RUNNER
The role of Runner is the accepted and conventional entry-level position within the film production industry - the first rung on the ladder
As the role's name suggests, Runners first and foremost run errands. Their responsibilities vary widely from shoot to shoot, but usually involve conveying messages, organising props, looking after cast and crew (making and distributing tea and coffee can be an hourly task), driving, delivering technical equipment, and attending to specific requests from the Producer, Director or Assistant Directors.
Runner
The role of the runner is the entry level position within the film industry.
Runners first and foremost run errands
Their responsibilities vary widely from shoot to shoot
Can involve:
Conveying messages
Organising props
Looking after cast and crew
Tea and coffee
Delivering technical equipment
RESEARCHER
The key skills needed for this job are initiative, the ability to listen to people and build up trust and rapport with them. You also need to remain impartial and non-judgemental, have the ability to plan and juggle work, have writing skills, a curiosity about life and people, and be able to network.
He has to check out information, ensuring everything is factually correct, initiate ideas and explore them, consider different angles on stories, contribute to the website, interview contributors, edit interviews and work within a team. 'The overall responsibility for the programme is with the producer, as soon as the programme goes on air, your responsibility stops as a researcher. The more skilled and experienced you are as a researcher, the more responsibility you will get.'
Researcher
Key skills:
Initiative
Ability to listen to people
Writing skills
Check out information
Ensuring everything is factually correct
Initiate ideas and explore them
Contributor contacts, time scheduling availability.
EDITOR
The film or videotape editor works in the post-production editing suite putting together, as a sequence, the final product, which consists of related shots from the raw camera footage. Working closely with the director to meet his or her requirements it is the skill of the editor that determines the quality and delivery of the final product.
Editor
Post production team
Sequencing raw camera footage together to create the final product
The relationship between the director and editor determines the quality and delivery of the final product
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
DoPs work closely with the Director and Production Designer to give a film its visual signature. Lighting is one of the fundamental elements in filmmaking; the way in which light falls on an actor's face, reveals an interior space, or illuminates a landscape, can create mood, drama and excitement for the audience. The ability of cinema to entertain and emotionally move an audience is the result of a highly collaborative process which encompasses performance, editing and music. The role of the Director of Photography or Cinematographer is to provide a film with its unique visual identity, or look.
Director Of Photography
Works closely with director
Give a film its visual signature
Lighting
Creating moods
Entertain and emotionally move audience
SCREENWRITER
Screenwriters are authors who write the screenplays from which movies and television dramas are made.
Screenwriters create fresh ideas and bring stories to life in scripts for productions like feature films, TV comedy and drama, animation, children's programmes and computer games.
As a screenwriter, you might develop your own original ideas and sell ('pitch') them to producers. Alternatively, producers may commission you to create a screenplay from an idea or true story, or to adapt an existing novel, play or comic book.
Screenwriter
Your work would typically involve:
- coming up with themes and ideas
- researching background material
- developing believable plots and characters
- laying out the screenplay to an agreed format
- preparing short summaries of your ideas and 'pitching' them to producers or development executives
- submitting the ‘first draft’ of your work
- getting feedback about your work from producers or script editors
- rewriting the script if necessary (you may need to do this several times before arriving at the final agreed version).
CAMERA ASSISTANT
Camera Assistants support senior members of the Camera department, and undergo an important practical apprenticeship. Camera Trainees provide general support to the Camera department, while more senior Assistants carry out precise and complex technical tasks such as swinging camera cranes. Assistants learn crucial practical skills, which eventually help them to progress to more senior roles, such as Camera Operator and eventually Camera Supervisor.
Camera Trainees offer general support to the Studio/Outside Broadcast (OB) Camera department, carrying out simple tasks such as collecting equipment from stores, and assisting with rigging cameras and equipment. Camera Assistants offer general support to the Camera Operator, by rigging (setting up) cameras and accessories, and assisting with camera operation in any way required. They help to move cameras, 'bash' (handle and store) cables, and swing camera cranes.
Camera Assistant
Support senior members of camera department
Undergo practical apprenticeship
General support to camera department
Assisting with rigging and equipment
Assisting with camera operation in any way
