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Parents and carers

Is it real? Is it safe? Does it pay?

Straight answers about careers behind the camera, and our free Academy. Question not here? Email [email protected] and a person will reply.

What the work looks like

Is it a real career?

Yes. Most of the work is behind the camera.

A crew sets up camera, light and sound at a market under bunting on a location day.

The jobs

Camera, lighting, grip, sound, art department, construction, costume, hair and make-up, ADs, production, post and VFX. See every department

A crew member carries kit across a car park in front of the Pinewood Studios building.

How people work

Many crew are freelance and go job to job. Runners and trainees are usually paid through payroll (PAYE), like any job.

A crew films on a terraced street, camera low on a slider beside a reflector and an actor by a tree.

How people get in

Paid trainee schemes, apprenticeships, entry jobs like runner, and recommendations. A degree helps some roles; it's rarely required.

How pay works

Day rates, rate cards and gaps

By the day or week

Union rate cards from Bectu set out grades and terms. We don't print rates: they change every year. Rates and unions

The legal minimum

Trainees and runners who count as workers must get at least the National Minimum Wage. When unpaid work is legal

Freelance life

Freelancers invoice and pay their own tax. Quiet months are normal; saving for them is part of the job. Working freelance

Is it safe?

Safety comes first on a good set

On set

Productions must assess risks and brief the crew. Anyone can call stop if something's unsafe. Stunts, fire and weapons are run by specialists; new crew stay clear.

Under 18

Young workers get longer breaks and more rest between days. Child performers need a licence from the council. Most paid crew routes start at 16 or 18. GOV.UK

Who to tell

A good production names someone to go to with a concern. Bullying and harassment have routes too. Wellbeing and bullying

Spot a scam

Real productions never charge you to work

Stop and check if…

There's a fee for a course, crew list, background check or "audition"
There's no company name, only WhatsApp
They want ID or bank details before a written offer
They're rushing you

Check it together

Find the company on Companies House
Look for the production online
Meet in an office or public place

Checklist (PDF)

Report it

Scams: Report Fraud, or Police Scotland on 101. Unpaid wages: GOV.UK pay and work rights. Full scams guide

Faith and family

Can they keep their practice on set?

Yes, with planning

Prayer, fasting, food, holy days and modest dress can all be planned for. The trick is to raise it at booking, not on the day.

The guide

What to ask, who to ask, and what the law says. Faith on set

Our work

We're building a Faith Inclusion Toolkit with crew of faith, for productions. Faith Inclusion

How you can help

What helps most

Watch how it's made

Behind-the-scenes films show the jobs. Start with our free Watch and Learn channel.

Back the early calls

Lifts, packed food, warm layers, a charged phone. Call times can be before dawn.

Read the paperwork

Go through a deal memo before they say yes, and help keep invoices and receipts. Deal memo checklist (PDF)

Real routes in

Where to start

BFI Film Academy

Free courses for 16 to 25s across the UK. bfi.org.uk

Paid trainee placements

ScreenSkills Trainee Finder places trainees on productions. Watch for the next intake. Schemes and funds

Our Academy

Free online courses, then a competency check and an in-person practical with us. How it works

Our Academy

About Futures in Film

What is it?

Free short online courses on the jobs behind the camera: how a set works, staying safe, and the first jobs in a department. Each lesson has films from working crew, a short check and a task a person marks.

Who runs it?

Futures in Film CIC, a community interest company based at Pinewood Studios, company number 14621615. Learning provider: Futures in Film CIC. Partner: Screen Sisters CIC.

What does it cost?

Nothing. No fees, nothing to buy. Some films link to makers' own training, but you never need to pay to finish a course.

How old do you need to be?

Learner accounts are 18 and over. Anyone can watch the films. Younger people can do the lessons at school or college, led by a teacher; we collect nothing about them.

Is it safe?

There are no chat rooms, comments, messages or public profiles. Safety comes first in every course. Stunts, special effects and weapons are taught as awareness only: who's in charge and why you stay clear.

What do you keep about learners?

For adults with an account: name, email, age band, the courses taken, results and tasks. Never faith or ethnicity. We don't sell it or share it for marketing. Read the privacy notice.

Is the certificate a qualification?

No. Online courses give a learning record. The FIF Certificate comes only from an in-person practical, signed off by the trainer. Neither is accredited or endorsed by ScreenSkills or any awarding body.

What does it lead to?

Adults who finish a course can book a short competency check with us, then a practical on our unit at Pinewood or 3 Mills. Places are limited. Practical days are for people aged 18 and over, except programmes we arrange with schools and colleges under their own safeguarding. How learning with FIF works.