Toronto-based virtual production studio Dark Slope has launched a $250,000 competition to help digital creators bring their ideas to life.

The Dark Slope Creator Studio Challenge will offer $50,000 of in-kind support to up to five creators, including access to Dark Slope’s LED volume and soundstage as well as its virtual production, digital art and VFX teams. To be considered, they’ll need a built-up following from YouTube, Instagram, TikTok or other digital platforms.

The selected creators will also receive an option agreement for Dark Slope to coproduce content for potential inclusion on its digital channels.

Dark Slope will choose from applicants across six genres of content: family, kids and sports entertainment; pop culture, history and science explained; short-form fiction and micro-drama; game show and interactive formats; sketch comedy and stand-up; and true crime and investigations. Applications are open until Dec. 8.

Film and television productions that have utilized Dark Slope’s facilities include Prime Video’s Gen V, Crave’s Heated Rivalry (Accent Aigu Entertainment), Eli Roth’s Ice Cream Man and CBC’s Gangnam Project (Pillango Productions, Aircraft Pictures).

Earlier this month, the virtual production studio unveiled its expanded 75,000-square-foot campus, which includes 30,000 square feet of production support infrastructure.

Dark Slope development executive Atoosa Mohajer said in a statement that the company wants to offers “the same virtual production capabilities we use on major television and film projects” to digital creators. “We’re looking for charismatic, inventive storytellers who are ready to elevate their production values or even make the leap from the small screen to the big one.”

Image courtesy of Dark Slope