Mastering the sizzle

Do you want to cut business winning sizzles?

Mastering the sizzle is a series of online theory and in-person practical sessions covering all aspects of what it takes to create and deliver a sizzle tape to sell your show. The course is delivered by Televised Minds and taught by Anna Blue and Will Spokes who have between them developed and sold multiple TV shows across the unscripted genres. Practical elements are tutored by Sizzle Producer Ben Wilson.

Online, the course will look at examples of successful (and less successful) sizzles, defining what makes something good or bad, we’ll cover sourcing, scripting, budgeting, graphics, VO and much more. Then each participant will have access to the course tutors as they prepare the materials for their own sizzle before a day-long, in-person, editing workshop based in Manchester.

This training programme is funded by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies. 

Who it's for

We're looking to recruit 30 delegates from across the UK.

The course is aimed at producers and APs working in development and edit producers in unscripted TV who would like to learn or refine sizzle producing and basic editing skills. You don’t need any prior experience of cutting sizzles, just a necessity to use them in your current job roles.

The training programme will be split across three cohorts. Each cohort will receive several online sessions and 1 in-person training day. You will have opportunity in your application to specify which dates suit but where possible the cohorts will be divided by editing experience – from those with no editing experience to those who already have basic skills.

For the full training dates of each cohort, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

There are bursaries available for those who require additional support. Please contact info@televisedminds.com for any enquiries about these bursaries before or at the same time as submitting your application.

We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to: those from minority ethnic groups; disabled people; people from the LGBT community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

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 USF@screenskills.com

What it covers

Online session one: The sizzles that sold the show – we start with an online showcase of sizzles from across the unscripted genres to assess different styles and figure out what works.

Online session two: How to write shoot and source the perfect sizzle – a step-by-step guide to putting together a sizzle script in preparation for the edit.

Sizzle script feedback – We’ll give you a deadline to submit a basic sizzle script to our course tutors for email feedback before the in-person training day

In-person training – A full day’s training, based in Manchester, with a seasoned sizzle cutter which includes tutoring in tips and tricks for the sizzle edit and an opportunity to try cutting yourself.

Trainers

Anna Blue & Will Spokes are experienced development consultants with 27+ years each in unscripted TV. They've shaped, sold and produced major UK formats including The Fortune Hotel, Got to Dance, Life Stripped Bare, Saturday Night Takeaway, The Mash Report, and C4’s 2025 Stand Up To Cancer campaign.

As former heads of development and executive producers, they’ve built and led creative teams, run high-impact brainstorms, and supported indies nationwide in sharpening slates, pitching with purpose and evolving strategy. They still work actively in the industry: Anna is a freelance EP currently working on The Fashion Awards and Stand Up to Cancer; Will is a creative consultant and is currently working with several companies on specific briefs and development strategy. That means the training is rooted in lived experience - not passive theory.

Their approach is informal, honest and built to engage real creatives. They hate jargon, love storytelling, and believe training should be useful and fun. 

Ben Wilson has been working with Tuesday’s Child as an executive producer and development executive since late 2018.

In that time he was the creative development lead and produced new formats Killer Camp (ITV2 and The CW), Apocalypse Wow (ITV2), Ghost Bus Tours (ITV2) and most recently The Fortune Hotel.

Previously as a freelance series producer and senior development producer Ben worked with Release the Hounds (ITV2), Carnage (Sky One), Bigheads (ITV1), Take the Tower (ITV4) and iScream 360 (BBC Three).

Ben’s commission winning sizzles have included The Fortune Hotel, Ghost Bus Tours, Apocalypse Wow, Killer Camp, Great British History Hunters and Carnage.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply now’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to apply for your place. You must log in or register before you are able to complete your application.

You must be available to make at least one set of online course dates and ideally any of the three in person dates in Manchester (which will be allocated according to experience).

While most questions in the application form are multiple choice or require short answers, three questions will require longer answers. For your preparation, these are:

• Have you worked in an edit before as an AP, Producer or Director, even if you’ve never cut anything yourself? (Approx. 200 words)
• Do you currently, or have you previously, made or used sizzles as part of your work? Let us know how (Approx. 200 words)
• Why would you like to learn about writing and cutting sizzles and how do you believe it would help your career path? (Approx. 200 words)

If you need additional support to complete your application or require the application form in an alternative format please contact USF@screenskills.com

Judging information

Applications are judged by Televised Minds and are based on how relevant we feel the course would be to your job role. We aim to let all applicants know whether they have been successful within two weeks of the application closing date.

Key Dates

Application deadline: Friday 31st October 2025

Training:

Cohort One

• Online session 1: The sizzles that sold the show - Wed 14th Jan 2026 11am-1pm
• Online session 2: How to write shoot and source the perfect sizzle - Thu 22nd Jan 2026 1pm-4pm
• Script submission deadline for feedback - Fri 30th Jan 2026

Cohort Two

• Online session 1: The sizzles that sold the show - Wed 14th Jan 2026 2pm-4pm
• Online session 2: How to write shoot and source the perfect sizzle - Thu 29th Jan 2026 1pm-4pm
• Script submission deadline for feedback - Fri 6th Feb 2026

Cohort Three

• Online session 1: The sizzles that sold the show - Thursday 15th Jan 2026 11am-1pm
• Online session 2: How to write shoot and source the perfect sizzle - Thu 5th Feb 2026 1pm-4pm
• Script submission deadline for feedback Fri 13th Feb 2026

The 30 trainees will be redivided based on editing experience for their practical training day – we will let you know which date we think you are suitable for once your application has been confirmed, but ideally you will be able to make any one of the three following dates in Manchester:

• Mon 9th March 2026
• Tue 10th March 2026
• Wed 11th March 2026