The ‘Nepo baby’ effect has been exposed in the UK by research from Netflix/National Youth Theater which found that the vast majority of respondents believe it takes connections rather than talent to make it big.
Unveiled at the same time as the research, the streamer and theater have launched the IGNITE Your Creativity program to “break the classroom ceiling”, which will support 500 young people across South Wales, West Yorkshire and the North East in building industry connections and knowledge of behind-the-scenes careers in film, TV and theatre.
Four in five (79%) of the 3,000 young people surveyed believe they need connections rather than talent and determination to make it, and that the problem is not limited to screen success, but a wealth of positions behind the camera. One survey respondent said that “fake babies” happen on all levels, adding, “Most people don’t seem to realize that this kind of nepotism isn’t just for celebrities.”
Another two-thirds (68%) of respondents believe they need to live in a major city to have a career in TV or film.
Anne Mensah, Netflix’s VP of UK Content, said: “Young people are brilliantly astute, so it’s not surprising they see connections rather than raw talent as the key to success. Unfortunately, the evidence proves them wrong. Our industry has a marked lack of socio-economic diversity, in part because it is freelance, which makes it difficult for those from less privileged backgrounds to gain a foothold.”
Mensah, who gave orders to The Queen’s Gambit, Sex education And heart stopper, added that the IGNITE program is “designed to raise awareness and aspirations, build trust and networks so that young people do not need to have existing industry connections, live in a large city or have a degree for a career in TV and film.”
The program will begin in conjunction with recruitment in South Wales War of the worlds producer Urban Myth Films before moving to West Yorkshire and the North East later this year. An advisory panel including Oscar-winning designer Eve Stewart, BAFTA-nominated producer Luti Fagbenle, and executives Johnny Capps and Chantal Rickards will support IGNITE.
Last week, Netflix unveiled its debut theatrical production — a Stranger things West End sequel directed by Stephen Daldry and written by Kate Trefry and Jack Thorne.