On The Lot is likely to follow the format of American Idol, with viewers choosing who should win each week and a search across America will be made to find 16 finalists who will come to Hollywood, split into teams, and be given the task of making one short film for each weekly episode.
Each week a different genre will be featured and contestants will have professional writers and actors to help them and, "If the contestants are resourceful enough, they may even be able to land Hollywood celebrities to star in their films," said a spokesman for Fox.
The finished films will be screened before a studio audience and a panel of judges, including a film critic and movie executive.
The would-be director who makes the worst film will be out of the game.
Steven Spielberg, who has made in excess of 100 movies during his incredible career, said the series would open "a much wider door".
