Amazon Studios Announces the First Four Projects on Its Series Development Slate
A “Hell” of a deal, the end of the world, a magic monkey and a plaid sheep – these are the first projects selected for the Amazon Studios Series Development Slate. One is a children’s show, three are comedies and all four were discovered via the Amazon Studios site. (Learn more about how to submit your own ideas here.) All receive $10,000 option extensions.
The comedy projects are:
The 100 Deaths of Mort Grimley
Creator: Angel Castillo
Premise: In this animated comedy, Hell desperately needs new customers. And Mort Grimley, new to the Underworld after accidentally taking his own life, is offered a deal; get Hell’s numbers up and maybe get a transfer out (and up), or face eternity in fire and brimstone alongside the cruel mother he tried to escape.
Why We Like It: Angel has created a world and characters that are imaginative, visual, hilarious and different than anything that’s out there. It’s dark subject material, but handled with a deft and smart comedic hand.
Doomsday
Creator: Nathan Thomas
Premise: This mockumentary follows an ensemble of diverse characters as they ready themselves for the supposed end of the world – including the guru who made the doomsday prediction.
Why We Like It: Nathan’s script is a smart, laugh-out-loud comedy with interesting and compelling characters that you want to follow anywhere, especially as they prepare for what may be their final days.
Magic Monkey Billionaire
Creator: Diana Wright
Premise: When their wealthy magician owner suddenly dies, his two animal assistants – Rabbit and Monkey – are shocked to learn that Monkey alone has been left his billions, soon unleashing the ultimate forces of good and evil as former friends turn to arch enemies.
Why We Like It: The premise of this script and the origin story of Rabbit and Monkey is great and, in the vein of Spy vs. Spy and Itchy & Scratchy, paves the way for an animated comedic series with an epic showdown between two iconic characters.
The children’s project is:
Buck Plaidsheep
Creators: Frank Suarez (artist) and Clark Stubbs (writer)
Premise: Buck Plaidsheep chronicles the adventures of a courageous little critter named Buck. Whenever there’s a problem on Fleecy Farm, Buck races full-speed into action in one of his souped-up vehicles. And although things may not always go as planned, it’s Buck’s “never give up” attitude that makes him the sheep that always saves the day!
Why We Like It: This show features memorable characters (like a plaid sheep and a paisley sheep), strong narrative threads and adventures, and good qualities for young children to emulate, such as perseverance and helping others.
Promising series projects also were added to the Amazon Studios Consider List. Writers with projects on the Consider List are encouraged to get reactions from audiences, get feedback from other writers, or collaborate with a partner to further develop their draft.
Amazon Studios intends to add projects to its Series and Movie Development Slates on a regular basis. If you have an original script that you’d like to see considered, you may submit it privately or publicly. The Amazon Studios team will evaluate each submitted project and in 45 days decide whether or not to pay $10,000 to extend the initial option by 18 months and add the project to the Development Slate. Learn more.
WGA members can learn more about opportunities offered through Amazon Studios’ production affiliate, the People’s Production Company.