We’ve all got a favorite prank: Sal’s Haunted Corn Maze; Spoonie Places a Personal Ad; the birth of Unexpected John Cena ; or Line Cutting with Nathan for You.
Comedy Central is looking to take the prank format to Snapchat in a 2-4 minute pilot, and we’re turning to the Tongal community to weigh in. We know you’ve got more than just an airhorn up your sleeve and we want you to share your most outrageous, ambitiously high concept, and above all, hilarious prank ideas with us – but with a twist. Because we want you to share your prank ideas via video.
Before you jump in, here are some critical things to keep in mind:
Please note that you must be eighteen (18) years or older to be eligible for this project. Read on to the Objectives section for more about this fun project.
The goal of this project is to source five hilarious Concepts for a Snapchat prank show. You can submit both show format Concepts and prank Concepts for the pilot episode. All submissions must include a video of you explaining your format or prank to us.
What to lean in to:
Be insanely funny; if you love shows like Nathan for You, Impractical Jokers, Crank Yankers, and Jackass, movies like Neighbors, or stunts from Improv Everywhere, then you’re on the right track.
You already know that Comedy Central shows aren’t afraid to speak the funny truth about current events and pop culture; their audience is young and predominantly male, but they’re culturally aware, smart, welcoming, and straight-forward…and your concepts should be, too. Be direct, push boundaries, and be edgy and clear with your humor. Be hilarious enough to be shareable and don’t be afraid to be a little provocative if it’s hilarious.
There are a ton of directions you can take this, so think broadly and creatively. Is your prank a public stunt, or something personal? Does it require participation from one person, or a whole crowd?
Repeatable format: be consistent and give fans a format they can come to expect.
What to avoid:
Being mean or cruel, being overly goofy, or causing anyone harm.
Don’t be fake and don’t try to force a laugh. This audience knows better.
While we want you to lean in to pop culture, current events, and nostalgia, we are NOT looking for found footage videos. Leave that to the GIFs and create something wholly original.
Target audience:
64% male, 36% female, 100% judging you
Largest demo is the 18–24 range. These aren’t teenagers, they’re savvy college kids and millennials who lead stressful, busy lives and like to relax with social media and digital video/shows in their hard-won downtime. So treat them right.
Tone:
Not just funny, hilarious. Make the audience laugh so hard they can’t stop watching.
Honest. Edgy. Provocative. Different.
Relatable. Know your audience so well that they see themselves or their lives in your videos and share them with their friends.
Relevant. No fellow kids here.
Inspiration:
First, get familiar with popular pranks and prank formats out there, from Vine and YouTube to classic sketches, shows, and movies. Then binge watch some Crank Yankers.
Impractical Jokers: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=WQ70U0UJGVI (Emphasis on this show's friendship dynamic)
Crank Yankers: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=DCHFZUX7M14
Improv Everywhere: Fake Press Conference
Nathan for You: Line Cutting
This audience also loves Neighbors, Nathan for You, Workaholics, Jackass, Super Deluxe, Buzzfeed, Improv Everywhere, Adult Swim, and Netflix. We want to remind them that Comedy Central is the funniest, because they’re the biggest comedy fans.
Exposure: Snapchat
This Project will be worth a total of $2,500 and consists of a Concepts with Videos Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.
PHASE 1: CONCEPTS WITH VIDEOS – Show and tell us your Concept for Comedy Central’s Snapchat Prank Show in 250 characters or less and with a Concept Video. Remember, a Concept is not a detailed script; it is a spark of inspiration, or a distillation of what will happen in the Video. As always, Concepts should be clever and engaging. The winning Concept creators will receive $500 each.
1. 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.
2. BY SUBMITTING AN 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.
3. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
4. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
5. 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.
6. Limit 5 submissions per member.
7. You must be at least eighteen (18) years or older to be eligible.
8. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest at their discretion.
9. Winners must submit the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.
10. 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.