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The Runner Diaries: What is a Production Runner?

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The Runner Diaries: What is a Production Runner? from IMIS on Vimeo.

Charlotte Taylor is a freelance runner working in production and on the floor. She is studying film production at the University of Greenwich. Prior to freelancing she worked as an office runner for a well-known comedy production company.

The Production Runner works in the production team to provide administrative support the Production Manager and Production Coordinator.

Key Duties:

  • Picking up and dropping off equipment, props etc.
  • Creating and printing sides
  • Printing callsheets and movement orders
  • Filing purchase orders
  • Shredding confidential waste
  • Sorting out post
  • Handling petty cash
  • Updating unit list and facilities list

Making tea and coffee

TOP TIPS for succeeding:

  1. Be proactive and positive2
  2. Work hard
  3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
  4. Listen

To get work as a production runner check out these talent websites/agencies:

Talent Manager – https://www.thetalentmanager.co.uk/

The Unit List – http://www.theunitlist.com/

Calltime – http://www.calltimecompany.com/ 

Events

They’ll Tell You Exactly!

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Our Patron, Sir Sydney Samuelson, interviews world-renowned film composer and conductor

DEBBIE WIESEMAN OBE

Wednesday 31st July 2019 at 2:30 pm

at the Amadeus Centre, 50 Shirland Road, Little Venice, London W9 2JA

 

First in a new series with Sir Sydney interviewing celebrated people about their experiences during illustrious careers in the world of cinema and television.

Throughout the past 20 years there can be few people who haven’t heard a theme from one of Debbie Wiseman’s films, television drama and royal occasions. Whether watching Stephen Fry bringing Oscar Wilde to life for the big screen, hearing the latest political commentary on a Sunday morning with Andrew Marr, or revelling in the Tudor world of Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall, Debbie has gifted us iconic themes of beauty and passion, love and laughter.

Debbie will play extracts of her music at the piano and introduce clips from some of her most celebrated film and television projects including Tom & Viv, Wolf Hall, Wilde, Land Girls, The Whale, Judge John Deed and A Poet in New York. The interview will also give insight into her work as Classic FM’s Composer in Residence; composing music for The Queen’s 90th Birthday celebration, her role as a conductor and her appearance during the BBC Proms as a music expert.

Debbie Wiseman’s official website: http://www.debbiewiseman.co.uk

Schedule

Arrival – 2:15pm

Interview – 2:30pm, followed by Q&A

Light refreshments – 4pm

End of event – 5pm

Booking Arrangements

This event is put on and organised by the British Cinema and Television Veterans (BCTV).

£12.50 for non-BCTV members (subject to availability)

Apply to: DW Event, BCTV, c/o Film and Television Charity, 2nd Floor, 33 Cork Street, London W1S 3NQ. Online payments can be made to BARCLAYS BANK, Sort Code: 20-70-93, Account No: 13917959, Reference: DW and should be confirmed to bctv.veterans@btopenworld.

 

Transportation

Nearest Underground Station: Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo Line) – 6 minute walk

Buses: 6, 187, and 414 pass the Amadeus Centre door

Getting Down To Business: Developing a Film Project That Gets Made

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Come join us as film and TV producer Zack Winfield will present on the key skillset every producer needs: how to develop a film that is actually produced.

He will take you through:

  • Working with a screenwriter to develop a compelling, attractive script with a realistic budget.
  • Development and deployment of tools to attract investment to your project, such as sizzle reels.
  • Co-ordination between different departments to enable the final film to be delivered.

About Zack Winfield:

In 2003 Zack joined the production team at NDF International, one of the UK’s most successful independent production & financing companies with sixteen Oscar nominations to its credit, working across a wide range of NDF’s development projects including Franco Zeffirelli’s ‘The Florentines’. In 2006 He was Associate Producer (and Music Supervisor) on ill-fated UK-SP-JP coproduction ‘Guantanamero’. (dir. Vicente Penarrocha, c. Derek Jacobi and Natalia Verbeke).

