Charlie Productions : James Waller

Jim Waller is a hero. We may title him 'Lollipop Boy' because we get a small joy out of seeeing him in shot in the background of 'Crowd Scene' stopping cars and at one point a bus, but Jim is everything you could ever want in a runner. Runners are typically thought of as an entry point into the industry, somewhere to get your feet, make some contacts and get the hell into another job. In short, runners can get all the grief of a shoot pushed onto their shoulders because they are in the position of least power.

Not our runners. And a lot of this is down to Jim. He doesn't want to get into the film industry, he is a dentist and has done the long years of study that entails. During that time, he has come and helped us out, and every time he has not been on one of our films we have noticed. We've never paid him, he's not doing it as a step up into anything, but he's willing to put himself out to help us prance about making stories. He tirelessly does whatever is asked of him and he makes a mean cup of tea, all whilst quietly and patiently keeping out of the way of the cast and crew. In short, Jim epitomises everything that is to be valued in a runner.

There is a reason why the top ones are incredibly appreciated and can earn a very decent wage. Jim, however, is going to earn a fortune caring for people's teeth, and if ever there was someone you would want in that position, you'd want someone calm, careful, friendly and completely without maliciousness: Jim is that man.