“Amazon Studios” Looking for New Types of Content

Never happy too far from the center of things, Amazon is no longer content with only having set the publishing industry on its ear. Next? It’s Hollywood’s turn. The Seattle-based online bookseller has begun inviting proposals for original comedy and children’s material to be distributed through Amazon Instant Video. From the Amazon site:

We’re looking for compelling new voices and characters that you can’t find anywhere else. Specifically, we’re seeking primetime comedies and children’s series.

Comedy series should be smart, character-driven and, of course, funny. Learn more.

We’re also interested in original series for children. Preschool series must have an educational theme, or the potential for one. Learn more.

Series can be live action, animated, stop motion or mixed media. Comedies must be 22 minutes long, while children’s series can be 11 or 22 minutes.

According to PaidContent, “Amazon will ‘option one promising new project and add it to the development slate where it will be tested for viability with an audience’ each month, the company says in a release. If a show is optioned, the creator gets $10,000. If Amazon decides to develop the show as a series, “the creator will receive a $55,000 payment, up to 5 percent of Amazon’s net receipts from toy and t-shirt licensing, and other royalties and bonuses.”

PaidContent has more here. The Amazon Studios web page is here.