“Massive” layoffs in British post-production

The British TV industry Web site Produxion.com is reporting that a full-blown recession has taken hold in the industry and that massive layoffs are expected to hit post-production facilities in London. David Robins, managing director of the London special effects house SVC told the Web site: “Looking at market conditions we were left with no choice but to cut jobs.” An unnamed head of another post-production house said that further job cuts there are likely because of the TV industry “definitely being in recession.” The U.S. editing software firm Avid reportedly fired 140 persons, representing 8 percent of its U.K. workforce, while another U.S. firm, In-Sync, which produces the Speed Razor editing system, shut down its U.K. operations entirely.