-you-know', so the quicker The Crew Scene becomes known, the better!

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