Comedy

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If you are a children’s writer or dream of being one – this contest is for you! ! In partnership with Pinna, the first and only audio streaming service custom made for kids, we are looking for great screenwriters to write a fun and engaging 3-5 page pilot episode and season outline for a Short-Form scripted audio series for children ages 8 to 12 years to be hosted on Pinna.

You may choose any topic and genre so long as you write a charming podcast to entertain young listeners with a creative story, memorable characters, and interesting premises that spark the imagination and curiosity of the young listeners.

This contest is open to all registered members of Open Screenplay. Contest begins on December 1, 2022 at 12:00 AM (ET) and ends on February 11 at 11:59 PM (ET). There are a total of three (3) prizes available to be won as follows: one (1) First Place Prize consisting of a license fee cash award of USD $1,000, and in Contest Partner’s sole discretion, the option of production, one (1) Second Place Prize consisting of a license fee cash award of USD $500, and one (1) Third Place Prize consisting of a license fee cash award of USD $250. Contest is open to Open Screenplay Members, excluding residents of Quebec, Canada, who are 13 years of age or older at the time of entry (parental or guardian consent required if entrant is under the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry). Odds of winning depend on number and quality of eligible entries received before contest closes. Limitations apply. Full rules and entry details available at: <a href='/lessons/surprisebox-pinna' target='_blank'>Contest Rules & Guidelines </a>

Audio Series

Scripted Audio Series (Kids 8-12)

Creator’s statement

Where to go from here?

Episodic Synopses

Season 1 Summary

Characters & Arc

Structure & Tone

Introduction

Number of Episodes

Episode Length (minutes)

Television

Quark, Mark and Bark is a 2-5 minute audio series designed to entertain kids 8-12.

This series is purely about fun. Silly SFX, dialogue and situations will abound with the sole purpose of making kids laugh.

Throughout this series we may occasionally bump up against a lesson or two about friendship, or relationships - but I wouldn't count on it. This show is mostly for yucks.

This series follows the adventures of Quark and Mark as they learn more about the world and themselves.

EPISODE 1 (Pilot- see attached script) : QUARK, MARK AND BARK (THE MYSTERY CUBE)The gang is trapped deep inside Marc’s Mom’s Volvo while going through a car wash. Which wouldn’t be a big deal – if Bark hadn’t left all the back windows open! (insert spooky music sting here). EPISODE 2: HAPPY QUARKNESS TO ME!It’s Quark’s birthday and Mark wants to give him a celebration just like they do back on Quark’s home planet. There’s only one catch: pudding pops are a lousy substitute for Quarnarium Floundike. EPISODE 3: YOU SAY E.T., I SAY QUARKYQuark and Mark are confronted with the fact that they really are from different worlds. Will they be able to find common ground long enough to win a sack race at the school picnic? EPISODE 4: BARK’S BUFFALOBark is crazy about the squeaky toy he found while out on his last walk. Too bad it looks and sounds exactly like Quark’s mortal enemy back home. Will Mark be able to save Bark’s toy from a terrified Quark? Will Quark learn to not be afraid of a dog toy? Will Bark care about any of this stuff? Probably not. She just wants her buffalo. (insert happy squeak noises here) EPISODE 5: MARK’S MINNIONWhen Quark finds out that Mark has to finish an important project for school, he volunteers to help – whether Mark wants him to or not. Incidentally – he doesn’t want him to. EPISODE 6: QUARKWARD BOUND!Quark decides once and for all to repair his broken space ship and return home. But the closer he gets to leaving, the more he realizes how much he’ll miss Mark and Bark. What’s a homesick ET to do? EPISODE 7: ANYTHING YOU CAN DO I CAN DO QUARKERWhile on a sleep over at one of Marc’s school friend’s house, Quark and Mark find themselves in a classic “looky what I can do” contest. But will eyelid rolling, double jointed thumb tricks and ducks sounds prove to be any match for Quark’s ability to vaporize a barn? Stay tuned! (insert barn music here) EPISODE 8: GRANDMA’S COOKIESWhile visiting Mark’s grandma’s house, she treats the gang to some of her homemade cookies. But are they chocolate chip cookies or the dreaded raisin? With their taste buds on the line, Quark and Mark try to solve the mystery before it’s too late! EPISODE 9: BEHOLD! THE TOASTER!When Mark makes toast for the first time, Quark is both fascinated and terrified. Which you wouldn’t expect from a guy who goes to Black Holes for vacation and knows how to scramble molecules. EPISODE 10: THE VISITORQuark receives word that Captain Snorgom from back home will be arriving soon to check up on his progress while on earth. But when Quark and Mark start to compile all the lessons Quark has learned while being on Earth (e.g. what toast is, how to fold socks, what to look for when shopping for rubber bands) they begin to question the value of Quark’s entire mission! (insert happy music here – because anything less would just be too devastating at this point)

When it comes to a 2-5 minute series silly gags about an alien, his Earth pal and their dog...is there anywhere we CAN'T go? Don't answer that. ;)

For decades, I've worked in kid's entertainment doing everything from a kid's show warm up guy, host, writer, cartoon voices, producer - and I still love it. The one thing I wish I could see more of kid's entertainment these days are properties designed to let kids simply have fun. That's what I''d like this series to be: pure silly fun. When I saw that Pinna was looking for submission - it seemed like a nice space to try some things out. So that's what this is. Hope you at least enjoy the read. i have fun doing it. and I love what Pinna is about. Thanks for the shot. Greg Lee