Film job profiles/driver facilities
Facilities Drivers are responsible for driving, and looking after, the vehicles hired from a facilities company for use during a film shoot. The vehicles may include mobile make-up and costume units, artist's caravans, mobile production offices, or mobile toilet units (known as honey-wagons). The Drivers are employed by a facilities company, which is hired by a Line Producer, Production Co-ordinator or Transport Co-ordinator. Drivers may also work in close collaboration with the Location Manager. During a shoot, they come into contact with almost all of the cast and crew as they make use of the vehicles.
Responsibilities
Drivers of facilities vehicles have a number of key responsibilities during a shoot. They must ensure that their vehicle arrives in good time at a specified location, which often means starting work very early. They should have thoroughly researched, in advance, the best route to the location. For very remote locations, reaching the unit can be difficult for large vehicles, so considerable planning may be required to arrange suitable access. This may involve an advance recce of the location. Liaising with the Location Manager, they must also find the best place to park the vehicle. Before the shoot starts, Drivers must prepare their vehicle, making sure that it is warm, clean and ready for use by the artists and crew, and that all the electrical appliances are in full working order. Throughout the shoot they are responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle, its safety, and its cleanliness. This may involve removing refuse from bins and emptying toilets. At the end of the shooting day, Drivers must close up and lock the vehicle, clean it, and perhaps drive it to the next location. Drivers work very long hours, as they are often the first to arrive at, and the last to leave, a location.
Skills
Drivers of facilities vehicles need excellent driving skills. They must be comfortable driving and manoeuvring large vehicles in a safe manner, often in awkward spaces when on location. They also need to be able to plan effectively, and to map read with confidence. They must be punctual, and arrive at unit locations on deadline. They need a sound knowledge of mechanics and electrics, to ensure that their vehicle is always kept in good working order. Drivers must be highly adaptable and resilient: the work involves very long hours, and plans can change at short notice. They must be able to work as part of a team, and be good communicators. They need physically strength, as the work can involve heavy lifting. They must also have good domestic skills, and be prepared to clean up after cast and crew. They also need good people skills, and must be able to get on with the cast and crew who use their vehicles. They should also be aware of the Health and Safety legislation relevant to their work.
Qualifications/experience
Drivers of facilities vehicles must possess an HGV1 driving licence, as well as being very experienced drivers. Although no formal academic qualifications are required, they must have strong communication skills, and a high level of literacy, in order to carry out their role effectively. Some Drivers of facilities vehicles have a military background, and may have gained wide experience in the Logistics or Engineering Corps.
Responsibilities
Drivers of facilities vehicles have a number of key responsibilities during a shoot. They must ensure that their vehicle arrives in good time at a specified location, which often means starting work very early. They should have thoroughly researched, in advance, the best route to the location. For very remote locations, reaching the unit can be difficult for large vehicles, so considerable planning may be required to arrange suitable access. This may involve an advance recce of the location. Liaising with the Location Manager, they must also find the best place to park the vehicle. Before the shoot starts, Drivers must prepare their vehicle, making sure that it is warm, clean and ready for use by the artists and crew, and that all the electrical appliances are in full working order. Throughout the shoot they are responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle, its safety, and its cleanliness. This may involve removing refuse from bins and emptying toilets. At the end of the shooting day, Drivers must close up and lock the vehicle, clean it, and perhaps drive it to the next location. Drivers work very long hours, as they are often the first to arrive at, and the last to leave, a location.
Skills
Drivers of facilities vehicles need excellent driving skills. They must be comfortable driving and manoeuvring large vehicles in a safe manner, often in awkward spaces when on location. They also need to be able to plan effectively, and to map read with confidence. They must be punctual, and arrive at unit locations on deadline. They need a sound knowledge of mechanics and electrics, to ensure that their vehicle is always kept in good working order. Drivers must be highly adaptable and resilient: the work involves very long hours, and plans can change at short notice. They must be able to work as part of a team, and be good communicators. They need physically strength, as the work can involve heavy lifting. They must also have good domestic skills, and be prepared to clean up after cast and crew. They also need good people skills, and must be able to get on with the cast and crew who use their vehicles. They should also be aware of the Health and Safety legislation relevant to their work.
Qualifications/experience
Drivers of facilities vehicles must possess an HGV1 driving licence, as well as being very experienced drivers. Although no formal academic qualifications are required, they must have strong communication skills, and a high level of literacy, in order to carry out their role effectively. Some Drivers of facilities vehicles have a military background, and may have gained wide experience in the Logistics or Engineering Corps.
