People have been bemoaning children’s television for a long time — and often with good reason.
The days of the Little Rascals roughing it through the Great Depression – gone; the good natured foils of Leave it To Beaver – gone; the realism of Boy Meets World – those days are gone.
Today, most shows aimed at children and pre-teens are about kids that are far, far from normal. They are shows of rock star kids, pop star kids, kids who live in hotels…not the kind of life most kids expeirence.
Of course, the writers often try to bring in a storyline that kids can relate to – but it’s difficult when the entire premise is based on something real kids will never experience.
But do you have what it takes to do better? Can you dish out what they are serving, and perhaps add some substance to the empty calories most shows offer? Can Oakland, Wyckoff or Franklin Lakes deliver a new creative spirit to children’s television?
Nickelodeon, which is the most popular children’s television network, is running two programs to discover and develop new talent. NickWriting.com and Nickartist.com
Both programs are open to artists and writers age 18 and over, and both offer salaried positions as part of an intensive structured program that gets you working with professionals.
According to the Nickelodeon websites, the programs are designed to attract, develop and staff Nickelodeoon with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to work on Nickelodeon Network productions.
The deadline for the writing program is approaching first, materials must be submitted together between January 2, 2013 and February 28, 2013. .
For those who enjoy children’s television, or lament the nightmarish state of children’s television, here’s a chance to throw your hat into the ring. The parameter that the spec script be: “Based on a half-hour television series…Currently on-air and being produced for primetime network“, removes the opportunity to create the children’s show of your dreams; but, spec scripts is a traditional method used to gauge someone’s writing ability.
The artist program offers a little more flexibility – in that you can submit original characters you have drawn. Submission are only being accepted between March 1st and April 1st.
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