A production runner, or office PA, keeps the production office moving: copying and distributing sides and scripts, sending out the call sheet, answering the phone, doing runs, keeping the kitchen stocked, managing a float and filing purchase orders. You answer to the production coordinator, and the office runs from an hour before call to an hour after wrap. It is the start of the production management route: office PA, production secretary, assistant coordinator, coordinator. At Stage 1 you are not applying for jobs yet: you are getting the licence, the IT and administration skills, the safety training and the office knowledge that make a runner useful on day one, mostly through student films and genuine work experience. Stage 2 is short films, placements and daily runs that earn credits and coordinators who will vouch for you. Stage 3 is paid, consistent work. Mark each line done, next or later, and come back to it.
Read the career guide for what the job involves day to day.
Stage 1: Before your first job
31 things to do, know or be able to do
Experience 7
- Work towards 5 credits on short films, in the production office where there is one; at this stage most are unpaid student or self-funded shorts, and that is normal.
- Continue to work on student productions, ideally from the established UK film schools, where the shoot is insured and someone senior is running it.
- Apply for work experience in a production office while you are studying; a genuine placement is agreed in advance, has an end date and teaches you the office, and it is not an unpaid job.
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Skills 12
- Take your driving test; productions will expect you to drive a hire car or van.
- If cost is the barrier, ScreenSkills bursaries fund driving lessons up to 750 pounds at entry level (not while you are still in education).
- Get a first aid certificate: a one-day Emergency First Aid at Work course meets the HSE standard and lasts three years.
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Knowledge 12
- Study the example CVs on MFJF to see what a good first production runner CV looks like, then build yours in the MFJF CV Builder with the IT and administration skills shown by example.
- Research production companies and production coordinators.
- Read Runner by Will Judge (ebook, written for the UK).
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Stage 2: Experience and contacts
32 things to do, know or be able to do
Experience 9
- Create a network of contacts from short films and keep in touch with every coordinator and runner you work with.
- Continue to work on short films within the production office, taking on more responsibility if you can.
- Build on your low and micro budget feature film experience; look for 3 credits or more to build your network and CV.
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Skills 11
- Able to demonstrate a professional attitude.
- Adaptable when working on different productions.
- Driving licence and your own car if possible.
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Knowledge 12
- Continue to look at the MFJF resources section for training opportunities.
- Know what is required from you as soon as you set foot in the office.
- Know all the terms for the set amenities and the general film language.
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Stage 3: Paid work
20 things to do, know or be able to do
Experience 7
- Work consistently for 2 to 3 years as a production runner or office PA on low and medium budget feature films; in the current market expect gaps between jobs.
- Work on short films as a production coordinator.
- Broaden your network by looking for work on TV drama, comedy and commercials.
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Skills 7
- The skills of the previous two stages, plus a strong work ethic.
- Able to create call sheets when working on short films.
- Able to build and read a budget and a cost report.
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Knowledge 6
- Know to look for work before the job you are on finishes.
- Have a network of PAs and production coordinators who know who you are and what you can do.
- Keep refining your CV; try to keep it to one page.
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Ways in for a production runner and office PA
Real schemes, checked on the organiser’s own page. A shut one is still here with when it comes back, because half the big schemes are closed at any one time and that is worth knowing.
- Trainee FinderScreenSkillsPeople over 18 who live in the UK and have less than 12 months of paid production experience in their chosen department. No on-set experience is needed, and there is no upper age limit.Final deadline 28 October 2026
- Sara Putt Associates Trainee SchemeSara Putt AssociatesTwo professional credits but under three years' cumulative experience, in Camera, Sound, Edit, Production Office, Art, Costume, AD, Script Supervisor, Locations, or Hair and Make-Up.Final deadline 24 January 2027
- Production Training SchemeChannel 4 (4Skills)People at the very start of a TV production career who may face barriers to getting in. You are not eligible with more than three months' industry experience in total.Not open right now
Sources and References
This is MFJF’s own three-stage career plan for a production runner and office PA, written up from the career plan and the careers guide on our site. Open any of them yourself.
- MFJF career plan: Production Runner and Office PA (PDF) the original plan this page was written up from
- MFJF careers guide: Production Runner and Office PA what the job involves day to day
- The Three Career Stages the framework all three stages follow
Every link checked 19 September 2026. The plan itself was last revised September 2026.
