Presenting the NFTS x Sidemen Entertainment Unscripted Formats Programme
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is proud to launch the NFTS x Sidemen Entertainment Unscripted Formats Programme, an exciting new opportunity for emerging producers training on the one year Developing and Producing Unscripted Formats MA, preparing graduates for the rapidly converging worlds of television and creator-led entertainment.
Created in partnership with Sidemen Entertainment, this exclusive experience will give the next generation of producers unparalleled access to one of the UK’s most innovative and influential content companies.
With over 100 million subscribers across their platforms and more than six billion global views, The Sidemen – Simon, Josh, Tobi, Ethan, Vik and Harry, represent one of the world’s largest creator-led entertainment brands. From original formats on YouTube to Netflix productions and landmark live events, Sidemen Entertainment has developed a distinctive approach to creating content, building and entertaining audiences while turning ideas into global cultural moments. Earlier this year the team launched Sidemen Productions, marking their expansion into premium digital content with the development and production of creator-led formats for global audiences. The launch follows the success of their unscripted series Inside, with the third season released this year having landed a Netflix Number 1 in 11 countries.
Through a dedicated industry day and a one-week work experience placement, every student will gain first-hand insight into digital formats and professional production. They will explore how ideas are developed, commissioned and delivered across different platforms, as well as the creative, editorial and production decisions behind content that reaches millions of viewers worldwide.
Inside Sidemen Entertainment
Every student on the Developing and Producing Unscripted Formats MA will be invited to spend an exclusive day at Sidemen Entertainment’s offices.
Through talks, presentations and Q&A sessions with members of the Sidemen Entertainment team, students will explore the company’s work across:
- Netflix productions
- Original YouTube formats and content
- Large-scale live productions
- The Sidemen Charity Match
- Format development
- Talent-led content
- Production and delivery
- Audience growth and engagement
- Creating content across multiple platforms
The experience will lift the lid on the creative, production and commercial thinking behind Sidemen Entertainment’s work. Students will discover how an idea progresses from initial concept through development and production to release, and how formats are shaped for different platforms and audiences.
One-Week Production Experience
Every student on the MA will also undertake a one-week work experience placement with Sidemen Entertainment.
The placement will immerse students in a fast-moving professional environment and offer unique insight into the development and production of contemporary digital formats.
- Dependent on the company’s active projects and production schedule, students will have opportunities to:
- Observe how original digital formats are conceived and developed
- Gain insight into professional production workflows
- Learn how ideas are adapted for different platforms and audiences
- Experience collaboration between creative, production, talent and commercial teams
- Understand how talent-led brands develop and launch new formats
- Explore the relationship between YouTube, streaming platforms and live productions
- Build professional knowledge, confidence and industry connections
Connecting Specialist Training with Professional Practice
The Developing and Producing Unscripted Formats MA equips students with the creative and practical skills required to originate, develop and produce the next generation of successful formats.
The NFTS x Sidemen Entertainment Formats and Production Experience will complement that specialist training by placing students inside a company at the forefront of digital content and production.
By combining exclusive access to Sidemen Entertainment’s team with a one-week placement for every student, the experience will bridge the gap between specialist education and professional practice. It will give emerging producers an exceptional understanding of how distinctive ideas, creative talent and a deep connection with audiences can be brought together to create content with genuine global reach.
The timing and content of placements will be arranged in consultation with Sidemen Entertainment and will reflect the company’s active projects and production schedule.
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Students joining the NFTS Developing and Producing Unscripted Formats MA from January 2027 will be the first to benefit from the from the NFTS x Sidemen Entertainment Unscripted Formats Programme partnership, with every participant of the one-year course eligible to take part.
Applications are currently open. Find out more here: nfts.co.uk/directing-and-producing-unscripted-formats