In 2012 together with Ado Yoshizaki and Ben Friedman, Zack formed Native State. Recent productions include British action thriller Last Passenger (d. Omid Nooshin), was released in 35 territories in 2014; City of Tiny Lights (d. Pete Travis) starring Riz Ahmed which premiered at Toronto International Film Festival and London Film Festival in 2016 and was released in the UK in April 2017. In 2017 Zack was a production consultant on ‘Showdogs’ a family film for Open Road / Global Road.

Zack is currently working across a slate of film and tv projects, with partners in the UK and the US, is an independent consultant for various film companies, and also mentors on the Raindance Masters programme.

Writing Successful TV Bibles: From Creation to Pitch

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Come join us as writer/director Danny Stack will share valuable tips and insights into writing TV bibles, and how they’re an essential document across development and production. Everything from two-page summaries to TV bibles that take a weekend to read – come find out how it’s done.

Danny will:

  • Discuss why a TV Bible is ESSENTIAL to pitching a show
  • Outline what items are in a TV bible and what not to include
  • Talk about the secrets to writing a good TV bible and why no one set rule or structure applies to all
  • Look at the difference between a good TV bible pitch document versus a more production-focused one
  • Draw on his vast experiences making films in the family genre

Come along to this gem of an event, meet new people and get some insight into the ins and outs of creating award-winning projects.

About Danny Stack:

Danny started out in Channel 4’s comedy department when shows like Spaced, Ali G and Black Books were being made. Since then he’s worked as a screenwriter and script reader for companies like Miramax, Working Title, Pathe, UK Film Council and Irish Film Board, among others. He helped set-up the Red Planet Prize with Tony Jordan, designed to seek out new TV writing talent. With Tim Clague, he co-hosted the highly popular podcast The UK Scriptwriters Podcast, which was started in 2010. Danny now specialises in the kids/family genre, and has made two live-action family films with Tim: Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg (which had its world premiere at the London Film Festival in 2015) and Future TX (starring Griff Rhys Jones).

A Star Is Born: How to Find the Perfect Cast for Your Film

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UNFORTUNATELY OUR GUEST SPEAKER HAS HAD TO POSTPONE, WE ARE LOOKING AT REARRANGING THIS EVENT IN THE FUTURE. WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED!  THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

 

Come join us as Hannah Williams, Casting Director and U.K. Casting Specialist at Backstage, will talk about one of the most crucial steps in the film production process, casting for your film. She has worked on projects such as Fantastic Beasts, Tarzan, The Falling, Beast, etc.

She will:

  • explain the role of the Casting Director
  • walk you through the casting process of low and high budget productions
  • address the best ways for filmmakers in getting the perfect talent
  • talk about do’s and don’ts for filmmakers and actors whilst auditioning

Come along to this gem of an event, meet new people and get some insight into the world of casting.

About Hannah Williams

Hannah Marie Williams has been working in the business of casting for over 8 years, working on big budget features, indie shorts, commercials, TV, documentary and everything in between. She is now launching the UK arm of Backstage, a long established and highly regarded actor publication and casting platform from the US whilst also continuing her work as a Casting Director.

About Backstage:

For over 50 years, Backstage has been the most trusted place for actors and performers to find jobs and career advice, and for casting professionals and talent seekers to find the right performers for their projects.

Today, Backstage is the largest online casting platform in the United States, with over 4,000 roles posted every week, and over 100,000 members building their careers on the platform.

Casting professionals can take advantage of sophisticated application management tools to make the job of finding the perfect performer a breeze.

The Fine Line: Representing Reality in Drama Documentary Filmmaking

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Come join us as writer, director, producer Tim Conrad will talk about his experiences interpreting reality in award winning drama documentaries. He will:

  • talk about the benefits and disadvantages of dramatising factual material
  • share his experience with working to tight schedules and various locations all over the world
  • give his take on dealing with interviewees, the compromises that have to be made and the potential dangers that come with it

Come along to this gem of an event, meet new people and get some insight into the ins and outs of successful short filmmaking.

About Tim Conrad:  

Tim Conrad has worked in the UK film and television industry for over 30 years.

