BEHIND THE STORY...
While at Nickelodeon, I began to add live-action projects to my pitches. Nick liked live action because it was faster and cheaper than animation. They also felt it helped the network skew to higher ages. At the time there were very few actual quiz shows. (BLUES CLUES originally began as a quiz show concept.) Even though the production boom was beginning to fade, there was still a lot of interest in animation trivia and creators.
I figured a studio with a large animation library could utilize that library to create a quiz show based on animation. Not only would it be new programming, but using the network’s animation library, it would help promote the network’s various animated series. I pitched the show to both Nick and Disney. Both said they were thinking of quiz shows, but felt the need to know anything about animation would make it too difficult for their viewers. Recently, when Cartoon Network began looking for shows less animated, I offered this up. The network was looking at game shows. And an exec said it was easily the best title they had seen. But at the time, the network was still struggling with the amount of non-animated fare it would broadcast.
And now my pitch...
Cartooniversity
A Game Show Proposal by John Cawley
A fast paced game showcasing animation
THE GAME
Two teams compete against each other by answering questions and identifying animated properties through visual and audio clues. Each player has one chance to pull the whistle chain and call in the animation guest to take the player’s place on that specific question or action. The team with the highest score at the end of the two rounds wins.
PARTICIPANTS
Host - A lively, upbeat, physical personality. The host asks the questions, coordinates the activities and keeps the pace moving.
Side Kick - A costume character or real time computer animated character. The Side Kick assists the host in handling materials or questions.
Guest - Artist, writer or voice person in the animation industry
Contestants - Four contestants forming two teams
Questions
Normal - Questions based on animated characters, films, programs, etc.
Audio - Identify characters or films based on an audio clue
Visual - Identify characters or films based on a visual clue (clip or picture)
Number Board* - Special questions possibly utilizing the guest
SCORING
First round - questions have a value of 10 points
Second round - questions have a value of 25 points
* The Number Board - A board featuring four squares, each with a number in it. At designated times, the player getting the last correct answer may choose a square. Each square will indicate one of the following special events.
ESP - One team member must convey three characters to their partner using words describing the characters. First 10 seconds they have to themselves. Second ten seconds the other team can steal.
Art Class - One team member must convey three characters to their partner by drawing them. First 10 seconds they have to themselves. Second ten seconds the other team can steal.
Puzzler - Team places pieces of giant puzzle in board to view character.
Video Chase - Each member must guide his character car though a video game maze without hitting other characters or contestant’s cars
text, image and format © John Cawley
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