HELPFUL REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION/TONE:

• LEGO x Barnes & Noble | Sherlock Holmes Set
• LEGO x Barnes & Noble | Gingerbread Lane Set
• LEGO x SCHEELS | Hero Video

The LEGO Group is looking to create a stop motion video about a brand new LEGO set that will exclusively be available at Barnes & Noble, and while details about the new set are being kept super hush-hush at the moment, rest assured that this is a very exciting opportunity to create with a new adult LEGO set, and we'll tell you as much as we can right now.

The goal will ultimately be to create a :30 video that leaves viewers feeling excited about the new set and the unique connection between The LEGO Group and Barnes & Noble. The video is nonverbal, so no voiceover or dialogue will be required. The video will require high-quality stop-motion and LEGO building skills, and we'll need a single animator or team that can execute this video at the highest level, while managing a fast-paced timeline. The new LEGO set, and more details about it, will be provided to the selected stop-motion animator and Tongal will reimburse you for any additional brick purchases necessary for filming, separate from the production budget. 

While the main format is 16x9, you will need to consider framing of shots to work in both 9x16 and 1x1 environments as well. You'll also need to capture footage to create a behind-the-scenes video (up to 2:00) about the entire process of creating the final product. 

If you are interested in being considered for this project, collect your most impressive work samples, and send them on over. In the Pre-Qualification Phase, we'll provide up to five selected creators with more details, and a small budget, to help develop a full pitch with a treatment and storyboards. From there one creator will be chosen, and given a full budget, to roll into pre-production and bring their pitch into reality. 

Check out more information in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are four total video assets.

• One :30 hero video (16x9, 9x16, 1x1)
• One behind-the-scenes video up to 2:00 (16x9)

EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE

EXPOSURE: We expect content will be used on the platforms below, but if casting talent, be sure they review our required Talent Release before they're cast, as it is NOT limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.

• Barnes & Noble Stores
• BarnesandNoble.com
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Vimeo

TARGET AUDIENCE: Fans of The LEGO Group of all ages, families, and Barnes & Noble customers

TONE/FEEL: Fun, happy, positive

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Greenlit filmmakers MUST strictly adhere to all The LEGO Group guidelines, which will be provided upon selection.
• Avoid any special bricks from sets associated with specific IP (i.e. no Harry Potter or Marvel sets).

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects do move forward, we'll notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the Project Forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and project team.

PITCH QUALIFICATION PHASE:

In order to be considered for the Pitch Phase, you must include the below materials in your Pitch Qualification Submission. The Pitch Qualification Phase gives filmmakers the opportunity to submit a 500-word synopsis of an initial creative thoughts for the video, and tell us a bit more about your aesthetic as a creator. Five creators will be given $500 to develop a treatment and storyboards as part of the Pitch Phase.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed in the Deliverables.

• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, editor, artist, etc.) but do not include links to your showreel. Please link to individual videos.

• 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, animatics, etc. are welcome. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.

PITCH PHASE:

If selected to move forward to the Pitch Phase, you will be sent additional information to create a treatment (with storyboards) as part of your pitch. You must include the below materials in your pitch submission to be considered for this project. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery.

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

• TREATMENT (REQUIRED):  A more detailed and specific description of how you propose to execute the content listed in the deliverables, both in terms of what we can expect to see, and how you’ll make it. Your treatment MUST include a story outline for the narrative based on the new Barnes & Noble LEGO® set you will be briefed on, as well as storyboards. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.

• STORYBOARDS (REQUIRED): To better illustrate your vision, include actual storyboards, additional concept art, shot lists, or anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template 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 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, animatics, etc. are welcome. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.

1. 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. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
   
   
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. 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.
   
   
5. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p and formatted for the aspect ratios listed in the Deliverables (e.g. 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.
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. You may not contact any employees or members of the Sponsor's organization, their affiliates, or any of their partners. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification of your entry in the project.
   
   
8. 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 creator.
   
   
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
   
   
10. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor, nor can Submissions contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
    
    
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.