Shark Bytes

Neat idea and some very fun films, but the whole execution was wrong: the Idol format, the awful music, the uninteresting host, the rotating "third judge" hawking his latest hack film, the judges ganging up on some poor kid over a perceived violation of Political Correctness when they really just didn't understand his film. They could have used some film school profs as judges. And TOO many contestants. I hope some0one tries something like this again, but not Speilberg, please.

Okay so the show really had potential. As a producer of several Indi films and music videos. I myself looked forward to this quite premier. Even the selection process for the initial contestants seemed scattered and unorganized. I was disappointed right away. And is Carrie off the caine or not. Her behavior screams "Coke is It". I agree with most above, those that deserved to win didn't and the flow was b movie at best. They shoul have given everyone less projects and more time to develop. I think we would have seen the real people shine. You can force creativity!

I think the show is dead for a second season. A few days after the "finale" for the first season (i.e. merciful end), the entire OTL website was closed, films, message boards, and all. Sure, it could be resurrected, but it's doubtful because the show's ratings consistently placed it below the top 100 shows. I think it was an interesting concept, but Fox didn't market it effectively and it never caught on with viewers.

As a film student, I was interested by the idea of a documented competition for filmmakers, but that notion was crushed almost immediately.

The second the show went into a vote stage, I was done. Never mind the unqualified judges, Garry Marshall should be allowed no opinion on what a 'good' film is.

Instead of an educated judgment on the filmmakers, Fox took the idea and turned it into American Idol, which had NEVER rewarded the most talented artists (Squawking Fantasia Barrino winning and Chris Daughtry landing in 4th should be enough evidence of how flawed a phone vote is.)

Wow. Getting what is probably just a small taste of Hollywood dynamics:

One minute they're stroking you all over the place; you've made the best film anyone's ever seen; you're compared to the most talented film makers in the history of motion pictures; your heart bursts with gratitude and pride.

The next minute you're not even mentioned by the experts as a favorite in the finals.

No wonder there's so much chemical diversion in that industry.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse than Garry Marshall.... may I give you his incoherent, schtick-babbling sister Penny....

I like the hostess, she's bubbly and fun. I don't really have an emotional investment in this show, for some reason it's offputting. I watched the episode when they were making horror movies. All of them were disappointing. I think the man with the dreadlocks is very talented, but he didn't follow directions, and the woman who got voted off the next week
had a good idea that seemed unfinished.
The next episode, the films were better. I especially liked "Time Upon a Once" with the new neighbors who were backwards. It was excellent, but I think Carrie Fisher and Gary Marshall didn't like that he used two interracial couples. There was no other reason why they could criticize such an inventive film. I'm disappointed in them.
The Indian woman has talent, but she's so heavy handed with her messages that I know I wouldn't want to watch any of her movies. I'll watch it because there's nothing else on. Alas,I don't have cable.

Carrie Fischer is a burned out, drugged out, manic-depressive hag who was never even slightly attractive in her one and only move role.

Carrie, please just go home and live quietyly off your savings, or let your mother support you. After all, she's the one who's really funny.

Gary Marshall is funny elsewhere, but here appears to be nothing more than an old man with a dying hard-on for the young girls in the audience.

The guest directors are egoistic bores who have forgotten their beginnings before they got into the movie community by blowing their mentors.

Adrianna Costa is a moderate babe who is busting her ass to do a good job knowing full well that all you "couldn't do it yourself" worthless idiot viewers don't like her because you don't have lives and would rather watch this crap ass show and belittle her.

GO ADRIANNA! You are a babe with balls who has more class than anyone else connected with or viewing this summer television rubbish...the only real product of TV networks nowadays.

JTS DAY 1. The host is hot, but the format is not. It is way too much like American Idol. Garry Marshall is "Paula" & Carrie Fisher is "Randy", they just need a true "Simon" every week and it would be AI: On The Lot. I can't believe that Spielberg put his name on this piece of crap. The less the host talks, the better. She can only be truly appreciated with the TV on mute. She is nice to look at & grating to listen to.

Last night's new format was a great improvement! The host covered up and looked good, the one voted off was announced straight away, and the business of movie making began immediately.

Agree with everyone here. The concept is great; several of the filmmakers have talent. But the format -- and the judges/MC -- are abysmal. Carrie Fisher seems terminally lost and/or manic-depressive; Garry Marshall is just a doddering old fool. And the eye-candy MC is both clueless and crass, while drawing as much attention to herself (and away from the reason for watching) as humanly possible. I'll keep watching for now because of the talent pool, but it's really, REALLY difficult.

This format will kill ON THE LOT.

How to fix it?

Totally gut the entire host, live audience, and America voting. FOCUS on the movies--that is what this show is about, right?

Second, cut the 'talent' down to 12. Then, let the Judges vote people out till the final 4, then we can vote.

The host is lame. Fake, and.... bad.

NOW, since it got bad ratings, they totally cut the GOOD part--them making their films, and now all we get is the crappy live show part--which I promise you will be canceled within 2 weeks.

Who ever is calling the shots for this, needs to stay OUT of television.

I was eager to see a unique show about everyday people making movies, not a copy of everything that's wrong with American Idol.

Surely these extremely talented writers/directors/producers can create a better format than this.

Okay, as an aspiring screenwriter, with experience in television, this show bores me to tears. I had to turn it off! Instead of concentrating on the films, it's all about the host trying to do a very tired Ryan Seacrest/Howie Mandell impersonation. This America Votes thing is not for every show and it's sucking this one down the tubes.

We've watched the show twice, and have only seen one movie. The rest of the time--and I am not exaggerating--the rest of the time was the phone suspense.

"Bill. Mary. You're next. Bill. The judges said you showed promise. Now to Mary. Mary. The judges said your movie was better than what they could do with a billion dollar budget!

"Bill. Mary. Your futures are on the line. One of you will leave tonight. Will it be Bill? Or will it be Mary.

"Bill and Mary. I'm sorry to tell you.

"You will have to wait two minutes until after this break."

Rinse. Repeat for the NEXT 20 contestants.

This is a show??? Where do i get a job as a staff writer?! I can do this!