Unscripted: Development Researcher training programme
If you answered Yes, then our Unscripted: Development Researcher training programme is for you!
Unscripted TV relies on ideas. Good ideas keep TV schedules full, viewers engaged and production companies in business. But where do they come from?
With an acute shortage of new development researchers, it’s more important than ever for the next generation of talent to find their feet in the world of unscripted development. Blending self-directed learning with live Zoom training, followed by a 1-month industry placement, this Unscripted: Development Researcher course will prepare you to hit the ground running in your first role as a Development Researcher.
Led by Development Executive and Series Producer, Perjit Aujla, the course focuses on the essential skills needed to work in development.
Course content will cover creative and ideation skills needed to generate exciting programme ideas, to editing and software skills needed to pitch them to commissioners. To support you in setting up sustainable development careers, the content will include vital communication skills which employers are looking for, and guidance on making yourself as employable as can be.
Following the course, trainees who complete the training will be matched with a Development Researcher placement in the development team of an unscripted production company. Testing your new skills and knowledge in a real company environment will consolidate what you learn and get you some industry connections along the way!
Unscripted: Development Researcher is open to a total of 60 people and will run with three cohorts. On applying, you will be asked to confirm your preference of dates and you are expected to be available for the duration of your chosen set. You will also be expected to be available for a one month full time placement following the completion of the training. We will endeavour to secure placements that begin immediately following the training but this may not be possible in all cases.
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
This course is aimed at those who want a career in unscripted and who:
- Are 18+ and not in full-time education.
- Have approximately 2+ years of work experience in ANY industry.
- Have demonstrable interest in a career in development.
You do not need to have worked in TV or development before to apply for this course.
We welcome applications for those looking to return to work following a career break.
This course is free to attend.
To ensure this training is accessible to the widest possible audience, the training will take place online and outside of standard office hours. Sessions will take place on weekday evenings, and some Saturday mornings.
This programme is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from BBC, Channel 4, Sky, A+E Networks UK, Discovery UK, Channel 5, Netflix, ITV, Amazon, UKTV and S4C matched by production companies.
We welcome applications from all individuals. If you would like support completing the application form and/or would like us to send it to you in an alternative format, please email training@mission.guru
Applications for this programme will be assessed after each closing date and a candidate shortlist will be drawn up.
- Closing date course 3: 15th February 2024 (23:59)
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short Zoom interview with the Course Tutor and Course Director.
Interviews will be offered on the following dates during office hours and are course specific.
- Course 1: 26th – 27th October 2023 ( FULL)
- Course 2: 18th – 19th December 2023 ( Closed )
- Course 3: 4th – 5th March 2023
Following interviews all applicants for that course will be notified with a decision.
The classroom elements of this course blends live Zoom training with self-directed learning. The self-directed learning has been carefully structured to compliment your learning in the live sessions; participants will be expected to keep up with the self-directed learning and manage their own time in doing so.
The dates for live training sessions are listed below:
Course 2:
- Saturday 13ᵗʰ January 2024 (09:00-13:30)
- Wednesday 17ᵗʰ January 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Thursday 18ᵗʰ January 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Wednesday 24ᵗʰ January 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Thursday 25ᵗʰ January 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Wednesday 31ˢᵗ January 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Tuesday 6ᵗʰ February 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Wednesday 7ᵗʰ February 2024 (18:30-20:30)
With additional Q&A sessions with Commissioning Editors to be confirmed in line with availability of speakers.
Group 3:
- Saturday 16ᵗʰ March 2024 (09:00-13:30)
- Wednesday 20ᵗʰ March 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Thursday 21ˢᵗ March 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Wednesday 3ʳᵈ April 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Thursday 4ᵗʰ April 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Wednesday 10ᵗʰ April 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Tuesday 16ᵗʰ April 2024 (18:30-20:30)
- Wednesday 17ᵗʰ April 2024 (18:30-20:30)
With additional Q&A sessions with Commissioning Editors to be confirmed in line with availability of speakers.
