***New Product Additions Have Been Denoted *NEW.***

FRANCHISE-SPECIFIC CREATIVE GUIDANCE AND CONSIDERATIONS:

UNIVERSAL MONSTERS (i.e. Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and Creature from the Black Lagoon):

• During the golden age of Hollywood, Universal Pictures brought legends of the horror genre to life in its classic monster films. The legacies of Frankenstein’s Monster, The Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Wolf Man, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, and more endure to this day as the original icons whose stories symbolize the misunderstood, the outsider, and the misfit.
• You can either feature the Universal Monsters as a collective, showcasing multiple monsters at once, or individually.
• You CANNOT mix "generic monsters" with the Universal Monsters characters and styles.
• You should AVOID including gratuitous blood and gore unless it's a traditional component of the film.
• You should NOT position the Universal Monsters as old and dusty. 

CHUCKY:

• Creatively, you should lean into the Child’s Play 2 version of Chucky. Do not lean into the legacy look of Chucky with the scar and receding hairline nor the current version from the Chucky TV series.
• Universal does NOT the rights to the 1988 Child’s Play film. Do not lean into any creative direction from that film.
• Chucky is only 30” tall. Please be mindful of height, especially in relation to placement in environments.
• Do not show Chucky holding or using a voodoo knife.
• Do not show Chucky giving the middle finger.
• It's okay to feature Tiffany from Bride of Chucky.

M3GAN:

• Do not lean into any other characters or entities from the film (i.e., Funki, Purrpetual Pets, etc.).
• Consider leaning into M3GAN’s viral dance.

FRANCHISE-SPECIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS:

*More products may be made available to greenlit filmmakers.

 

UNIVERSAL MONSTERS (i.e. Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and Creature from the Black Lagoon):

• 19 Crimes Wine (both Dracula and Frankenstein)
• Skybound / Dracula Comic Book 
• Creature from the Black Lagoon / Noble Collectible Plush
• Dracula Ring
• Frankenstein BendyFig
• Bride of Frankenstein Costume from Spirit
• Frankenstein Mask
• Universal Monsters Tarot Card Deck
• Universal Monsters Horrified Board Game
• NECA Dracula Action Figure
• NECA Frankenstein Action Figure
• Funkoverse Universal Monsters
• Creature from the Black Lagoon Portrait T-Shirt
• NECA Universal Monsters x TMNT Figure
  
  

CHUCKY

• Chucky x Glamlite Collection (UP&E would need this item back in its original condition)
• Chucky G Fuel
• Boston America Collectible Tin
• Chucky Inflatable
• Chucky x Handmade by Robots
• Mezco Talking Menacing Chucky
• Mezco Talking Tiffany
• Chucky Costume from Spirit
• Chucky 1:1 Replica by NECA - *NEW

 

M3GAN

• Rubies Costume/Masks/Wigs
• Spirit Costume
• M3GAN Phunny Plush by Kidrobot - *NEW
• Toony Figure - *NEW

***Please See Important Updates to this Brief in RED.***

In the realm of horror cinema, the simple act of opening a box can become one of the most terrifying acts. The box is a powerful, palpable symbol of how little there is that stands between us and the terror of the unknown. On the flip side, in the realm of consumer products, "unboxing" videos are a fun and popular format, revealing new product offerings in a way that taps into a childlike element of surprise. In both, it's that tantalizing mix of anticipation, tension, and curiosity that builds to the ultimate reveal of whatever lies between the box and the opener - whether it be terrifying, satisfying, shocking, delightful... or something else entirely. 

For this project, we're going to bring the best of both realms together. Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) are looking to further establish and elevate its iconic horror portfolio by creating social content that revolves around the theme "horror unboxed." Using six UP&E horror franchises as inspiration - the Universal Monsters films Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon, as well as M3GAN and Chucky (the broader Chucky film franchise only, which excludes Child's Play (1988) and the current TV series on USA & SYFY) - UP&E wants you to use the device of a "box" to not only scare the viewer, but also reveal consumer products that tap into the fandom surrounding each franchise. The ultimate goal here is to encourage viewers to both rewatch the films and enhance their fandom by buying the related consumer products.

UP&E is looking for SIX different creators to each produce one up-to-:30 jump-scare video related to the franchises listed above, along with two corresponding still images of the "box" that is featured in the video (these stills can be pulled directly from the video). The four classic Universal Monsters films can be collectively showcased in a single video (i.e. Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and Creature from the Black Lagoon) as well as individually as standalone videos, but M3GAN and Chucky cannot be "mashed up" with any other franchises. UP&E is hoping to have at least one video per franchise, so we encourage you to submit multiple pitches if there are several franchises you're excited about. 

