Why Joining the Scotland Marshals & Runners WhatsApp Group Could Change Your Career
Breaking into the film and TV industry can feel overwhelming — especially when you don’t know where to start, who to speak to, or how people even find their first job.
But sometimes, the most powerful opportunities come from something simple.
Like a WhatsApp group.
📱 What is the Scotland Marshals & Runners Group?
The Scotland Marshals & Runners WhatsApp group is one of the largest and most active film and TV communities in Scotland, with over 700+ members working across the industry.
It’s a space where:
Job opportunities are posted in real time
Productions filming in Scotland look for crew
Newcomers and experienced professionals connect
When a production needs staff — whether it’s for a single day or a longer contract — this is often one of the first places they post.
And here’s the key thing:👉 Jobs can be filled within minutes
🌟 Run by someone who truly cares
The group is run by Jackie McCraith-Smith, who is widely respected in the industry.
She’s known not just for her experience, but for being:
Incredibly inclusive
Supportive of newcomers
Passionate about opening doors for others
Having someone like that at the centre of the group makes a huge difference — especially if you’re autistic, neurodivergent, or new to the industry.
🎬 What is a Film (Location) Marshal?
A film marshal (sometimes called a location marshal) plays a vital role on set.
Their main responsibility is to:👉 Carry out “lock-offs”
This means:
Politely stopping members of the public from walking into filming areas
Managing foot traffic safely
Protecting the set so filming isn’t interrupted
You’re often the first point of contact between the public and the production.
Other tasks can include:
Giving directions to crew or the public
Watching equipment or vehicles
Supporting the locations team
💡 Why it’s a great role?
You learn how a set works very quickly
You build confidence and communication skills
You meet industry professionals
🏃 What is a Runner?
A runner is often described as someone who “does a bit of everything” — and that’s exactly what makes the role so valuable.
Typical runner tasks include:
Delivering items between departments
Helping set up or pack down
Supporting production teams
Picking up equipment, props, or food
Assisting wherever needed
You might go from helping the camera team one minute to supporting production the next.
💡 Why being a runner is so powerful:
You get exposure to every department
You learn how productions operate from the inside
You build connections quickly
It can lead to more specialised roles
⚡ Why this WhatsApp group is so valuable
For many people, the hardest part of entering film and TV is simply: getting that first opportunity
This group helps solve that by:
Giving you direct access to job postings
Removing the need for industry connections
Offering fast-moving, real opportunities
Keeping you in the loop with what’s filming in Scotland
But it also teaches you something important:👉 You need to be ready
Because jobs go fast, you should always have:
An up-to-date CV
Your availability clear
Notifications turned on
🎥 Want to gain experience first?
If you’re not quite ready to jump into paid roles, there are ways to build confidence.
You can attend UNIT BASE at St Margaret’s House, where:
No-budget and community productions (like SAM Radio projects) take place
You can observe or get involved
You can practise marshal or runner skills in a supportive environment
These smaller opportunities can be the perfect stepping stone.
💭 Final thoughts
The Scotland Marshals & Runners WhatsApp group is more than just a chat — it’s a gateway.
A gateway into:
Real jobs
Real experience
Real connections
And for autistic people or anyone who has felt shut out of the industry, spaces like this matter.
Because sometimes, all it takes is:
One message
One opportunity
One “yes”
And everything can begin to change. To be added to the group, please message Kat or Autistic Girl.
By Kat | Autistic Girl | 29/04/26
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