Disney. Holiday. Short. Film.

Yes, we’ll give you a moment...

But not a long one because this project moves FAST!!!

Disney is turning to the Tongal community to find a filmmaker up to the challenge of creating a Holiday short that will include some of the most loved worlds and characters of all time to capture the magic of giving the gift of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Princess and Pixar and showcasing the emotion of kids receiving gifts.

We’re looking for an inspired creative vision - a love letter to Disney and the Holidays.  A short that will capture the magic of the Holidays and touch Moms, Dads, Grandparents and Kids around the world and reconnect them with some of their most cherished memories and with the people they cherish most.

If you’ve marveled at Wes Anderson’s H&M Holiday film Come Together, or gotten choked up after seeing Apple’s iPhone Holiday Short, you know the type of culturally defining art we are going for - the of thing that will be decorating Facebook feeds around the world the second it’s released by Disney, and, then, every Christmas future…

Do you have the magic in you?

Details Below.  

RED ALERT:  PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE BRIEF TOP TO BOTTOM.  THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH THIS TYPE OF GREAT IP COMES WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS AN OPEN BID PROJECT.

 

• For Holiday 2017, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI) is looking to develop a piece of compelling, sharable content between 60 to 90-seconds in length (for digital) that features key holiday products inspired by Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Princess and Star Wars^TM stories and characters (product list). You will not need to show all of the products, just the key products (to be finalized by the sponsor).

• Your video needs to bring together these priority products in a seamless way to create buzz and needs to be shareable to drive media and guest engagement - think about incorporating animation AND live-action.

• This project involves a pre-pitch phase. While there will be just one pitch winner, we will be identifying three pre-pitch finalists (compensating each finalist $250) to further flesh out his/her pitch.

• If you are a pre-pitch finalist, you will be required to submit a revised treatment within 48 hours (see timeline below for more details).

What to Submit in Your Pre-Pitch:

• Video Concept: 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this video.

• Links to Previous Work

• Proposed Budget per Episode (*See Budget Template in the Assets Tab): Instead of us dictating your budgets, we’re looking for you to let us know the amount you need in order to execute your video. Please provide explicitly how much you need. Budgets should fall between $25,000 and $45,000. Your budget proposal is subject to approval if your pitch is selected. Please consider the most economical way to produce your video.

Timing:

• The three pre-pitch finalists will be notified and given notes on 10/16. Once notes are delivered, you will need to deliver your revised pitch by 10/18 (treatment required).
• The pitch winner will be notified on 10/19. At that time, you will have until 10/24 to finalize your pre-production elements: treatment, script, storyboards, headshots, location, wardrobe.
• Once your pre-production elements are approved (10/27), you will have until 11/10 to produce your video.
• Rough cuts are due 11/10.
• You will receive notes on 11/20 and will have between 11/20 – 11/28 to finalize your video (this falls over Thanksgiving).

 

Imperatives:

The winning filmmaker must:

• Develop content that gets people excited and engaged about the products
  • The content should be viral in nature; needs to feel organic, heartfelt and not commercial
• Have strong creative ideation and concept execution for consumer facing social media campaigns

Considerations:

• WORLDS (ie, MARVEL and STAR WARS) cannot appear on screen at the same time
• Content should feature diversity across gender, race, etc.
• Avoid adult themes, language and any reference to drugs or alcohol
• Product integration should be subtle, not overly commercial
• Content should highlight the magic of Disney and family

Thought Starters: 

• Camera to capture the Skyrocket Spider-Man Drone (possibly NYC or a highway leading into a suburban area) as it follows Mickey’s adventure behind a delivery truck on Christmas Eve. The idea is to have Mickey fall off the truck and follow him from home to home seeing additional characters and priority products come to life under different family Christmas trees. This content should resemble the scene in Toy Story where Woody is thrown off the moving van and set on an adventure to save Buzz.
• Camera cuts from house to house as families are surrounded by opened presents and wrapping paper and ribbons. Families thanking each other and sharing the joy and magic of the season. Children one by one start running out of house and congregate in cul-de-sac to showoff/play with their new toys.

