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MUMBAI:
Two of entertainment’s biggest names, Mark Burnett and Steven
Spielberg, will use their collective clout to give one aspiring
director the chance of a lifetime. Premiering exclusively on STAR
WORLD on Wednesday 23 May at 10 pm, On the Lot will reward one filmmaker
with a US$1mil development deal at DreamWorks, the studio co-founded
by Spielberg.
 The
unscripted series follows 18 rookie directors as they compete to
make a short film each week. Covering a range of genres – from
comedies and thrillers to sci-fi and horror – these mini movies
will debut on the weekly ‘Film Premiere’ episodes. The
aspiring auteurs will then be judged by the harshest critics of
all – the public. Once the flicks are aired, On the Lot viewers
will vote for their favourite film. The director with the lowest
response will be sent home the next night during the ‘Box Office’
results show.
To
launch the series, two ‘Audition’ episodes will air at
10 pm on 23 May and at 9 pm on 25 May. In these hour-long episodes,
cameras will track the top 50 applicants as they arrive in Los Angeles
and enter a ‘Hollywood Boot Camp’.
To
separate the helmers from the hacks, the 50 semifinalists will have
to pitch their film project to a panel of celebrity judges, show
and edit a short film within 24 hours then shoot a one-page scene
within an hour. From this pool of 50 contenders, the judges will
then select the 18 finalists.
 For
the two introductory ‘Audition’ episodes, the judging
panel will consist of actress-turned-author Carrie Fisher (Star
Wars) as well as directors Jon Avnet (Up Close and Personal),
Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries)
and Brett Ratner (X Men 3: The Last Stand).
On
29 May at 10 pm, it’s time for lights, cameras and behind-the-scenes
action with the first ‘Film Premiere’ episode. The following
night, during the ‘Box Office’ results show, one director’s
dreams will end up on the cutting-room floor.
During
the shoot, the finalists will have access to the best resources
in Hollywood, including professional writers, actors and crew. With
such an opportunity, it’s no surprise that when On the Lot’s
producers put out the global call for wannabe directors to submit
their films via the show’s website (www.thelot.com), they received
a record-breaking 12,000 entries, including over 600 from Asia.
 “We
were absolutely thrilled and overwhelmed, not only with the sheer
number of amazing short films, but especially with the diverse talent
and personalities,” said On the Lot creator and executive producer
Mark Burnett (right). “On the Lot is the first series to rely
on the Web for its submissions and casting, and to attract more
applicants in its first year than shows like American Idol or Survivor
in their freshman seasons is quite an accomplishment.”
The
cameras are in place and the actors are ready to hit their marks.
Now tune in to STAR WORLD to see who’ll report for work On
the Lot.
TELECAST
TIMES
Episode
1
Premiere
of On the Lot featuring an hour-long audition episode.
23rd
May, Wednesday at 10 p.m.
Thu
at 03:30, 13:00
Sun
at 09:00
Episode
2
Part
2 of the On the Lot audition premiere.
25th
May, Friday at 9 p.m.
Sat
at 03:30, 13:00
Sun
at 10:00
Episode
3
Special
two-hour ‘Film Premiere’ episode introducing the first
films produced by the 18 finalists.
29th
May, Tuesday at 10 p.m.
Wed
at 10:00
Sun
at 12:00
Episode
4
Special
one-hour ‘Box Office’ results episode, Wednesday at 8
pm
30th
May, Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Thu
at 01:30, 10:00
Sun
at 14:00
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