REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION OR TONE: 

• Muppet News Flash
• Weekend Update
• Morning Glory
• Anchorman

WUF is an inspiring storytelling and experiential organization built around the idea that our dogs spark human transformation and connection, and to that end, they're creating all types of content for their YouTube Channel to represent the “With You Forever” friendship we have with our canine friends. Right now, WUF is in the process of developing an original, weekly short-form YouTube series that'll offer viewers a combination of real news and fictional entertainment... presented by a pair of canine puppets. 

The goal of this project is to identify writers to join the writing team for WUF World News as WWN contributors. As part of that team, writers will be asked to use their comedy chops to script out individual segments. Segment topics will cover everything from national headline news to nature, lifestyle, sports & entertainment, health tips, and the weather. Some segments will be assigned, but you'll be able to bring your ideas to the table as well. The actual episodes of WUF World News will ultimately run 7 to 9 minutes long, and individual segments may only run for a minute or less. Each writer should expect to contribute two :30 to :60 segment scripts per episode, with an average segment being about one to two paragraphs. 

These anthropomorphic canine anchor characters will have backstories and real lives, with all the opinions, favorite foods, and office feuds that you'd expect, and you'll help bring those out. Some information about them has already been established in a Pilot episode, which you'll be able to view if you're selected as one of the writers. Tonally, you'll want to think about how your writing can connect with younger children in the family, but still provide entertainment for Mom and Dad, knowing when to push the envelope when & where appropriate.  

Ideal candidates should be able to research current events, blend humor into informative news reports, and be quick with a dog or pet-centric pun. The content you'll be writing will be written as if from a dog's point of view with human intelligence, but, remember, they're still dogs, so if there's thunder in the weather report, the advice they might give is to hide, shelter in place, and go to the bathroom in the nearest corner. 

For your pitch, you should submit existing comedy writing samples that demonstrate your ability to write for a broad audience. Check out more info below about the process, some helpful references in the Background, and then for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

THE PROCESS

• Upon selection, 5 greenlit creators will be asked to sign an NDA to view the pilot.
• After viewing the pilot, the greenlit creators will be have 5 days to write a spec script for a WWN episode, writing a paragraph for up to 4 topics .
• Out of the 5 submitted scripts, the 3 creators that best capture the tone and humor of the pilot while expanding upon it and the characters voices, will be asked to join the WWN writing team.
• For the following 8 weeks, writers will work remotely with the showrunners, scripting either assigned or original segments, pendign the showrunners' approval. 
• Writers will be given weekly submission milestones, and be asked to attend weekly zoom meetings with the full creative team. 
• Writers will also have the freedom to collaborate with anyone within the writing team as you see fit.
• Each short segment script can be expected to have up to two rounds of revisions. 

 

DELIVERABLES: There are 10 total episode scripts to contribute to.

• Up to 20x segment scripts (.pdf) which typically run one to two paragraphs.

 

TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.

 

EXPOSURE:

• YouTube Series
• Promoted on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook

 

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• Kids (7-18)
• Parents

TONE: Educational, full of humor, light satire and a message of positivity. In terms of humor, think The Muppets, Parks and Rec, News Radio, and Community; well-meaning, a little zany, slightly referential. 

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 or fewer characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this project. 

• WRITING SAMPLE (REQUIRED): Submit writing samples as a single PDF that you think would be a good fit for WUF World News.

• LINKS (Optional): 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.
  
  
• NOTES (Optional): If you'd like to add further context to your writing samples or your previous work, you have the option to include a note about your submission in 1500 characters or less.
  
  
• 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. Preferred script format for upload to the Tongal website is .doc or .pdf.
   
   
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 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 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. 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.
   
   
6. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
7. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
8. 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.
    
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
10. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
     
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.
    
    
14. 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.
    
    
15. 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.
    
    
16. 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.