SuperSizer
About SuperSizer
SuperSizer is a professional development programme for ambitious Development Executives based in the Nations and Regions who want to win high value commissions.
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 the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV, Sky, Netflix, UKTV and Disney+.
Applications for SuperSizer 2024/25 are now closed.
The deadline for freelance and in-house applications was Tuesday 13th August, 5pm
Sign up to our mailing list to be notified about new opportunities.
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 2024/25 will provide training sessions on themes such as:
- The Creative Mindset
- Power of the Pitch
- Understanding Audiences and the Current Landscape
- Personal Impact and Influence
- Scaling Up Development
- Persuasion and Negotiation Skills
- One to One Coaching Sessions
SuperSizer 2024/25 will run from October 2024 to March 2025 approximately. The training sessions will be held both online and in person (with in person dates taking place primarily in Glasgow).
The programme is funded by Screen Scotland, BBC Nations and Channel 4.
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 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 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).
We are looking for diversity of voice, insights, and experience. We encourage applications from under-represented groups in the TV industry, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and returners-to-work.
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: Wednesday 2nd of October 2024 – All Day – In person in Glasgow
Power of the Pitch: Thursday 3rd of October 2024– All Day – In person in Glasgow
Understanding Audiences and the Current Landscape: Online – Wednesdays throughout October 2024 (Dates TBC)
Personal Impact and Influence: Tuesday 5th of November & Wednesday 6th of November 2024– All Day – In person in Glasgow (Dates TBC)
Scaling Up Development: Online – Wednesdays throughout November and December 2024 and January 2025 (Dates TBC)
Persuasion & Negotiation Skills: Online – Wednesdays throughout February 2025 (Dates TBC)
Meet the Commissioners: In person in London – 3 day trip in early March 2025 (Dates TBC) and online sessions across March 2025 (Dates TBC)
Coaching Sessions: Online – Optional one to one coaching sessions in March 2025 (Dates TBC)
Please note this timetable is subject to change.
The course fee for 2024/25 is £500. The fee includes accommodation in Glasgow and London for those that require it. A contribution to travel costs is available if required.
To make sure we are providing additional support to freelancers during this uncertain time in the TV industry, a limited number of bursaries are available to freelance Development Execs who have recently been out of work due to the downturn.
To enquire about bursary support, please e-mail us at projectmanager@trcmedia.org
SuperSizer offers exceptional access to leading commissioners and senior personnel at broadcasters. Previous contributors for the programme include:
- Ben Frow (Channel 5)
- Federico Ruiz (Channel 5)
- Kit Morey (Channel 5)
- Kate Ansell (Channel 5)
- Denise Seneviratne (Channel 5)
- Ricky Cooper (BBC)
- Tom Coveney (BBC)
- Lindsay Bradbury (BBC)
- Louise Thornton (BBC)
- Muslim Alim (BBC)
- Clare Mottershead (BBC)
- Steve Handley (Channel 4)
- Timothy Hancock (Channel 4)
- Cimran Shah (Channel 4)
- Janine Thomas (Channel 4)
- Joanna Potts (Channel 4)
- Emile Nawagamuwa (UKTV)
- Phil Edgar-Jones (Sky)
- Shirley Jones (Sky)
- Barbara Lee (Sky)
- Dwayne Eaton (Sky)
- Benedetta Pinelli (Sky)
- Shirley Jones (Sky)
- Ben Kelly (Netflix)
- Sam Crack (Netflix)
- Sean Doyle (Disney+)
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 2024/25 are now open. The deadline for applications is Monday 5th August, 5pm.
If you are a freelancer, you can apply using this link.
For in-house applications, please use this link instead.
Laura Gilbert, Firecrest Films (Glasgow)
“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!”
Abigail Keyes, Two Rivers Media (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.”
Seumas MacTaggart, MacTV (Stornoway)
“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.”
David Kavanagh, Title Role Productions (Manchester)
“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.”
Laura Farrell, Tern (Glasgow)
“A real opportunity to get ahead of the game, develop professional skills, meet incredibly inspiring fellow programme makers and develop relationships with leading commissioners.”
Thomas Popay, Stellify (Belfast)
“It’s integral that programs like this exist in order to connect regional indies with the commissioners who can make their business grow”
Khurram Adnan Sheikh, Imagemaker Media (Manchester)
“SuperSizer is a gateway for any indie to grow and expand its horizon of opportunity. The knowledge gained from the programme is priceless.”
Patricia Moore, Tyrone Productions (Belfast)
“Money can’t buy this sort of access to commissioners – fantastic chance to build those all-important relationships!”
Connie Fisher, Wildflame Productions (Cardiff)
“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.”
Jennifer Gilroy, Firecracker Scotland (Glasgow)
“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.”
