Glasgow-based training provider TRC has announced the return of their long-standing professional development programme SuperSizer
The programme, now in its seventh year, supports the growth of Development Executives to win high value commissions and develop ideas of scale for the next big returning series, with the aim of transforming indies in the Nations and Regions.
SuperSizer is funded by BBC Nations & Regions, Channel 4, and Screen Scotland.
This year’s programme will be delivered combining in-person and online training and will include a trip to London to meet a range of commissioners and broadcasters. Previous contributors to the programme have included BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV, Sky, Netflix, UKTV and Disney+.
As well as gaining exclusive access to leading broadcasters and commissioners, the successful delegates will receive exceptional training on a variety of topics such as pitching, personal branding and how to lead a creative team.
In its 2023 edition, SuperSizer provided a total of 66 hours of training, inclusive of 21 commissioner insight sessions. More recently, TRC piloted SuperSizing Development Teams, with the aim to maximise creativity and embed and nurture the development process across the full development team within a company.
Following a pitching session to Channel 5’s Ben Frow, £6K development funding was awarded to 3 course participants/companies and all delegates took part in a 3 day London trip to meet with commissioners from the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Applications are now open for freelance and in-house Development Executives who produce factual, factual entertainment or specialist factual programmes based in the Nations and Regions, and can be submitted via https://trcmedia.org/training/supersizer/
The deadline for applications is Monday August 14th, 12pm.
Claire Scally, Managing Director of TRC said:
“Our SuperSizer programme continues to go from strength to strength, with six successful editions to date, and its latest expansion to SuperSizing Development Teams. This year’s SuperSizer will include both online and face-to-face sessions to maximise the benefits of both delivery methods. We look forward to supporting a strong cohort of talented delegates from across the Nations and Regions in their ongoing development.”
Dani Carlaw, Head of Unscripted at Screen Scotland said:
“TRC’s SuperSizer opens doors for Scotland-based talent to build vital creative connections with commissioners and win new business, at a time when market connectivity is more vital than ever. We are proud to champion the outstanding talent from across Scotland taking part in this year’s programme and look forward to seeing what can be delivered.”
Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted at the BBC says:
“We’re really pleased to be involved in this fantastic initiative for another year. Supporting the growth of production talent and developing a strong pipeline of ideas from the Nations is incredibly important to us and the SuperSizer programme puts us in a really strong position to do just that.”
Sinead Rocks, Managing Director of Channel4 Nations & Regions said:
“4Skills is really proud to support TRC’s SuperSizer programme because nurturing talent from the Nations and Regions is of paramount importance to Channel 4 and for the future of the industry. SuperSizer provides fantastic opportunities for development executives based in Scotland to get in front of broadcast commissioners and pitch big ideas which, if successful, can have a huge impact on an indie based the Nations and Regions. It’s a brilliant concept as its gives the development executives a genuine insight into the art of pitching as well as the chance of landing a commission.”
To learn more about SuperSizer and find out how to apply, please visit https://trcmedia.org/supersizer/.