Runners and new entrants

Bectu aims to help you make working in film and TV a better experience.

Those new to the industry can often be the most poorly treated or the most exploited. Runners, new entrants, and other junior grades, should receive the same treatment as higher grades, with working conditions free from bias, bullying and harassment, in workplaces that nurture career development. You should expect rates of pay that support you around insecure and infrequent engagements.

To support freelancers and workers entering the industry as a runner or as a recent graduate, Bectu offers two membership subscription offers:

Bectu Runners can join at a discounted rate of £8 per month for the first two years, and Bectu New Entrants can join at a discounted rate of £5 per month for the first year. Join here.

Runners will work under specific departments in film and TV, for example as a runner for Assistant Directors, and so runners joining the union normally become part of their department-specific branch. (What are branches? | Bectu). Being in a relevant branch means you can make more of a difference and ensures you receive the right support if you need it. If you’re joining Bectu as a new entrant or a runner and you’re not sure which Branch you should be in, please contact the London Production Division team [email protected]

Runners Rates

Runners are encouraged to get involved with their branch to ensure that rates for runners are included on their branch rate cards (see here: Ratecards: find out the rates for the work you do | Bectu).

Runners should be pushing for fair rates of pay that reflect the insecure and infrequent engagements most freelancers experience in the industry. The minimum wage and real Living Wage amounts are all based on working full-time, 52 weeks per year. As such, runners should be negotiating higher than these either minimum wage or the real Living Wage.

Bectu also strongly recommends runners ensure they have a full set of terms, in writing, provided before they start an engagement. These terms should include the daily or weekly hours, overtime rates, notice period and any terms related to sick leave or holiday.

Many runners have previously received contracts that give the daily rate, but do not specify the standard working hours. As such, productions can expect runners to work any number of hours each day, without further renumeration. This means that rates offered to runners are either as low as the minimum wage or risk falling below the legal minimum. As mentioned above, runners should be pushing for rates that they can live on.

By paying runners a fair wage, productions will also be contributing to improving the diversity of the industry. Due to the low rates frequently offered to new entrants to the industry, runners can often be those freelancers who have other financial means by which to support them. By offering a fair wage that freelancers can live on, productions will engage runners of all backgrounds.

For further advice on rates, members should contact their full-time official, branch rep, or [email protected]

Health & Safety

The Creative Industries Safety Passport (CRISP) is IOSH accredited, is industry recognised and is a strong addition to your CV. The course teaches what rights and obligations you have as an employee and those of your employers, including risk assessments, how to deal with lone working and how to make your work safer.

This course will get you a credit in the Runners/AD passport, once it is launched, and help get you to an AD post faster and with more confidence.

Runners Charter

The Runners Charter is a declaration of the general principles that BECTU Runners believe should be followed and are signed up to by the employer. It is not legally binding, but companies that sign the Charter are showing they are committed to a set of employer standards. Runners can use the document to find out who are the best employers and choose their work accordingly.

Runners Charter (member only)

Eyes Wide Shut – Long Hours Report

Like many freelancers in film and TV, runners face long working hours. BECTU campaigns for productions to decrease hours to improve productivity, safety and work life balance in the film and TV industries. Please see Bectu’s report here: Eyes Half Shut | Bectu

Resources

Bullying and harassment | Bectu

Stress and mental health | Bectu

Dignity at Work | Bectu

“Working on an APA production? Check their full terms and pay rates here”

For more information about getting involved with Bectu as a Runner or as a New Entrant contact [email protected] or call 0300 600 1878.