Runner, broadcasting/film/video
A runner is an entry-level position, the most junior role in the production department of a broadcast, film or video company. There is no single job description as runners act as general assistants and undertake whatever basic tasks are required to ensure the smooth running of the production process. Runners’ general responsibilities include tea making, transporting scripts and hire equipment, taking messages, looking after guests and getting everything in place for shoots.
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.
The work of a runner varies widely but may include the following tasks:
Getting a position as a runner is often a combination of luck, timing and networking. The industry looks favorably on those with experience and contacts, rather than qualifications. There are no specific educational requirements for becoming a runner. However, a relevant HND, degree or postgraduate qualification, particularly one with a practical focus, may increase your chances of success as this can equip you with an understanding of the industry, practical skills, a work experience placement and useful contacts.
Relevant courses include:
Before pursuing a higher education qualification, speak to people in the industry about whether it will improve your chances of success. Also, when researching qualifications, look for a course that uses industry-standard equipment, is industry-accredited and ideally includes a work placement. Establish where previous graduates have gained employment and what sort of links the education provider has with the industry. If you are already in higher education, ask at your careers service for up-to-date employer and industry information, along with details of media fairs and events.
If you are taking a degree course that is not directly relevant, you should seize opportunities at university, for example on campus newspapers, radio or TV stations. If you are interested in the technical side, you can get involved with sound or lighting for university stage productions and concerts. Outside university, you could work on hospital and community radio stations, for local and specialist newspapers, or as an usher on studio recordings of entertainment shows.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
You will usually need a full, clean driving licence and your own transport. A current first aid certificate and a qualification in health and safety can give you the edge over other candidates.
It is helpful to develop a portfolio, showreel or soundreel of your work (e.g. film shorts, photographs, radio recordings, newspaper articles) that you can send to companies to illustrate your talent. Keeping up to date with changes in technology, finding out what is in pre-production and production, and getting hold of in-house newsletters will put you ahead of the game, as will attending workshops and talks by people in the industry. Entering competitions and showcasing your material at festivals and other events are also ways to get yourself noticed. For example, creating a profile on the BBC Film Network will guarantee your work is viewed, with the possibility of being published and showcased on the BBC's website. Relevant competitions include the Young Lions Competition and Film Nation amongst others.
You may find that you have to do a significant amount of unpaid work experience to get into the industry. Competition for work experience is fierce though and so you need to be prepared to work hard to get it. Networking is essential and you should send your CV to as many production companies and post-production houses as you can. Follow this up with a phone call at a later date (around ten working days later is a good guide) to indicate your enthusiasm for the role.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
The broadcasting industry runs very few training schemes for new entrants and even fewer targeted exclusively at graduates. Any training schemes that are advertised tend to receive, literally, thousands of applications. Training scheme providers include Creative Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries , Cyfle , BBC Academy , The National Film and Television School and CSV Media . Given the competition, applicants for training schemes will need to demonstrate substantial commitment and many candidates will already be working in the industry.
Once in post, training will be provided, but probably on the job and in an ad-hoc way. Being a runner is generally considered to be a training position for progressing to other roles because you gain vital entry-level experience and a broad insight into and understanding of all areas of the industry. You will find that you pick skills up as you go along and learn through repetition. It is a good idea to take every free opportunity to shadow staff in your area of specific interest whenever possible so that you can watch and network.
Typically, new entrants to the broadcast production industry will gain relevant experience through short periods of unpaid work experience. From this they are likely to move into their first paid job as a runner. There is no set time for how long you can expect to work as a runner, but you may well be in post for two years before getting a real break, and some employers, particularly in film, feel that two to three years is the norm to gain adequate experience. Having learnt the basics and gained exposure to a wide range of production areas, you can then decide which area you are interested in and pursue it. However, it is important not to specialise too soon and to appreciate that you may have to be flexible in the beginning in order to gain the necessary experience.
The next step up from a runner is to researcher. Many students view research as an entry-level job, but in larger companies this is rarely the case, although smaller independent production companies may sometimes advertise for researchers or junior researchers. These are roles which may combine runner and researcher tasks and for which a recent graduate with some work experience may be suitable.
Further progression may include a move to the role of production assistant, then assistant production coordinator to production coordinator. In the film industry, runners tend to progress to become head runner before moving to third, second and then first assistant roles. In production, higher-level jobs include assistant producer, director and producer. If you are interested in moving into a management role, it is worth considering a management course, along with training in health and safety and first aid.
Promotion may be more defined in larger companies, but in smaller production companies you will find that there is generally no defined career structure - just more responsibility and a rise in salary. Runners have excellent networking opportunities and there is good scope for career development, with people often moving between different areas of broadcasting.
Most people in the industry work as freelancers and run their work as a small business. This means that being business-minded, entrepreneurial in your decisions, focusing on the direction you want your career to travel in and marketing yourself appropriately is key.
Potential employers are mostly broadcasting/film/video production and post-production companies, along with a small number of opportunities in animation and interactive media.
The UK's largest broadcaster is the BBC , which is funded by the licence fee and has a remit for public service broadcasting. With its expansion into digital TV and its international audience, this makes the BBC one of the biggest employers of media runners. See BBC Work Experience for opportunities. The BBC also has ten national radio stations and a number of local radio stations, as well as the World Service.
Other independent broadcasters who produce either some or all of their own content include:
Many TV companies outsource the production side of the programme making, for example Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky and Virgin Media Television currently outsource the majority of their production operations. There are around 1,500 independent production companies in the UK, and some of the main ones are:
Media directories, such as The Knowledge and Kays Media , list a wide range of production companies both small and large. Mandy's International Film and TV Production Resources offers another directory of film and TV production companies and the website also has job vacancy listings, including positions for runners.
Only approximately 30% of runner positions are advertised, so you need to be proactive and network to gain access to the majority of vacancies. Most people find work through word of mouth and speculative applications.
Smaller independent television, film and video companies offer additional opportunities and sometimes advertise on their websites. If you are planning a period of time abroad consider researching possible international work experience opportunities. Visit Mandy's International Film and TV Production Resources for ideas.
Attending media fairs and networking events is a good way of finding out about opportunities. Your careers service is always a good starting point.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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