Life as an Apprentice on War of the Worlds

2020 was a challenging year to launch our new, ground-breaking scheme, to say the least! Against all the odds, we managed to place our three apprentices with Urban Myth, who were about to start filming War of the Worlds II in South-East Wales.

The apprentices were immediately thrown into the deep end, with Tom and Josh working in the AD and Production departments and Jake in the Arts/Props department. 

Fast-forward four months, and the three apprentices have proved themselves to be an invaluable part of the production team – to the extent that Josh has been offered a full-time post with Urban Myth as a Runner in 2021, while Tom and Jake are currently being lined-up for their next production. All three are now on a placement with Vox on their new drama production for S4C.

We’re very proud of them – but what did the apprentices themselves make of their first foray into the screen industry? 

Tom May

What were you doing prior to the apprenticeship?

Prior to my apprenticeship I was working as a bathroom installer alongside my Dad, whilst trying to find jobs/experience/apprenticeships within the media industry 

Why did you want to do a shared apprenticeship?

I wanted to experience what it was like to work on a large scale production so as to better understand the role of a runner. 

What was your role on your first placement?

I was a Runner/AD.

What did you do day-to-day?

When I first started the job my main role in the mornings would be to set up the tea table near set, and once filming had begun I would be asked to lock off any needed areas.

As I gained more experience however I was given more responsibility which included:

Getting SAs through costume and make up in the mornings

-Getting Cast breakfast and through costume and make up

-queueing artists to walk on to a scene

-standing by with costume/make-up checks once cast have stepped onto set

-meeting/travelled cast to set on arrival

-Organising transport for cast and crew 

What’s the thing you most enjoyed about it?

There was no specific task that I enjoyed the most. The best part of the job for me was generally having to communicate with the other members of the AD team in order to organise the shoot.

What’s been challenging?

Initially I found learning radio etiquette quite challenging but once I’d started regularly hearing phrases I began to understand them. More so, I think the most challenging part has been learning to be at the right place at the right time and to be as useful as possible. Realising how much time you have to do a task and what variables affect that amount of time is key to being useful – although I still find myself caught out every now again thinking that I have more time than I actually do!

What one key thing have you learned?

The key thing I’ve learnt as a Runner on this apprenticeship is that there is no such thing as too much information. If you think you should share some information you’ve been given or you have a query it’s always better in the long run to ask, so as to avoid as many mistakes as possible.

Do you think you’ve grown as a result of your apprenticeship?

Definitely! At the start of this apprenticeship I had no real concept of how a TV drama was made or what the role of a Runner did within that system. Now I feel I have a much better understanding. 

Has doing the apprenticeship changed your view of what you want to do in your future career?

This apprenticeship hasn’t really changed my plans for the future: my goal was to become a runner on dramas. If anything, this apprenticeship has confirmed my initial thoughts on my career path, as I now know I like what I’m doing rather than just guessing.

Jake Hatcher

What were you doing prior to the apprenticeship?

Before my apprenticeship, I was doing A levels at Stanwell School, studying Product design and Drama. Having this creative background inspired me to have a future in the creative industry. I then took 6 months out and gained some work experience, alongside doing some supporting artiste jobs, just to give me an insight into what it was like on set, before starting my apprenticeship in February.

Jake and Tom on set

Why did you want to do a shared apprenticeship?

The reason I chose a shared apprenticeship was to take advantage of the opportunity of meeting lots of different people and networking to expand my contacts.

What was your role on your first placement?

I started off my first placement doing set-dressing I enjoyed dressing sets both in the studio and on location, however I knew I wanted to try out the other roles within the Props department. So for the second half of the job I’ve been working with the standby props team.

What did you do day-to-day?

I took part in a wide range of tasks which were completely different each day. This ranged from giving handheld props to SA’s, to floating fake bodies on the Thames. And that’s what I love about the job – you’re going into each day on a clean slate, with something new going on.

What’s the thing you most enjoyed about it?

I have most enjoyed going to London and location filming in general and generally having access to areas I wouldn’t usually come across.

What’s been challenging?

I’ve had to learn strategies such as knowing when to prioritise jobs in order of importance and to ensure the task is completed before continuing onto something new. Another challenge I’ve faced is the long working days, however I’ve now got used to this.

What one key thing have you learned?

I’ve learnt to invest in yourself and to always be nice and understanding to the people around you. I’ve found that by getting on with people and others recognising

you as a nice person to work with, boosts your chances of being recommended and called onto other jobs in the future.

Do you think you’ve grown as a result of your apprenticeship?

I think I’ve matured lots since I’ve started this apprenticeship. It’s made me think more about the future and having to make certain sacrifices, such as cancelling personal plans due to schedule changes, for example.

Has doing the apprenticeship changed your view of what you want to do in your future career?

Without a doubt! Getting onto this apprenticeship has given me a great opportunity to start a job which I can continue in the future. After speaking to lots of people on the production it’s made me realise how lucky I am to be on the scheme and to be starting out a career at this age.

Josh Legge

What were you doing prior to the apprenticeship?

Prior to the apprenticeship, I was in college doing my Media studies, as at the time I was unaware about the apprenticeship scheme and was focused on getting to my desired aspirations, no matter what route/how long it took.

Why did you want to do a shared apprenticeship?

I wanted to do the shared apprenticeship as I believed it would benefit me in terms of experience and getting a “foot in the door” in the industry. I thought that by learning and working at the same time, it would give me more of an opportunity at a young age for future jobs in the industry. 

What was your role on your first placement?

My role on my first placement was an AD Floor Runner.

What did you do day-to-day?

Day-to-day as a Floor Runner, I would support my team of Assistant Directors. I would do the simple jobs such as setting up the tea table in the mornings at the studio/on location, making tea and coffee for cast and key HoD’s, as well as liaising with the Locations department about where everything is at a location in order to inform crew about the facilities; relay important information to HoD’s such as the Director and 1st Assistant Director if needed to, standing by ready for when cast arrived in the mornings, getting cast into makeup, travelling cast back and forth to set, and seeing cast and crew away at the end of the day. 

What’s the thing you most enjoyed about it?

What I most enjoyed about my placement was being able to meet so many different people who were experienced in the industry and who could give me a broader view on how jobs can be different or similar and what’s so good about them, as well as establishing myself in that job and building contacts for future jobs. 

What’s been challenging?

The most challenging thing about the placement was adapting quickly to different locations when filming as it was my responsibility to inform crew about the facilities if they ever asked me a question.

 What one key thing have you learned?

One key thing that I’ve learned is to never be afraid of asking questions. It doesn’t matter if you’re not confident or you believe people may think you’re stupid for not knowing something, always ask questions as it really will benefit you in the long run and it shows people that you are genuinely interested in this particular role and want to be successful in it.

Do you think you’ve grown as a result of your apprenticeship?

Yes I definitely think I’ve grown as a result of this apprenticeship. It’s really shaped me as a person in terms of boosting my confidence and allowing me to do something I’ve always wanted to since I was young. You feel more established even after doing your first production because you now know how much effort goes into making it and you appreciate that a lot more.

Has doing the apprenticeship changed your view of what you want to do in your future career?

No it hasn’t really. My view is still the same as it was before, with what I want to do as my future career. I’ve always wanted to be a Director or a part of the Assistant Directing team and thanks to the apprenticeship scheme, I’ve finally had that opportunity and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.

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