Would you like to understand how to spot a good multiplatform or convergent media project?

Heather Croall, Mark Atkin and Donata von Perfall are delighted to announce the first Commissioning the Future Lab, which will be held in Manchester, UK, from 21 - 25 March 2012.

Commissioning the Future is a new training model open to European broadcasters and funders from TV, film and online departments, developed by Crossover, in partnership with Sheffield Doc/Fest and Documentary Campus.

This is the only training designed specifically to provide fund managers, commissioners and broadcasters with the confidence and skills to commission and exec produce across multiple platforms.

The Crossover process instils clarity into an over-complicated media environment by using simple building blocks, methods and tools, that can be applied throughout your career. It will not only inspire you but fill you with confidence, providing you with a profound understanding of what works online, how to maximise audiences by understanding how they behave, and how to gain and retain attention on your commissions over time and across multiple platformsThe labs are open to European broadcasters from TV, film and online departments, in any genre (docs, kids, arts, drama), as well as national and regional fund managers across Europe.

We are especially encouraging applications from participants from the same organisation but different departments: for example a TV commissioner with their counterpart from the online department in the same broadcaster. We have found that this results in a high level of subsequent collaboration, as well as being effective in bringing about institutional change that makes for more effective, streamlined, commissioning. And since this is an international lab, we anticipate that lasting international collaborations will also ensue.

If you would like to book a place, on this exciting and timely lab. They are likely to go fast so please reserve a place now by emailing us on - ctf [at] sidf.co.uk

And don't worry if these dates don't suit you: we are arranging additional labs in April and May this year.

The Facts

• The cost to participant per person is 1,000 Euros plus UK VAT
• This fee covers all your training, food and accommodation for the whole 5 days of the Lab.
• The only thing that is not covered is your travel to and from the lab.

Our colleagues in commissioning have often talked to us about the need for this type of tailored training and we are truly excited to be able to welcome you at last to this exciting new initiative in Manchester.

 This is what previous commissioners have said about Crossover:

 "The world of cross-platform content and distribution demands a range of skills from technical, creative, artistic and business contexts. Crossover is a perfect environment for talent to get together and really understand how creativity works in each other's fields."

 Matt Locke, then Multiplatform Commissioning Editor, Education, on Crossover Channel 4

 "The lab gave me a clearer sense of what's a decent online idea and what's just 'playing at it'. I gained much from working in small groups with superb mentors."

 Simon Dickson, then Commissioning Editor, Documentaries, on Crossover Channel 4

 "Without doubt, the most useful media course I have attended in a 20-year career in broadcast television."

 Sonya Pemberton, then Head of Specialist Factual, ABC Australia, on Crossover Australia.