LAS VEGAS – U.S. producers have traditionally kept the door closed to Canadians for most reality series (with the notable exception of Rock Star), but now aspiring Canadian filmmakers are actually being invited to participate in the latest U.S. reality TV series, “On The Lot”, to be aired on CTV and Fox starting in late spring.
CTV announced today it has signed on as the Canadian broadcast partner for the new unscripted TV series, produced by reality TV guru Mark Burnett and Hollywood film director and producer Steven Spielberg.
The show is actively seeking Canadian competitors interested in winning a one million dollar development deal with DreamWorks Studios. As of today, anyone aged 13 years and older can submit a short film into the first part of the competition. Producers will then visit Toronto (and Seattle for those in western Canada) in March for an invite-only casting call.
The announcement was made here by Susanne Boyce, CTV President of Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group at the opening session of NATPE (National Association of Television Programming Executives). It’s the first time Canadians have been invited to participate in a U.S. reality TV series; other international filmmakers can also enter.
The deadline though is fast approaching. Applicants must submit an English-language self-directed short, up to five minutes in length, before Friday, Feb. 16th.
“From Louis B. Mayer and Jack Warner to Norman Jewison and David Cronenberg, Canada has produced some great movie-makers over the years,” said Spielberg in a statement. “On The Lot could be the big break that the next great Canadian filmmaker is looking for.”
“On The Lot delivers an innovative concept backed by an exceptional pedigree and as a result, CTV is thrilled to bring this project to Canadians,” said Boyce.
After the March casting call, applicants will be winnowed to a group of 16 filmmakers. Those finalists will be brought to Hollywood, where they’ll be divided into teams.
They’ll compete to win the support of the show’s viewers, who will decide their fate in a weekly audience vote. The competition will air twice weekly, with a one-hour “Film Premiere” episode.
Each week, each team will produce short films from a chosen genre, including comedies, thrillers, personal dramas, sci fi, horror and romance. They’ll be given access to professional writers, cast, and crew, and perhaps some Hollywood celebrities.
The show will debut in late spring and run through the summer. Through viewer voting, filmmakers will be eliminated one-by-one. The winner will head to DreamWorks, meet Steven Spielberg, and get an office “on the lot”.
