Production Assistant
Content
Job Profi les for t he Creative Creative Media Media Indus Indus tri es
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT – FILM
PRODUCTION RUNNER / PRODUCT PRO DUCTION ION ASSIS A SSISTA TANT NT This is one of a series of job profiles within the FILM sector developed by industry experts to help industry newcomers understand the different job roles and the skills required in order to succeed. We aim to keep this information as current as possible and would welcome any comments to help us improve this profile; please e-mail us on: [email protected]. [email protected]. All job profiles can be downloaded and printed from www.skillset.org.
Background Production Runners are the foot soldiers of the production team, performing small but important tasks in the office, around the set and on location. Their duties may involve anything from office administration to crowd control, and from public relations to cleaning up locations. Production Runners are usually employed on a freelance basis, are not very well paid, and their hours are long and irregular. However, the work is usually extremely varied and provides a good entry-level role into the f ilm industry.
Whatt is the job? Wha Production Runners are deployed by the Producer and by other production staff, such as the Production Coordinator, to assist wherever they are needed on productions. Their responsibilities vary considerably depending on where Production Runners are assigned. In the Production Office duties typically include: assisting with answering telephones, filing paperwork and data entry, arranging lunches, dinners, and transportation reservations, photocopying, photocopying, general office administration, and distributing production paperwork. On-set duties typically include: acting as a courier, helping to keep the set clean and tidy and distributing call sheets, Health and Safety notices, and other paperwork. On location shoots, Production Runners may also be required to help to co-ordinate the extras, and to perform crowd control duties, except where this work is dangerous, or performed by police officers or other official personnel.
Typical career career rou tes Production Runner or Production Assistant is an entry-level role that can provide valuable contacts and experience for many other roles. Progression might be to a trainee position within another department or to a more senior role within the Production Office.
Essential Esse ntial knowl edge & skil ls Production Runners must be flexible and well organised, organised, and be able to think on their feet. They should be able to relay messages quickly and accurately, whilst paying due regard to the need for silence when on set. They should have strong verbal and written communication skills, be able to take orders, and to show tact and deference towards those in positions of authority and greater responsibility. They must be punctual and enthusiastic, and understand the importance of taking t aking detailed notes and recording expenditure accurately. They should be levelheaded, and able to work calmly and effectively under pressure. Production Runners must be able to contribute to good working relationships, and to creating a positive atmosphere on the production. They should have good secretarial skills, and be computer literate in standard word processor, spreadsheet spreadsheet and e-mail programs. They should also be aware of Health and Safety issues, and ensure that their actions do not constitute a risk to themselves or to others. www.skillset.org/careers Call Skillset Careers’ free media helplines Scotland Wales Wale s Helpli ne England Helpline Helpline 0800 0121 815 08080 300 900* 0808 100 8094 *Also available to callers from Northern Ireland
PRODUCTION RUNNER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT – PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT – FILM
Key skills include:
organisational and administrative skills computer skills good communication and interpersonal skills the ability to work without supervision versatility and a willingness to learn knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Training and qualifications Enthusiasm is considered more important than experience. While there are no specific educational requirements, this is a very popular area of work, and Production Runner jobs can be very strongly contested despite the low pay. In these circumstances, a good education is a definite advantage. A large number of colleges and other t raining providers offer Media courses that may provide a suitable background. Relevant courses include City & Guilds qualifications, such as the Diploma in Media Techniques or the Certificate for Audiovisual Industries Induction; BTEC National Certificate in Media Production; HNC/HNDs; Foundation degrees, first degrees and postgraduate courses in film and TV production. Skillet’s network of Screen Academies are institutions that it has identified as offering the highest quality of film skills training. Details are available on the Skillset website: http://www.skillset.org/training/san/ssa/ Some experience in film, drama or broadcasting, whether it is in amateur dramatics, student radio or film making, shorts or community media is also an advantage. A full, clean EU driver's licence is almost always required.
Where to go for more information Skillset is
the Sector Skills Council Creative Media. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards . Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.
Websites The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) www.bectu.org.uk Community Media Association www.commedia.org.uk Cyfle, the Welsh training company for film, television and interactive media www.cyfle.co.uk FT2 - Film & Television Freelance Training www.ft2.org.uk The Production Guild www.productionguild.com Scottish Screen, the national development agency for the screen industries in Scotland www.scottishscreen.com Shooting People, an online network of independent filmmakers https://shootingpeople.org
Publications Screen International – http://www.screendaily.com/ The Knowledge (directory) – http://www.theknowledgeonline.com/ So You Want to Work in Film and TV - Wayland
Skillset does not endorse or accept responsibility for any of the products, services or content of third party organisations or websites contained within this Job Profile, nor does it guarantee the quality of links to the external websites listed. Any concerns regarding an external link should be directed to its webmaster.
