NBC announced today a new campaign called the “Comedy Playground” in which the network is looking to viewers to come up with their next comedy.
Aspiring writers can head to a new website where they can submit original ideas. Two concepts will be ultimately selected for development so they can air in Summer 2015.
NBC will look to its past and present stars to help them select the two shows they’ll develop. Celebrities on the panel are Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Robert Carlock, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Jason Katims, Josh Lieb, Eva Longoria, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Todd Milliner, Will Packer, Amy Poehler, Craig Robinson, Maya Rudolph, Mike Schur, Adam Scott and Mike Shoemaker.
“We are taking a bold, alternative approach in what we hope will uncover original comedy minds who are looking for a way to get into the television business,” said Entertainment President Jennifer Salke in a press release. “We love that an incredible A-list roster of producers, writers and performers have jumped in to help us find that untapped talent.”
Your idea can be submitted beginning May 1. NBC says you will be able to submit two video samples depicting pre-existing work that are 5 – 10 minutes, and you can submit up to two video pitches that are 2 – 5 minutes per pitch. More details can be learned on the campaign’s official site.
As for how the process will work after entries are submitted, according to a press release, “up to 10 finalists will be chosen by the NBC Selection Panel, and NBC will provide funding for each finalist to produce a full pilot presentation based on his/her original pitch. Two winners will be selected by the all-star comedy Advisory Board, in consultation with NBC. Each of the winners will have their show broadcast on NBC.”
We’ll be very eager to see these two shows see the light of day in two years from now. As the network notes, this will be a special opportunity for those outside of Hollywood to have a shot at developing their great idea.
What do you think of the ‘Comedy Playground’ announcement?
NBC made the announcement at their Summer Press Day in Pasadena, California where shows like America’s Got Talent and the film Sharknado 2 spoke to the media.
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