Amazon.com Inc. today committed itself to expanding Amazon Studios, its content development division, into the genres of comedy and children’s series.
Creators are invited to upload proposals to Amazon Studios, which also is where further details and specifications can be found. Those selected and produced will be distributed through Amazon’s digital video streaming service, Amazon Instant Video.
The plan is for Amazon Studios to option one project every month. These contenders are added to the development slate, where it will be evaluated for viability and related considerations. If Amazon Studios decides to go forward with full-budget series, the creator will receive a $55,000 payment, up to 5 percent of Amazon’s net receipts from toy and t-shirt licensing, and other royalties and bonuses.
Amazon Studios launched in November 2010. Since then, more than 700 test movies and 7,000 scripts have been submitted and 15 movie projects are currently under development. Its new series development is led by Joe Lewis, previously with 20th Century Fox and Comedy Central and Tara Sorensen, formerly with National Geographic Kids.
Amazon Studios’ production company, the People’s Production Company is signatory to the Writers Guild of America and to The Animation Guild, Local 839.
“Amazon Studios wants to discover great talent and produce programming that audiences will love,” said Roy Price, director of Amazon Studios. “In the course of developing movies, we’ve heard a lot of interest from content creators who want to develop original series in the comedy and children’s genres. We are excited to bring writers, animators and directors this new opportunity to develop original series.”
Related links:
Amazon Studios – home page
Hollywonk – blog post
