ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

3 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Notice periods will be a big hindrance sadly - runners are the last roles to be filled (you fill the crew from the top down, and runners are typically booked by a Production Coordinator once the production office is already running, meaning you're close to shooting). This is where rich parents can be a huge help lol.

No, it's not "fair", but it's a commercial reality :(

3 years, 4 months ago - Neil Scott-Sills

Back in the day I would visit all the London based film schools and post my details on the message board. Paddy's pont about contacting freelance production co-ords with your details may bear bear fruit. You could hawk your CV around all of the commercial production companies based in Soho. I got a gig that way once. If you have a driving license that will really help.

3 years, 4 months ago - Anish Kaul

Hi both, thank you for the advice you've each given, really appreciate it!

3 years, 4 months ago - Marlom Tander

Anish,

Reality is that many jobs will have notice periods, but you are either not expected to serve them (esp if you can line someone up to take over, e.g. cafe/bar/resturants) OR the moment you announce you are leaving, you get told to clear your desk and are just paid off, (a lot of finance/legal where you handle client data).

Even if you have to give notice, normally the only impact is maybe loss of pay owed (but only if that's in the contract) and, don't ask them for a reference if they take it badly....

If you are going into the service industry, in many cases, esp right now, you can be up front and even if you have to bail, do so on good terms.

Good luck.

3 years, 4 months ago - Tristan Nelson

I was a runner for a few years before deciding to concentrate on my own projects. It is definitely a big case of knowing people and also a ton of luck when applying for positions. I think for a while, the work I mostly got came from the facebook runner page but also finding contact details for projects that were starting production and reaching out to applicable person(s) - I think the latter was how I got onto Netflix's The Dark Crystal! Trying to juggle employment, especially a full-time job and pursuing runner work will be incredibly difficult - there will be times where you are given a days notice if that. If you're serious about it, I'd recommend having some money saved up for those weeks/months where you may struggle to get work. That and get a really flexible job - perhaps temp work whilst seeking.
TV is WAAY easier to get into than film. HETV can sometimes be like getting into film depending. I'd avoid any 'internships' or 'work experience' - really rare they'll do you any favours of work after and it didn't help me 'stand out from the crowd' whatsoever. 9/10, it's a scam.

If I can help in any way, feel free to ask. I'll see if I can share any knowledge.