Initiative aims to reach BIPOC and underrepresented emerging professionals and provide an opportunity to develop original content, from pitch to production, with mentorship and support from Nickelodeon development teams; submission deadline is September 30.
Nickelodeon announced the launch of a new Content Accelerator Program, designed to enable BIPOC and underrepresented emerging professionals to pitch new kid-focused content ideas for Nick’s platforms across big kids’ animation, preschool, and live-action. In collaboration with Rise Up Animation and Ghetto Film School, the program’s mission is to find and bring original project ideas from creative visionaries while fostering relationships between emerging talent and Nickelodeon’s development teams.
Nickelodeon development executives will review submissions, and top entries will move forward to a Pitch Day. On Pitch Day, the top applicants will meet with Nickelodeon development executives to present their ideas. Then, the top pitch in each category (big kids’ animation, preschool animation, and live-action) will move into a preliminary phase of development at Nickelodeon. Finally, the selected creators will work directly with development executives and a creative mentor to hone their pitch presentations.
“The launch of Nickelodeon’s Content Accelerator Program is a way to reach aspiring, underrepresented creatives to tell stories reflective of today’s kids,” said Eryk Casemiro, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Animation, Global Series Content. “By working with Rise Up Animation and Ghetto Film School, we are eager to hear from storytellers and spotlight content that is inclusive for everyone.”
Rise Up Animation is dedicated to increasing diverse talent in the animation industry by providing BIPOC with industry advice, portfolio feedback, resume feedback, and the tools and support needed to realize each participant’s dreams.
Rise Up Animation Co-Founder, CFO & Mentor Monica Lago-Kaytis said, "Rise Up Animation is thrilled to partner with Nickelodeon on their Content Accelerator Program. We believe that creating these opportunities for young artists and professionals aligns with our mission to bring more inclusion and diversity to an ever-evolving animation community."
Ghetto Film School (GFS) is an award-winning nonprofit founded in 2000 to educate, develop and celebrate the next generation of great storytellers. GFS annually serves 8,000 individuals, 14-34 years of age.
"Our partnership with Nickelodeon on the Content Accelerator Program will provide professional development for our Roster members and a crucial opportunity for emerging storytellers to get their foot in the door and pitch their stories to industry leaders," added Yuby Hernandez, Global Roster Director at Ghetto Film School. "Programs like these are truly representative of our mission to educate, develop, and celebrate the next generation of great storytellers, and we look forward to building out this relationship for years to come."
Program highlights include:
- The submission period is open from August 8 – September 30. The program is virtual and open to participants 21 years and older. The site includes a “How to Pitch” resource guide to provide tips and tricks as well as guidelines. Information is available here.
- Submissions should be anywhere from 2-7 pages and include a mix of text and reference images or designs.
- The program is part of Paramount’s company-wide Content for Change initiative that seeks to apply scientific research, rigor, and data to transform the entire creative ecosystem across the three pillars, the content the company produces, the creative supply chain that powers it, and the culture that underpins everything Paramount does.
Source: Nickelodeon
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
