Heroes walk among us every day. It could be the crossing guard who stopped a car from turning into a cross walk where kids are walking. It could be the girls soccer team fundraising for the local homeless shelter after a game. It could be the German Shepard at the police station, helping his human friends fight danger. In fact, anyone could be a hero to someone.

Working with Mattel, we’re looking for filmmakers to create pilots up to two minutes in length (that could eventually be turned into various series) about heroes - from around the world - based on the following themes:

• Teachers as heroes 
• Animals as heroes
• People who take care of the planet as heroes 
• Kids doing what’s right as heroes 
• Teams as heroes
• Unexpected heroes

While your pilots should be based on real stories, we’re looking for your creative interpretations of them (i.e. telling the stories in 2D/3D animation, stop-motion, Claymation, reenactments, montage, creative editing, etc.). If you’re interested, please read the below carefully.

This project will be split into 5 phases: Pitch Qualification, Pitch, Pilot, Revisions, & Delivery.

The Pitch Qualification Phase is a helpful first step that essentially allows filmmakers to raise their hands and let us know if they’re available and have the desire and ability to take on this project. The sponsor will be selecting at least 2 filmmakers to move forward into the Pitch Phase, and at that point they will execute a Non-Disclosure agreement, and then gain access to the brand bible and additional information about the project to help them flesh out their pitches further.

Directly below is a summary of requirements to submit a pitch qualification and a pitch (and there’s a more comprehensive explanation in the details section).

What is Required to Submit for your Pitch Qualification:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less telling us why you’re right for this opportunity.
• Links (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, animator, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.
• Confirm Availability (REQUIRED): Please check the timeline provided, and confirm you’re available.
• Theme (REQUIRED): Choose a theme for your video from the drop-down menu.

Pitch qualification winners will each receive $500 to move onto the Pitch Phase, gain access to the brand bible under NDA, and develop their pitches further. Only pitch qualification winners will be eligible to submit pitches during the Pitch phase.

What is Required to Submit for your Pitch:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsis of your approach to this pilot.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): This PDF should contain a detailed description of your creative approach to the video / the format you’re using.  If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
• Bid (REQUIRED): For your pilot up to 2 minutes in length, you should target a total cost range of $5,000 to $10,000.  You can download the budget template here.  We’re also asking for your per episode budget, if you get greenlit for more episodes. Please take into account any cost savings you can achieve.
• Pitch Video (REQUIRED): A 1 to 3-minute pitch video introducing yourself, telling us why you’re right for this project, and summarizing your qualifications. Feel free to include examples of your previous work or quick visual references here.

Timeline:

Pitch Qual Phase: 9/24-10/1

Pitch Phase: 10/1-10/8

Pitches delivered to Mattel: 10/8

Winning Pitches selected by Mattel: 10/15

Production: TBD based on selected pitches

The primary goal is to create a pilot video, up to two minutes in length, with the option of additional episodes if the sponsor greenlights more.

--Target Audience: The target audience is kids 3-7 (though the sweet spot is 5-7).

--Tone: Heroic, adventurous, energetic, global, motivational, dramatic but not scary.

--Executional Mandatories:

• All content must be kid friendly.
• Do not feature any violence.
• Any conflict must be presented in a kid friendly way and should not be scary.

This project consists of 5 phases: Pitch Qualification Phase, Pitch Phase, Pilot Phase, Revisions Phase, and Delivery.

This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal for the pilot. You can download the budget template here. The sponsor would like each producer to create a video with a cost range of $5,000-$10,000. (If greenlit for more episodes, we’d also like to know your per episode budget.)

Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: PITCH QUALIFICATION - This project will include a Pitch Qualification Phase which

gives filmmakers the opportunity to submit a synopsis, confirm their availability for production, select a format, and provide samples of previous work.

At least 2 pitch qualification winners will move forward into the Pitch Phase and will be awarded $500 each to further develop their pitches (after completing NDAs).

Please note that pitch qualification winners are not guaranteed to be greenlit into production. If you have any questions about the Pitch Qualification Phase, please post to our forum or reach out to us at info@tongal.com.

Required for your pitch qualification submission:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less telling us why you’re right for this opportunity.
• Links (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, animator, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.
• Confirm Availability (REQUIRED):  Please check the timeline provided, and confirm you’re available.
• Theme (REQUIRED): Choose a theme for your video from the drop-down menu.

PHASE 2: PITCH - Submit your pitch convincing the sponsor why you should be selected.

NOTE: ONLY PITCH QUALIFICATION WINNERS WILL MOVE ONTO THIS PHASE.

Required for your pitch submission:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsis of your approach to this pilot.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): This PDF should contain a detailed description of your creative approach to the video / the format you’re using.  If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
• Bid (REQUIRED): For your pilot, you should target a total cost range of $5,000 to $10,000.  You can download the budget template here.  We’re also asking for your per episode budget, if you get greenlit for more episodes. Please take into account any cost savings you can achieve.
• Pitch Video (REQUIRED): A 1 to 3-minute pitch video introducing yourself, telling us why you’re right for this project, and summarizing your qualifications. Feel free to include examples of your previous work or quick visual references here.

The sponsor will choose how many winning pitches they would like to greenlight into the next Pilot Phase.

PHASE 3: PILOT - Once the Pitch Phase has closed, the filmmakers with winning pitches that have been greenlit by the sponsor will enter the pilot phase. During this phase, the filmmaker will create video up to 2 minutes in length, based on his/her pitch.

--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 their final payment, dependent on the agreed upon 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 - What is a Revisions Phase? During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their 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. You will be responsible for the costs associated the hard drive (if necessary) and shipping.

1. The video MUST not exceed 2 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 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. 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 and 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.

16. Submissions from Germany and France are ineligible and will be immediately disqualified.