9 shocking things you didn't know about working Film & TV - Tash on Telly

It’s been a year since I got my dream job working in film and TV. A year! Time really does fly when you’re having fun. That’s what it is, fun! I don’t feel like I’ve worked in a while because I’m doing something I love and I’ve always wanted to do.

Even though it’s fun, that doesn’t mean it’s not hard. It’s probably the hardest job I’ve ever had and I’ve worked really hard every day since I started. Long hours and early mornings. This night owl has needed to adjust very quickly.

I’ve learnt more about the industry in 1 year than in the 3 years I did at University for my TV Production Management degree. Experience really is everything! And I’m very keen to pass on my knowledge again, just like I did before when I was working in the Travel industry. However, this time it’s a little more tricky.

Obviously, the travel industry was a little easier. The Film and TV industry is filled with secrets and confidentiality. We don’t want to spoil anything! Also, I sign things that say I can’t talk about some stuff and I’m not allowed to take photos or do social media on set. Plus, I don’t really have the time to do that anyway. So as much as I want to show you around my amazing workplaces, sets, locations…I can’t. I like my job and I want to keep it.

But there are things I can tell you. Here are a few things I’ve learnt about the Film and TV industry, that I didn’t know before, didn’t expect, and thought were over-exaggeration or myths…

Film & TV production is not a normal 9 to 5 jobby

My hours are crazy and they’re always changing. It’s nearly impossible to make social plans. I knew the hours were long but I didn’t realise how they changed so much and why.

The start time or more known as “call time” is usually at 8am. But some departments start before then, as that’s what time we need to start rehearsing or etc. So actors and some crew get called in earlier, so they can do the cast’s hair, makeup and get into costume. The set or location also needs to be ready with lights, sound, cameras, props and anything else required for the first scene. The hour before call is the craziest time of the day (well it is for me in my role). At least there is breakfast!

Depending on what we are shooting, location issues or actor schedules, the start time can differ. I’ve had quite a few shifts ending at 11 or midnight. Personally, I’d rather do that than get up at 4am to start at 6:30am. My commute can be long depending on where we’re shooting.

So how long do we work? It depends on what’s on the schedule (which scenes we’re planning to shoot) and how long the director and 1st AD thinks they can get everything done. We have a rough idea for the week but that can change too. Here’s the type of days we have:

a Standard Working Day (SWD)
a Continuous Working Day (CWD)
a Semi-Continuous Working Day (SCWD)

Depending on the contract hours and type of working day, the working hours can differ from 8 to 11 hour days and the lunchtimes can be from an hour to working through lunch.

I’ve done an extended working day once. That was horrendous but it beats having to work a weekend. Yes, we work weekends too sometimes. Sometimes we do 6 day weeks and 1 day off. But we get paid per day so it’s fine. In my current job, we only had to do this once. In my last job, we did them all the time due to shutdown weeks to make up the time. Now all my friends can see why I’m so tired all the time.

If you like a normal 9 to 5 jobby, no weekends, a desk, a canteen, lunch breaks, a social life, a permanent contract and central heating…production life probably isn’t for you! You can still be in film & TV and enjoy all those things too but thats more in house, head office etc.

Zero glam

When you think of movies and TV, it all looks very glamourous like Hollywood and in the movies. Private trailers, hair, makeup and lots of famous faces. Yes, it all looks fabulous and I meet a lot of famous actors and directors but..it is not glamorous at all.

I’ve spent days wet through, freezing my tits off in the snow or trying to walk through muddy fields. The worse the weather, the worse the moos gets too. The hours are long, a lot of time on your feet and there are a lot of moving parts to try to get things done so we can go home on time.

Not all TV shows are in a nice warm studio. The TV dramas I’ve been on have mostly been outside. But I’ve also been in very hot studios too. No happy medium sometimes.

I can imagine Hollywood is kind of the same, but with bigger personalities and a little sunnier.

I do feel like you have to love what you do to enjoy it, and I do. So none of this really bothers me, but I know a lot of people who would hate it. The cost of living the dream!

Everything is a secret

Spoilers. No one likes them. So we keep everything a secret. I can’t tell you what I’m working on, who it’s for or who is in it. I might say when it’s out but so far, I’ve done 4 projects (1 film and 3 TV shows) in a year and nothing is out yet. You might be waiting a while and just shows how well I can keep a secret.

When I’m on set and a member of the public ask me what we’re filming, I tell them is its a “TV comedy” or “drama” but that’s it. No names, no confirming actors, etc. Sometimes, I act dumb like I don’t know what’s going on myself.

We have local journalists and paparazzi poking about sometimes. A few times we’ve had the odd helicopter. I try not to make it easy for them. They just want a story to sell and I want you to enjoy the show when it’s on TV or at the cinema. Drones do my head in.

It’s also why you never see a lot of things during production on social media, unless it’s through the marketing teams or official production accounts. That’s why most of my photos are at unit base, once everyone has gone to set. No one is there. I wave them off like kids going to school.

