Nickelodeon expands search for creative talent

Kids and family channel Nickelodeon (DStv channel 305) has announced its call for submissions for its 2014 global Animated Shorts Programme.

Designed to identify and develop new animation talent and provide a platform for new content for kids, this year’s programme marks the second annual call for international submissions, continuing the search for a new set of creative voices and visionaries.

Nickelodeon will choose a minimum of 10 pitches to be developed into short animated films that will appear on air and on Nickelodeon websites globally. These shorts also have the potential of becoming long-form animated series on Nickelodeon. In 2013 Nickelodeon received over 1 000 pitches worldwide for the programme.

“We’re on an ongoing mission to create the funniest animated content for this next generation of kids, and find the freshest creative voices from around the world,” said Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon. “The shorts program has already fueled our pipeline with new content and we’re very excited to see what comes through our door this year.”

Ideas will be accepted from a broad pool of creative talent from all quarters including artists, designers, writers, directors and comedians. Creators will be provided with the necessary artistic and production support teams to help them complete their fully animated short.

Shorts must be original, humour-based and character-driven. All animation styles are encouraged from 2D to digital 2D, stop motion, CG or mixed media.  The deadline for submissions is 14 March 2014.

From the pitches received in 2013, 17 pitches were chosen to be developed into animated shorts that will air on Nickelodeon or appear on www.nickelodeonafrica.com throughout 2014. 

The Loud House created by Chris Savino, Bear Wrestler created by Deanna Rooney, By Request Pizza created by Arica Tuesday and Mick Ignis, Hole created by Sam Spina, Matt and Gus created by Matt Braunger, and Charlie and Mr. Two created by Travis Braun round out the previously announced domestic finalists: Bug Salad created by Carl Faruolo, Earmouse and Bottle created by Brian Morante, Woodstump created by Zach Smith, and Broats created by Jack Cusumano.

The international animated shorts in development include Badly Drawn Animals by Hamish Steele (UK), Louis and Georges by Renaud Martin & Raphaël Chabassol (France), Monster Pack by Pedro Eboli & Graham Peterson (Brazil), Moosebox by Mike Scott (South Africa),Scoop by The Brothers McLeod (UK), Tech Oddity by Marco Ibarra and Stefie Zöhrer (Mexico), and Tonk’s Island by Mel Roach (Australia).

Gary “Doodles” Di Raffaele (MAD, Metalocyalpse), discovered through Nickelodeon’s inaugural Animated Shorts Program in 2012, is one of the creators and executive producers of Nickelodeon’s brand-new upcoming animated series, Breadwinners. Premiering in February, the 20-episode series, which is also created and executive produced by Steve Borst (Teen Titans Go!, MAD), follows two booty-shaking ducks as they operate a bread delivery service out of their awesome, jet-fueled rocket van.

As the leader in television animation production, Nickelodeon has a legacy of creating ground-breaking animated shows including The Fairly OddParents, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fanboy & Chum Chum, Dora the Explorer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Legend of Korra, andSanjay and Craig, which are all produced at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California.