Screenwriting Contest
Time Hoppers
Animated Action-Adventure TV Series
In partnership with
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CONTEST TOPIC:
Time Hoppers TV Series Pilot Episode Animated-Action Adventure
We are looking for great screenwriters to write a pilot episode for a new animated action-adventure children’s series called Time Hoppers: The Silk Road, to be streamed globally on Muslim Kids TV.
Time Hoppers: The Silk Road is a planned 13-part 2D animated TV serial for children aged 6-9 years. The series follows the adventures of a group of gifted friends that travel through time to rescue Muslim Scientists during the golden age of Islam, while shedding light on their accomplishments and contributions to science.
We want you to write a screenplay for an exciting 12-minute pilot episode that takes our cast of characters on an adventure in the world described in the Series Synopsis, while adhering to the story arc and episode formula provided.
Duration
12-minute Pilot Episode
Deadlines
Submission Deadline is
August 2nd, 2021
Contest Entry Fee
Free
PRIZES
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
$1,000 CDN
License fee cash award
+ Chance to be hired to write multiple episodes
$500 CDN
License fee cash award
+ Chance to be hired to write multiple episodes
$250 CDN
License fee cash award
+ Chance to be hired to write multiple episodes
$100 CDN
License fee cash award
+ Chance to be hired to write multiple episodes
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Contest Mini-Rules
This contest is open to all registered users of Open Screenplay. Contest begins on May 17th, 2021 at 12:00 AM (ET) and ends on August 2nd, 2021 at 11:59 PM (ET). There are a total of four (4) prizes available to be won as follows: one (1) First Prize consisting of a license fee cash award of CDN $1,000, and in Contest Partner’s sole discretion, the option of production, one (1) Second Prize consisting of a license fee cash award of CDN $500, (1) Third Prize consisting of a license fee cash award of CDN $250, and (1) Fourth Prize consisting of a license fee cash award of CDN $100. Odds of winning depend on the number and quality of eligible entries received before contest closes. Limitations apply. See full Contest Rules & Guidelines.
Series Synopsis
Time Hoppers: The Silk Road is a 13-part 2D animated TV serial for 6-9 years. The series follows the adventures of a group of friends from Vancouver’s Agli Academy for Gifted Children.
The children stumble upon a portal to travel through time and are plunged into the world of the evil alchemist Dr. Fasid. Unable to compete with his fellow scientists, Dr. Fasid is expelled from the House of Wisdom in Bagdad in the 10th Century. His jealousy drives him to develop the time portal and the Masirsayf, a tool which steals inspiration of scientists.
In this historial STEAM-based action adventure the four children must work together along with some of the great scientists, inventors and visionaries from history to defeat Dr. Fasid.
The serialized adventure is developed for web and streaming services. The plot will take children through a great race across time to free imprisoned scientists from the traps Dr. Fasid has built from their own inventions. The children must use their intellect and athletic abilities to free the scientists by learning all about the great contributions they have made to history.
Through the serial the children meet great historical figures like Fatima Al Fihri (Fez, Morocco 9th Century) who established the world’s first university; or AlKindi (Bagdad, Iraq 9th Century) one of the greatest cryptographers that ever lived; or Ibn Sina (Bukhara, Russia 11th Century) the father of modern medicine or Mansa Musa the Richest Man that Ever Lived (Timbuktu, Mali 14th Century).
The series will take place in amazing locations through the 7th to the 15th century in a world where the cultures of Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa come together for the first time.
Story Arc
Time Hoppers is a scavenger hunt through time where the children enter different historical periods along the Silk Road from the 8th to 12th century. In each episode the children are thrown into an action adventure at the heart of which is a great scientist, inventor or visionary. The children try to understand the implication of not saving the day and consequences if they don’t succeed e.g. coffee not invented; camera not discovered; the number zero is missing and no more computers.
Episode Formula
The Riddle Book – a magical book with cryptic riddles that opens the door of time. Deciphering the riddle and opening the door of time makes the kids responsible for the outcome of history.
Putting the Pieces Together – the cryptic clues the riddle reveals have to be decoded. The children must discover who the riddle is pointing to. At the same time the children are dropped into a foreign land in a foreign time in the middle of and adventure unfolding before their eyes.
Introducing the “Damsel in Distress” – the children discover who they must rescue and understand the implication of failing this important world hero.
The “Missing Element” – the scavenger hunt for the element that will unlock the mystery and foil the evil intent of Dr. Fasid
Blocking the Way – the antagonist and his henchmen fight against the children and their efforts to save the day
The Hero of the Day or Are They? – one of the children through their special talents foils the plots of Dr. Fasid and restores the Scientist, Inventor or Visionary’s place in history. However, because it is a race against time the children never fully understand if they have affected the course of history.
The Fluid Library – the children return to the present and must scourer the library to understand if they have made an impact on the course of history.
The Cliff Hanger – the kids can’t help themselves but to take a peak at the next riddle in the Riddle Book.
Dr. Fasid
Dr. Fasid is an alchemist from the 11 th century Bagdad. He has been expelled from the House of Wisdom because of his jealousy for his colleagues. His vengeance has no limits leading him on an evil mission to destroy all scientists everywhere.
About Contest Partners
MuslimKids.TV is the leading streaming service for Muslim families globally. Families enjoy a library of over 5,000 titles from the best in Muslim children’s entertainment to educational and values-based productions from producers around the world.
To learn more, visit https://www.muslimkids.tv
MPAC’s Hollywood Bureau changes the narrative of Islam and Muslims in the entertainment industry so that audiences see Muslims as vital contributors to creating social and cultural change in America and around the world. We do this by engaging decision makers and creatives to improve the quality of authentic, nuanced, and inclusive depictions of Islam and Muslims. We also create opportunities for Muslim storytellers to tell their own stories.
To learn more, visit https://www.mpachollywoodbureau.org/
Enter to Win
Participating is easy! There are two ways you can contribute:
START a new television screenplay: simply sign in to Open Screenplay and click START SCREENPLAY on the main menu. Choose Time Hoppers contest to enter your screenplay into the competition. The screenplay must be completed on openscreenplay.com..
FIND a television screenplay to contribute to: go to the Find Page and under type, select TELEVISION and CONTEST ENTRY. Select any television screenplays with Time Hoppers contest's label below it. You have to request an invitation to the screenplay.
Chance to get produced!
The winning screenplays will be considered for production! The screenplay must be original and must be written on www.openscreenplay.com.
(Optional) Refer to win!
As part of our contest, we are also offering a very special incentive: refer someone and, if they win, you can earn the same amount of money they earn.
Yes, if you refer someone who participates in the contest and their contribution earns them part of a cash award, you will receive an amount of money equal to what they earn.
For example, if you refer one person who earns $50 – you receive $50. If you refer 15 people who collectively earn $1,250 – you receive $1,250