Comfort is key

When I first started, I was wearing nice clothes. Smart/casual and for the best part I still do. But there are days when that goes completely out the window and I need to wear something comfortable and keep myself really warm.

Sometimes that means the Alaska winter jacket comes out and the thick thermal socks with boots. I have lots of thermal clothing now which I use all the time.

I quickly bought some Sketchers which have memory foam soles and they’re the best things I’ve bought for this job, as I walk around so much. One day I did 25,000 steps and thought I was going to die. I wear them every day now. Your feet are important. Look after them!

You’ll also get very wet. We’ve recently had some storms and a lot of rainy days. I’ve basically been living in waterproofs. Good waterproofs are key, not showerproof…water aka torrential rainproof. Pants and jacket. Also, wellies…I love my wellies.

Location, Location, Location

Shockingly, when the show or film you’re doing isn’t always set where it’s based.

Locations are picked based on what the writer and producers want it to look it, if that location is available and if it’s affordable. I often see people kicking off online as some locations aren’t in the area. It’s fictional! Use your imagination. Sometimes, the real thing doesn’t look great on camera or isn’t available etc. There are a lot of reasons.

For example, I’ve done a production which was based in Spain and New York but was all filmed in Liverpool and Wales. It looks like the real deal. This happens a lot. Batman was filmed in Liverpool, not Gotham…Gotham doesn’t exist.

A good pro to this situation is that I’ve been able to explore and see a lot of different parts of the UK. So I was able to see lots of different locations, that I probably would never of known or seen without doing this job.

It’s only temporary

We’re all contracted per job. Some are hired in by other companies and others like myself are hired by the production. You could be hired for just the shooting days till we wrapped or you could be hired for a mixture of pre-production, production, wrap week and/or post-production.

I’m hired for pre-production till wrap. So I need to have another job lined up for after this one or look for my next one once we wrap. So your consistent job hunting but after a year of being unemployed during the pandemic I’m used to it and so far I’ve had jobs lined up after every job. Once you’re in the industry, you get recommended for other jobs. The hard part is getting in, not finding your next job.

It’s all PAYE, which scared me a little because I’ve had permanent jobs my whole life till working in TV. What I didn’t realise is that the accountants do your taxes, NI and student loan payments etc, for you, which was a big relief. I was very worried about that. We get paid weekly, which is great but dangerous at the same time. This is just in case the show runs out of money or gets cancelled etc. That’s never happened to me and I don’t know anyone to who that has happened to either. Lastly, our holiday pay is paid at the end of the wrap, which feels like a giant bonus at the end of production (if you don’t use them).

The good part about being temporary is that each job is different and has a different group of people every time. It keeps things interesting. Also, if you don’t like the job or if you don’t like someone you’re working with, it’s not long till you all part ways anyone.

The bad part is the crew become your family and friends so it’s weird saying goodbye at the end. Also, looking for jobs all the time is pretty annoying. Lastly, holidays are very hard to plan but I’m looking for the end of wrap but you’re always gambling on jobs then.

Changing departments

Working in Film and TV is a great industry to try out new things to see where you best fit in.

Runner jobs are a great way to find out where you want to be and what you want to do. I’ve seen people switch departments in the middle of shooting. It’s all about getting to know people and watching what other people do. See what you’re interested in.

Personally, I started in one department and then moved to another because I took on some tasks to help out in another and turned out I was pretty good at it. Now I’ve climbed up the ladder.

The only problem with switching departments is that you may have to start at the bottom and work your way up again. This can be a financial gamble but if that’s what you want to do then why not.

This is why you’ll see people on IMDB who have worked in different roles or departments. You mostly see it with actors who turn into Producers or directors. But I’ve seen people in production go into then become a grip or driver become a qualified medic and now is an on-set medic so anything is possible.

Wrap Parties

Wrap parties are amazing! Not all my productions have had them recently due to protocols and safety measures but when we do they’re so much fun.

It’s a great way to say goodbye to everyone and blow off some steam after weeks or months of hardcore work.

Not only do we get lots of drinks and get to dance the night away but other things happen too…nothing rude!

We get a sneak peek of what we’ve worked on. Sometimes the actual trailer or a sneak peek of some of the footage. It’s really great to see what you’ve been working on as a team come together.

We also get merch. I love merch! Usually like a t-shirt, a bag or a water bottle, things like that. Sometimes, they get given at the beginning of production too.

Sometimes, we get presents too…I like mine of the alcoholic variety. I also like to give my team thank you gifts. It’s just polite. It’s like having a leaving do every 3/4 months…but everyone is leaving.

It’s the best job in the world!

No matter how hard the day has been and how tired I am at the end of the day, I love my job! I’ve been working towards this dream job since I was a child and I love the industry so much more every day.

I’ve never had a job that changes too much. It challenges me every day and I’m surrounded by creative, awesome people that love making TV! It’s completely different to any other job I’ve ever had but I’ve never felt more like I belong somewhere in my life. I’m really doing something that I want to do and every job is a new adventure.