Tuned In: "On the Lot" takes "Idol" approach

Movie-making gets the "American Idol" treatment in Fox's "On the Lot," a new reality competition that debuts this week with audition episodes at 9 p.m. Tuesday and 9:30 p.m. Thursday. The show is executive produced by the grand poobahs of movies (Steven Spielberg) and reality TV (Mark Burnett, "Survivor," "The Apprentice") and aims to do what "Project Greenlight" did not: Make the moviemaking process palatable to a mainstream TV audience.

It's also squarely aimed at the YouTube generation. Where "Greenlight" featured a competition among writers and directors to make a single film, "On the Lot" takes the "Idol"/"Apprentice" approach: Each week, teams of aspiring filmmakers turn in YouTube-length (2-3 minute) mini-movies. America watches and votes to send the worst one straight to DVD. That thumbs-down film's director will be sent packing.

Like "Idol," two "Lot" episodes will air weekly. The "Film Premiere" episodes (8 p.m. Monday starting June 4) will showcase the movies with three judges from inside the entertainment industry offering their critiques. Then America votes and the results are revealed in the "Box Office" results show (8 p.m. Tuesday starting June 5).

For this week's audition episodes, 50 competing wannabe Spielbergs (out of 12,000 who submitted tapes) will have their short films judged by "Star Wars" actress/author Carrie Fisher (above, left), producer/director Brett Ratner (above, right), producer/director Jon Avnet and producer/director Garry Marshall.

"This really is about allowing anybody and everybody to make films," said Justin Falvey, co-executive producer of "On the Lot" and president of DreamWorks TV, the show's production company. "It's about giving somebody a break that otherwise wouldn't present itself, whether they don't have the money or the wherewithal. This gives them access."

After starting with 50 contestants this week, the field will quickly narrow to 18 and continue to dwindle throughout this 13-week series. Once the narrowing begins, teams of filmmakers will each create a short movie every week in a different genre (horror, romantic comedy, thriller, etc.). An ensemble of professional actors -- including Reginald VelJohnson ("Die Hard," "Family Matters") -- will perform in the mini-movies.

"Part of the challenge for filmmakers will be to emphasize their ability to tell a story with a linear beginning, middle and end and not just a montage of some fantastic-looking images stuck together," Falvey said.

For viewers at home, "On the Lot" will aim to show all aspects of the movie-making process.

"You'll see us putting them through the paces on fundamentals, whether it's the early part of being able to tell a story on your feet with no props and no actors or shooting on a real Hollywood set with a cast and crew," said executive producer David Goffin. "The public will grasp onto the world of filmmaking which everybody can't get enough of. Everyone wants to know what's happening in Hollywood and how they do it."

Although Spielberg executive produces "On the Lot," he won't be judging the films. He is expected to appear in the final episode when the winner is given a development deal with DreamWorks, Spielberg's company.

But that's at the end. In the beginning, the focus will be on getting to know the contestants.

"It's important in reality television to let people in on the casting of the show and take our time to get to know these characters," Goffin said. "We want to make sure people come into our world and get to know our characters and give a sense of how far they've come to get to this stage."