NBC Launches “Comedy Playground Initiative” To Help With Their Comedy Lineup Michael Lee, April 9, 2014 After a string – a very long string to be exact – of failing sitcoms, NBC is looking for some new talent to revive their one great staple, and they are looking to you to create it. The crowd sourcing initiative is being called the NBC Comedy Playground Initiative is a national campaign designed to give aspiring comedy writers in the U.S. the chance to bring their concepts from pitch to air. Hit the jump to learn more.THR reports that NBC has recruited an all-star comedic line up of on screen and behind the camera talent. Stars like 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 will all help with selecting the two potential comedy pitches that could potentially become pilots.Beginning May 1, applicants need to do is go online, download and fill out the application, then submit two videos of each: one video of yourself and your previous work (5 – 10 minutes), and the other is a verbal pitch of the new comedy which may or may not become a hit (2 – 5 minutes).There will be 10 finalists, which will receive funding to produce pilots from NBC, chosen from the NBC Executive Board with the aforementioned comedy panel selecting two winners who will have their pitches turned into series orders which will be broadcast on NBC.“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 NBC Entertainment Jennifer Salke. “We love that an incredible A-list roster of producers, writers and performers have jumped in to help us find that untapped talent.” She added, “There are hilarious people making videos and programming on the Internet all day and night and it’s time to bring those people into network television.”Salke also emphasized the importance of the idea that they were not looking for funny videos but potential series concepts. Contests Viral Marketing Adam McKayAdam ScottAmy PoehlerAziz AnsariComedy Playground InitiativeCraig RobinsonEva LongoriaJason BatemanJason KatimsJosh LiebMaya RudolphMike SchurMike ShoemakerMindy KalingNBCUniversalRobert CarlockSean HayesSeth MeyersTodd MillinerWill Packer
ARGs & Campaigns D23 Expo 2013: New “Tomorrowland” Domain Ties Into Disney Expo And A Possible App August 9, 2013With Disney’s D23 Expo in full effect this weekend, it’s only a matter of time before we know more details about the secretive Tomorrowland project that’s being directed by Brad Bird. Well, to be exact, we should find out more about the movie during the Walt Disney Studios live action… Read More
Mad Men Parodies: Emmy Commercials and Don Draper’s College Orientation August 23, 2010August 23, 2010This seems to be the Summer of Mad Men, as the show is popping up everywhere. The Emmys are coming up this Sunday, and late night talk show host (and former laugher during SNL skits) Jimmy Fallon is hosting. To promote the television award show, NBC has two commercials with… Read More
Mystery Movie “1952” Could Have Viral Campaign October 19, 2012March 4, 2013Earlier in the year, it was reported that LOST and Prometheus writer Damon Lindelof was working on a sci-fi script with Brad Bird (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) set to direct. Now we have more details on the mystery project, titled 1952, including the fact that it might have a… Read More