Runners in Television
Television is the biggest employer of Runners. But before making any approach, it's important to research the work of the company or department that you're applying to.
At the BBC, work experience is often the way into Runner employment. The BBC has a wide-ranging work experience programme and generally advertises new vacancies. Some departments recruit Runners through direct contact or via networking opportunities, such as the annual Broadcast LIVE show, or from unsolicited CVs. For instance, BBC Resources is the UK's largest facilities house which sells its services and facilities across the industry. Yet many applicants say they're not interested in what goes on in post-production, which represents 75% of the department's work. The BBC website is the best source of information about the corporation.
The ITV companies vary in size and output and have centralised particular types of production in London, Manchester, Bristol and Leeds. Jobs are not always advertised, so you should approach these departments directly with a CV and covering letter.
Some ITV companies hire out studios. For instance, the London Studios employs a number of Runners and has a structured Runners set up.
Channel 4 and S4C do not make programmes but commission them from independent companies. They employ only a small number of people and consequently opportunities for Runners are likely to be limited. The same goes for Five, which makes very few programmes.
Other Cable and Satellite companies are now well established and employ small teams of people, often including a Runner to work on their (usually low budget) programmes. In large cable and satellite companies there are between 2 and 4 Runners in departments and internal databases of freelance Runners are used for backfilling. Details of companies can be obtained from Ofcom and information can also be found in the industry directories.
Independent Production sector - most Runners are employed in this sector by companies that vary greatly in size and in the type of work they produce. Many of these runner jobs are for the duration of a specific production.
Some of the larger companies operate occasional Runner schemes which offer 6-9 months of supervised experience in different areas of the business. These schemes are seldom advertised and selection takes place from CVs/contacts that have already been made.
Taking the initiative is an essential part of getting into and getting on in this sector in which individual companies are constantly competing against each other for commissions. In medium and larger companies there are excellent opportunities to move on, usually into Research but also into Production Secretary/Co-ordinator roles. Production Managers and employers tend to pick Runners carefully with an eye to training on the job.
Most independent production companies are members of the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), which produces a directory listing the type of work companies make.
Runners say
"In drama it's much more businesslike than I expected - I have to account for everything."
"I've been lucky. A manager took a real interest in something that I was doing and she's shared all kinds of knowledge and experience."
"I know that there was lots of competition for this job. But I did lots of research so I wasn't too surprised to be interviewed."
"I'm pleased I did so much in student societies at college. I've realised that admin skills are really helpful, even in this apparently chaotic atmosphere."
"I can't believe the effect on my social life - I hardly see anyone. I didn't realise that the days would be so long, but everyone seems to work like this."
"Being in a production office is a great start - I'm beginning to understand how the programme is built and then made."
"I'm shocked at how tight the budgets and timescales are in TV."
"Every month there's a programme ideas forum that we're all invited to. Last time I researched an idea for a show and suggested it at the meeting. It's been taken seriously and if it gets commissioned I should be part of the production team."
Employers say
"When we meet people - often through work experience - we particularly look for some INTEREST and idea about which way they hope to develop, but people just say 'I'd like to work in television.'"
"Appearances really matter - the letter, the CV, how much care they've taken getting dressed for the interview."
"We're very interested in applications from ethnic minorities with relevant skills - it's still a very white industry."
"The industry is under real financial pressure. We can't carry anyone."
"Touch base every couple of months or so - but don't expect an immediate response. Potential Runners are not top priority."
"Sometimes we ask Runners to meet and greet big stars - it can be a bit daunting. Other times they'll spend the whole week opening envelopes - important to the programme, but not exciting."
"There are some people you want to help, because they put a lot into helping everyone else."
"The best advice is to impress Production Managers. The more you can do to make their lives easier, the more likely they are to ask you back. Keep in touch after you leave."