TVLineNewsPopularTips April 8, 2014 5:03 PM NBC Comedy Playground: New Contest Asks Aspiring Writers to Pitch the Network’s Next Hit By Andy Swift Have a killer idea for a new sitcom? NBC is all ears. The network on Tuesday announced the launch of NBC Playground, an contest targeted at aspiring comedy writers looking to get their ideas on TV or the web. RELATED | Emmy Watch: NBC, Universal Television Put Their Best Faces Forward in 2014 Campaign The rules are simple: Applicants must submit their ideas to NBCComedyPlayground beginning May 1. Up to 10 finalists will be chosen, and NBC will fund each finalist to produce their pilot. Of those finalists, two winners will have their shows broadcast on NBC with an initial order of up to four episodes, not including the pilot. There’s also a possibility one or more winners will have their shows produced for NBC. Winners will be chosen by a panel of well-known actors and producers, which includes Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Mindy Kaling, Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler. NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke calls Playground a “bold, alternative approach” at uncovering “original comedy minds who are looking for a way to get into the television business.” Have an idea for a sitcom, but don’t feel like going through the application process? Drop it in a comment below! (And remember, Animal Practice was already a thing, so don’t even bother.) Related Articles... powered by SideDoor™ Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Exclusive... Exclusive: Chris Colfer Books Hot Sitcom Gig ABC Boss Takes Blame for Wonderland Blunder... Exclusive Once Upon a Time Bombshell: A... What is happening to this girl… Watch now. Lionsgate TODAYS HOTTEST STORIES Matts Inside Line: Scoop on Arrow, The Mentalist, Scandal, New Girl, Hannibal, Once, SVU and More! Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Exclusive: Cobie Smulders Brings Agent Hill Back for May Sweeps 2014 Renewal Scorecard: Whats Coming Back? Whats Getting Cancelled? Whats on the Bubble? Good Days Start Here Promoted by McDonalds Comments (20) They require a 5-10 minute sample video to be submitted – what do you all think that entails? They’re very vague about it. Comment by Court — April 8, 2014 5:10 PM REPLY From the website: “Submit two videos with your application. One should introduce yourself and showcase previous work. (5-10 minutes) The other is a 2 to 5 minute verbal pitch of your new comedy! (Hint: be funny.) “ Comment by Nicotine — April 8, 2014 6:22 PM REPLY Doesn’t that seem vague? I’m guessing it’s just a previously filmed work of yours, like a skit, music video, or short film. Comment by Court — April 8, 2014 8:31 PM REPLY I have creative ideas to spice up the networks. However, I’m only a 15 year-old follower of everything television. Comment by webly3 — April 8, 2014 5:28 PM REPLY Ugh, I’m Canadian. Comment by Teag — April 8, 2014 5:34 PM REPLY I got all excited thinking this was for aspiring writers looking to break into the business but you have to be a member of the Writer’s Guild of America which essentially means you already have to be a professional writer. Comment by MissMel — April 8, 2014 5:44 PM REPLY Only by the final stage. Comment by Court — April 8, 2014 5:48 PM REPLY Yes but what are the chances if you aren’t employed as a professional writer currently you’ll just happen to get a job working for a WGA certified employer by May? Maybe if you live in New York or LA but for most of America that’s not going to happen. I’m an aspiring writer in Pennsylvania. We don’t really have a lot of show biz jobs here. Comment by MissMel — April 8, 2014 6:02 PM REPLY I think this is to make sure accepted applicants have experience writing for a show/movie. As mentioned further down, a non WGA applicant likely doesn’t have the tools to produce a pilot Comment by B — April 9, 2014 5:21 AM REPLY agreed, this would be too big a learning curve for someone without any industry experience Comment by joe — April 9, 2014 5:37 AM REPLY This could be a interesting show. It’s kind of a smart way for NBC to figure out what it is people want to watch since most of everything they’ve tried has failed. Which is sad because NBC used to be really successful with comedies Comment by Ram510 — April 8, 2014 5:59 PM REPLY I suppose “failed” is subjective. If we’re talking ratings, then yeah, their comedies don’t do well with ratings. But if we’re talking receptions, then NBC has made/makes (some, not all) critical and cult favorites, like Community, Parks & Rec, 30 Rock. With some of these shows, especially a show like Community, there’s really a niche audience base for a show like that, as compared to some of NBC’s comedies in the past like Friends, which plays to a much broader audience. Comment by Ron — April 8, 2014 6:15 PM REPLY For a few quick seconds, my dreams had come true. I had been given my ticket to the big leagues. A chance to get my ideas out there, and become a part of the medium that I have worshipped my entire life. But then reality stepped in and reminded me that I’m Canadian. And 19. And don’t really possess any knowledge of how to go about producing a pilot, regardless of how much money NBC could have potentially given me. But those few seconds of bliss…they were glorious. Comment by Eric — April 8, 2014 6:10 PM REPLY I felt the exact same way! I’m American, but I’m only 20 and how the hell would I produce a pilot when I can’t even legally drink? It’s a nice dream though. I have such a good idea for a show that Bryan Fuller and I would do together… Ha ha. Comment by Babybop — April 8, 2014 6:46 PM REPLY You know it’s tempting. I wrote a very promising sitcom several years ago. I also did some comedy writing and one of my funnier lines was used by Vickie Lawrence on her show which she took total credit for. So as tempting as this is, what’s to stop these people from stealing a really good idea? I’m no longer in the industry but I was for many years and one thing I learned is that people tend to take advantage of those who are desperate for a break. I know this sounds cynical and maybe it is but it’s a warning to all the younger kids who may be vulnerable. Make sure you have a good lawyer before you sign on the dotted line and make sure you both read the small print. Comment by MK204 — April 8, 2014 6:59 PM REPLY very cool concept! Fox should take note, THIS is the type of show young people want to see Comment by michelle — April 8, 2014 8:52 PM REPLY I actually like the idea, I think they should also add one more stipulation that the actors cast should be new to the industry (or Tv at least). The whole concept of NBC of trying to use late 90′s early 2000′s stars to headline a show has not worked for them. Comment by Coal — April 8, 2014 9:34 PM REPLY My inner Max Bialystock is tingling…..now off to find my old men Comment by Sara — April 8, 2014 10:55 PM REPLY Yenta Legal Advice. Yenta Legal Advice, is a show about a group of wives and girlfriends that constantly give each other horrible legal advice. They have convinced themselves that they can help others, with their online web show and pod casts. Of course the husbands are aware they are lunatics, and have bad advice, but they sort of support it? The web site explodes, and they are now “online celebrities” Now these women really think they are experts, and it goes downhill from here. Comment by Keith Bohanan — April 9, 2014 11:17 AM REPLY This is a great opportunity for a writers, like myself. I produced a 30 minute TV Sitcom titled: Bewick and Mack. The show has airs on Comcast Cable; Public Access TV in Metro Detroit; Community Media in Troy and WHPR-TV33 in Highland Park for eight years. I’ve already got 25 episodes in the can and the show has received great reviews; awards and has been in the newspaper numerous times. i produced the show with the money that I make at my job. They say that I’m the Female Tyler Perry, and I agree, but I have been waiting for an opportunity like this, to showcase my work. Thank you NBC for showing love to the Freelance Writers. I HAVE THE MAGIC SHOW THAT NBC IS LOOKING FOR! Comment by Dykema Cozine Mathews — April 9, 2014 12:50 PM REPLY Leave a Reply Comments on TVLine are monitored. 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Posted on: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 01:12:23 +0000
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