Lou On Set - Your First Day On Set

So you're all prepped and ready to go.

By now the production will have sent you a call sheet - study it carefully! It has all the contact details of the important folk on set (save these into your phone straight away) and in the production office, details of the scenes being shot that day, the location of the unit base and location for the day. Importantly it includes what time you need to report to unit base, when shooting starts and when shooting wraps.

GET TO THE UNIT BASE EARLY

Much better to be super early than even a little late - every minute is accounted for so once people start being late it affects the whole production. Remember everyone in the industry is linked to each other one way or another and they will talk - you're only as as good as your last job.

FWIEND, OO RUNNER FWIEND!

Make friends with the other runners. Yes you may end competing against each other for future jobs but they are also your ally. Runners help each other out, whether that's from the day to day activities on set to recommending you for other jobs in the future if they are too busy to take it. You're all at the same level and as you progress up the career ladder, those are friendships you'll want to keep nurturing - one day you might end up employing each other for your own projects and you'll always be able to call on them for advice.

DROP THE ATTITUDE

Artwork by David Allcock

It doesn't matter how much you filming you did at uni or whether you won awards for your student film, you are starting at the bottom and no one gives a shit - they just want you to be friendly, reliable and efficient. One of the things I heard on my course was about runners who came into the role thinking they were better than making the tea because they had a degree or had directed some shorts. If you don't want the role, there are hundreds of others who do. Embrace being a runner and don't try to run before you can walk - when people think you're ready to move up the ladder, they will let you know.

MAKE TEA WITH LOVE

Never underestimate the power of a good cuppa! Make sure you pick up on the first day how all the HODs & cast take theirs and remember. If you can't remember, write it down and stick it above the kettle! Always carry a spare stash on you if they like herbal tea or hot chocolate that isn't normally providing by the catering staff.

This excellent video shot on the set of Call The Midwife might give you some idea of what you're letting yourself in for....

Good Luck!

Lou On Set - Getting Ready For Your First Day

So you got the job or landed that work experience as a Floor Runner! Congratulations!

After you've finished ringing round everyone you know with your exciting news, you need to start preparing for your first day - below is everything you need to be ready and raring to go on that first day!

ESSENTIAL KIT

A Thick Belt or Bum Bag - You'll be given a radio to communicate with the rest of your team when you arrive and you'll need something strong to hang it off. I originally had a belt but was enlightened to the use of a bumbag by one of the other runners and I much prefer it. All those handy little pockets for storing just about anything in! We both ended up with the same one from Lowe Alpine which is brilliant

You can purchase one from any good outdoor sports shop for £12.50 and it has 2 litre capacity with several pockets internal and external.

Decent Shoes - you might be trapsing over all manner of terrain, these need to be shoes you don't mind getting dirty, support your feet well, waterproof and are comfortable for a 12 hour shoot. Walking boots, Timberlands, sturdy trainers are all good footwear.

A Mini Notepad & Several Pens - write everything down. If someone gives you an instruction/tea order and you don't think you can remember it, write it down. You won't be penalised for writing but you will be if you get it wrong or forget it! If you can't do something, tell someone straight away. Don't keep quiet and hope it will go unnoticed - everyone else is extremely busy but they will noticed if something they asked for isn't completed. People borrow pens all the time - make sure you have a few spares!

A Spare Battery/Charger - It's a long day on set so make sure you have a phone charger to keep it juiced up and a spare battery for your radio or to give anyone else who needs one.

A Watch - need I say more?

A Waterproof & Warm Clothing - the weather can be wildly unpredictable as we all know. Make sure you're covered for all eventualities. That also includes sunnies should the sun happen to make a rare appearance!

A Sharpie - ridiculously useful! You may need to write signs, write names on covered plates of food, anything really!

A Mini Torch - a good strong mini torch is really useful, either for being on night shoots or poking around in dark corners. You can get ones small enough to fit in your pocket or bumbag that still pack a powerful punch!

WHAT TO WEAR - A TV/FILM RUNNERS WARDROBE

Most films crews dress pretty casually - you have to wear stuff that's comfortable but you don't mind getting potentially mucky! Skirts are pretty much a no no - shorts, cargo pants, leggings and jeans are all good.

I personally wear my Black Milk leggings - but that's part of who I am! I team them with a pair of Timberland boots, t-shirts, vest tops, jumpers and a North Face gilet - I got mine from Nevisport in Manchester.

I find the gilets are a really good item - it's worth investing in a proper feather & down one as they're like a mini duvet - keep you toasty when you need to be and cool when you don't! It also leaves your arms completely unrestricted and has several zip up pockets including an inner one - perfect for all those bits and pieces you need to carry!

Lou On Set - Top Tips For New TV/Film Runners

So you want to become a runner in the Film/TV industry but where do you start?

