Microsoft Launches Original TV Series Contest

Microsoft and the New York Television Festival have announced a new Xbox Live Originals contest, giving amateur and aspiring producers the chance to create a TV pilot that could go on to become a six episode digitally distributed Xbox Live original series. Interested participants can product and submit a 5 to 15-minute pilot of any genre (comedy, action, drama, sci-fi), live action or animated, introducing their original television series from today to June 29th. The top finalists will have their work featured on the Xbox Live Marketplace starting in July. The winning entry will be awarded a budget of $100,000 and the opportunity to produce six episodes of the series exclusively for Xbox Live, with the first episode premiering at the 2007 New York Television Festival in September. Said senior Xbox Live director Bill Nielsen, “Not only can aspiring TV producers from across the globe try their hands at creating new TV shows, but because of Xbox LIVE Marketplace, they can now win a chance to have more than 6 million people worldwide see their work. This is an incredible opportunity for us to participate in the festival, and we are thrilled to be able to bring community-created TV content to the Xbox community for the first time.” To see contest rules and download the Xbox Live entry kit, visit the New York Television Festival's official Xbox Live Originals website.