 

Inspiration: 

• Marks and Spencer ad: Christmas with love from Mrs. Claus
• Star Wars I am Your Father’s Day
• John Lewis Christmas ad: Monty the Penguin
• H&M – Come Together
• iPhone Holiday Commercial
• Mattel Matchbox 60th Anniversary

The goal of this project is to develop a piece of compelling, sharable content (up to 90-seconds long) that features key holiday products inspired by Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars^TM stories and characters (insert link to products).

PRE-PRODUCTION NOTE: This project includes a Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). This means you will be required to submit certain items for approval before moving onto the Video Phase. The approval items for this project are:

SCRIPT  – This project requires script approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The sponsor may provide feedback on your script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until the sponsor approves a script.

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 sponsor does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.

STORYBOARD - This project requires storyboard approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The sponsor may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version of the storyboard.

LOCATION - This project requires location approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. This means you will need to submit multiple images of your primary filming. The sponsor may provide feedback on your location and ask you to submit additional photos or to find a new location and submit images for that.

WARDROBE - This project requires wardrobe approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You will need to submit descriptions and/or pictures of your cast’s wardrobe. You must submit at least two wardrobe options per role. If the sponsor does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new wardrobe options.

IMPORTANT: 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, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.  

NOTE: The 60 to 90-second video and 15-second cut-down are both due at the close of the video phase. Please upload them as separate submissions when submitting your videos.

This project is an open bid project and consist of FOUR (4) Phases: a Pre-Pitch Phase, a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase and a Video Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

Attention Filmmakers: This project will include a Pre-Pitch Phase, which gives filmmakers the opportunity to confirm their availability for production and provide samples of previous work. THREE (3) Filmmakers will be awarded $250 each to move forward into the Pitch Phase.

 

PHASE 1: PRE-PITCH – Please note, this project has a very tight timeline! Please only apply if you are available during the remainder of October and November. If you are available, please submit:

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

• Proposed Budget per Episode (REQUIRED): Instead of us dictating your budgets, we’re looking for you to let us know the amount you need in order to execute your video. Please provide explicitly how much you need. Budgets should fall between $25,000 and $45,000.

• 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.

 

Three winning Pitch-Qualifiers will be greenlit to create a Pitch and will receive $250 each. See Pitch Phase for more information.

 

PHASE 2: PITCH - Submit your pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the sponsor why you should be selected to execute a using:

• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what’s going to happen in the video.

• 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.

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

• Pitch Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to show us 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.

 

The most compelling pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive half of the proposed budget to help create the video. Additionally, upon submitting a video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning pitch, the pitch winner will be GUARANTEED the rest of the budget in the subsequent Video Phase. For an example of an effective pitch, check out The Indie Machines winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGOs” pitch video.

 

PHASE 3: PRE-PRODUCTION – The winner from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, the winning filmmaker will need to receive the following approvals from the sponsor:

SCRIPT  – This project requires script approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The sponsor may provide feedback on your script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until the sponsor approves a script.

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 sponsor does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.

STORYBOARD - This project requires storyboard approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The sponsor may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version of the storyboard.

LOCATION - This project requires location approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. This means you will need to submit multiple images of your primary filming. The sponsor may provide feedback on your location and ask you to submit additional photos or to find a new location and submit images for that.

WARDROBE - This project requires wardrobe approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You will need to submit descriptions and/or pictures of your cast’s wardrobe. You must submit at least two wardrobe options per role. If the sponsor does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new wardrobe options.

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, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.

 

PHASE 4: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the pitch winner will create a 60-90-second video based upon his/her winning pitch.

NOTE: The 60 to 90-second video and 15-second cut-down are both due at the close of the video phase. Please upload them as separate submissions when submitting your videos.

 

--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 custom music solution for your project are invited to connect with SCORE A SCORE. They specialize in the creation of custom music, on-demand.

Their business model is based on a "name your price" system, so you can tell them what your budget is, and they will work with you to create a deal configuration that will work within the discussed parameters. Check out the FAQ for more information and how to contact 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 other catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with our Music Release Form when you turn in your video paperwork.

--Referral: Any Tongal member who refers one of the winning video creators in this project using the Tongal “Invite Friends” functionality will receive a referral fee equal to 5% of the amount won up to $500 per place. Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.

1. The video MUST not exceed 90-seconds 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 win, 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 the sponsor.

6. Submissions must not portray the sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with the 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 to enter.

11. In the event that fewer than 50 pitches are received, the sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

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 prize.

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.