…about the industry and about myself…
Before I ever stepped onto a professional set, I thought being a runner was mostly about making tea and carrying things. I was half right – but it turns out those small jobs teach you some of the biggest lessons. Working as a runner gave me my first real look at how the film and TV industry actually functions. Not the glamorous version, but the human one. And it quietly shaped how I want to work as a filmmaker.
Being Early Is a Skill
One of the first things I learned is that “on time” is already too late. Being early means:
- You have time to ask questions – but don’t get in the way if people are busy!
- You’re calm when things suddenly change
- People learn they can rely on you
No one remembers the runner who arrived exactly on time. Everyone remembers the one who was already there.
The Kettle Is the Most Powerful Piece of Equipment
It sounds like a joke, but it isn’t. Making tea is often your first chance to show you’re switched on.
- You learn names quickly
- You notice who takes milk and who definitely doesn’t
- You listen – and you learn
Some of the most useful advice I’ve ever picked up came while waiting for a kettle to boil.
Watching Is Part of the Job
As a runner, you’re usually near everything but responsible for very little – which is actually perfect. I learned more by watching:
- How a director communicates under pressure
- How camera and sound departments work together
- How problems are solved quietly and quickly
Every set became a free masterclass, as long as I paid attention.
Help First, Career Later
One of the most important lessons was this: don’t lead with what you want. The runners people remember are the ones who:
- Anticipate problems before they happen
- Finish tasks properly, not just quickly
- Stay useful even when things slow down
If people trust you, they’ll ask what you do. You don’t need to announce it.
You Learn a Lot About Yourself
Runner work can be long, tiring, and occasionally boring. But it also shows you who you are under pressure. I learned that I enjoy:
- Being part of a team
- Solving small problems quietly
- Staying calm when plans change
Those are skills I now try to bring into my own filmmaking.
Final Thought
Being a runner isn’t a shortcut – it’s a foundation. It teaches you respect for the process, for other people’s roles, and for the amount of work it takes to make even a short shoot run smoothly.
And honestly, I’m glad that’s where I started.
