By In news that should at least make you do half a double-take, Amazon.com has announced that they are launching Amazon Studios, a strange hybrid of an amateur film depository, film producer and film studio. Let me explain.
In an LA Times article the online store lays their project out as a site where anyone can upload anything from a full screenplay to a complete movie. Users will then be able to judge the material or even edit it themselves. Top voted material will be judged by an expert panel and the material voted best by that expert panel will then get a first look from Warner Bros. studios for being made into a big screen film. If optioned Amazon Studios will then produce the film under its own label. There will also be prizes given out throughout the year to great work even if they aren’t picked up. All anyone has to do to get at the microscopic chance of this actually working is given Amazon 18 months of exclusive rights to their work and agree to be paid $200,000 if their film does actually make it to the big screen.
Sorry if I sound a bit in doubt, but…
In news that should at least make you do half a double-take, Amazon.com has announced that they are launching Amazon Studios, a strange hybrid of an amateur film depository, film producer and film studio. Let me explain.
In an LA Times article the online store lays their project out as a site where anyone can upload anything from a full screenplay to a complete movie. Users will then be able to judge the material or even edit it themselves. Top voted material will be judged by an expert panel and the material voted best by that expert panel will then get a first look from Warner Bros. studios for being made into a big screen film. If optioned Amazon Studios will then produce the film under its own label. There will also be prizes given out throughout the year to great work even if they aren't picked up. All anyone has to do to get at the microscopic chance of this actually working is given Amazon 18 months of exclusive rights to their work and agree to be paid $200,000 if their film does actually make it to the big screen.
Sorry if I sound a bit in doubt, but there have been sites like this before and while they might not have had the online clout or money that Amazon has there have been those out there with connections much like this. However, the times they are a changin' so maybe this will actually be a big break for a budding filmmaker. If you're interested, head to Amazon Studios.
[LA Times]