Module 1: Responding to Briefs
This module is designed to help you understand the end-to-end development process for unscripted TV, and to have the confidence to participate in the creation of commission winning ideas!
| Session | Course Content |
| Session 1 |
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| Sessions 3 & 4 | Commissioning Editor Q&A’s
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Module 2: Technical Skills
This module is designed to teach you the necessary skills to create and edit the materials to pitch ideas. From sizzle reels to presentations, the training will offer you a guide through the free software you can use to best showcase your ideas, before introducing you to the Adobe Suite with the support of an expert editor.
| Part | Course Content |
| Part One |
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| Part Two: Software |
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| Part Three: Decks and images |
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| Part Four: Adobe |
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Module 3: Communication Skills
A key part of the development researcher’s toolkit is to be persuasive when communicating – whether that’s selling an idea or encouraging someone to take part in a show – so this module will start with the importance of persuasion, drilling down into specific tactics for each area.
| Skills | Course Content |
| Verbal Skills |
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| Written Skills |
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| Visual Skills |
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Module 4: Employability Skills
This module will cover the broader employability skills a Development Researcher will need to work in the industry alongside specific CV, interview and placement strategies and tactics to ensure successful placements.
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| Session 2 |
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The self-directed learning elements of the course will be hosted on the Learning Management Portal LearnDash on the Mission Accomplished website.
Participants will be given login details at the start of the course and will have exercises and activities to do in advance of the training beginning and between the subsequent live sessions. Keeping up with this independent work will enable participants to come to live sessions ready to be a part of the conversation!
While completion of tasks will be expected in advance of sessions, participants will be able to do them at times to suit them!
Live Zoom sessions have been scheduled outside of standard office hours and are designed to bring participants together with our expert training team for live learning and support.
Participants will be expected to attend all of the sessions with their selected course to maximise learning.
All participants who complete the self-directed and classroom-based elements of the course will be eligible for a 1-month work placement within an unscripted development team. These placements are expected to start less than 3 months after completing the course and are designed to consolidate your learning and to help you connect with the industry and try out your Development Researcher skills in a real environment.
The Unscripted TV Skills Fund will make a salary contribution of £1300 for each 1-month placement to the host production company.
Mission Accomplished have extensive networks of production companies and will match participants up with an appropriate opportunity.
By the end of the course participants will be expected to have learned:
- the role and duties of a Development Researcher
- how the development process works
- the technical skills needed to create pitch decks and sizzles
- the communication skills needed to work as a development researcher
- about the freelance nature of the industry and be prepared to for this type of work
- how to make the most from their placement
This course is delivered by Film and TV Industry Professionals and sector experts
Alison Grade | Course Director
Alison founded and runs Mission Accomplished. The company regularly delivers training courses for ScreenSkills. Alison is an experienced Line Producer and Production Manager as well as a Nesta Accredited Creative Enterprise Trainer. She regularly delivers training that enables creatives to take their careers to the next level. Alison is the author of the Penguin published book, The Freelance Bible and offers many workshops and training programmes to support freelancers.
Perjit Aujla | Course Tutor
Perjit has 13+ years’ experience in factual TV as an RTS award-winning Series Producer, an Edit Producer and a former Head of Development. She has won commissions from Channel 4, Channel 5 and worked on programming as diverse as a Joe Wicks series for 4OD to the Bafta-nominated Cbeebies series Maddie’s Do You Know.
Based in Leamington Spa, Perjit is a champion of the regions, producing and chairing local events on behalf of Women in Film and Television and RTS Midlands, where she is also on the committee. She has supported diverse off-screen talent via. Creative Access and the Channel 4 Trainee Scheme.
“Perjit is an extremely smart and thoughtful development exec with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry.”
“Perjit is a great leader and communicator who makes her team feel valued and listened to.”
“Wow! What a fantastic experience; I feel so fortunate to have been accepted onto this program. The tutors are experienced, practicing professionals who ooze industry knowledge and insights. They made the sessions fun, informative and undaunting, providing lots of encouragement alongside the rigour. Having access to real sizzle reels, which are almost impossible to source elsewhere, was a game-changer, alongside having the tools to build my own sizzles. I highly recommend this program to anyone considering a role in TV Development. Loved it!”