Welcoming the SSE Summer Breakthrough Runners
Imogen Redpath, Operations Trainee
Welcoming the SSE Summer Breakthrough Runners
One of these stepping stones is the Future Talent Programme, which, over the course of a year, provides eight trainees and runners with experience in their chosen areas, either with productions filming on site or elsewhere with Sky. This year, placements have ranged from supermarket commercials and NBCU feature films to Saturday Night Live at Television Centre. Thanks to the success of the programme, however, participants are often offered their next job before the end of their year with Sky, leaving us a little thin on the ground at the studio...
...Cue the four Summer Breakthrough runners, fresh from the Screenskills Craft Skills Certificate course at Elstree Screen Arts (another stepping stone)! The runners will join us for ten weeks and be fully integrated into the Future Talent team from day one, assisting productions and gaining first-hand experience of studio operations. They will have access to industry advice and CV sessions, as well as the opportunity to build both their network and their confidence. Alongside supporting our Client Services and Operations teams, the new runners will play a vital role across the studio during a particularly busy production period, helping to ensure a seamless transition ahead of the next Future Talent cohort joining in October.
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Supporting people to take their first steps into the industry goes beyond creating placement opportunities. That’s why Lauren recently partnered with NBCUniversal on a special episode of their series, Role the Credits, which spotlights lesser-known roles in Film and TV, features people discussing how they got their foot in the door and gives practical advice about applying for and working in the industry. The special episode highlights a few tips and tricks from Lauren, including CV advice and how to turn up on your first day on set:
- Keep it succinct: one page with your contact details and key experience. If you don’t have any on-set experience, think about how you can demonstrate your transferable skills and what you do in your free time that sets you apart.
- Look at Screenskills job descriptions and consider your strengths: highlight your relevant strengths and skills in their own section.
- Get creative! This is a creative industry after all. But make sure that it is still easy to read and, importantly, easy to print.
Apply for training programmes. Examples include:
- Future Talent Programme at Sky Studios Elstree
- Universal’s Below the Line Traineeships
- Universal’s Internships
Be prepared
- Read the call sheets in advance and keep on top of your emails.
- Look at your travel ahead of time and check for delays.
- Turn up early and ready to work.
- Show initiative and enthusiasm; be friendly and kind.
- Ask lots of questions!
Be it through our Future Talent programme, partnerships with local organisations like Elstree Screen Arts or Hertfordshire Careers Hub, or collaborations like Role the Credits, Sky Studios Elstree remains committed to creating clearer pathways into the screen industries. We are excited to have the Summer Breakthrough runners in the team and look forward to welcoming the 2026/2027 Future Talent cohort later this year.
To find out more about training and development opportunities, visit our Training and Development page and explore our careers resources on the ERIC app.