ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

I periodically employ runners. I don't expect a lot from them, but IN MY CASE what I like to see is clear, considered, articulate presentation, numeracy, experience, availability and rates expectations more than anything else. Maybe start with a paragraph highlighting the above and paste the CV below. Despite what colleges will tell you, qualifications matter a lot less than experience and recommendations. If you have language or driving skills, get those in that paragraph.

To go a little deeper - you are employed to solve a problem someone has, so try to preempt what they want. A producer will need someone who is committed, energetic, enthusiastic, etc., so project those qualities in your application and you'll stand out. In fact the runners will probably be pre-filtered by a production coordinator before a PM takes their suggestions, so they're who you're reaching out to - people who were runners and have progressed up the ladder a little! Often we get applications from aspirant actors, those often don't work out as well as people dedicated to production/behind the camera roles as they're hopeful of getting spotted/lines which is at odds with being an invisible angel!

I have a feature going into principal photography shortly, I haven't advertised for runners yet as I know that I'll have rich pickings as we're paying properly. I won't even see the applicants, and may not even see the runners themselves during the shoot - the competition is stiff out there!

Hope some of this helps a little from an employers perspective

10 years ago - Jennifer Maybour

Hi Simmone,

I have been a runner for roughly two years, working on major block busters to tiny one off TV shows (can see my IMDB here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5223518/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 ) and I have two CVs which I use depending on what sort of job I am applying for:

I have a two page wordy one where I go into detail about the roles I performed, my degree, my training and skills and any other information I think may be useful. This CV I only use when applying for more admin based roles where they will want to know that I am confident calling companies on the phone, booking travel and accommodation and I am damn good with a copy machine etc.

My other CV is my name and contact details at the top, then a simple table which states; my role, the production name and company, the heads of the department I was in. And then at the bottom I make sure to add; full clean licence with own car and first aid trained – THAT’S IT. This CV I send out to any job that is set based. Everyone on set knows exactly what roles you perform as a runner or location marshal, you don’t need to tell them and they can’t be bothered to read it. This simple table shows them exactly what you’ve done and from that they can gather your level of experience. Also by adding the HODs of your department your prospective employer can contact them to check up on you, the British film industry is a small world, everyone knows everyone – this can work in your favour!
The down side to this CV is it can look very sparse if you don’t have much experience under your belt. Rule of thumb if this type of CV is around half a page or under then stick with the wordy one until you gain more experience.

Let me know if you want any help, I will happily look over your CV and send you mine as an example.

Jenny

10 years ago - Simone Webb

Hello Jenny!

Thanks, that's really helpful. Could I maybe have a look at your CVs? That'd be really useful for me. (My email address is simone.webb.93@outlook.com ). Also, are there good websites to find runner jobs other than here and My First Job In Film?

Thanks!
Simone

10 years ago - Simone Webb

Thank you very much - this is extremely helpful.