In response to Marcia Wheeler’s letter (15 April) re the pay of TV production runners), my point was that the TV industry, like publishing, journalism and advertising, is very London-centric and it’s a very expensive place to live, or even secure a rented room. It’s far more difficult for a 22-year-old with no contacts to break into the industry from anywhere outside the M25 than it is for someone who grew up or has family in London. Thirty years ago there were jobs in TV and radio all over the country but many of them have disappeared – something Hat Trick can’t do much about. As it happens, we pay runners working full-time between £19,500 and £23,000 per year, which is well above the London living wage, and progress up the ladder can be rapid. As is the case with the runner I mentioned; she (not he) has moved up already.
Richard Wilson
Hat Trick Productions
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