Besides all those movie-makers scrolling in the credits, there’s a constellation of starring roles for those who buy, develop, sell, market, and distribute films in Britain and abroad.

Nick Manzi, 36, who works for Redbus, a film distribution company based in London, has seen scripts such as Bend It Like Beckham and Open Water through the whole process; from lightbulb ideas to illuminating the big screen. “We buy the rights to scripts and films that have already been made and market them for distribution to cinemas, and sell to television and video companies,” he says. “But we also do in-house development of ideas and production.”

The British film industry is small compared with Hollywood, so it is vital for companies and employees to be flexible. Information on courses can be found at www.skillset.org, but don’t think you need years of film school behind you. “I got an engineering degree and worked for the National Air Traffic Services (Nats) before deciding to move into film and TV,” Manzi says. He initially worked as a runner for a production company and says: “It’s the way in for most people in the industry, you can build up contacts and get production experience. It’s difficult to get in at entry level, it’s just about being enthusiastic and working really hard for little money. You need to meet the right people to get your foot in the door but you can make your own luck as well.”

Runners work for as little as £100 a week, but Tally Garner, 28, an agent for Curtis Brown, who sells the film rights for books, took an alternative route: “Being an assistant to an agent or a casting director, for example, is a great way in,” she says. “Be patient. The financial rewards aren’t great to start with, but be confident and perservere. The industry is not a closed club.”

DAVID ROSE

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