6 Top Tips for Your First Job in the Video Production Industry

In most cases, a graduate’s first job in the production industry will likely be as a Runner or Assistant. ‘Three years in university, just to make 30 cups of tea a day!’ I hear you say and I totally sympathise. But any job worth doing is worth doing well, and doubles up as a great chance to catch the attention of the right people. So let’s get started with our 6 top tips for your first job in the video production industry.

Every task is an opportunity to showcase your competence, and competent people gain the trust of their peers. Something worth its weight in gold. I speak from experience, from not only having been a runner many years ago, but more importantly, from hiring runners to work alongside us on our commercial and corporate video productions.

Never underestimate the importance of your role on set, whatever it may be.

Below, I’ll be sharing my top tips to help you excel in your early days of working with production team. Even if you’ve been in the industry for a few years, these tips can still be highly relevant if you’re being promoted to new roles of which you have less experience in.

1. Don’t Just Turn Up on Time. Turn Up Ahead of Time.

It’s all well and good arriving on location bang on time for your 7 a.m. shoot, but don’t let that be the result of you catching the wrong train, then having to sprinting a mile down the road, Google Maps in hand, turning up a hot mess. I mean, if you’re going to be late, definitely run—but avoid putting yourself in a position of stress in the first place.

If you have a specific call time, aim to arrive 30-40 minutes early and grab yourself a coffee nearby. You could read a book, go over production notes, or double-check how much longer it’ll take to walk or cab to your intended destination. Just imagine how much more prepared you’ll feel when you arrive with time to spare, stress-free, and ready to tackle your day like a boss.

2. Do What’s Asked of You, Above Anything Else.

Never underestimate the importance of executing a simple task, correctly. If you’re working with a new team or feeling a little overwhelmed on set, don’t feel the need to overdeliver. Your efforts will go a long way, just by doing what’s asked of you. Whether it’s having hot drinks or food available at a specific time and place, or instructing the cast on where to leave their coats and bags upon arrival, overlooking tasks like these can easily snowball into bigger problems, believe me.

Productions rely on teams running like a well-oiled machine, and they’re only as strong as the weakest link.

The beauty of consistently doing what’s asked of you is that your peers will begin to trust you more. As this trust grows, so will your responsibilities—and the likelihood that you’ll land repeat work and begin to see some real career progression.

3. Listen. Watch. Then Listen More.

Every opportunity to be on set is a chance to learn something new. I used to make a conscious effort to stay within earshot of the most important people in the room. I paid attention to their roles, their duties on set, and even how they spoke to one another.

If your role is to assist a specific person, like a camera operator, ALWAYS be available for them. Keep your eyes and ears tuned to what they’re doing, and pay attention to how they like to work.

As an example, when I was assisting a camera operator many years ago, one of the main reasons I was called back for repeat work was because the way I packed their equipment away after we wrapped. ‘Why’s that so important?’ you might ask. Well, I learned that this person was extremely organised and methodical in the way that they worked. So, I made sure I noted how their kit bag was organised—ensuring that lenses, SD cards, and full/exhausted batteries went back exactly where they came from.

This seemingly small gesture showed my ability to pay attention, that gained me trust, which then led to another five years of work.

4. It’s OK to Ask Questions, When the Time Is Right.

I think it’s only fair to be utilising the experience of those around you, especially when you’re just starting off. Don’t be shy to engage in conversation about kit, processes, job roles etc…but be sure to pick the right moments.

Take advantage of lunch breaks to get to know your peers and pick some brains. But when the productions are in full flow, revert back to point 3 – Listen. Watch. Then listen more.

5. The Smallest Task Can Be as Important as the Biggest Role.

This may have already been covered, but its importance can’t be stressed enough: never underestimate the task at hand. You might be given a seemingly small job by someone who’s already under a lot of pressure, slightly stressed, and just trying to get their ducks in a row.

So, if they’ve asked you to grab them a decaf oat milk latte with vanilla syrup and extra chocolate sprinkles, just do your best to make sure that’s exactly what they get. You might just make their morning.

6. Know Your Rates and Avoid Working for Free.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you should work for free because ‘it’ll be a great opportunity for you.’ The value of the opportunity is for you to decide, not anyone else. If a production is being paid for by a client, your time should be compensated.

Do your research and find out the average day rate for the position you’re aiming for. For example, if it’s £150 – £200 a day, try to stand by that rate. You might want to check out the rate card list provided by BECTU as a reference. However, like most things, just use it as a guide and feel free to speak with your community to get a feel for going rates that you are comfortable charging.

There may be occasions where everyone is working for free, like for a passion project, but again, make sure there’s something of value in it for you.

Final Thoughts: Build Trust, Be Professional, and Keep Growing

So there you have it, our top tips for your first job in the video production industry. I hope you’re able to take away some useful insights from this article and apply them to your next job. Remember, the path to success is often built on the foundations of professionalism, reliability, and the ability to learn from every experience.

• Show up early and prepared
• Focus on doing the basics well
• Learn through observation
• Ask questions thoughtfully
• Take pride in every task
• Know your worth and get paid fairly

Keep striving to do your best, and you’ll see the results in the long run.