Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Nickelodeon Expands Animated Shorts Program Globally

The children's entertainment and media news website Kidscreen is reporting the Nickelodeon News in the following article that after the success of their second annual US Animated Shorts Program, Nickelodeon has expanded the format globally for the first time, attracting more than 100 submissions from content creators representing 20 countries.

The 2013 international program, which is intended to cultivate creative talent and develop original comedy-driven kids content, received pitches from writers, artists, directors, designers and comedians across six continents (Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia).

Fifteen finalists, whose ideas will be developed into animated shorts with the potential to air on Nickelodeon, Nick.com and the new Nick App, will be announced later this summer. Nick announced its 12 finalists from the US program in May.

Nick has now received more than 1,000 pitches in all styles (2D, digital 2D, CGI, stop motion, mixed media) from the combined submissions of the US and global shorts programs. Finalists are able to create their shorts with help from artistic and production support teams provided by Nickelodeon.

Looking at the progress of Nick's 2012 inaugural US program, six of the final 12 created shorts are currently in series development, including "Pam and Sid's Port-a-Party", with two set for pilot orders. All of the shorts will air on the network and across Nick's websites globally (Planet Nickelodeon).

The Nick News comes after Nickelodeon recently announced the first-ever global SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired short film competition, called SpongeBob SquareShorts: Original Fan Tributes, in which SpongeBob fans and filmmakers of all ages from around the world are invited to create original, SpongeBob-inspired short films for a chance to win a cash prize and trip for four people to a screening event in Hollywood, California, USA:
Nick opens animated shorts program globally

After the success of its second annual US animated shorts program, Nickelodeon has expanded the format globally for the first time, attracting more than 100 submissions from content creators representing 20 countries.

The 2013 international program, which is intended to cultivate creative talent and develop original comedy-driven kids content, received pitches from writers, artists, directors, designers and comedians across six continents (Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia).

Fifteen finalists, whose ideas will be developed into animated shorts with the potential to air on Nickelodeon, Nick.com and the new Nick App, will be announced later this summer. Nick announced its 12 finalists from the US program in May.

Nick has now received more than 1,000 pitches in all styles (2D, digital 2D, CGI, stop motion, mixed media) from the combined submissions of the US and global shorts programs. Finalists are able to create their shorts with help from artistic and production support teams provided by Nickelodeon.

Looking at the progress of Nick’s 2012 inaugural US program, six of the final 12 created shorts are currently in series development, including Pam and Sid’s Port-a-Party, with two set for pilot orders. All of the shorts will air on the network and across Nick’s websites globally.

Tags: Animated Shorts Program, Nickelodeon
Also, from C21Media:
Nick opens global shorts scheme

ANNECY: Nickelodeon in the US has opened up its short toon programme to the global animation community to identify and develop new creative talent from around the world.

The international kids broadcasters has already received more than 100 submissions from artists, designers, writers, directors and comedians in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia as part of the competition.

Final submissions are currently being taken by the broadcaster here at the Annecy Animation Film Festival in France. These will be added to the 900 submissions received as part of the US shorts programme, with the finalists from the international programme to be announced this summer.

A total of 15 ideas will be chosen from among the pitches submitted to be developed into animated shorts with the potential to air on Nickelodeon channels and websites around the globe, as well as via the Nick App.

“We know that great creative talent and ideas come from everywhere around the world, and we are committed to finding and cultivating the next generation of creative voices and giving them an opportunity,” said Russell Hicks, president of content and development at Nickelodeon.

“Opening submissions on a global level brings us more fresh ideas, new characters, concepts and amazingly funny stories to our audiences everywhere.”

Nina Hahn, senior VP of international production and development for Nickelodeon, said there had so far been a “striking response” from animators.

Concepts received have covered a range of animation styles, from 2D, digital 2D, stop-motion, CGI and mixed media, Nickelodeon said.

Earlier this year Nickelodeon greenlit a series called Breadwinners, created by Gary ‘Doodles’ DiRaffaele, who himself was discovered as a result of Nick’s 2012 animated shorts programme.

Nico Franks
12-06-2013
©C21Media

GENRES: Animation, Children's
COMPANIES: Nickelodeon
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: US