The Runner’s Edge: Advice for Navigating Your First Industry Role

Breaking into the post-production space as a runner is often seen as a rite of passage – an essential, albeit sometimes difficult and overlooked step in climbing the creative ladder. It’s a role that demands patience, attention to detail, an ability to navigate the complex social dynamics of post houses, and, of course, the skill to make the perfect ‘builder’s tea’. But what does it really mean to be a runner? These aren’t voices we hear from too often. 

In this interview, we speak to Ella Oliver, now a title editor at tenthree, Temitope Oluwadipe, now head runner at 750mph, and Jules Bayer-Crier, senior assistant at tenthree, to find out what they took from their days as runners and the advice they’d offer to those embarking on the journey today. 

Here, Ella emphasises the importance of cultivating relationships and mastering seemingly-mundane tasks, while Temitope recommends being adaptable and maintaining a positive work culture, and Jules reflects that patience is vital and that every interaction has the potential for earning. These perspectives highlight why the role is such a foundational entry experience – one that can equip you with the skills, networks, and resilience to thrive in this competitive industry. 

LBB> Tell us a bit about your time spent as a runner and the biggest lesson you took from it. 

Ella Oliver> I became a runner at an offline edit house straight out of university. My degree was in Graphic Design so I had no knowledge of how the film and advertising industry actually worked but I was eager to see if it was the right fit for me. I ran for just under a year and the experience provided invaluable insight into the offline editing process and connected me with industry professionals, gaining knowledge and contacts that I couldn't have acquired elsewhere. I’m also lucky in the fact I still work at the same company and have managed to work my way up the ranks through the years. 

One of the biggest lessons I took from my time as a runner was how important attention to detail is. Whether it’s setting up the edit suites correctly at the start of the day or knowing a client's coffee order before they ask, these are the little things that if you consistently get right can make you stand out. Although it’s not particularly glamorous, as a runner you’re part of a team helping to make a job go as smoothly as possible and if you can positively contribute to that you increase your chances of moving up to the next level.

Temitope Oluwadipe> My time running, without romanticising it, has been a lot of fun. I’ve been fortunate to have people on my team, who all laugh together and work through the hard moments and long hours, encouraging and pushing each other. I have captured a lot of memories of those moments mentally and on my phone and still stay in contact with most of the people I ran with. How I got into running in post, sounds like something out of a movie and I think it's better told in person as it's a good story that begins with tenthree, which during my time there has been the best place I have ran for!

The biggest thing I've learned about running is how you cater to and manage people and make connections; combined with touches of attention to detail, will help you in the future. I have benefitted from that personally and it will serve you beyond running itself.

Jules Bayer-Crier> I joined tenthree as a runner via a job posting on a random message board, and without much knowledge of the industry. I’d had a fair bit of experience in hospitality, like a lot of postgrads, but knew that I wanted to get into a more creative role after crudely editing some travel footage from a year spent travelling abroad, and quite enjoying that.

The experience in hospitality was key in helping me understand the environment of post houses, how to navigate different personalities, and manage a room’s numerous/sometimes strange requests (like sourcing a fancy umbrella as a client gift). I ran for around two years pre-Covid. There were definitely difficult days where I was put down by tough clients, insane busyness, or just feeling like I was working ‘beneath me’. That said, I was able to take pride in being part of the ‘face’ of the company, when it came to client contact, as well as quickly get to grips with the daily grind of assistant editors. Biggest lesson was probably adaptability, which sounds vague but that’s the point – I was able to quickly gauge any situation, and know how to make the most of it.

LBB> What advice would you give to those starting out on that journey now?  

Ella> Be friendly and talk to everyone – whether it’s the directors or clients coming into the office, or colleagues that work at the company. Relationships are key in this industry and you never know where they may lead. I’ve found people in the industry are generally very forthcoming with telling the stories of how they got into the industry and it’s always interesting to hear as no one journey is the same.

Use any spare time you have to learn what you need to know in order to progress onto the next role. For me that was learning Avid and I would go and sit with the assistant editors during any downtime to learn as much as I could. 

Let people know your other passions and skill sets as you never know when they might come in handy. I happened to be pretty good at Photoshop so was often asked to help out with website/social media design tasks which added a bit of variety to my days. 

Learn to make a really good builder’s tea.  

Temitope> The advice I would give to someone starting on the journey is to learn to adapt to the culture of the particular post-house or company you've chosen and be personable so people remember you – people remember how you make them feel. You will be working hard but try to have fun. Make sure they are looking after you as well as you doing a good job because, if you're going to work your way up, how they treat you is important. If you're creative, stay proactive and work on projects in your spare time and network with other runners or people because you will all grow together and be the next peeps in the industry when your time comes. Last of all, learn when you get the opportunity and always ask questions.

Jules> Definitely patience. I think tolerance for people behaving inappropriately or being difficult to work with has really lessened, which is great. But also patience with the job – if you’re getting into running as a stepping-stone to another job, keep that in mind. It’s not about putting on a brave face, but trying to appreciate what you’re doing – because it definitely has an impact. Failing that, use the time efficiently, and pick things up from assistants/editors/producers so that you’re constantly learning, and before you know it, you’ll be doing that instead.

Someone suggested treating it as if you’re hosting people at your home, so doing basics like offering drinks/casual conversation, but also knowing that you are who people look to when they have questions. There’s more responsibility in it than meets the eye. On top of that, treat every moment you have with an editor/client as an opportunity to learn. Crazy what I’ve gleaned from impromptu chats, or just made myself known to people who may have remembered me in future conversations. It sounds obvious, if a little cliche, but it actually is about who you know, and being in the right place at the right time.