There are many ways to break into the movie industry, and there are many more jobs than just those of Actor, Director, or Screenwriter. Take the job of 'runner' for instance. A runner is somebody who does all sorts of jobs on a movie production that you probably wouldn't consider when you are watching the latest blockbuster at your local cineplex, but which are in their own way vital to a movie's production. Being a runner is seen as a job that can lead to bigger movie-jobs, and this is exactly what Ryan Drawbridge-Harding is experiencing. He started as a runner on movies, TV programmes and commercials, and now he is finishing off his first movie as a third assistant director. Ryan is taking steps towards a long career in movies, which he told me all about in an interview I had with him.
Q: So, what is it that a runner does?
A: Well technically we do a bit of everything. If there’s a job that needs doing, a runner usually does it, from washing dishes/ making cups of tea and coffee to holding equipment, moving equipment etc… One role however of a runner usually is a driver. So the pick ups for certain crew but mainly artists are the runner’s job in the morning and they do the drops at the end of the day as well. Meaning a very long day for a runner!
The last programme I ran on was a very small music show, were I drove a rather large Mercedes people carrier, went shopping for breakfast and lunch later on, did a bit of cable bashing, set moving and general tidying.
Q: How do you become a runner? Did you see a job ad looking for a runner for a production somewhere, or did you become a runner in some other way?
A: I went to University and studied Media & Film Studies as an avenue I thought into the media industry. I studied for 3 years, and the university had an apparent 95% success rate so I was happy to amble along hoping to fall into a job. However in January of last year I became friends with a 1st AD, who was working on a feature film, and he offered me work experience to see what its like on set. I jumped at the opportunity and dug deep to pay for my expenses as they weren’t covered. I bought loads of wet weather gear, petrol for a 30 minute drive back and forth everyday and so forth. It came to quite a bit, and with little money I was scraping the barrel! However once there I became friends with many people, swapped numbers and made a list of contacts (It’s all about the contacts nowadays)...
From that then I got phone calls from different people saying they’d put my name forward for this and that, and I basically fell into it. I graduated in July, didn’t fall into a job due to my degree and so registered as self employed and haven’t looked back since.
Q: What productions have you been involved on as a runner?
A: So far since Jan ’06 I’ve worked on;
• “The Restraint of Beasts” as a work exp.runner
• A runner driver for a BBC Jam production, which lasted most of the summer holidays
• A 3rd AD on “Risen” – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0850709/
• Runner on a few adverts
• An additional runner on BBC’s Casualty
• And a runner on a music programme
I’m currently writing some shorts, researching a documentary and another documentary which should soon come into fruition.
Q: Do you see being a runner as a way to break into the movie industry?
A: Without a doubt, runners might be the spit end of the ladder, but they are just as vital as any other person. There might be some who disagree with this, but production is a team project and runners provide a service that others are unable to.
Q: Maybe this is a stupid question, but does being a runner actually involve doing a lot of running? Do you need to be in good shape for a job like this?
A: Ha-ha! Not at all, it isn’t stupid, I actually realise now that being slightly fit and healthy is a bonus for anything, including running. You are on your feet most of the day, making sure everyone is fed and watered before yourself and having shorter breaks. Also the recognition for a very switched on runner is great, and can lead to better and brighter things.
Assistant Director
Q: You are working on a feature film as a 3rd AD. Can you tell already a little bit what the movie is about?
A: This is from imdb.com; (I know it’s lazy of me): The story of Howard Winstone is a compelling one. Howard became Featherweight Champion of the World at the age of 29 in 1968. What makes Howard's story quite remarkable is that as a young man he lost the tips of three fingers in an industrial accident at his home town of Merthyr Tydfil. The accident was so severe that he was unable to make a fist with his right hand, a devastating blow for anyone, but a blow made all the worse for one who's entire career demands the use of both hands. Howard was known for his right handed power back in his early day's, so the day of the fateful accident was essentially the day Howard's boxing career came to an end. Well that's what everyone assumed except Howard, who completely changed the way he boxed and went on remarkably to become Champion of Britain, Champion of Europe and Champion of the world! The story of Howard Winstone's boxing career alone is a remarkable one, but there was far more to Howard than just his boxing career, in Howard there was an incredible burning passion, a passion to overcome all the odds, Howard Winstone was distilled with something quite remarkable, Howard Winstone was destined for greatness. And through incredible adversity he achieved not only his life-long ambition, and exceeded the hopes of an entire nation when in 1968 he was crowned Featherweight Champion of The World at his fourth and almost certainly his final attempt. The feature film Risen takes the audience on this incredible journey, from potential, to injury; from injury, to greatness
Q: What do you do as a 3rd AD?
