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.
SuperSizer 2021/22 will feature exclusive access to leading broadcasters and commissioners as well as weekly training sessions on topics such as:
- Pitching
- Negotiation
- Brainstorming
- Creativity
- Personal branding
- How to lead a creative team
SuperSizer 2021/22 will run from October 2021 to March 2022 approximately. The training sessions will be held online and in-person as restrictions allow.
How do I apply?
Applications for SuperSizer 2021/22 are now closed.
SuperSizer is a professional development programme featuring exclusive access to leading broadcasters and commissioners as well as weekly training sessions on topics such as:
- Brainstorming Techniques
- Leading Creative Teams
- Personal Impact & Influence
- Planning & Managing Crucial Conversations
- Pitches & Sizzles
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 or Senior Manager level)
SuperSizer 2021/22 will be delivered in a hybrid format with weekly sessions (either in-person or online) from October 2021 to March 2022 approximately.
The programme launches in Glasgow for two days of in-person sessions on Wednesday 20th October and Thursday 21st October. Attendance at these sessions is mandatory, please don’t apply if you are not available to travel to Glasgow on these dates.
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.
Creative Teams: Wednesday 20th October & Thursday 21st October 2021 - All Day - In Person in Glasgow
Overnights: Online - Wednesday 27th October, 10am
Audience insights: Online - last week of October (Dates TBC)
Negotiation: Online - every Wednesday in November / First week in December (Dates TBC)
Creating diverse content: Online - second week of January (Dates TBC)
Pitches: Online - third week of January (Dates TBC)
Developing for the International Market: Online - fourth week of January (Dates TBC)
Impact & Influence: Online - first two weeks of February (Dates TBC)
Commissioner Meetings: In Person - March 2021 (Dates TBC)
Please note the timetable is subject to change.
The course fee is £350. This 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 Wetcott (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 amongst the delegates 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 2021/22 are now closed.
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, Development Executive (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."
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)
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)
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.
