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Nickelodeon Opens Their 2014 Animated Shorts Program

Last year, (before I started the blog) I learned that Nickelodeon was starting this thing called the Nickelodeon Animation Shorts Program.  Which is a contest for creative persons to create a pitch for a possible Nick show, and the prize is a job ("your show" creator/director) and you'll go to Nick and produce your show.

Last year they received over 1,000 pitches worldwide!  Essentially you are encourage to present to them any type of animation including 2d, Stop Motion, 3d, and Mixed media for the design of your show.  In your pitch you should include storyboards, scripts, character designs, ect. of the ideas of a possible show.  They explain the program like this to us like this:

 "We are always looking for new creative talent, innovative concepts, funny character ideas, and original designs. Most of all, we are thrilled to hear your ideas. 

 Animated shorts must be: comedic, character driven, and have kid appeal.
We look for ideas that feature an original, funny lead character with about 2 or 3 characters in total. Be prepared to show either through designs, thumbnail storyboards or script, how funny and unique your characters are.
Characters must be relatable to kids ages 6 - 11 and appeal to both boys and girls.
If the characters are human, we recommend that they be a kid around our audience’s age. If non-human their mindset would be like a kid and they should encounter situations that are relatable and comprehendible to our kid-audience.:"

They're are looking for the next Stephen Hillenburg, and want the next SpongeBob Squarepants.  My advice for those who are interested in developing a pitch is this: Study SpongeBob, The Fairly Odd Parents, and other successful Nick, Cartoon Network, and Disney shows.  It doesn't need to be Shakespeare!  Sadly, TV series for children these days talk down to kids; they [children's shows] are absurd, ridiculous trash!  I would say that 95% of kid's shows are not worth watching, at all!  Though I will make an exception to say that Cartoon Network made a brilliant decision in hiring Pen Ward (Adventure Time, Bravest Warriors) and J. G. Quintel (Regular Show).  Although those shows of course feed of the milk of Matt Groening's The Simpsons, by far the best animated show!

The deadline is March 4th.
Signup/guidelines: http://signup.viacom.com/nickinternationalshorts/NickInternationalShorts.aspx
Nick's website: http://www.nick.com

Breadwinners (one of last year's winners).

Breadwinners: "Meet Buhdeuce and SwaySway"

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