You provided us with your questions about our online casting calls for Season 5 of Everyday Edisons — and now we have answers. We hope this assists you in successfully submitting your ideas! Good luck and happy inventing!

Q.  When do casting calls begin?

A. The first online casting call will run Tuesday, Feb 21 – Monday, April 2.
The second online casting call will run Tuesday, April 3 – Monday, April 30.

Q. Can I submit ideas that have already been submitted to an Edison Nation Live Product Search (LPS) or do they have to be totally new ideas?

A. Ideas that have already been submitted in the past or are currently submitted to a LPS can certainly be submitted to the casting call! In fact, this could be helpful in the event your idea doesn’t move forward within a Live Product Search or Innovation Challenge; you still have a shot at the show!  Just remember that whoever you submit the product to first has the right of first refusal.

Q. What happens if I apply to Everyday Edisons and Edison Nation finds a licensing deal for the idea during that time?

A. Since the company that sees the idea first has the first right of refusal, the idea would move forward with the licensing opportunity. However, there could still be a possibility that a product that we find a home for is incorporated into the show. Particularly in the event that the product/idea is in the infancy stage and we have the opportunity to fully develop it.

Q. Do I have to have a prototype? What if I have a patent, but no prototype?

A. The Everyday Edisons team is looking for great ideas. A prototype or a patent is a plus, but  not necessary. We’re looking for you to explain and demonstrate your idea: What’s patentable about it? What makes it unique? What problem does it solve? Why is it the best thing since sliced bread? Make a case for your idea – whether that’s with prototypes, patents or a great video, the Everyday Edisons team will review all.

Q. What will casting calls consist of? Do I deliver a pitch via Skype or is it a blind submission process?

A. The submission process will work much like a traditional Live Product Search through Edison Nation.  All submissions will undergo the eight-step online review process, and we’ll select up to fifty finalists to be flown to Charlotte, N.C. to pitch their ideas to the judges’ panel, along with an exciting weekend full of activities at our headquarters. Everything involving your submission, prior to becoming a finalist, will be done online through EdisonNation.com.

If you’d like an “inside look” into the casting call and audition process, check out this guest blog post from Season 4 inventor, Eric Huber!

Q. Should I be working on something graphical to show for the audition?

A. For your online submission into the casting calls, you’ll be able to upload all supporting media assets to accompany your idea. This can include pictures, video and text to explain your concept. If you have a prototype, you should upload photos and/or videos of it with your submission — even if it’s a very rough prototype. If you are invited to Charlotte, you will be asked to bring your prototype (if you have one) with you.

Q. Does it make sense to submit an idea to the casting call if it already received an “R4″ in a prior Edison Nation Innovation Fund Search?

A. Casting for Season 5 is open to all great ideas – whether you have a new consumer product concept, technology, medical device or beyond. The criteria are pretty limitless. What might not have been a fit for one search could be a fit for the show. We encourage you to take a look at where your idea received an “R” and understand what might have prompted that fate. Perhaps you can improve, revamp and try again! Thomas Edison always said “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. “

Q. Is there a product category, market segment, or demographic our ideas should be geared towards based on EN’s feedback from current clients and marketing relationships?

A. This is a completely open call for new ideas – whether they are for consumer products, new technologies, new medical inventions, or beyond. We are looking for the best product ideas spanning every category. If it’s a good idea, a vast improvement on a current idea, or doesn’t exist elsewhere, we want to see it.

Q. Can foreigners apply?

A. Absolutely!

Q. Any idea what the Charlotte dates will be yet?

A. The Charlotte weekend will take place late summer/early fall. Specific dates have not yet been determined.

Q. Can more than one idea be submitted to the casting call?

A. You may submit as many ideas as you would like. Opt-ins are allowed.

Q. Is it fine to bring a spouse to the Charlotte Weekend from start to finish?

A. Guests are welcome to accompany you to Charlotte; however, we will pay for the travel of only one inventor. There will be an option to share a room and a dinner option available for a co-inventor or a spouse should they want to attend the final event. Please note that guests will not be permitted to accompany you during the audition. Further details will be provided to those who are selected to attend the Charlotte Weekend events.

Q. How long is the pitch/audition?

A. During our last Charlotte casting call weekend event, our finalists were allowed 10 minutes for their final judges’ pitch. This accounted for the time in the studio, set up, pitch and exit. Depending on the number of finalists we bring to Charlotte this year, this time frame is subject to change. More detailed information will be provided to those who are selected to attend the Charlotte Weekend events.

Q. How many products can be pitched in the audition?

A. You may submit as many ideas as you would like to the online casting call. Our team will then select the ideas we would like to see in person, which in some cases could be more than one idea from a single inventor.

Q. Is Everyday Edisons only looking for products that can be developed within a year?

A.  Marrying a television production schedule with your traditional product development cycle is not an easy feat. In the end, we’re looking for great ideas. So whether it’s a turnkey consumer product or a complex device, we’d like to consider it. If we can’t complete product development in one season, we can always check back in during the next season.

Q. Will Everyday Edisons pick products that they like from all of an inventor’s submitted ideas and ask them to come, or do we have to submit them into the casting call and pay for them to be considered?

A. Only ideas that are submitted to the online casting calls will be eligible to be a finalist for the Charlotte casting call weekend and for Season 5 of the show.

Q. I have been trying to check out these forms everyone is talking about for the casting call. Can I fill these forms out prior to the casting call and where can I go online to get these forms?

A. We no longer require the registration forms that participants once filled out at the in-person casting calls. One of the perks of the online casting process is that it allows doing everything from the comfort of your home. Simply complete the online submission process to the best of your ability, review and sign our Season 5 Innovator Agreement, and you and your idea are all set. No lines, no red tape, no traveling required… yet.

Q. Can clothing/apparel brands be submitted to the casting call?

A. Yes, but only if it is something that is protectable (Ex., eligible for a design patent, etc.).

Q. Why will there be two separate casting calls? Is there a difference between the two?

A. The casting call was divided into two separate searches to help manage our internal process. This will allow our team to begin reviewing the first set of ideas as the second search is running. There is no difference between the two casting calls; however, those who submit their ideas to the first search (ending April 2) will automatically receive the first opportunity for review.

Have a question about Season 5 Casting Calls that you don’t see answered above? Leave it below in the comments, and we’ll continually update this blog post with answers!