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- Runners work behind the scenes in film and TV production, running errands and helping make sure things run smoothly
- This is often the first role people take on in the industry and can be a stepping stone into more senior roles
- You'll need a passion for the industry and a willingness to work long hours
Being a runner is often the first job people who want to work in the TV or film industries start with - it's a good introduction to the industry and will help you build contacts, experience and understanding of what other roles you might want to progress into.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Collecting and delivering equipment and scripts
- Distributing messages and post, and running errands
- Filing and photocopying
- Answering the phone and greeting visitors
- Driving vehicles around sets or between locations
- Finding props
- Keeping sets clean and tidy
- Looking after studio guests
- Getting lunches
- Making tea and coffee
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
Freelance runners may be paid a daily rate or a fee to cover the length of the production. Rates vary across productions and depend on how experienced you are. The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) lists pay guidelines for runners.
Your hours will depend on the production. You may work long and unsocial hours, including early mornings and late evenings. Working environments also vary, as you might be based in a studio, edit facility, production office or on location. You'll spend a lot of your time running errands and moving between offices and production areas. Location work could be anywhere in the UK or overseas, and you may need to travel and work away from home.
You'll need
There are no set requirements, but you'll need an interest in the industry, enthusiasm, flexibility and adaptability, communication and people skills, excellent organisational and time management skills, stamina, and the ability to work long hours.
Employers will be more interested in your enthusiasm and initiative than formal qualifications.
Get as much practical experience as you can. This will show employers that you're committed to learning more about the industry. You can build useful experience through activities like student film or TV productions, community or student radio, or work experience placements.
The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 offer work experience placements, and 'insight' and 'talent days'. Competition can be tough, but if you're successful, it will help you get a better understanding of the industry.
You could do a degree course, although it's not essential. Relevant subjects include creative media production, film and television production, and film and TV studies.
It's important to choose a course that includes practical skills, work placements and making contacts in the industry.
You could also take a college course, such as a Level 3 Certificate in Media Techniques, or a Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production.
Creative Skillset has details of industry-endorsed courses and The Production Guild offers a runner's workshop. Broadcasters like the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 offer work experience placements, graduate schemes, and insight days.
You could get into this job through an advanced apprenticeship in creative and digital media, or as a broadcast production assistant.
CAREER PROSPECTS
If you already have some industry experience or have completed training, then you may be able to apply for a Creative Skillset Trainee placement. With experience, you could move into a production assistant, assistant producer (AP) or producer role.