Glasgow-based training provider TRC has announced the return of their established professional development programme SuperSizer.
Now in its eighth year, SuperSizer has supported the growth of 95 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.
This year’s programme will be delivered in-person and online and will include a trip to London to meet a range of commissioners and broadcasters. The successful delegates will receive exceptional training on a variety of topics such as the creative process, pitching, personal branding and how to lead a creative team, as well as opportunities for one-to-one career coaching.
On the last programme, 14 SuperSizer delegates from across the Nations and Regions benefited from 67 hours of training and met with a total of 25 commissioners including Ben Frow (Chief Content Officer UK , Paramount), Lindsay Bradbury (Commissioning Editor, BBC Daytime & Early Peak), Phil Edgar Jones (Director of Sky Arts & Entertainment, Sky), Steve Handley (Head of Reality & Entertainment, Channel 4), Ben Kelly (Director Unscripted Series , Netflix) and Emile Nawagamuwa (Commissioning Executive, UKTV)
SuperSizer is funded by Screen Scotland, BBC Nations and Channel 4.
Fiona Wilson, who took part in SuperSizer as an Executive Producer for Ricochet and is now a Series Producer at Dragonfly TV, commented about her time on the programme: “Supersizer has been a game changer for me. The training and the wonderful cohort instilled a sense of confidence, particularly in relation to development, that I haven't felt before. I now have the tools need to work up those ideas, lead teams in brainstorms and crucially the confidence to pitch those ideas to commissioners. Thank you Supersizer!”
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 the TRC website.
The deadline for applications is Monday 5 August 2024 at 5pm.
Claire Scally, Managing Director of TRC said: “Our support for development training continues to grow with seven successful editions of SuperSizer under our belt,and the recent creation of our new programme SuperSizing Development Teams. 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 is vital for Scotland-based talent to make much needed creative connections with commissioners and win new business, at a time when the market is under considerable pressure. This initiative further allows Screen Scotland to champion outstanding talent from across Scotland taking part in this year’s programme, and I look forward to tracking our candidates’ progress.”
Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted at the BBC says: “We’re really pleased that this brilliant initiative is back for another year. Developing production talent and growing 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.”
Kevin Blacoe, Channel 4’s Head of Partnerships and 4Skills, said: “Nurturing talent in the Nations and Regions is one of the top priorities for 4Skills and the ambitions of TRC’s SuperSizer programme reflect our own. The creative industries area a real powerhouse for country and it’s vital we reach into talent pools right across the UK to ensure we are tapping into the very best creative talent.
"SuperSizer is a fantastic concept and provides amazing opportunities for talent based in Scotland as it provides a genuine opportunity to make a real impact through the potential of landing a commission.”
Learn more about SuperSizer and find out how to apply.