Is It Worth Taking a Job as a Runner? - Henry Fenwick Reports

Prime Focus

Working as a runner doesn't sound glamorous - but it can be a great way to break into the industry. Last year Animation Apprentice student Henry Fenwick finished a three week work experience at Prime Focus Film in London's Soho. We asked him to share his experience and advice, with a view to helping other animation students know what to expect when becoming a runner at a Soho studio. In short - is it worth being a runner?

Animation Apprentice Student Rory Marchant Finds Work at Prime Focus

Animation Apprentice Student Rory Marchant recently found work at Prime Focus, working as a match move (also known as tracking) artist in their visual effects department.

So what, exactly, is match move? Wikipedia defines it as: "a cinematic technique that allows the insertion of computer graphics into live-action footage with correct position, scale, orientation, and motion relative to the photographed objects in the shot."

In visual effects, match move is an entry-level position, a great starting point for any digital artist hoping to establish a toehold in the industry.