Amazon.com sets up next-generation movie studio

LOS ANGELES - Amazon.com is getting into the business of making films, launching a movie studio Wednesday that will both choose projects based on the site’s ratings systems and allow anyone to edit the raw material.

Amazon Studios said it will offer a total of $2.7 million to the top submissions it receives by the end of the year and will work to develop the project in conjunction with Warner Bros.

According to a press release, writers are invited to offer scripts to the studio, and filmmakers can submit test movies of more than 70 minutes for consideration.

In conjunction with the ratings given to the scripts and test films by fans, a panel made up of industry experts will select the competition winners, Amazon said.

“We are excited to introduce writers, filmmakers and movie lovers to Amazon Studios,” said Roy Price, Amazon Studio chief. “Full-length test movies will show stories up on their feet and attract helpful feedback at an early stage. We hope that Amazon Studios will help filmmakers experiment and collaborate, and we look forward to developing hit movies.”