Standby Carpenters are highly experienced carpenters who must be constantly available on set or on location during film shoots, to service the needs of the camera team.  Usually selected by the Chargehand Carpenter or Construction Manager, Standby Carpenters must be skilled, creative and imaginative in order to be able to solve carpentry problems quickly and often under great time pressure.

Responsibilities
Standby Carpenters are responsible for dealing with any changes or improvements to the set or props, which may be required during a film shoot.  If any problems arise with the wooden structures, fittings, props or scenic equipment on the set, Standby Carpenters repair, refit or reassemble them.  This is often carried out at the direct request of the Director or the Camera team, who may need something adapted very quickly before a scene is shot, e.g., a dining table in a key scene may need raising slightly, or a door may need to be refitted.  When Standby Carpenters sort out a carpentry problem on set, they are also responsible for restoring all the surrounding props, etc., to their original places and condition, in order to help maintain continuity levels.  They are also required to service and repair off screen structures on film sets. 

Skills
Standby Carpenters must have excellent craft skills in carpentry and joinery, as well as experience of working in film production.  Key requirements are that they are highly creative and intelligent, and that they possess excellent problem solving skills.  They must also be able to work rapidly, and often under great pressure; film shoots can come to a standstill while Standby Carpenters work to resolve problems with wooden structures.  They must have physical strength, stamina, a good sense of balance, and be comfortable working at heights.  Full knowledge of the Health and Safety requirements when working with tools, is essential.

Qualifications/Experience
Standby Carpenters need certain accredited qualifications, such as the Intermediate Construction Award, or a CITB Construction Skills S/NVQ in Carpentry and Joinery to Level 2, as a minimum.  As the role also involves travel, a full driving licence is required.

Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film.

Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.