Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jogger

🎯 Role Definition

A Jogger (also known as a production runner or on-set runner) is an entry-level production professional responsible for timely errands, logistics, and on-location support that keep film, television, and commercial sets operating efficiently. This role requires physical stamina, reliable transportation (where required), exceptional communication with department heads, and a proactive approach to solving the many small but critical problems that arise during production. The Jogger is often the first point of contact for quick requests, last-minute pickups, and urgent deliveries — ensuring cast, crew, and equipment are where they need to be, when they need to be there.

Key SEO keywords: jogger job description, production runner responsibilities, on-set runner, film production runner, location logistics, production assistant runner, errand runner.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Student or recent graduate seeking film/TV production experience
Volunteer or intern on film, TV, or commercial sets
Retail, hospitality, courier, or logistics roles with strong time-management skills

Advancement To:

Production Assistant (Specialized: locations, art, or camera)
Production Coordinator / Assistant Coordinator
Locations Assistant or Assistant Director Trainee

Lateral Moves:

Art Department Runner / Props Assistant
Grip or Electric Department Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Act as the primary on-set runner, executing urgent errands and time-sensitive pickups or deliveries (documents, hard drives, props, wardrobe items, craft services supplies) across multiple locations to support production continuity.
Coordinate with production coordinators, assistant directors, department heads, and locations managers to prioritize and complete same-day tasks that directly impact shooting schedules.
Safely transport crew, talent, scripts, and light equipment between base camp, stages, and remote locations while following company vehicle and safety policies.
Load and unload equipment, grip cases, set dressing and props from production vehicles to staging areas and back, ensuring items are handled and stored per inventory procedures and department instructions.
Maintain and update physical and digital sign-out logs for rented equipment, props, and wardrobe to ensure accountability and minimize loss.
Deliver, collect, and track important production paperwork — call sheets, release forms, timesheets, and talent contracts — ensuring signatures are obtained and documents are returned to production office on schedule.
Assist locations and set teams with setup and strike tasks, including moving furniture, carrying heavy items, sweeping/cleaning set areas, and restoring locations to required condition per location agreements.
Monitor call times and travel windows for cast and crew; proactively communicate delays and coordinate alternative transport or arrangements to minimize shoot downtime.
Run errands for craft services and production catering, including replenishing perishable items, managing dietary requests, and coordinating with vendors for last-minute orders.
Receive, inspect, and log incoming shipments and vendor deliveries, escalate damaged or missing items to the production office, and arrange returns or replacements as necessary.
Perform basic on-set maintenance and troubleshooting (battery swaps, light bulb replacement, cable re-routing) to support department leads and avoid shoot delays.
Escort vendors, extras, and visitors between holding areas and sets while enforcing set etiquette, quiet-time protocols, and safety rules.
Handle petty cash and purchase receipts for small production buys, ensuring accurate record-keeping and providing receipts promptly for accounting reconciliation.
Maintain a reliable presence at base camp and call sheets, be prepared for overtime, schedule shifts, and on-call duties typical of production schedules.
Assist in the coordination and staging of COVID-19, health & safety, or union-mandated procedures as directed by the production's safety lead, ensuring compliance on set.
Liaise with local vendors, rental houses, and municipal offices to secure permits, replace damaged items, or expedite emergency orders when production timelines are impacted.
Support talent logistics by pre-warming vehicles, coordinating transportation waits, and ensuring talent amenities and privacy measures are respected.
Conduct site sweeps during and after shoots to collect debris, returned props, and loose cables; report any location damages and help implement corrective measures.
Maintain a professional, discreet demeanor at all times, exercising judgment around confidential materials, script content, and talent interactions.
Proactively identify recurring logistical bottlenecks and suggest process improvements to coordinators and production managers to increase operational efficiency.
Provide clear, timely radio and phone communication about completed tasks, outstanding items, and ETA updates to production staff and department heads.
Adhere to union rules, production policies, and health & safety guidelines, escalating compliance or incident concerns promptly to supervisors.
Perform additional ad-hoc production support tasks as requested, from simple research and vendor sourcing to coordinating last-minute shoot logistics.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Provide backup support for office-based production administration during off-peak shooting hours, including scanning, filing, and basic database updates.
Assist social media or production marketing teams with on-set photography or B-roll capture when required and cleared.
Help maintain a tidy and branded base camp and production office environment, restocking supplies and updating signage as directed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Valid driver's license with a clean driving record and experience operating manual and automatic vehicles; familiarity with route planning and GPS navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze).
Proven ability to safely load, secure, and transport production equipment and props; basic knowledge of lifting techniques and load limits.
Comfortable handling and tracking physical inventory with sign-out systems, handheld scanners, or basic spreadsheets.
Proficiency with mobile communication tools and production radios (clear radio protocol, channel etiquette).
Comfortable using smartphones and apps for scheduling, photography, mobile payment, and location check-ins.
Basic first-aid awareness and knowledge of on-set safety protocols; willingness to complete production safety or COVID compliance training.
Experience working with petty cash, reimbursements, and providing accurate receipts and expense records.
Familiarity with call sheets, production schedules, and basic production paperwork.
Ability to follow technical instructions for simple on-set fixes (battery swaps, cable routing, minor lighting adjustments).
Basic knowledge of local vendor ecosystems (rental houses, hardware stores, craft service suppliers) and ability to source items quickly.

Soft Skills

Outstanding time-management and prioritization skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple urgent tasks under tight deadlines.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to succinctly update multiple stakeholders and escalate issues when necessary.
High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality when dealing with talent, scripts, and sensitive production information.
Exceptional problem-solving and resourcefulness; anticipates needs and acts proactively to prevent delays.
Calmness under pressure with flexibility to adapt to schedule changes, long hours, and variable weather or location conditions.
Team-oriented mindset with a service-first attitude, willing to support other departments and step into varied roles as needed.
Physical stamina and endurance to perform repetitive manual tasks and sustained on-foot activity over long production days.
Attention to detail and accuracy in logging, tracking, and returning production items and paperwork.
Positive, outgoing demeanor that builds rapport with cast, crew, vendors, and location staff.
Strong sense of accountability and reliability; punctual, dependable, and committed to showing up prepared.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Some college coursework or vocational training in film production, communications, theater, logistics, or hospitality.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Film, Television, and Media Production
Communications or Public Relations
Event Production, Hospitality or Logistics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–2 years of relevant production or logistics experience; internships and volunteer set experience considered.

Preferred:

1+ year of experience as a production runner, set runner, courier, or in a fast-paced hospitality/logistics role with on-the-ground coordination responsibilities.
Experience on union or non-union sets, with familiarity with common production protocols and on-set etiquette.