A: A 3rd Assistant Director has many different roles; I will touch base on the ones I undertook on the film. I had a mixture of primary roles, which involved being a buffer between 1st AD and the 2nd AD, organise and control the runners, keep note of shoot times, lunch times, etc…
Other roles were general runner roles, making sure the crew and cast were ok, keeping everyone happy, staying on set when the 1st and 2nd AD’s were away and informing them when things were ready.
Q: What is the difference between the different kinds of AD's?
A: A First Assistant Director is responsible for the preparation of the shooting schedule and script breakdown used to plan the shooting of a film or television show. The AD works directly with the Director to manage the minute to minute operations on the set during the process of filming, as well as co-ordinating the necessary communication of details of future operations as the filming progresses. Other duties include tracking the progress of filming versus the production schedule, observing all rules related to union crafts, labour contracts and location agreements, maintaining safety on the working set, and working with the Unit Manager to keep operational costs within the budgeted plan
A Second Assistant Director is responsible for information distribution and reporting, cast notification and preparations during the shooting process, recording of all data relative to the working hours of the crew and cast, management of the background cast (atmosphere or "extras"), preparation of call sheets, production reports, and other documentation. When needed, the Second Assistant Director can assume the duties of the First Assistant Director on a temporary basis.
Q: How difficult is it to get a job like AD on a movie? What do you think helps more: diplomas at a film school, or experience on movies in other jobs, meaning you already have an understanding of how a film production works?
A: To answer honestly, no its not easy, it takes at least 2 years usually to get a 3rd AD role from being a runner and learning the ways to work that role. I was very, very fortunate to get the opportunity to AD on Risen and am excited to add it to my CV. Another terrible honesty moment is a diploma doesn’t really help, it hasn’t helped me much or my friends. Not to totally disregard a degree, it has helped open my eyes and understand a lot more about film and its ethics, however experience is the main key to this industry and getting to know the right people. As for film school that would probably give you technical prowess and such, but experience is key!
Q: People like Alfred Hitchcock and James McTeigue also started out as AD's. Do you see them as an inspiration?
A: You can certainly appreciate a great AD on a production, and James has accomplished a lot in his career, just a shame the Matrix sequels weren’t so good! However he has directed also and has gained that vital experience that any good AD requires to become so successful.
As for Alfred Hitchcock, of course who doesn’t like to watch and appreciate his art and success story? However I have, after watching an AD myself, have appreciation and respect for Lloyd Ellis, a 1st AD who has been doing this for a long time and is very experienced in his field.
Q: You said this is your first time as an AD on a movie. Were you nervous on your first day at work? I'm sure it must be pretty exciting to be involved with a movie in a job like this!
A: Sure I was nervous; I took things slow, listened to my roles and had a lot of help from the 2nd who recommended me to take the position. It was and still is exciting as we haven’t finished shooting yet, and so I’m looking forward to completing my role and the finished film when all things come to an end.
Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: My goals are mixed at the moment, to be honest. I’m going to work my way up the AD ladder and learn from each position and experience these roles and keep the knowledge I gain for future productions. I believe that this is the best way to go. However, as the work isn’t constant, it can be daunting not having any work some weeks, and money seems to disappear slowly and if I was offered a full-time position doing the thing I love, then I might consider it. I do enjoy making my own productions so future endeavours with my own stories is a possibility.
Q: What was your inspiration to become involved with movies, was it something you already dreamed of as a kid?
A: I’ve always been a little bottle of pop since I was a kid, bursting with energy I thought I'd become an actor or something similar. My mum always said I should be on stage! But somewere along the lines I decided I would like to make my own films and things, so I’m not quite sure when it happened, but I'd never look back now.
Q: In closing, can you maybe tell us a little bit about yourself?
A: I’m a retired student as such from a small University in Carmarthen; West Wales were I lived for 3 years. I’m now living in the South Wales area and am working towards future goals. I’m 21 years of age and like to do general fun stuff really, go out for drinks, cinema, food, have a game of paintball when I get chance and meet up with family and friends. I also play online games with other friends from across Europe and so I’m generally a socialite to sum me up. Anything fun and I’m up for it!
You can read more about Ryan on either his MySpace site or his IMDB page.
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