Television Training
SuperSizer
SuperSizer, which first launched in 2017, equips Development Executives who produce factual, factual entertainment or specialist factual programmes with the skills, knowledge, and connections to create bold, inspiring ideas and formats that have the potential to scale and return and transform indies in the Nations and Regions. Previous contributors to the programme have included BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV, Sky and Netflix.
As well as gaining exclusive access to leading broadcasters and commissioners, delegates will receive training on a variety of topics such as pitching, personal branding and persuasion and negotiation skills.
SuperSizer 2023/24 will provide training sessions on themes such as:
- The Creative Mindset
- Power of the Pitch
- Understanding Audiences and the Current Landscape
- Personal Development, Impact and Influence
- Scaling Up Development
- Persuasion and Negotiation Skills
- One to One Coaching Sessions
SuperSizer 2023/24 will run from September 2023 to March 2024 approximately. The training sessions will be held both online and in person.
The programme is funded by Screen Scotland, BBC Nations and Regions and Channel 4.
SuperSizer is a professional development programme featuring exclusive access to leading broadcasters and commissioners as well as training sessions on topics such as:
- The Creative Mindset
- Power of the Pitch
- Understanding Audiences and the Current Landscape
- Personal Development, Impact and Influence
- Scaling Up Development
- Persuasion and Negotiation Skills
- One to One Coaching Sessions
SuperSizer is aimed at Development Executives (freelance or in-house) who produce factual, factual entertainment or specialist factual programmes based in the Nations and Regions.
Specifically:
- Applicants should have significant experience in television programme development and have been responsible for at least ONE idea that has been commissioned.
- You/your production company must be based in Nations and Regions.
- You/your company should focus on the development of factual, factual entertainment or specialist factual programmes.
- You must provide endorsement from a company you have worked with/are working with (MD, Head of Department or Senior Company Executive level).
SuperSizer 2023/24 will be delivered in a hybrid format with training sessions (either in-person or online) from September 2023 to March 2024 approximately.
The programme launches in Glasgow for two days of in-person sessions on Tuesday 19th September and Wednesday 20th September 2023.
Topics and Session Dates
All sessions will be planned during working hours on Wednesdays where possible, although some may land on Tuesdays or Thursdays where necessary.
The Creative Mindset: Tuesday 19th September 2023 - All Day - In person in Glasgow
Power of the Pitch: Wednesday 20th September 2023 - All Day - In person in Glasgow
Understanding Audiences and the Current Landscape: Online - Wednesdays throughout October 2023 (Dates TBC)
Personal Development, Impact and Influence: Tuesday 7th November and Wednesday 8th November 2023 - All Day - In person in Glasgow
Scaling Up Development: Online - Wednesdays throughout end of November and December 2023 (Dates TBC)
Persuasion & Negotiation Skills: Online - Wednesdays throughout January and February 2024 (Dates TBC)
Meet the Commissioners: In person in London - 3 day trip in early March 2024 (Dates TBC) and online sessions across March 2024 (Dates TBC)
Coaching Sessions: Online – Optional one to one coaching sessions in April 2024 (Dates TBC)
Please note the timetable is subject to change.
The course fee for 2023/24 is £500. The fee includes accommodation in Glasgow and London for those that require it. A contribution to travel costs is available if required.
