Get the Knowledge: Developing Content for Kids

This session is about understanding the skills required to develop and pitch ideas with a specific focus on children's television. We'll give you hints on how to understand the TV market and how to write and pitch programme ideas. We will also give you an overview of best practice when working with children in production. 

Presented by Mark Robson (former commissioning editor, programme creator and executive producer) and Alison Cresswell (expert on working with children and TV producer). 

Each session will also feature a special industry guest who will share their insights and expertise.

This session is supported by the ScreenSkills Children’s TV Skills Fund which invests in training for those working in Children's live-action TV thanks to contributions from the industry.

Who it's for

If you create, write, or produce scripted or unscripted content for kids this session is for you.

We generally require applicants to have at least 3 credits (unless working in a traditionally uncredited role). If you strongly feel you would still benefit from the training, please email USF@screenskills.com.

What it covers

• The importance of combining creativity with an understanding of regulations
• Devising ideas that are both inspirational and practical
• Awareness of the market to enhance your chances of achieving success
•  A case study of a successful children's format
• Notes on pitching ideas 

Trainers

Alison Cresswell is the country’s leading expert on child licensing, performance, health and safety, welfare, compliance and legal guidelines. She is executive director for ACE (Children) and is “the font of all knowledge when it comes to working with under 18s.” Her company offers training in current guidelines, editorial advice on difficult projects, advice on good practice and how to get the best out of contributors. Alison has an impressive CV of work in the children's TV sector and beyond.

Mark Robson has worked as an executive in development at Endemol, Chrysalis and Talent TV and head of development for LWT. He created Best of Friends for CBBC, Inside Clyde for Disney and Crash Test Danny for Discovery Kids. His first TV production was the children's comedy series Jackson Pace for ITV. Mark now runs Grand Scheme Media with Graham Smith, they are a creative consultancy that offers development and packaging expertise to the TV business plus high-quality training in TV and radio production.

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘get ticket’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to book your place; you must login or register before you are able to book your place.

Our courses are popular and often book up quickly. If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the “decline ticket” function on the right-hand side of the page so that we can release your place to someone on the waiting list.