Insight
Ash Spall – Film Production
#NextGenCreatives
From Runner to Major Productions, and Why Mindset Matters More Than You Think
Ash still laughs when he talks about how he got into the film industry.
“I got a message saying, ‘I need a runner.’ I replied, ‘What’s a runner?’”
That message led to a job on Without Sin, an ITV drama filmed in Nottingham. It was meant to last six weeks. It ran longer.
From there, things moved quickly.
Midsomer Murders. Malpractice. Boiling Point. Brassic. Ted Lasso. Adolescence.
In just a few years, Ash went from not knowing what a runner was to working consistently across some of the UK’s biggest productions.
What surprised him most was not the scale of the industry.
It was how quickly you can progress when you commit to it.
You learn the industry from the ground up
One of the biggest misconceptions about film is how careers begin.
“People think they’ll come out of uni and be a director,” he says.
Most people start as runners or location marshals. Roles that put you right at the centre of production, learning how everything works in real time.
For Ash, that early exposure is what accelerated his progression.
Within a short space of time, he stepped up to 3rd Assistant Director, something that often takes years.
Starting at the ground level is not a setback.
It is where the real learning happens.
“Go stand in a field for 12 hours”
Ash has a simple way of explaining what the job really involves.
“If you want to work in film, go stand in a field for 12 hours and see if you can handle it.”
It sounds like a joke, but it reflects something important.
The industry rewards people who are adaptable, resilient and ready to get stuck in, whatever the conditions.
Long days are normal. Environments change constantly. Every project brings new teams, new challenges and new expectations.
But for those who embrace that, it becomes part of the appeal.
No two days are ever the same.
The best creatives understand every role
For students aiming to direct or lead projects, Ash’s advice is clear.
Learn everything.
“If you want to be a director, you need to understand every job on set,” he says.
That includes the details most people overlook.
How long it takes to light a room. How long a costume change takes. How makeup impacts the schedule.
“If you don’t understand that, you’re already in trouble,” he says.
The best directors he has worked with understand the full process.
That knowledge allows them to make better decisions, manage teams effectively and keep productions running smoothly.
Reputation builds opportunities
In film and television, your next job rarely comes from an application.
It comes from people.
“It’s all about who you know,” Ash says.
Four years of near-continuous work came from one thing, building trust.
“You meet one person, then that leads to another job, and another,” he says.
Once you prove yourself, the opportunities start to build.
That is why attitude matters as much as skill.
“If I ask you to make a cup of tea for an actor and you’ve got attitude about it, there are thousands of other people who will do it,” he says.
It is not about the task.
It is about reliability.
Make your own work, don’t wait
For those who want to create, there is no reason to wait for permission.
“If you want to be a director, make your own stuff,” he says.
That could be a short film, a passion project or something shot on a phone.
The output matters less than the process.
“The end product isn’t the most important thing. It’s the teamwork, the collaboration, the experience,” he says.
Those are the skills the industry values.
Talent matters, but mindset matters more
Ash is clear that talent alone is not enough.
“I know people who are far more talented than me who haven’t worked this year,” he says.
The difference often comes down to mindset.
Resilience. Adaptability. Professionalism. The ability to work with people and keep going when things do not go to plan.
There will be challenges. There will be gaps between jobs. There will be environments that do not suit you.
“You’ve got to know your own morals,” he says. “If it’s not right for you, it’s not worth doing.”
But for those who commit, the industry gives back.
A career built through consistency
Ash’s journey did not start with a plan.
It started with saying yes to one opportunity.
From there, it built.
One job led to another. One connection led to the next. Four years of consistent work followed.
“There’s no entitlement in this industry,” he says. “But if you show up, work hard and build trust, the opportunities do come.”
From not knowing what a runner was to working on major productions, his path shows what is possible.
Not overnight.
But through consistency.
Study Film Production at SAE
If Ash’s journey into film and television has sparked your interest, SAE’s Film Production course offers a hands-on route into the industry.
From working on real productions to building your portfolio and understanding every role on set, students develop the skills, mindset and experience needed to start their careers in film.
