Runners' ambitions
We asked Runners about the options they are considering as the next step in their career development. Some are more focused than others. The following is just a sample of their responses which might give you an insight into how other Runners have thought about progressing their careers:
Get more training
"To complete the Directors course within the BBC, which trains Runners, 3rd ADs (Assistant Directors) and Directors - then gain work as a 3rd AD"
"I want to gain more technical training to pursue my career as a freelancer. I am currently working towards this by gaining as much industry knowledge as possible."
"I want to get into news or current affairs so I am really looking to become a Runner/Researcher at a company involved in news or factual programming. I might need some more training for this, i.e. a journalism or researcher course, the only problem being funding as I am not getting paid for the work I am doing now."
"I would like to become a Researcher. I believe I have the knowledge required to make this step but feel a certain amount of luck is involved. I would consider a course if this does not happen soon."
Get more experience and use it to progress
"We get a chance to shadow Editors. I hope to do some shadowing while learning software programs at home. This should give me good insight into post production at a professional level and hopefully gain me a placement on a training course."
"Broadcast Engineer. Working, working, working and getting more experience."
"Researcher - but I need more experience first. Also guidance. Personal contacts would help too! I want to work in a different department and it's hard to cross over."
"Hopefully climb up the production career ladder and work as a Junior PA (Production Assistant) and then PA. I'm also trying to get more on-set experience to see if AD work would suit me. Another area I would like to look into is Script Continuity but I have no idea how to get into that."
"To get a permanent paid job at a similar but higher level. I hope that the experience that I am gaining will help me achieve this by proving to potential employers that I am capable of doing the job."
Get into my area of interest
"Already clapper loading, will move into clapper loading full-time then move to focus pulling in about four years time."
"Move to another Runner's job or Researcher position. I will need luck, contacts, and a reasonable wage offer in order to take on the job."
"I was recently promoted to Junior Researcher but may try to cross over to 3rd AD. I'd like to set myself up on a freelance contacts website."
"I would like to do more on the production side - possibly as a Production Assistant or Researcher. I would like to have a more comprehensive idea of what employers are looking for in people they employ for such positions."
"Not sure - because I'm in post production but ideally I would like to be in production."
"Complete my final year at university and then re-apply for a Runner position at a company with a well-known and successful 3D department or a company that offers the potential to do very well at 3D (i.e. sufficient facilities to allow for promotion)."
"I am currently working in a post production company, but I did a degree in animation. I'm trying to get into animation companies. I don't mind if it means being a Runner again as long as I have a foot in the door within an industry I want to pursue a career in. I can work my way up from there."