WHAT DOES A FILM RUNNER DO? (In the Entertainment industry.)

Film Runner / Photo Credit: My First Job in Film

WHAT DOES A FILM RUNNER DO? (In the Entertainment industry.)

Bruce Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.

What Does A Film Runner Do?  

Fierce competition for entry-level positions means work experience is vital so you need to make speculative applications, network and be persistent. A runner is an entry-level position, the most junior role in the production department of a broadcast, film or video company.

A runner is an entry-level position, the most junior role in the production department of a broadcast, film or video company.

As a runner, you'll act as a general assistant, working under the direction of the producer and other production staff, to undertake whatever basic tasks are required to ensure the smooth running of the production process.

This role offers the opportunity to gain vital experience and knowledge of the production process, offering valuable networking opportunities, and is often seen as the first step on the ladder for people aspiring to roles in broadcasting media.

Responsibilities

As a runner, you'll need to: 

• Answer the telephone…
• Deliver post to local clients…
• Do photocopying and general administrative work…
• Drive cars, vans or trucks between locations and around sets…
• Fetch and carry items, such as equipment, tapes, cable and scripts…
• Get everything in place for shoots…
• Hand out post and messages to colleagues within the production team…
• Help set up a location for a shoot…
• Hire props…
• Keep the set clean and tidy…
• Make and hand out tea, coffee and lunches…
• Make arrangements for staff on location, such as booking meeting rooms or ordering food…
• Manage petty cash…
• Look after guests…
• Order stock…
• Pick up cast for make-up calls…
• Sort out the kit bags, for example checking that the camera bag contains all the necessary items…
• Take messages…
• Transcribe production tapes…
• Transport cast, crew and production staff between offices, studios and shoot locations…
• Transport scripts and hire equipment…
• Undertake basic research…
• Use maps, tapes and clapper boards, and other film and television production equipment…
• Write down shot lists… 

Most runners work on a freelance basis and are employed on full-time, short-term contracts. Short-term contracts and long hours can have lifestyle and financial implications. It is a good idea to line up your next piece of work, while still working on the current project.

There are lots of opportunities for you to gain work experience as a runner, but most of these positions are unpaid. However, your expenses are usually covered. Gaining experience through these positions can allow you to compete for paid positions.

Runners' salaries are generally static and start to rise upon gaining promotion to either head runner or researcher.

Working hours

Working hours tend to be long and unpredictable, often up to six days a week during production. Broadcasting is a 24-hour operation and the working style reflects this. You may have to work nights, weekends and public holidays.

Film and TV shoots often want to make the most of the daylight for filming, so early mornings and late nights are common.

What to expect

• Work takes place in offices and/or studios, as well as on location…
• Runners are expected to be prompt and efficient. Part of the job is to take the pressure off the person above you by doing things on their behalf and this can make the job quite stressful. However, the work is fast-moving and can be exciting, stimulating and diverse, with plenty of variety…
• The bigger production companies tend to be based in London and other large cities, such as Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. Production companies tend to recruit runners who live locally or who can be relied on at short notice, so relocation may be necessary…
• Travel within a working day is common. You are likely to spend a lot of time travelling to and from locations, picking people up from places such as airports and train stations, making local deliveries and doing any shopping that is needed…
• Career breaks are possible, although it is recommended not to take too long a break as it is important to keep up to date with current news and trends in the industry… 

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, Careers Hub, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Blurb, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Chron, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, How Stuff Works, WGA, BBC, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, UCAS, Frankenbite, Realty 101, Careers Hub, Sokanu, Raindance, Film Connection, My Job Search, Prospects,

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Film Runner / Photo Credit: My First Job in Film