You’ve felt it before – that exhilaration, that confidence, that burst of energy when everything around you just clicks into place. You feel like you’ve got everything you need right there at your fingertips and life just effortlessly shifts into a higher gear. You’re in sync, ready to take on anything. It really is an incredible rush… and sometimes, that feeling is there By Design.

 

Ford is a company that’s dedicated to inspiring this feeling, and Ford’s drivers embrace it daily, whether they’re sitting behind the wheel of a Focus or a C-MAX. It’s there because every single thing a driver experiences in and around their car is carefully considered and carefully crafted to connect them to their car and inspire that emotion. Every latch, every mirror, every light, all the engineering and the technology, from horsepower and handling to the placement of the hands-free call button, is a purposeful decision. When your car is an extension of your personality and your lifestyle, all of these things really matter. So when you set out, and everything clicks into place, when your car empowers you and invigorates you, that’s By Design.

 

This is an expression of passion for Ford, and they get as much a thrill as drivers do when they glide ‘round the corner in a shiny new Fusion Titanium and catch the neighbor checking ‘em out. After all, that experience is what they intended. So now, Ford is turning to Tongal to help capture it. They want Videos that go beyond the laundry list of technical specs and features, and instead focus on how and why our cars spark those feelings of confidence and exhilaration when we’re behind the wheel of a Ford – feeling our best, performing our best. 

 

The goal of this project is to create a 6 to 30-second Video that captures those positive and exhilarating emotions that Drivers feel when their lives and lifestyles are perfectly in sync with their Ford. They don’t want traditional spots that call out and explain specific features – they want something that feels more spontaneous, authentic, and stirring. Maybe some aspect of the car makes a difference in someone’s life, or some great adventure is made possible, or there’s just a unique moment that the owner has with their car – be creative, and focus on the emotional response that drivers have.

 

Note: The length and format is flexible, but if you shoot a longer Video, you may also have to provide a 6 or 15-second cut-down.

 

--The Cars: Videos must feature Ford vehicles from the 2015 and 2016 model years, including all available models of the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, and C-MAX. Videos should NOT include the Mustang, Taurus, or Ford SUVs and Trucks, which is not the focus of these Videos.

 

--Key Marketing Messages:

 

A few guiding categories to get things started:

• Think Powerful; impressive, confident, intense
• Think Stand Out; striking, eye-catching, stylish
• Think Charged-Up; energized, invigorated, empowered
• Think Heart-Pounding; exciting, thrilling, spine-tingling

 

--Target Audience: Men & Women, 18-34, but highly diverse and inclusive

 

--Executional Mandatories: 

 

• Be inclusive of all ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, and relationships, as Ford’s audience is highly diverse and this should reflect that.
• If setting is visible, lean towards urban, exurban, and coastal settings, NOT rural settings.
• With regards to the Ideas, a few standards and guidelines to adhere to:
  • Competing automotive brands may not be present or visible in any content.
  • Depictions of accidents involving Ford vehicles are prohibited.
  • No damage to vehicles is permitted.
  • Drivers and passengers must be upright with their feet on the floor.
  • Drivers must have their eyes on the road or checking mirrors.
  • No individual should ever be placed in the trunk of a vehicle.
  • Content must not contain alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, or firearms/weapons, or in any way promote unsafe or illegal activities that could lead to an unsafe situation involving Ford and/or its customers.
  • Do not include any look-alikes of celebrities or other public or private figures, living or dead.
  • No political or religious references.

 

--Tone: Vibrant, stirring, optimistic, authentic, spontaneous, and empowering; witty, perhaps, but not snarky. It should carry a confidence that’s not projected, but earned.

 

--Exposure: The Videos are intended for use on social platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instragram and Vine.

This Project will be worth a total of $95,000 and consists of 3 Phases: an Idea Phase, a Pitch Phase and a Video Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

 

PHASE 1: IDEA  – Tell us your Idea for a Ford By Design Video in 140 characters or less. Remember, an Idea (What is an Idea Phase?) is not a detailed script; it is a spark of inspiration, or a distillation of what will happen in the Video.  As always, Ideas should be clever and engaging. The winning Idea creators will receive $250 each, and a 5% one-time residual payment for any Video based on their Idea. (That means if your winning Story is the basis for the 1^st place Video, you will receive $1450 total; for the 2^nd place Video, $1200 total; for the 3^rd place Video, $1100 total; for the 4^th place Video, $1000 total; for the 5^th place Video, $900 total) – see Video Phase Payout details 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 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.

 

• Script (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create. 

 

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

 

• 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 five (5) most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive $6,000 to help create a Video. Additionally, upon submitting Videos that satisfy the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winners will also be GUARANTEED a winning place in the subsequent Video Phase. So, if your Pitch is selected and you execute your Pitch effectively in your Video submission, you will win an additional $8,000, at a minimum, and have a chance to compete for the $19,000 First Place video prize (subject to deduction for one-time 5% residual payment to eligible Idea winners). 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 3: VIDEO – The five (5) Winners from the Pitch Phase will each create a 6 to 30-second Video based upon their winning Pitch. If the original Video is longer, Winners may also have to provide a 6 and 15-second cut-down.

 

The Judges will score the five (5) winning Videos submitted by Pitch winners to determine the standings for the Video Phase.  Remember, all 5 Pitch winners will receive prizes.

 

--Video Phase Payout: Winners of the Video Phase will earn the following prizes: 1st place $19,000; 2^nd place $14,000; 3^rd place $12,000; 4^th place $10,000; and 5^th place $8,000 ((subject to deduction for one-time 5% residual payment to eligible Idea winners).

 

--Music:  Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Audioblocks, 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.

 

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. That’s a potential $1,000 in bonus cash just for telling all of your talented friends about this Project! Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.    

1. The Video MUST not exceed 30-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 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 to enter.

11. In the event that fewer than 25 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 Videos 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.