Overview of the role
The runner is the entry-level position in unscripted television production, providing essential support across various departments depending on the specific production's needs. Runner roles vary significantly between different types of productions - from large-scale factual series requiring transport logistics to smaller documentary productions needing research support, studio-based shows requiring audience coordination, or post-heavy productions needing technical assistance.
Each runner position typically involves a subset of the responsibilities outlined below, allowing new entrants to develop core competencies in specific areas while gaining broader understanding through observation and cross-departmental exposure. The role serves as a crucial training ground for future careers in television, with different experiences leading toward various career paths: transport and logistics experience may lead to location or production management; research and contributor work often progresses to junior researcher positions; technical support can develop toward camera, sound, or post-production careers; while office coordination frequently leads to production coordinator roles.
Runners must be physically and mentally resilient, prepared to work long hours in unpredictable environments ranging from freezing outdoor locations to high-pressure studio recordings. Success requires balancing practical competence with emotional intelligence, demonstrating reliability while showing initiative and genuine curiosity about the storytelling process. Modern runner roles increasingly require digital literacy, from managing contributor information on cloud-based systems to using tablets for release form management.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of the production.
- Answer phones professionally during busy periods, taking detailed messages and routing calls appropriately.
- Maintain complex filing systems covering contributor releases to location agreements, ensuring documents are accessible for legal purposes.
- Manage high-volume printing, photocopying, and distribution of production materials, often working to tight deadlines.
- Support production coordinators with database management, schedule coordination, and contact list maintenance.
- Process incoming deliveries, courier services, and mail distribution, ensuring time-sensitive materials reach the right people promptly.
- Ensure contributor paperwork completion including release forms, ensuring all legal requirements are met before filming.
- Support risk assessment implementation on locations, understanding potential hazards and helping implement safety measures.
- Monitor and report health and safety concerns, understanding the serious legal and ethical implications.
- Assist qualified First Aiders during medical emergencies, knowing basic procedures and how to coordinate professional support.
- Maintain awareness of child protection procedures when working with younger contributors, understanding legal requirements.
- Act as communication hub between departments, accurately relaying complex information and understanding which messages require immediate attention.
- Coordinate with external suppliers, venues, and service providers, learning to negotiate on behalf of the production.
- Maintain updated contact databases ensuring all team members have current information during fast-changing schedules.
- Support schedule coordination, informing relevant parties of changes and understanding the ripple effects across departments.
- Provide professional liaison during broadcaster or client visits, representing the production positively.
- Respond calmly to equipment failures, transport breakdowns, or contributor emergencies, learning to prioritise safety while minimising delays.
- Find creative solutions when original plans fail, demonstrating resourcefulness in sourcing replacements or coordinating alternatives.
- Support senior staff during high-pressure situations by taking on additional responsibilities.
- Coordinate emergency support for medical issues or unexpected contributor problems, balancing compassion with production requirements.
- Maintain professional composure during conflicts, learning de-escalation techniques and when to involve senior staff.
- Collect, deliver, and return hired equipment from rental houses, conducting thorough checks to ensure all items are present and functioning.
- Assist technical crew with carrying and setting up cameras, lights, and sound equipment, learning to anticipate crew needs.
- Maintain detailed equipment inventories using digital systems, tracking expensive items across multiple locations.
- Pack and unpack equipment trucks efficiently, understanding which items are needed first and how to protect delicate equipment.
- Monitor and report equipment performance issues, coordinating repairs or replacements to prevent shooting delays.
- Drive production vehicles safely to transport crew, contributors, or equipment, often in challenging conditions including night shoots or adverse weather.
- Plan complex routes considering multiple pickup points, traffic patterns, and location access requirements, building in contingency time for delays.
- Maintain production vehicles including daily checks, refuelling, and cleaning, ensuring they remain roadworthy throughout demanding schedules.
- Transport fragile or expensive equipment worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, understanding proper handling procedures.
- Arrange emergency alternative transport when vehicles break down or last-minute schedule changes occur.
- Meet and greet contributors at airports, hotels, or locations, often acting as their first impression of the production.
- Escort contributors through potentially stressful environments, ensuring they feel supported and informed throughout the process.
- Manage contributor comfort during long filming days, coordinating meals, rest breaks, and personal needs while maintaining schedules.
- Monitor contributor welfare during emotionally challenging filming, recognizing signs of distress and knowing when to escalate concerns.
- Maintain absolute confidentiality about contributor personal information, storylines, and sensitive situations.
