From running around making teas and coffees to running the whole show, Issy Bateman has quickly risen through the ranks of the TV industry having only started out in 2021 as a runner. So, what are her top tips for working your way up in industry?
Trying not to fangirl when you’re stuck in a lift with Lewis Capaldi on a random Tuesday afternoon is almost impossible, and that’s exactly what Issy Bateman found herself having to do. “I had only just begun working as a TV runner and he was standing right beside me. I couldn’t believe that my job allowed me to meet my favourite musician just one month in,” she recalls. “To this day, I really hope he didn’t hear me freaking out when he left the lift. I tried to remain composed in the moment, but it was very difficult!”
Growing up with a dad who worked as a rigger, driving trucks, pulling cables, and ensuring equipment made it to different filming locations, meant the 23-year-old was introduced to the world of TV production from a young age. However, initially her
career path was going to look very different as she went to college to do a hair and makeup course. “I hated it with a burning passion. It was not for me at all. During one of my holidays, my dad took me to The X Factor, and I was so much more interested in his job. He found it hilarious and was like, ‘What are you doing? Why are you just hanging around me?’ That was when the penny dropped, and I realised that television production was the industry I needed to be in.”
Fast forward to February 2023, Issy was promoted from a runner to the Production Manager at EMG, a leading global provider of broadcast services, meaning she is responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly, from the very beginning of a
project to the final credits. This includes being on set at major red-carpet events and sports games, organising crews, sending out planning sheets and ensuring that the project’s budget is adhered to. “A production manager is the glue that holds the
entire show together,” she explains. “Without us, the whole thing would fall apart. We make sure that the vision for a show becomes a reality.”
Her work with EMG to date has included countless high-profile events like the BAFTA TV and Film Awards, countless NFL games and even the Champions League Final in June 2024.
“It’s surreal to be on site for such massive events and it makes the hard work worth it”
So, how did she actually get there? For anyone looking to break into the TV industry, working as a runner is often a rite of passage. It’s a job that requires a thick skin, lots of patience and the willingness to take on any task, big or small. “Being a runner was the most fun I’ve ever had,” Issy says. “You’re the first person on site and the last person to leave, so you see absolutely everything that goes into creating the show; the highs, the lows, the stresses, and the successes. I think it’s a crucial
experience when you’re starting out as you’re exposed to all aspects of production.
“There are opportunities to learn from the audio engineers, the vision engineers, the riggers, camera operators, producers and the list goes on. Being a runner is a golden ticket to everywhere on a set and as soon as you’ve got that experience under your belt, you understand the intricacies of the industry better.”
Her role involved everything from ensuring the tea urn was ready for the crew’s caffeine fix, which Issy claims is the key ingredient to a smooth day on set, to helping crew members with accreditation passes and bringing guests to the right part of the set. “It’s not glamorous, but without the runners nothing happens,” she notes. “You have to be proactive, whether that’s fixing an issue with accreditation, checking that the bins are empty or just ensuring that people are where they need to be.
“Everyone looking to break into the TV production world should work as a runner at some stage in my opinion. The biggest lesson I learnt was trying not to freak out when I saw my favourite celebrities. Margot Robbie spoke to me when I was working
my first red carpet. She was the sweetest person ever. It felt like the best day ever and was so surreal but oh my goodness, staying calm and still doing my job was so tricky.”
How do you actually progress up the TV production career ladder though? What are the key skills to get your foot in the door? According to the 23-year-old, one of the most crucial lessons that she has learnt since starting out has been the importance
of saying yes. “Say yes to absolutely everything,” she insists. “This industry is so competitive, and you have to prove that you’re reliable, committed and that you’ll always show up. TV production can be a very high-pressure environment, and if you
can’t keep up, it’s easy to get left behind.
“Strong time management is also essential. If you can’t stick to a set timeframe, you will struggle to keep up. Every programme has strict deadlines that must be met, so it’s essential to be organised and be on top of your tasks. ‘To Do’ lists will become
your best friend. I believe that it was my ability to stick to the targets I was set that meant I was chosen for promotions in my job,” she adds.
“I got invited to work the NFL games in Munich for two weeks pretty early on because they knew I was able to get things done before they needed to be. That experience was the most fun I’ve had in my life. Meeting the players and being on
the field was something I never would have imagined when starting out in the industry.
“In the space of two years, I went from being a runner on the NFL to running the whole NFL production.”
“The biggest piece of advice I would give is that this industry is all about people. The relationships you build are what make progression possible. It can feel so daunting when you are starting out and you don’t know anyone who works in TV production, so go on LinkedIn and try to connect with people who work in the industry and ask them questions or send them your CV. Everyone has to start somewhere and lots of people will be happy to offer you advice about how to get into the industry or perhaps they’ll even let you shadow them.
“Also, build a portfolio of work, even if that means going out with your phone and filming and editing something. You don’t have to have the latest camera or the most expensive equipment, just go out and film at local events or make podcasts about
your favourite sport. Get creative,” she says.
“I’m seeing the world, meeting the coolest people and celebrities that I’ve always looked up to, and making events I’ve watched actually happen as part of my job. Work hard, show initiative and say yes to opportunities and you will make it,” Issy says as her parting advice. Follow this and who knows… maybe one day you’ll be stuck in a lift with Lewis Capaldi or your favourite celebrity on a random Tuesday afternoon.
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