KNOW WHO TO CONTACT

Unless you know that you want to be in the Art/Editing/Camera etc Department, most people will start out as a Floor Runner or Production Runner/Assistant. You can try sending out your CV in a scattergun approach to various production houses but it's not likely to get to the right people.

For Floor Runners, you need to be emailing your CV to the 2nd ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. This may vary slightly on some productions, but for most they will be the person in charge of hiring runners.

For Production Runners, you need to send your CV to the PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR.

I keep track of everyone I've contacted in a spreadsheet with the date, their details, whether their response was positive or negative. You don't want to end up pestering people so it's good to keep an eye on when you last contacted them when following up (1 - 2 months is a good time to leave it). Spread your net wide and contact as many as possible!

TIDY UP YOUR CV

Don't send out a carbon copy, tailor your CV for each individual role and whatever you do don't attached a picture or a tea bag! Your CV should be no longer than a page and spaced out - these folks are super busy and have only mere minutes (sometimes even no more than 30 seconds) to scan over your CV amongst the hundreds of others they get. It needs to be short, snappy and to the point listing the features you've worked on, your role, relevant transferable experience and any useful skills like First Aid qualifications.

If you have to put a personal statement, keep it only to a couple of lines. Always send your CV as a PDF so there's no bouncing around with the format when it arrives on a different computer.

LEARN HOW TO DRIVE

Runners will be needed to ping all over the place - if you're 25 or over, it's definitely an advantage for productions who need to hire a car for runners to drive. If you've got your own car, even better. Make sure you pop that you have a license right at the top of your CV - it's important.

If you do have your own car, make sure it's got business insurance so you're covered when doing any driving/errands/picking up cast members for the production.

TALK TO EVERYONE

Someone knows somebody knows somebody who works in film or tv.....sound familiar? You never know who might just be that connection you're looking for. Talk to everyone, network, ask around. Check on Twitter - is anything filming in your area? If it is, go down and talk to the crew.

I've done this several times recently with productions filming at the town hall in Manchester - wrap up warm and be prepared to wait around for several hours for a break in filming or filming to wrap. Be friendly and chat to everyone - network, network, network!

BE AN EXTRA

If you have no experience at all, being an extra is a great way of getting first hand experience of how a day on a film or TV set works. You see first hand how each member of the crew works and even get paid. It's also a great way to be in a position to chat to that AD at the end of the day, speak to the runners about how they go into it and decided if it it's a something you really want to get into.

SIGN UP TO DATABASES

There are many excellent databases and resources out there for new runners, all over the UK. Wales and the North are becoming ever increasingly popular meaning there are more opportunities than ever for those based outside of London. Sign up with these folks to get the ball rolling

Creative England

The Talent Circle

The CallTime Company

The Knowledge

Remember running is all about  

 PASSION, PATIENCE & PERSEVERANCE!

Lou On Set - New Beginnings

I recently decided I wanted to finally make the leap and change career from PR/Social Media into the Film & TV industry. I've always wanted to work in the industry but straight out of uni, I was more attracted by the steady monthly income in my bank account and the regularity of a 9-5! In a nutshell, I wasn't quite ready. Several years later and some brilliant friends along the way, I've now started to make the leap into this wonderful and exciting new career and follow my dream (as cheesy as that sounds!)

So where to start?

I wasn’t quite sure – I had a few contacts but no idea on how to best approach them or where to get the ball rolling! I spotted a dream job for Game of Thrones as Production Secretary and whilst I had the admin experience requested for the role, I’m pretty sure my application was completely wrong and tailored incorrectly for a TV job! No wonder I never heard back!

Luckily for me, I spotted on Twitter that The Production Guild was doing an intensive training course for runners trying to break into the industry. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect!

Lead by industry professionals and offering advice on how to tailor CVs, what to expect, set etiquette and opportunities to network, I booked a ticket without hesitating! I’d missed the Manchester session (they run them at various locations throughout the country) so a few days later, I was on a train down to Cardiff to attend the course at the beautiful Millennium Centre in Mermaid Quay.

Not only is it a fantastic area (BBC Cymru is just across the water – home to Sherlock & Dr Who) but I even made a new friend during the course. I cannot recommend the course highly enough for anyone looking to break into the industry – every single bit of information was invaluable and I made some great contacts from Production Co-Ordinators to Assistant Directors, who have remained in touch with me.

You can find out more information on their website – http://www.productionguild.com/training/runner. Sessions in Belfast & Birmingham are still available for booking later in the year. Even if they're not local to you, it's worth the trip and only costs £41.
 
Feeling exciting, inspired and raring to go, I got back to Manchester and immediately set about tailoring my CV based on the notes I picked up from the course and sending out emails to all local productions.

You can read more on my Top Tips For New Runners

Only a few weeks and a bit of cheekiness later and I’d landed my first role as an Additional Runner for the new Russell T Davies Channel 4 drama currently filming in Manchester – looking forward to the future already! Stay tuned!