When it comes to the WWE, there has been no sound more ominous, no sign more menacing, than the tolling of a single bell - the signature dirge of the wrestling phenom they call: The Undertaker. For the past 30 years, The Undertaker has been a tremendous force inside and outside of the ring, a seven-time World Heavyweight Champion who's been at the center of countless storylines, epic feuds, and historic matches, and it was he who headlined the first Monday Night RAW in 1993. To honor that connection, USA is looking for 10 fans to pay tribute to The Undertaker, with a :15 DIY video that celebrates one of the most iconic moments, or one of the most unforgettable elements, from his unmatched 30 year career.

We're not talking about wrestling moves here - we can't have you knocking your bro out with a Tombstone Piledriver - no, this is about picking an iconic moment, or a signature element, and coming up with your own way to to cleverly recreate it, reimagine it, or recognize it for fellow fans. Does this mean cosplay with leather hats and a casket? Maybe. But you've got 3 decades to tap into, and you can pull from any era, any team-up, any feud, any character, any costume. American Bad Ass? Lord of Darkness? Hell yes, we're down. You can be as outrageous and over the top as you damn well please, and USA is open to comedy, or even stop motion and animation. 

Bust out your leather jackets, motorcycles, strobe lights, and smoke machines, but keep in mind that this can be totally DIY. We don't need steadicams or CGI.  We're looking for legit fans here, and as long as your tribute is clearly recognizable and thoroughly entertaining, we're on board. You're welcome to use The Undertaker's Theme too, although it's not required. Get Rest In Peace HERE.

 

For your Pitch, you can either put together a short synopsis and treatment tell us what you'd like to do, or, if you think you can get it done, feel free to use the Pitch Video to give USA a rough cut. Also, check out this blog post for some tips and tricks on how to best film yourself at home.

 

DELIVERABLES:

• One :15 or :20 video (16x9). Action should be framed so your video can be cropped for a 1x1 aspect ratio.
• If you prefer not to have your video cropped, you may deliver a second version in the revisions phase specifically designed for 1x1.

 

TIMELINE: 

• Note: This project has a short timeline; since the videos are supposed to be DIY, if you're greenlit, you should anticipate shooting your video next weekend, between Friday, November 13th, and Sunday, November 15th. 
• For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.

 

EXPOSURE: Social media

 

TONE: Entertaining, hilarious, exciting, outrageous, unfiltered, rebellious, and wild.

 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your video CANNOT show any visible third-party logos, or merchandise from other IP or franchises, including trademarked or copyrighted materials like toys, books, posters, games, clothing, and shoes. The most frequent issue we see is logos on clothing or logos on technology (like laptops, TVs, etc.) in the background, so check for that.
• Your video CANNOT use any music or sound effects from WWE RAW, other than The Undertaker's theme song Rest In Peace, which you can download HERE. Otherwise, you must use one of Tongal's three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Universal Production Music and Epidemic Sound. Music from these providers is available to registered Tongal members at no charge. To learn more about using each of these music providers, check out the Project Requirements section.
• You CANNOT use any photos or likenesses of other WWE superstars in your video.
• DON'T include any WWE graphics, footage, or on-screen text. If it's necessary, we'll include it.
• Safety is a top priority. Avoid showing people reenacting wrestling moves or trying to wrestle themselves.
• DON'T include any expletives, and AVOID graphically violent or sexual images, and overtly political subject matter. If you have a question about something that blurs the lines, ask in the forum.
  
  

NOTE: Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, so please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We’re working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and our advice here is to make sure your submission is executable while also ensuring everyone's safety.

In order to be considered for this project you must include the below materials in your pitch submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery. 

 

• TEXT (REQUIRED): 500 characters or fewer synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this video - and remember, you can propose a few different approaches too, so we're not expecting much detail here.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A more detailed narrative description of the different approaches you might take in the video. Please submit more than one so we've got a lot to work with you on. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, cinematography, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to either go out and put together a rough cut of your video, or just be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show them what you're capable of. Tell the Sponsor what they can expect should they choose your pitch. Also, test videos, animatic, etc. are welcome.

1. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p 16x9. Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should your submission be greenlit, you will also be required to provide a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec.
   
   
2. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.
   
   
3. In the event you utilize any third-party materials, such as music provided by a third-party music provider not provided by Tongal, you must obtain full written license and consent from the owner of such third-party materials and provide such license and consent forms to Tongal.
   
   
4. BY SUBMITTING A VIDEO ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.
   
   
5. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
6. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
7. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.
    
8. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
    
10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
11. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
12. In addition to the judging criteria stated in the OFFICIAL RULES, Pitches will also be evaluated on that member's ability to execute the final Video based on their prior work and experience as a filmmaker.
    
    
13. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Videos without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.
    
    
14. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, greenlit Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their Videos, as well as a photograph/headshot OR copy of a photo ID for all On-camera Talent releases. You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec to claim your earnings.
    
    
15. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.