SuperSizer offers exceptional access to leading commissioners and senior personnel at broadcasters. Previous contributors for the programme include:
- Ben Frow (Channel 5)
- Emma Westcott (Channel 5)
- Greg Barnett (Channel 5)
- Daniel Pearl (Channel 5)
- Andrea Amey (Channel 5)
- Linda Daubrey (Channel 5)
- Lucy Willis (Channel 5)
- Jo Street (BBC role – Jo is now at Channel 4)
- Priya Singh (ITV)
- Peter Tierney (ITV)
- Fatima Salaria (BBC, now Channel 4)
- Ricky Cooper (BBC)
- Claire Mottershead (BBC)
- Beejal-Maya Patel (BBC)
- Emily Allen (BBC)
- Martha Housden (BBC Studios)
- Danny Horan (Channel 4)
- Charlie Palmer (Channel 4)
- Becky Cadman (Channel 4)
- Deborah Dunnett (Channel 4)
- Nicola Harrison (Channel 4)
- Lucy O’Neill (Channel 4)
- Lucy Leveugle (In Channel 4 role. Lucy is now at Netflix)
- Ramy El-Bergamy (formerly Channel 4)
- Diana Carter (A+E Networks UK)
- Jake Chudnow (YouTube Originals)
- Will Rowsen (Channel 4)
- Ben Kelly (Netflix)
- Hilary Rosen (UKTV)
- Kate Thomas (Channel 4)
- Sarah Lazenby (CH4)
- Phil Edgar-Jones (Sky)
- Shirley Jones (Sky)
- Barbara Less (Sky)
A group of ambitious Factual/Fact Ent/Specialist Factual Development Executives from across the Nations and Regions will benefit from:
- Increased commissioning opportunities for development talent based in the Nations and Regions
- Increased knowledge and confidence to benefit their career now and in the future
- An increase in the number of collaborations amongst talent in the Nations and Regions
Applications for SuperSizer 2023/24 are now closed. The deadline for applications was Monday 14th August, 12pm.
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Deadline: Monday 14th August, 12pm
Applications are now closed
Want to hear more about our SuperSizer delegates?
Meet this year's Development Executives
Here's what our previous SuperSizers have to say...
These sessions have made me want to get the team together in a room and create hours of new TV. Even whilst tasked with exercises to practise we were getting excited about what we were creating - truly inspiring!
Laura Gilbert, Firecrest Films (Glasgow)
I’m using the personal development skills I learned on Supersizer every day, and I can already feel how it’s changed the way I am approaching creative brainstorming, pitching and communicating.
Abigail Keyes, Two Rivers Media (Glasgow)
Amazing to meet like minded souls working in development, learn new skills, have unprecedented access to network Commissioners, and be inspired to forge ahead and go for it as a creative and seize the moment.
Seumas Mactaggart, MacTV (Stornoway)
SuperSizer provided exclusive access to commissioners in a relaxed training setting coupled with the opportunity to work alongside and learn from other experienced development executives. We’ve made invaluable new contacts and won a commission as a result of the programme.
David Kavanagh, Title Role Productions (Manchester)
“A real opportunity to get ahead of the game, develop professional skills, meet incredibly inspiring fellow programme makers and develop relationships with leading commissioners."
Laura Farrell, Tern (Glasgow)
“It's integral that programs like this exist in order to connect regional indies with the commissioners who can make their business grow”
Thomas Popay, Stellify (Belfast)
"SuperSizer is a gateway for any indie to grow and expand its horizon of opportunity. The knowledge gained from the programme is priceless."
Khurram Adnan Sheikh, Imagemaker Media (Manchester)
Money can't buy this sort of access to commissioners - fantastic chance to build those all-important relationships!
Patricia Moore, Tyrone Productions (Belfast)
Supersizer is a rare gem of a course. An amazing experience to get in front of the full set of UK broadcasters and to spend such a lot of time in their company. I now have a far fuller understanding of every UK broadcaster, and have made so many connections with current commissioners and made friends with a room full of talented creatives on the course who, one day, will undoubtedly will be commissioners themselves.
Connie Fisher, Wildflame Productions (Cardiff)
The course has been really great, with brilliant bookings from TRC – from commissioners to trainers. It’s really helped me take back some new ideas to help me and my team develop our slates.
Jennifer Gilroy, Firecracker Scotland (Glasgow)
Alumni
We've trained over 80 Development Executives from across the Nations and Regions on our SuperSizer programme. See a full list of our alumni and read their interviews to hear from the alumni directly on their experience of SuperSizer.
SuperSizer is an original training concept by TRC.
SuperSizer is funded by BBC Nations and Regions, Channel 4 and Screen Scotland.