The jump-scare video itself should be short, sudden, and truly frightening while feeling native to the TikTok and Instagram Reels platforms. Importantly, the video should NOT look like an ad. We're looking for cinematic and elevated storylines that feature the consumer products in an organic way. Who you scare, how you scare them, and whether or not you show the set-up behind it (or the aftermath) is entirely up to you, though fully scripted narratives are probably hard to pull off. Either way, you'll need to abide by all regular Tongal rules and guidelines (e.g. use proper location and talent releases, don't put anyone in danger, and don't use third-party IP – see the Executional Mandatories section below and Official Rules for more).

When it comes to execution, UP&E is primarily looking for live-action videos, although stop-motion animation could also work depending on the creative concept. If you have a different idea that doesn't fall into these categories, UP&E still wants to hear about it! Whatever execution you choose, the consumer products need to be featured organically throughout your video. 

The box itself should be featured in a closeup shot during the first three seconds of the video, but how and where it's shown is up to you. Featuring the consumer products should be a key component of the video; that said, the products themselves don't need to be confined entirely in the "box" for the reveal at the end - products can also be sprinkled around the set as "Easter eggs" in the environment, so long as they are clearly seen and featured. Make sure to check out the Background for more information about each franchise as well as a list of associated consumer products. You do NOT need to feature every product listed, but you should plan on featuring at least 2-3 from the varying product categories (e.g. beauty, consumables, collectibles and figures, costumes/masks), with 1 "hero" product that is prominently featured and additional products as "Easter eggs" within the set.

In your pitch treatment, make sure to note which consumer products you're planning to feature. Also, while you can certainly use the franchises for inspiration, it's important to note you CANNOT expand, alter, or change established franchise canon or feature the likeness of any actors from the films. You CANNOT recreate the Chucky and M3GAN dolls, but you can do stylized recreations in different mediums (e.g. claymation, papercraft, etc.). Any designs will need to be approved by UP&E during the pre-production phase.

Check out more information in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are 6 total assets, per creator:

• One up-to-:30 "horror unboxed" social video (9x16, 4x5)
• Two still images of the "box" as featured in the social video (9x16, 4x5)
• One physical version of the "box" shipped to UP&E

EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE

EXPOSURE: We expect content will be used on the platforms below, but if casting talent, be sure they review our required Talent Release before they're cast, as it is NOT limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.

• Universal Monsters Instagram 
• Franchise-specific owned social channels
• Instagram
• TikTok

TARGET AUDIENCE: Horror and pop-culture fans

TONE/FEEL: Hair-raising, thumb-stopping, legitimately scary/surprising. It's OK if viewers laugh, but primarily they should experience a fright!

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• You CANNOT feature the likenesses of any actors from the franchises.
• You CANNOT propose new characters, create new creatures, or introduce new storylines; although this is unlikely within your short time frame, you should be careful to avoid anything that could impact canon.
• You CANNOT physically change or alter the appearance of the consumer products featured in your video. 
• Your video may NOT include third party materials (e.g., artwork, logos, photographs, etc.).
• Your video should NOT be aimed at kids and MUST be geared towards an older audience (18+). 
• Your video should ALWAYS have sound – TikTok is a sound-on platform.
• All graphics and the most important visual content should stay within TikTok's safe zones.
• Text can be incorporated but is not required.
• AVOID graphically violent or sexual images, or overtly political subject matter.
  
  

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects do move forward, we'll notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the Project Forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and project team.

In order to be considered, include the below materials in your submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery. All Pitches remain private, even after a Pitch is selected, and Tongal strives to have Pitch selections made by the end of the Evaluation period, but additional time may be required by the Sponsor, depending on any number of factors.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed in the Deliverables.

• DROPDOWN (REQUIRED): Using the dropdown on the Submission form, let us know which franchise you're pitching against: Universal Monsters (collectively), Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon, M3GAN, or Chucky.

• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A more detailed and specific description of how you propose to execute all of the content listed out in the Deliverables. Explain what we can expect to see, and how you'll make it. If it's helpful, we've provided a treatment template HERE.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, editor, artist, etc.) but do not include links to your showreel. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show what you're capable of. Consider a video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect, or consider test videos, proof-of-concept edits, animatics, etc. For examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery.

1. 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. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
   
   
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. 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.
   
   
5. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p and formatted for the aspect ratios listed in the Deliverables (e.g. 16x9). Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should your submission be greenlit, you will also be required to provide a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec.
   
   
6. 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 FROM THE PROJECT.
   
   
7. 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 from the project.
   
   
8. 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 creator.
   
   
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
   
   
10. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor, nor can Submissions contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
    
    
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.