If you grew up arguing with your three quadruplets, living a secret double life as a part-time crimefighting side-kick, or simply pretending to be a teenager when you’re secretly an android, then you’re a Nick kid. Maybe your love for Chicken Girls, the Thundermans, or Knight Squad has even put you on the path to being a writer – or at least contributed to your quirky sense of humor. Well, now’s your chance to bring that sense of humor to YouTube by writing a live-action, kid-centric scripted series for Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel!

We’re looking for Writer’s Pitches to create an original kid-centric scripted series. Yes, there are gigantic shoes to fill here (probably Jack Griffo’s), but Nick wouldn’t be where it is today without an everlasting faith in the power of new voices with new ideas. That’s where you come in. Nick wants the Tongal community to create and produce a breakthrough kid-centric scripted series that will help transform their YouTube channel into an original content destination for kids age 8–14. 

What You Need to Know

• The maximum budget for this series is $15,000 per episode. This should inform your writing to ensure your scripts are producible (so think about cast size, locations, etc). 
• Ultimately, you’ll write 5 videos, each 5-7 minutes in length. Your writer’s fee should not exceed $10,000 across all 5 videos.
• Your show must be a live-action comedic show aimed at kids age 8-14 and featuring kid actors with the appropriate comedic tone.
• The show’s sense of humor must reflect Nick’s optimistic sensibility and dedication to making content that truly speaks to kids. This will be defined in greater detail in the Objectives section but it’s key that this guiding principle inform your creative approach.
• The Sponsor will determine whether it will select a winning submission and may, in its sole discretion, elect to “buy out” your submission at any time.

The goal of this project is to identify Writer’s Pitches for a new kid-centric scripted series for Nick’s YouTube channel.  The series should be live-action only, and will consist of five 5-7 minute episodes.

One or more Writer’s Pitches may be greenlit to continue on in the development process.  The plan is to then to select a filmmaker through a subsequent project to produce the series.

Nickelodeon would like you to think about all of the things that kids find interesting -- subjects that actually MATTER.  What are they watching and engaged in right now?Consider topics like music, dance, romance, striking personalities, etc.  This series should feel like a show that translates Nickelodeon’s unique sensibility to the YouTube format.  We want kids to say, “This is my favorite YouTube show!”

**As you draft your Writer’s Pitch, make sure to keep in mind your character count, locations, etc. – be considerate of cost and remember that we’re making a video series for YouTube that has to be feasibly filmed and contained within a certain budget range.

You should already be familiar with Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel, but be sure to familiarize yourselves with the shows and talent there, and check out Nick.com, too, to get a sense of what is currently on TV.

What is Required to Submit your Writer’s Pitch:

• Synopsis: 500 characters or less introducing yourself and summarizing your approach to this series.
• Previous Work: With a strong emphasis on kid’s content.  You must submit a full writing sample that you individually wrote.
• Treatment: This PDF should contain three things:
  • A rough Pilot outline or beat sheet.
  • Paragraph summaries of what happens in each of the 5 episodes.
  • Character breakdowns.
• Writer’s fee for 5 eps: Please note that your writing budget needs to be no more than $10,000 for all 5 episodes.  You can come in under that, but may not exceed this number.  

--Tone:

Funny, smart, authentic, good-natured, diverse, surprising

--Target Audience:

Girls (and some boys) 8-14.  It would be awesome if there was something for both girls and boys, but definitely skews girls.  This audience is smart, funny, diverse, and spends most of their lives on their phones.They’re obsessed with YouTube stars and close to their parents, family, friends, & pets.  They are kids looking for content just for them.

--Exposure:

Nickelodeon YouTube Channel

--Deliverables:

Five 5-7-minute episode scripts 

This Project will consist of 7 Phases: a Writer's Pitch Phase, a Writing Phase, Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, a Revisions Phase and an Asset Delivery Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the Budget template here.  The overall budget for this project is $15,000 per episode.

The writer's fee for this project should not exceed $10,000 across all 5 episodes.

The Sponsor will determine whether it will select a winning submission. 

PHASE 1: WRITERS PITCH

Attention Writers: This project will include a Writers Pitch Phase which gives Writers the opportunity to submit the following: 

• Text: 500 characters or less introducing yourself and summarizing your approach to this series.
• Previous Work: With a strong emphasis on kid’s content.  You must submit a full writing sample that you individually wrote.
• Treatment: This PDF should contain three things:
  • A rough Pilot outline or beat sheet.
  • Paragraph summaries of what happens in each of the 5 episodes.
  • Character breakdowns.
• Writer’s fee for 5 eps: Please note that your writing budget needs to be no more than $10,000 for all 5 episodes.  You can come in under that, but may not exceed this number.  

The  most compelling Writers Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will  receive a portion of the budget to help create the Series Scripts. If your Writers Pitch is selected and you execute the Series Scripts effectively in the Writer Phase, then you will receive the remainder of your Budget. 

 

PHASE 2: WRITING PHASE 

The Writer will be responsible for writing a complete digital series which will consist of five 5-7 minute episodes.

PHASE 3: PITCH 

Submit your Pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?)  convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute a Series based on the winning scripts from the Writing 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.

• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a Treatment template, which you can find here.  This PDF should contain the following: 

  • Description of your series and show format
  • A rough Pilot outline or beat sheet
  • Paragraph summaries of what happens in each of the 5 episodes
  • Moodboard/sample imagery/links to content with similar look, tone, and/or style

• Budget (REQUIRED):

  • Feel free to download and use the Tongal budget template here.

  • Please remember to account for the full list of deliverables and ensure that you are able to meet all of the camera requirements and broadcast technical specifications presented in the details above when drafting your budget. 

  • Your budget must come in between $10,000–$13,000 per episode.

  • If any travel is required for your segment, you will be responsible for travel arrangements, and should include the costs of travel in your Budget.

• Storyboards (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.

• Headshots (Optional): Casting notes or voice samples for talent you plan to use in your Videos.

• 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, animatic, etc. are welcome.   

The most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive a portion of their budget to help create the Video.  Please note the payment of the Pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Additionally, 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 the remainder of their budget. 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 4: PRE-PRODUCTION

The Filmmaker selected in the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will need to receive the following Approvals from the brand: 

• HEADSHOTS – This project requires Headshot Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. If you are using talent in your videos, you must submit at least two actor options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.

No filmmakers may begin shooting their Videos until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase before you have received final approval, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense).

For your convenience we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a Treatment, Production Budget, Storyboards, Shot List, Call Sheet, and a Music Cue Sheet.  They can all be accessed here.

PHASE 5: VIDEO

Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner will create a suite of 6-8 videos, each up to :60 seconds, on important midterm election topics and candidates, based upon their winning 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 the final portion of their approved 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 6: REVISIONS

Once the Video Phase has closed, you will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, you will perform reasonable edits on your Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. 

PHASE 7: 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. In addition, to the project files you are also required to provide all raw footage on a hard drive.  You will be responsible for the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.

For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post production please click here.

1. The Videos MUST not exceed 7 minutes in length. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p, 16x9 aspect ratio (full frame). Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should you be selected as winner, 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 and a legal resident of the US and its territories.

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 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 award.

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.