Education / Runner
Written by real crew
6 Min Read
Important: If you're stepping into the camera department, click here for a guide on CVs for camera trainees.
Many online CV tips, especially generic “film CV templates”, won’t help when applying for entry-level roles. In fact, that wrong advice can actually reduce your chances because it doesn’t reflect what productions are really looking for when hiring.
In this guide, you’ll discover how to build a CV for film and TV that stands out, what details genuinely matter, and which mistakes to avoid. Plus, you’ll get a film CV template for floor runners.
A runner CV is much simpler than most people think. You don’t need flashy graphics, long explanations of your life history, or a design that looks like a portfolio.
Productions want one thing: clear, relevant information that shows you can handle the responsibilities of a runner role.
Here’s what you should include:
Who you’ve worked with - This section is the most important. List any ADs or productions you’ve supported, even if they were small.
Why it matters:
Productions want to see names they recognise as it helps build trust
References can be quickly checked
Regular collaborations show you’re dependable
Where you’re based - Your location can affect your chances of getting hired over other applicants. Many productions prefer to hire local runners if possible.
If you live outside a major film hub (London, Manchester, Edinburgh, etc.), make it clear if you can travel regularly.
Mentioning the city you’re based in (or willing to travel to) makes you a more attractive candidate.
Additional skills / information - Productions aren’t usually interested in your university degree or what film school you went to - they care about practical, on-set skills. Include info/sentences like:
Relevant workshops, courses, or industry schemes
If you own a car w/ business insurance (helpful for remote locations)
Full, clean UK driving licence (sometimes needed to drive crew or equipment vans)
Production experience - Even small projects count.
Include:
Project title
Your role (Runner, Production Assistant, etc.)
Year
The ADs you supported
Contact details - Make it easy to reach you.
Include:
Full name
Email
Phone number
Optional: Instagram handle (if public and relevant - more helpful on smaller productions)
References - If you’ve worked on a production before, ask a crew member if you can list them as a reference.
Include:
Their name
Their role
Contact information
References can confirm your reliability and help you stand out among other new entrants.
Even well-prepared CVs can have issues. Here are the mistakes beginners make most often:
Using a corporate format - Long paragraphs about unrelated jobs will lose the hiring person's attention. Keep it clean, simple, and film-focused. The layout should make it easy to scan quickly.
Missing GDPR statement - Without this, it can’t legally be shared between productions. Include a line like:
GDPR Statement: This CV may be kept on file and shared for employment purposes.
Film runner CV template
Don’t start from scratch! Use our free runner CV template and use it to build a professional, easy-to-read CV tailored to entry-level film work.
