NBC Creates Comedy Playground to Find New Comedy Writers

NBC recently announced that it is creating the “NBC Comedy Playground,” a national campaign that offers aspiring comedy writers from across the country the opportunity to pitch ideas.

The playground will be used to “reach beyond the traditional talent labs of film schools and NY/LA comedy clubs” in order to “enrich the traditional television development model,” said NBC.

The network has chosen an Advisory Board of A-listers to help them select two winners who will create original shows on the NBC schedule. Board members include  Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Robert Carlock, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Jason Katims, Josh Lieb, Eva Longoria, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Todd Milliner, Will Packer, Amy Poehler, Craig Robinson, Maya Rudolph, Mike Schur, Adam Scott and Mike Shoemaker.

“We are taking a bold, alternative approach in what we hope will uncover original comedy minds who are looking for a way to get into the television business,” said NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke. “We love that an incredible A-list roster of producers, writers and performers have jumped in to help us find that untapped talent.”

Entrants may submit up to two video samples (5-10 minutes each) of their pre-existing work, along with up to two video pitches (2-5 minutes per pitch), each describing a unique, original show idea, to www.nbccomedyplayground.com.  The Official Rules, including all eligibility requirements, are available at www.nbccomedyplayground.com.

“Funny people:  send your stuff in — and you will get to see your show on a network, and potentially reach a lot of people,” said Salke.

In other recent news,  screenwriter Justin Marks will adapt Vertigo Comics’ “Federal Bureau Of Physics,” and will pen the script based on a treatment by Simon Oliver, who created the comic with Robbi Rodriguez. Check out the ScreenCraft post about the news.