All puppies are cute. But only Southeastern Guide Dogs’ puppies have the anatomy of superheroes. What does that mean, exactly? At Southeastern Guide Dogs, it starts before a puppy is even born, where their highly trained staff carefully breeds, nurtures, and trains puppies so they’re perfectly suited to be guide dogs and service dogs for those who can’t see and veterans who have seen too much. 

That means that a Southeastern Guide Dog puppy doesn’t just have cute puppy dog eyes; she has clear vision to share with friends who need a little extra help. And her floppy ears aren’t just super adorable, they’re trained to hear specific and complex commands. In other words, Southeastern Guide Dogs creates superheroes for superheroes. 

We want to help Southeastern Guide Dogs increase donations for their powerful and necessary work by creating a :30 spot for TV and a print ad (using a still from the video) that explores the unique anatomy that makes a Southeastern Guide Dogs puppy a superhero.

PLEASE NOTE: Once the Sponsor selects a filmmaker, all payments, pre-production preparation, production, post production, final asset delivery, and any release forms will be handled directly between the Sponsor and winning filmmaker, not via the Tongal platform. Finally, should any type of disputes arise Tongal is under no obligation to mediate a resolution between both parties. 

The goal of this project is to Pitch on how you would create a :30 TV spot that illustrates how Southeastern Guide Dogs puppies’ are uniquely suited to be superheroes. In addition, you’ll deliver a still photo with key messaging applied as a print ad. 

Southeastern Guide Dogs will fly an actual superhero-in-training puppy and trainer out to shoot with the Pitch winner. 

The Pitch winner will then work directly with Southeastern Guide Dogs on creating the :30 TVC for an additional $5,000, to be delivered before the end of August. The Pitch winner will work with Southeastern Guide Dogs on script approval prior to shooting and applying text to an approved still from the video to create the print ad.

We’re excited to see your creative approaches, but it’s crucial that you focus on the puppy and clearly itemize/illustrate on screen the specific ways a Southeastern Guide Dog puppy has the anatomy of a superhero.

Check out this sample graphic to get a sense of what this anatomy is and the playful tone you can use in your video:

Also reference this previous Southeastern Guide Dogs’ TV PSA for inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrrSDWK28MM 

--Key Marketing Message: 

• This is no ordinary puppy. In just two years, she’ll deliver freedom, confidence, and independence to someone who could really use a helping paw. 

--Target Audience:   Affluent women (55+) across the country.

--Executional Mandatories:

• You must shoot with an actual Southeastern Guide Dogs puppy, specifically a yellow, Labrador retriever; a puppy and trainer will be flown to the Pitch winner for their shoot
• You must show the superhero anatomy of the puppy in your video

--Tone:   Fun, uplifting, enjoyable, shareable, and memorable.

--Exposure:   Regional/potential national broadcast; Southeastern Guide Dog’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.

--End Card:    You will be required to create a 2D end card and a print ad.

This Project will be worth a total of $5,000 and consists of a Pitch Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules. 

Please note that once the Sponsor selects a filmmaker, all payments, pre-production preparation, production, post production, final asset delivery, and any release forms will be handled directly between the Sponsor and winning filmmaker. Should any type of disputes arise Tongal is under no obligation to mediate a resolution between both parties

PHASE 1: PITCH:

Submit your Pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute a Video based on one of the winning Ideas from the previous Phase using:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this Video.

• 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.

• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a Treatment template, which you can find here.

• Script (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create. 

• Storyboards (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.

• Headshots/Casting Boards (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc. 

• Pitch Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show them what you're capable of. Consider submitting a Pitch video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect should they choose your Pitch. Also, test videos, animatic, etc. are welcome.   

The most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive $5,000 to help create the Video.  Please note the payment of the Pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. The Pitch winner will then work directly with Southeastern Guide Dogs to create the :30 TVC and the print ad using a still from the video. The Pitch winner will require script approval from Southeastern Guide Dogs prior to shooting. Additionally, upon submitting a Video and print ad that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch and meets Southeastern Guide Dogs’ expectations, the Pitch winner will receive a final payment of $5,000 directly from the Sponsor. For an example of an effective Pitch, check out The Indie Machines winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGOs” Pitch video. All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the Project is complete. 

The $5,000 Video Prize paid directly by the Sponsor must cover all aspects of production, including scripting, music licensing, and any other costs associated with the creation of the :30 TVC and the print ad.

1. The Video MUST not exceed :30 in length. 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 you be selected as winner, 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 PITCH 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. Pitches 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 Video without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.

14. The Pitch winner MUST provide the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment. The Pitch winner will also be responsible for providing Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their final Video to Southeastern Guide Dogs. 

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.