Steven Spielberg is entering the reality show arena as he is co-producing a new talent show for television called "On the Lot." The purpose of the show will be to attempt to find the America's next great filmmaker. The winner will be offered a chance to work with DreamWorks, the studio Spielberg helped start, and which was recently sold to Paramount Pictures, and produce a movie.
Martin Booth reports:
"The format for the show will largely be that of American Idol, also a project of Fox, with viewers deciding winners each week. There will be 16 finalists, who will be taken to Hollywood, put into teams and given the task of making a short movie each week.
"The project for each week will cover a different genre and the contestants will have access to professional writers and actors. Their movies will be screened before a studio audience and a panel of judges, including a movie critic and a movie executive. The decision on the winners and losers will be made by the audience vote during a second show the next night. Losing directors will be eliminated."
Spielberg originally brought the idea to television producer Mark Burnett and they worked on it for several months and then pitched it to all the networks, with Fox making the most compelling case to get it.
"This opportunity ... allows all of us to reach out directly to open a much wider door," said Spielberg. He also added that this is something that he has been passionate about all of his career; to find new talent in this area.
Comment Preview