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Greens Trainee

Entry-level UK greens role learning nursery practice, dressing and set etiquette.

Duties

• Shadow Greenspersons on dress and strike
• Carry out basic watering and tidy duties
• Learn plant handling, FR awareness and H&S
• Help with loads under supervision
• Maintain radio/set etiquette
• Take notes on continuity when asked
• Ask before altering hero plants
• Build a portfolio of safe, reliable days

Reports to

Assistant Greens / Greensperson / Chargehand

Works with

Greens crew on the assigned unit

Career path

Runner / related craft → Greens Trainee → Assistant Greens

Day to day

Arrive early, stay useful, learn names of stock and processes; never invent treatments or cuts.

Call times

Dressing greens often pre-call for plant dress and watering; on-set / standby greens match unit call and wrap with camera. Nursery and load days before first shoot can start early — check dressing vs standby call.

What to wear

Workshop/nursery: boots, gloves, weather gear, hi-vis if yard rules require; dust mask when cutting dry foliage. On set: matte blacks or greens-appropriate darks; radio pouch; gloves; PPE as briefed for installs and flame-retardant treatments.

Tools & kit

PPE as issued; notebook; water bottle; no personal power tools until signed off.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap, kit/vehicle fee and nursery location on the deal memo. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk / Art Department cards and your production. On smaller shows Greens may sit under Art or Props; larger features often list Greens as its own department.

Software

• Excel / Google Sheets plant lists, schedules and budgets
• PDF art packs / Bluebeam drawings
• PureRef / Milanote moodboards and botanical refs
• Shared call sheets (StudioBinder / Yamdu / PDF)

Related roles

Assistant Greens, Greensperson

More Greens roles