What does ‘Sports' mean? What television series are examples?
This prompt is aimed at finding live-action half-hour or hour-long scripted TV series for Skydance’s newly formed Sports Division. The series can be genre-agnostic, but they should be sports-centered or sports-adjacent. In other words, they should focus on or be set in the world of an individual or team sport. While the sport should be an entry point into the world, the best sports series should find an audience beyond only fans of a certain sport, drawing people in through the series’ characters and storylines, which should be universal. Shows like Ted Lasso, Ballers, All American, Bunheads, Friday Night Lights, or Eastbound & Down.
What does ‘Elevated, Contemporary Horror’ mean? What television series are examples?
This prompt is aimed at finding 60-minute TV series that organically weave in horror elements in a world that otherwise feels like the one we all know. The best horror elements stem from relatable, universal, and contemporary fears. They feel practical and plausible, rooted in the psychology of characters or in the lore of the show’s or movie’s world. And the best horror always comments on or reflects certain realities or experiences, intelligently using its horror elements to explore and ask questions about uncomfortable truths.
The ‘elevated’ elements of the shows should be reflected largely by the project’s tone; they should feel premium, smart, and sharp. And the ‘contemporary’ elements of shows should be reflected in their subject matter; the issues and themes should feel relevant to the current cultural conversation or zeitgeist, and the aim should be to comment on or illuminate aspects of modern life that feel rich and topical.
The series we want to emulate are: The Haunting of Hill House / Bly Manor, Stranger Things, Castle Rock, and Lovecraft County. And movies references would be: The Others, It Follows, Get Out, The Babadook, Goodnight Mommy, and Hereditary.
Note: We do not want to see anything that lives in the camp, gore, or slasher space. And unless it’s done in a smart, fresh way, we’re also steering clear of on-screen monsters, werewolves, vampires, etc.
What does ‘Premium Drama’ mean? What television series are examples?
Premium Drama: This prompt is aimed at finding 60-minute, ongoing drama series that are elevated, commercial, and set within a specific world or lifestyle that provides the series’ engine. Shows like Big Little Lies, Bridgerton, Friday Night Lights, or Empire.
What does ‘Grounded, Elevated Sci Fi’ mean? What television series are examples?
Grounded, Elevated Sci Fi: This prompt is aimed at finding 60-minute, ongoing science fiction series that feel grounded in a realistic, contemporary world. Tonally, they should feel like premium, elevated shows that could air on any premium cable network or streaming service. Shows like Westworld, The OA, Devs, Lost, or Counterpart.
Note: We do not want to see shows that are bleak or post-apocalyptic.
Can I submit an idea that does not fit under the prompt?
No, we are only accepting submissions for the given prompts. The currently open prompt is Sports.
Will any prompts be for feature films?
No, we are only seeking television series under this partnership.