Also available in large print, Braille, audiotape and PC formatted disc formats.
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT – FILM
PRODUCTION RUNNER / PRODUCT PRO DUCTION ION ASSIS A SSISTA TANT NT This is one of a series of job profiles within the FILM sector developed by industry experts to help industry newcomers understand the different job roles and the skills required in order to succeed. We aim to keep this information as current as possible and would welcome any comments to help us improve this profile; please e-mail us on: [email protected]. [email protected]. All job profiles can be downloaded and printed from www.skillset.org.
Background Production Runners are the foot soldiers of the production team, performing small but important tasks in the office, around the set and on location. Their duties may involve anything from office administration to crowd control, and from public relations to cleaning up locations. Production Runners are usually employed on a freelance basis, are not very well paid, and their hours are long and irregular. However, the work is usually extremely varied and provides a good entry-level role into the f ilm industry.
Whatt is the job? Wha Production Runners are deployed by the Producer and by other production staff, such as the Production Coordinator, to assist wherever they are needed on productions. Their responsibilities vary considerably depending on where Production Runners are assigned. In the Production Office duties typically include: assisting with answering telephones, filing paperwork and data entry, arranging lunches, dinners, and transportation reservations, photocopying, photocopying, general office administration, and distributing production paperwork. On-set duties typically include: acting as a courier, helping to keep the set clean and tidy and distributing call sheets, Health and Safety notices, and other paperwork. On location shoots, Production Runners may also be required to help to co-ordinate the extras, and to perform crowd control duties, except where this work is dangerous, or performed by police officers or other official personnel.
Typical career career rou tes Production Runner or Production Assistant is an entry-level role that can provide valuable contacts and experience for many other roles. Progression might be to a trainee position within another department or to a more senior role within the Production Office.
Essential Esse ntial knowl edge & skil ls Production Runners must be flexible and well organised, organised, and be able to think on their feet. They should be able to relay messages quickly and accurately, whilst paying due regard to the need for silence when on set. They should have strong verbal and written communication skills, be able to take orders, and to show tact and deference towards those in positions of authority and greater responsibility. They must be punctual and enthusiastic, and understand the importance of taking t aking detailed notes and recording expenditure accurately. They should be levelheaded, and able to work calmly and effectively under pressure. Production Runners must be able to contribute to good working relationships, and to creating a positive atmosphere on the production. They should have good secretarial skills, and be computer literate in standard word processor, spreadsheet spreadsheet and e-mail programs. They should also be aware of Health and Safety issues, and ensure that their actions do not constitute a risk to themselves or to others. www.skillset.org/careers Call Skillset Careers’ free media helplines Scotland Wales Wale s Helpli ne England Helpline Helpline 0800 0121 815 08080 300 900* 0808 100 8094 *Also available to callers from Northern Ireland
PRODUCTION RUNNER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT – PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT – FILM
Key skills include:
organisational and administrative skills computer skills good communication and interpersonal skills the ability to work without supervision versatility and a willingness to learn knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Training and qualifications Enthusiasm is considered more important than experience. While there are no specific educational requirements, this is a very popular area of work, and Production Runner jobs can be very strongly contested despite the low pay. In these circumstances, a good education is a definite advantage. A large number of colleges and other t raining providers offer Media courses that may provide a suitable background. Relevant courses include City & Guilds qualifications, such as the Diploma in Media Techniques or the Certificate for Audiovisual Industries Induction; BTEC National Certificate in Media Production; HNC/HNDs; Foundation degrees, first degrees and postgraduate courses in film and TV production. Skillet’s network of Screen Academies are institutions that it has identified as offering the highest quality of film skills training. Details are available on the Skillset website: http://www.skillset.org/training/san/ssa/ Some experience in film, drama or broadcasting, whether it is in amateur dramatics, student radio or film making, shorts or community media is also an advantage. A full, clean EU driver's licence is almost always required.
Where to go for more information Skillset is
the Sector Skills Council Creative Media. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards . Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.
Websites The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) www.bectu.org.uk Community Media Association www.commedia.org.uk Cyfle, the Welsh training company for film, television and interactive media www.cyfle.co.uk FT2 - Film & Television Freelance Training www.ft2.org.uk The Production Guild www.productionguild.com Scottish Screen, the national development agency for the screen industries in Scotland www.scottishscreen.com Shooting People, an online network of independent filmmakers https://shootingpeople.org
Publications Screen International – http://www.screendaily.com/ The Knowledge (directory) – http://www.theknowledgeonline.com/ So You Want to Work in Film and TV - Wayland
Skillset does not endorse or accept responsibility for any of the products, services or content of third party organisations or websites contained within this Job Profile, nor does it guarantee the quality of links to the external websites listed. Any concerns regarding an external link should be directed to its webmaster.
Also available in large print, Braille, audiotape and PC formatted disc formats.