After three years at film school he started working as a Camera Assistant on documentaries, dramas, and feature films, which led to him to become a cameraman, working on documentaries and corporate videos.

In the late 80’s, Conrad discovered his passion for directing and soon set up his own production company making music videos, corporate videos and commercials.
After a successful 10-year run, he sold his company and moved into writing and directing for television.

He has since made numerous documentaries and drama-documentaries for UK terrestrial channels and US cable networks such as National Geographic and Discovery. I have also written, produced and directed some award-winning short dramas.

Today, he works as writer, director and series producer in specialist factual television, mostly making drama documentaries.

Tim Conrad’s Filmography:

  • Mafia Killers with Colin McLaren (TV Series documentary, 2018)
    – Vincent Gigante ‘The Oddfather’
    – Henry Hill ‘The Goodfella’
    – Anthony ‘Gaspipe’ Casso
    – Carmine “The Snake” Persico
    – Sammy ‘The Bull’ Gravano
  •  Autopsy: The Last Hours of (TV Series documentary, 2017)
    – Steve Jobs
    – Prince
  •  Killer Instinct with Chris Hansen (TV Series, 2016)
    – Shots in the Heartland
    – Wrong Place, Deadly Time
  •  Princess Diana’s Death: Mystery Solved (TV Movie documentary, 2016)
  •  The Wives Did It (TV Mini-Series, 2015)
    – Deadly Threesome
    – Guns, Lies & Sister Wives
    – The Polygamous Prophet
  •  Did He Do It? (TV Series, 2015)
    – Execution in Question
    – Reputation of Evil

Tales From Hollywood: Eric Blakeney On Screenwriting

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Come join us as American writer, director and producer Eric Blakeney (21 Jump Street, Baywatch and Gun Shy) gives an interview about his experience in writing for hit TV series and film, followed by a Q&A. Moderation: Phil McCauley.

He will:

  • talk about the writing for a high-pressurised environments
  • give insight into what’s going on in a high budget production Board meeting
  • talk about the ins and outs of re-locating to the UK as a writer/director

Come along to this gem of an event, meet new people and get some insight into the ins and outs of writing for large productions.

About Eric Blakeney

Eric Blakeney is a screenwriter, director, author and radio raconteur.  A veteran of television and film, Blakeney was the show–runner for Fox’s tentpole series 21 Jump Street starring Johnny Depp.

He has served as writer/producer on hit TV series such as Baywatch, Moonlighting, Cagney and Lacey, The Equalizer, Crime Story and many more. He also penned scripts for Mad Max IV-Fury Road and successful made-for-TV movies including Generation X and Fighting for My Daughter.

Blakeney made his directorial debut in the 2000 comedy Gun Shy starring Liam Neeson, Oliver Platt and Sandra Bullock. Blakeney also served as executive producer/writer for TV movie Generation X (starring Matt Frewer and Finola Hughes), the Marvel Comics classic about a group of mutant teenagers blessed with superhuman powers. He also co–authored three volumes of estoric healer Ruben Papian’s Books of Essence.

Some of Eric Blakeney’s projects:

  • Gun Shy
  • Wiseguy
  • Baywatch
  • Cagney and Lacey
  • Moonlighting
  • Max Headroom
  • Booker
  • VR.5
  • The Equalizer
  • Crime Story
  • Generation X

About Phil McCauley

Phil is a highly experienced entrepreneur.  He invests in start-up and high growth businesses in music, media and green energy having exited several businesses over the past 12 years including a NYSE listing. Market cap from of $4m to $750,000,000 in 5 years.
Phil is a strategist, consultant and expert in change management and implementation. His first business TTL Music – sold licensed music services across Europe and system installations to large retail groups. Exited. Business sold for £6m in 2001
He has taken an energy business public on the NYSE and is engaged in business change, investment and funding. His business interests also cover film and TV production companies.
Phil has also served as a board member of, The Prince’s Trust (east midlands), Mind (north Nottinghamshire), The Broadway Cinema Arts Venue Notts, Visit Nottinghamshire.