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!
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