- Coordinate location setup and breakdown, including moving furniture, establishing crew facilities, and ensuring locations meet production requirements.
- Manage public relations when filming in busy locations, politely handling curious onlookers and maintaining security around equipment.
- Liaise with location owners, councils, and local authorities regarding access, parking, noise restrictions, and special requirements.
- Maintain location cleanliness and safety standards, ensuring spaces are left in better condition than found.
- Coordinate catering logistics, ensuring dietary requirements and timing align with filming schedules.
- Conduct targeted internet research under guidance, learning to distinguish reliable sources and developing fact-checking skills.
- Make initial outreach calls to potential contributors or locations, following provided scripts while adapting to different situations.
- Support transcription and logging work, learning to identify key story beats and strong emotional moments valuable in the edit.
- Assist with casting sessions by managing contributor arrivals, paperwork completion, and basic briefing.
- Compile comprehensive research packs, learning to organise information clearly for editorial staff decision-making.
- Transport rushes footage and documentation to edit suites, ensuring secure handling of irreplaceable material.
- Assist with footage organisation and archiving using professional media management systems, learning proper naming conventions.
- Support edit producers with administrative tasks including music clearance coordination and delivery paperwork preparation.
- Coordinate technical deliveries between post facilities and broadcasters, understanding different delivery specifications.
- Manage screening logistics for rough cuts and final episodes, coordinating viewing facilities and stakeholder attendance.
- Shadow different department heads to understand various career paths, from editorial progression to technical specialisation.
- Develop basic technical skills during quieter periods, learning camera operation, sound recording, or editing software.
- Network appropriately within the industry while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Seek regular feedback from supervisors, actively working on identified improvement areas.
- Volunteer for challenging assignments that stretch current abilities, showing initiative while proving reliability.
- Understand cost implications of decisions, learning how individual actions affect overall production budgets.
- Maintain accurate expense records for fuel, parking, and contributor costs, understanding the importance of financial accountability.
- Support cost-saving initiatives through efficient planning, demonstrating business awareness.
- Report budget concerns or unexpected costs promptly, understanding how overruns affect production viability.
- Assist with petty cash management and expense processing, developing trust in handling production money.
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of runner.
- Full, clean driving license with confidence operating various vehicle types from small cars to large production trucks, highly valuable and significantly expands available runner opportunities, though some office-based or studio positions may not require driving.
- Physical fitness and stamina for demanding working conditions including long days, heavy lifting, and challenging weather conditions.
- Strong organisational abilities with meticulous attention to detail in managing complex schedules, sensitive paperwork, and expensive equipment.
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written, capable of professional interaction with industry contacts and contributors.
- Digital literacy including proficiency with smartphones, tablets, GPS systems, and basic computer software used in modern production.
- Ability to work independently using initiative and judgment while also following detailed instructions precisely when required.
- Geographic knowledge and navigation skills, with ability to learn unfamiliar areas quickly and plan efficient routes.
- Time management: expertly coordinates multiple simultaneous tasks and competing priorities without compromising quality or missing deadlines.
- Adaptability: thrives in rapidly changing environments, quickly adjusting to new requirements or unexpected challenges.
- Customer service: provides exceptional care and support to contributors, treating them with respect and professionalism even in stressful situations.
- Teamwork: collaborates seamlessly across departments, supporting colleagues and maintaining positive relationships under pressure.
- Problem-solving: uses creativity and resourcefulness to find practical solutions when standard procedures prove inadequate.
- Attention to detail: maintains accuracy in complex paperwork, scheduling, and equipment management even during high-pressure periods.
- Discretion: handles confidential and sensitive information responsibly, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Enthusiasm: demonstrates authentic passion for television production and storytelling, showing genuine interest in contributing beyond just completing assigned tasks.
- Reliability: consistently delivers high-quality work on time, building reputation as someone senior staff can depend on during critical production phases.
- Professionalism: maintains appropriate conduct, appearance, and communication style, positively representing the production in all interactions.
- Resilience: copes effectively with long working hours, physical demands, and inevitable setbacks while maintaining positive attitude.
- Curiosity: shows active interest in learning about different aspects of production, asking thoughtful questions and seeking to understand creative processes.
- Integrity: demonstrates honesty and ethical behaviour, respecting confidentiality requirements and maintaining trustworthiness with sensitive information.
- Initiative: anticipates needs and takes proactive action to prevent problems, demonstrating value beyond basic task completion and readiness for increased responsibility.