When is a yellow punchbuggy more than meets the eye? When it’s a Transformer, of course. 

The year is 1987, and beat-up Autobot Bumblebee is hiding out in a beachside junkyard in northern California when he’s discovered by Charlie, a teenager on the brink of adulthood. Charlie’s surprised to find that Bumblebee is no ordinary Volkswagen, and what follows is a beautiful friendship tinged with sci-fi, action, and John Cena’s chiseled jawline. Oh, yeah – and a fight to save planet Earth. No big deal. 

In other words, there’s a lot in Bumblebee: The Movie to get excited about, and we’ve got an opportunity for one lucky Tongal filmmaker to help spread the excitement and drive audiences to theaters this Christmas to check out this heart-warming and action-packed origin story first gear. That is, first-hand.

We’re looking for Pitches across all kinds of creative approaches: swedes of the trailer, animations, or live-action executions for a 1-2 minute Video are all welcome. Don’t shy away from being creative in how you encourage people to take their friends and family to go see Bumblebee: The Movie in theaters this Christmas. 

Before you jump in, here’s what you need to know: 

• This is an open bid project with a budget up to $5,000, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the Budget template here. The Sponsor will determine whether it will select a winning submission. The Sponsor would like the Pitch winner to create one 1-2 minute Video that introduces audiences to Bumblebee’s origin story and encourages them to bring their friends and family to the theater this Christmas. Refer to the Details section for more information.
• Along with your 1-2 minute Video, you’ll need to include a :15 cutdown in 9x16 (vertical) format for Instagram Stories or formatted square for an Instagram native post. 
• We’re looking for creative approaches across trailer swedes, animation, and live-action that are family friendly. 
• Your Pitch should make it clear that this is an origin story with an all-new cast and a new director, but with that same Transformers sense of sci-fi fun.
• Lean into yellow (Bumblebee’s color) and blue (he has bright blue eyes) and think of how you can tie those into themes of friendship, exploration, sci-fi, and the holidays. 

The goal of this project is to create a 1-2 minute Video (with a :15-second cut-down) for social that encourages audiences to see Bumblebee: The Movie in theaters this Christmas. This is an open bid project with a budget up to $5,000.

What to lean into:
Your Video should be fun, playful, and social forward and should capture the sense of excitement, wonder, and friendship that Bumblebee revolves around. 

Lean into yellow (Bumblebee’s color) and blue (he has bright blue eyes) and think of how you can tie those into themes of friendship, exploration, sci-fi, and the holidays. 

What to avoid:

Big explosions, lens flares, etc. Anything that might alienate younger audiences. Nostalgia concepts – movie is set in the 80s but is not being marketed as an 80s film.

--Key Marketing Messages:

Highlighting that Bumblebee is an origin story and different from any Transformers film we’ve seen before. Can also lean into the holiday season.

--Target Audience:

Millennials, Families, fans of Transformers, movie goers of all ages.

--Executional Mandatories: 

Your Pitches should be tailored to suit specific social platforms/networks (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter) for Viacom fans; don’t be shy about leaning into what works for one specific platform. 

Be sure to read up on platform best practices so you know what works on each channel: 

https://tongal.com/blog/articles/creative-best-practices-for-facebook-instagram-and-youtube-video

--Tone:

• Family-friendly (not young, per se, but not crass or violent)
• Playful
• Yellow & blue
• Holiday themes

--Exposure:

Bumblebee: The Movie social channels

--End Card: 

Viacom to provide

This Project will consist of 5 Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, a Revisions Phase and an Asset Delivery Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the Budget template here.  The Sponsor would like the Pitch winner to create one 1-2 minute video with a :15-second cut-down and 5 stills  within a budget of up to $5,000. 

The Sponsor will determine whether it will select a winning submission. 

PHASE 1: PITCH - This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the Budget template here. The Sponsor would like the winning filmmaker to deliver their Video and all associated assets within a budget of up to $5,000.

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 a portion of their budget to help create the Video.  Please note the payment of the Pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor the Pitch winner will receive the remainder of their budget. 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. 

PHASE 2: PRE-PRODUCTION – The Filmmaker selected in the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will need to receive the following Approvals from the brand: 

• HEADSHOT – This project requires Headshot Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.
  
  
• SCRIPT – This project requires Script Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand may provide feedback on your Script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a Script is approved by the brand.

No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase before you have received final approval, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense).

For your convenience we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a Treatment, Production Budget, Storyboards, Shot List, Call Sheet, and a Music Cue Sheet.  They can all be accessed here.

PHASE 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner will create  a 1-2 minute Video with a :15-second cut-down.

--Video Phase Payout:  Upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor the Pitch winner will receive the final portion of their approved budget.

--Music:   Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Killer Tracks and Epidemic Sound, any of which can be used to source music for your Video submission to this Project. Music from these providers is available to registered Tongal members at no charge solely for their incorporation into Submissions to this Project and will not require a separate Music Release Form. To learn more about using each of these music providers, click on any of the provider’s names above. 

Tongal members interested in a more customized music solution for your project are invited to connect with our partner Score A Score. Email a brief description of your project (timing, creative, budget, etc.), along with any specific music direction and/or references to their creative team at music@scoreascore.com and include “Tongal Project - Your Name” in the subject line.  Their creative team will be in touch within a few minutes to discuss the simple process and options with you. Please note that you will be responsible for the fees associated with using Score A Score. 

If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. If you obtain music from third-party catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with your license purchase receipt when you turn in your Video paperwork.

PHASE 4: REVISIONS – Once the Video Phase has closed, you will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, you will perform reasonable edits on your Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. 

PHASE 5: ASSETS DELIVERY -  You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec in order to submit final payment. In addition, to the project files you are also required to provide all raw footage on a hard drive.  You will be responsible for the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.

For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post production please click here.

1. The Videos MUST not exceed 4 minutes 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 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 and a resident of the U.S. or U.S. territory 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. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, winning Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their winning 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 award.

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.