What Clients in Entertainment & Creative Really Need from HR

Written by @Tacita Small.

Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash

This is part 2 of our 4-part mini-series for HR consultants working across the entertainment industry.

No two companies in the entertainment-verse (not a word, but a word!) are the same. Whether you’re supporting a fast-paced music tour, a theatre run, a Band 3 film, a game launch or a multi-day TV shoot, every client has their own unique rhythm, pace and people culture.

A one-size-fits-all HR approach? Absolutely not.

So, what do creative clients actually need from HR consultants? What does good support look like behind the scenes? And how can we, as people professionals, build the kind of toolkit that actually works in production and entertainment environments? Here’s what we’ve learned along the way.

1. Be adaptable, not just compliant

Yes, you need to know the legal stuff because….. you just do. But rigid policies rarely land well on production floors or creative sets. These environments move fast; people need clarity, not corporate language. The best consultants in this space know how to balance compliance with common sense, legal grounding with practicality.

Clients aren’t just looking for a handbook and a few policies they’re looking for someone who understands the constraints and can help them navigate the grey areas with confidence.

Your toolkit: Employment law essentials, risk-based thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to read a room fast.

Photo by ALAN DE LA CRUZ on Unsplash

2. Offer guidance, not just answers

Producers, HoD’s, and the majority of creatives don’t want textbook responses. They want options, context, and someone to talk things through with. They want a thinking partner - someone who won’t panic when things go sideways, as they often do!

Being calm, neutral, and honest is far more valuable than sounding clever. Often, the real ask is: “Can you help me make a call I feel good about?”

Your toolkit: Coaching skills, active listening, professional judgement, and conflict navigation that doesn’t rely on policy alone.

3. Be tech-aware (without the buzzwords)

Let’s face it, there are a lot of platforms promising to “revolutionise” onboarding, time tracking and freelancer management. But in the entertainment world, people want tools that actually work in practice, not platforms that look good in a demo.

You don’t need to be a digital native or a software evangelist - but you should know what’s out there, what’s simple to use, and how to introduce it in a way that sticks.

Your toolkit: Awareness of systems that suit creative teams, a realistic view on adoption, and the ability to translate tech speak into everyday solutions.

4. Help them make it make sense

Clients often say things like “We want better culture” or “We need to get everyone on the same page.” But what they’re really asking is: how do we move from messy to manageable without killing the vibe?

Your job isn’t to rewrite the culture - it’s to help make it work better. That could mean clearer role boundaries, a more inclusive rehearsal process, or rethinking how feedback is given across a team of freelancers. Practical, human, and totally contextual.

Your toolkit: Simplifying the complex, culture mapping, facilitation, and introducing changes without overwhelming people.

Photo by Sue Carroll on Unsplash

5. Speak the language of the industry

If you’ve never worked on a production schedule, sat in a rehearsal room, managed back-to-back crew hires, or fielded last-minute changes to a run of show - it shows. Clients in entertainment want HR consultants who understand their world. It builds trust fast.

And no, you don’t need to be a subject matter expert in every corner of the industry. But you do need to be curious, adaptable, and sensitive to the pressure points that come with live, time-sensitive, people-led work.

Your toolkit: Industry fluency, contextual awareness, and the ability to meet people where they are.

Should we build a Creative HR Toolkit?

We’re not building one yet, but the idea’s been floating around. Would a collection of tools, templates and conversation guides tailored for the entertainment industry be useful?

Let us know - drop us a message. If there’s enough interest, we’ll make it happen.

And if you haven’t already—join our community for HR consultants and people professionals working in the entertainment world.

We first launched it last year and we’re bringing it back with fresh energy, new members and in-person plans. It’s a space to connect, share and not feel like you’re the only one trying to keep things on track behind the scenes.

👉 Click here to join.