Animation
Runner
Also known as: Personal assistant, Production assistant (PA), Production trainee
What does a runner do?
Runners keep an animation project running as smoothly as possible by assisting the work of the production management department of an animation studio.
They are the most junior members of the department and do any number of administrative jobs. Their role varies depending on the size of the company they’re working for. In smaller companies, they support all the departments, whereas, in larger companies, they may specifically help the production coordinator.
Runners’ responsibilities might include:
- Taking notes in production meetings and distributing reports to the appropriate people
- Organising and logging incoming and outgoing materials
- Maintaining databases and spreadsheets for tracking work progress and workflows
- Dealing with script preparation and printing for voice recording sessions
- Doing general office jobs like answering the phone, filing paperwork and entering data
- Booking travel and accommodation
Some animated projects, including animated TV series, outsource the animation part of the production abroad. In these cases, runners may be responsible for scanning and labelling the storyboards and any associated documentation for shipping.
Runners are usually employed by animation studios. They don’t tend to be freelance, but might be employed on a short-term contract.
What’s a runner good at?
- Organisation: plan, prioritise and multitask in your role
- Learning by watching and asking: observe what’s happening, use your initiative and ask questions at the appropriate time
- Taking instruction: listen carefully, respond quickly to requests, stay calm under pressure and be helpful whenever you can
- Communication: be polite to clients and production partners, pass on information in a clear and concise manner
- Enthusiasm: have a passion for the medium and a love of the industry
Who does a runner work with?
Runners work under production coordinators in the production management department of animation projects. On larger productions, these two roles may service a particular department, such as the animation department; in which case, runners also work with animators.
How do I become a runner?
This is a good entry level job to gain experience in production management. From working as a runner, you could progress to the role of production coordinator. It’s worth applying for ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder scheme to get placements on live-action projects. It will help you make the contacts and build up the industry knowledge which you can use to get work in the production management department of an animation.
At school or college:
If you want to go to university, A-levels and Highers in English, business studies, film studies and media studies are relevant. A media studies qualification is not essential. However, any course that combines project management with creativity can be useful. Or you might want to level 3 vocational qualification in one of those subjects. Look at what your local college offers such as:
- OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production)
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology
- T level Media, Broadcast and Production
- OCR Technical Diploma / Extended Diploma in Business
- T level Management and Administration
Get a degree:
You don’t need a degree to become a runner. There are no degree courses specific to working in the production management department of animation that we recommend. However, there are courses that specialise in animation that could grow your knowledge of the process of an animation production. Have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses and select one in animation. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the animation industry.
Become a trainee:
Get onto ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder scheme. Get the skills, make contacts and start working as a production trainee.
Search for jobs:
Research animation companies that you’d like to work for. Animation UK has a directory of animation companies. Go to their websites and check if they are advertising for junior roles in the production management department. You can also send in a speculative CV and ask employers to keep it on file so they can consider you if any suitable jobs come up. Search job websites and runner roles apply for positions.
Look outside the industry:
Consider looking for work as a production runner on live-action film and TV drama projects, as the skills and experience that you would gain there are useful and transferable to a runner role in the animation industry.
Take a short course:
Hone your skills in production assistance by taking a specialist course. Go to the list of training courses recommended by ScreenSkills and see if there is one in animation or production.
Meet people in the industry:
Go to ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and et to know people in the animation industry by attending events. Meet producers and animators and ask them questions about their work, while demonstrating interest and knowledge in the industry. Offer to provide them with your professional contact details and try to stay in touch with them. Go to how to network well to learn how to do this.
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there’s a Facebook page or other social media group for people making films or videos in your area. Join it and take part. Create a ScreenSkills profile.
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of free e-learning modules for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The ScreenSkills Passport modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18. For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the Getting into the screen industries modules are very useful.
ScreenSkills skills checklists:
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our skills checklists.
You might also be interested in…
Working in the production department of the games industry, working as a VFX runner or working as a production runner or floor runner in the film and TV drama industries.
