We’re very excited about launching the third edition of SuperSizer – our training programme for ambitious TV development executives in the Nations and Regions. Last year’s programme resulted in four new commissions (including BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5) and 100% of participants said SuperSizer had improved their ability as a development executive.
Now, it’s time to meet the Class of 2020 – twelve talented creatives from independent production companies throughout the Nations and Regions.
Sophie Ellis
Development Producer – True Vision Yorkshire
The best thing about working in Development is…
Immersing yourself
in subjects and chatting to people you normally wouldn’t. It’s a real privilege when people give you
their time to reveal things you wouldn’t otherwise know.
My top piece of advice for anyone wanting to work in TV would
be…
Don’t be so over-awed by the people higher up that chain that you don’t speak your
mind or get stuck in. Be brave. There are very few wrong answers in telly.
The show I wish I’d pitched is…
Flirty Dancing. It’s a simple
proposition full of joy and fun. The cleverest kind of no-brainer.
Jon Willers
Development Executive/SP – Storyboard Studios (Glasgow)
When I’m stuck in a creative rut I…
do something else. Screenwriter
Aaron Sorkin famously takes showers to overcome writer’s block. Sometimes he takes eight showers a
day. Personally, I prefer making coffee – although I haven’t hit the eight cup a day mark…yet.
My top desert island disc would be…
It’s got to be “The Sun Always
Shines on TV” by A-Ha.
My top piece of advice for anyone wanting to work in TV would
be…
Don’t ever get distracted from what made you want to to work in telly in the first
place. Passion, curiosity and a willingness to learn are the most important things you have. And
don’t be afraid to pick up the phone!!
Gill Brown
Development Producer – Tern
(Glasgow)
The show I wish I’d pitched is…
Hospital. It’s essentially a
programme about the bed blocking crisis and administration yet because it is packed with incredible
human stories it engages an audience. Plus it was an exceptional piece of access negotiation and a
brave decision by the hospital trust.
At school I…
wanted to be a forensic psychologist, make of that what
you will!
If I were leading a broadcaster I…
would ban overnight figures and
only look at a consolidated figure after a month allowing for word of mouth and everyone to catch on
and up.
Alan Gillespie
Head of Development – ShinAwiL
(Belfast)
At school I…
spent a lot of time creating ideas and stories when I
should have being paying attention.
When I’m stuck in a creative rut I…
make sure I don’t sit at a desk.
Development is always happening, whether it’s conversations with pals or watching shows. I think the
best time to create is immediately after a pitch or a deadline. Your adrenaline is pumping so your
creative mind is sharpened and it allows you to spot ideas and creative approaches that you might
not normally see.
Jayne Brierley
Development Executive – Daisybeck
Studios (Leeds)
The show I wish I’d pitched is…
The Undateables – just joyous!
The best thing about working in Development is…
the creative
process. You learn new things every day, meet lots of brilliant, interesting people and then have
the fun of devising brand new TV programmes.
My top piece of advice for anyone wanting to work in TV would
be…
watch loads of TV.
Siobhan Smith
Development Executive – Firecracker Scotland (Glasgow)
When I’m stuck in a creative rut I…
Go to a book shop or the library
(I love the library). Nothing is more inspiring to me than being surrounded by books.
If I were leading a broadcaster I would…
Place great emphasis on
class representation – both on screen and off.
My favourite quote/saying is…
“If you are interested in something, no
matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and
above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good.” – Roald Dahl
Paul Windle
Development Executive – MultiStory
Media (Manchester)
The show I wish I’d pitched is…
Naked Attraction – I love the way the
show has such a gobsmackingly salacious hook, but actually unpacks educational content, human
insight and allows you to see true diversity.
At school I…
was told that I watched an unhealthy amount of TV –
who’s laughing now Mrs Frankland?!
If I were leading a broadcaster I would…
really listen to the stories
and voices outside London from the people who live and work there. Even better still, I’d ensure I
had a team of effective commissioners based across the length and breadth of the country in a
non-tokenistic way, to really ensure that we aren’t in a position where London-centric culture and
opinions are guessing at what the rest of the country thinks.
Robert Brown
Development Assistant Producer – Raise the Roof Productions (Glasgow)
The show I wish I’d pitched is…
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
The best thing about working in Development is…
explaining to
people that it is in fact a real job
My favourite quote/saying is…
“Live every week like it’s Shark
Week.”
Paul O’Donohue
Development Producer – Firecrest
Films (Glasgow)
My top piece of advice for anyone wanting to work in TV would be…
Ask for advice, not a job. If you get a gig as a runner, every time you’re asked to do
something, write it down. Memorise the schedule. Keep email addresses and stay in touch.
When I’m stuck in a creative rut I…
go to an old mans pub, have a
pint and a packet of crisps. This only works if it’s Salt and Vinegar. Cheese and Onion is the
devil’s work.
If I were leading a broadcaster I would…
Have a chair made of Solid
Gold. Kidding. I would commission a documentary behind the scenes of TV, giving the public an
insight into how a project comes from idea to broadcast, with the bumps on the road and
relationships between programme makers and their subjects. The most revealing parts of ‘The Brexit
Storm’ were bits of personal small talk between the presenter and the politician.
Miriam Ryan
Development Producer – Big
Mountain Productions (Newry)
The show I wish I’d pitched is…
The Secret Life of Four Year Olds
The best telly is…
when a programme makes you laugh, cry or shout,
and turn to the person next to you on the couch/at the office/on the train and want to share it.
Something people would be surprised to learn about me is…
I once
auditioned for a Louis Walsh girl-band….I didn’t get very far
Louis Bamber
Head of Development/Joint MD – Button
Down (York)
When I’m stuck in a creative rut I…
Learn to play a song.
If I were leading a broadcaster I would…
Shake up morning
programming.
My favourite quote/saying is…
Think it possible that you may be
mistaken
Sophie Scott
Development Producer- Two Rivers
Media (Glasgow)
The show I wish I’d pitched is…
Faking It or Gogglebox
My top piece of advice for anyone wanting to work in TV would be…
Try not to doubt yourself too much, be persistent but friendly and never be afraid to ask
questions. Being a good tea maker also helps!
The best telly is…
When the nation watches a show together and then
everyone talks about it, anything that generates a trending meme on social media gets my vote.
Thanks to this brilliant bunch for letting us pick their creative brains. We’ll be working with the group over the next six months, so keep your eyes peeled for more, or find out more about SuperSizer.