How to Get a Job in UK Film Production

You don’t need to be the next Kate Winslet or Orlando Bloom to play a part in the British film industry - but you do need to start at the bottom, be prepared to fight off stiff competition even for unpaid jobs, and work hard at thankless tasks.

For example, you could be standing for a day in a rainy field guarding a gate to ensure no public come through - so a sense of humour is vital.

Increase your chances of getting in by finding out about the range of jobs in the business. There is a shortage of production accountants, for instance, and skilled craftsmen are also in demand.

Most people start in the British film business as a 'runner' - the most junior job in most departments of the film industry - no matter what previous training they have had. This is true even for technical jobs such as camera operator and director of photography.

Everyone learns on the job. A runner fetches and carries and helps out with whatever needs doing. It’s the standard way to learn how the film industry works and helps build contacts in the business that will get you more work.

Runners are freelancers and have to find their own jobs. Contact production companies and independent filmmakers and offer your services. You need to be willing to do anything. Don't underestimate the importance of enthusiasm (but do highlight knowledge or experience in your CV and mention any contacts).

Typical rates for runners start at £59 for an eight-hour day and £236 for a 40-hour week, rising to £103 for a 12-hour day and £520 for a 72-hour a week.

Another – and possibly easier – way to gain all-important experience is to take unpaid work on low-budget or student films. A website such as www.shootingpeople.org, which is run by filmmakers for filmmakers, is a good place to find opportunities.

The third way to get a foot in the door is to take a training course. A scheme run by Skillset (http://www.skillset.org) and the UK Film Council (http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk) means more people can now gain the skills they need to get into the business. Under Skillset's Film Skills Trainee Network, 25 successful applicants a year are offered advice, workshops and work experience, ten of whom need no previous experience.

Skillset is also paying to expand the number of training schemes for junior production, technical, construction and junior accounting jobs, some of which will be open to those not in the business. Competition for places on the schemes is very stiff. A number of Skillset-approved 'Screen Academies' will be set up by September 2005 to offer practical training.

Until then, check out film course suitability yourself at the British Film Institute’s website (http://www.bfi.org.uk), which lists 4,000 courses at locations all around the UK.

Check that the tutors work or have worked in the industry so they have good contacts, that there is enough up-to-date equipment for hands-on experience and that the course offers work placements.

The best qualification is experience. Take any chance you can to work on any film. Local and regional arts boards may know of local film initiatives.

Once you have some experience and industry contacts, jobs may start coming to you - and you might even get paid!

The BBC website (http://www.bbc.co.uk) has information on how to make low-budget films and how to win funding.