** Project Update: Please Pitch on Group 1 or Group 2 of Ideas below: **

Group 1

1. Erinn….Donuts – Erinn Graves
When I was in first grade, if I had been a good girl, on the way to work Dad would take me for a Dad/Daughter breakfast at a donut diner in Monterey Ca. He would wake me up by kneeling beside my bed and whispering: "Erinn...Donuts?" Then I would fly out of bed and be dressed in my school uniform in a flash. He would take me to get a huge cinnamon roll warmed with butter and then he would take me to school before going to work. He was in his military uniform and I in my parochial uniform. Just us-- (You have the option to swap this Idea out. Please read below for more information.)

 

2. Little Lego Maniac
My son is 5, is a rabid Lego builder, & loves doing sets following the instructions. He often asks for help "does this look right? Where does this piece go?" I assumed it was because he needed help, obvs. Apparently I was wrong, I came home from work one day & saw he'd built the biggest set we've got (Emmet's Construct-o-Mech) all by himself - & I realized it means when he's asking me for help, it's just because he's trying to include me in his play because he loves hanging & building with me.

 

3. Videogame Dad
My dad and I have always bonded over video games. From one of my earliest memories where he brought an Apple II home and taught me how to play a game on it. To going to the 7-11 and having to ask for a step stool so I could reach the controls to play the game. Even today, as I've moved out and my dad has retired, whenever I go home we sit down to play video games on HIS PS4. (You have the option to swap this Idea out. Please read below for more information.)

  

NOTE you may swap out Idea 1 AND/OR 3 of this Group with:

4. Long Distance LEGO for LEGO Buddy Time Video Project
Dad travels for work, finds stray LEGO piece in luggage, gets homesick, video chats with kids & they share progress on their LEGO building

 

5. Good job, dad. for LEGO Buddy Time Video Project
Mom's pov.Dad is relegated to organizer of bricks by color & number ex: 2x4,1x1, 3x3 like nurse in operating room. Kid tells dad: good job!

 

Group 2

1. The Art of Eating Sunflower Seeds
One memory that sticks out between my daughter and me was the time I taught her how to eat sunflower seeds. Typically a "boy" thing to do, I was eager to show my little girl how to do it at tee-ball practice, no less. Well, on her first try, she took about 50 seeds and tossed them in her cheek. In seconds, she was drooling, spitting them out and trying so hard to crack even one of them in her mouth. We were laughing, throwing the ball back and forth while this all happening. A true buddy moment. (You have the option to swap this Idea out. Please read below for more information.)

 

2. Hidden Joy
A boy hides a Lego Man in father's briefcase. Father plants it in son's lunch.This game goes on for years and becomes a symbol of affection.

 

3. A Students Inspiration to Pursue Her Dreams
Nodding off studying, a female STEM student knocks over a LEGO model on her desk, invoking memories of her first buddy and LEGO partner: Dad. Sponsor's Note: When Pitching - think about how you can link childhood flashback with Dad to building together with LEGO bricks.

 

NOTE you may swap out Idea 1 of this Group with: 

4. A Trial of Fun

Mom steps on a LEGO, discovering a trail of scattered bricks leading to a blanket fort where her two children are building with Dad. Sponsor's Note: Could be cool if you first see the dad and kids building the fort, since it reinforces building in a broader scale.

 

Background:

 

There’s a difference between “parent-mode” and “Dad-mode” and Dads love nothing more than to spend quality “Dad” time with their children, hanging out and having fun, together. We call this “Buddy Time.” These moments may appear to be all “fun and games” on the surface, but they are the building blocks of something truly deep and meaningful in the lives of kids.

 

While "Buddy Time" is a special time shared between Dads and their kids, the magic of “Buddy Time” and building spreads infectiously to everyone else around them. The magic of “Buddy Time” isn’t exclusive to just Dads but also Moms, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Kids through the vehicle of building with LEGO bricks. 

 

Whether it's a Grandpa reminiscing while watching his son and grandson build together, or Mom losing it because she just stepped on a brick her husband left on the stairs during "Buddy Time" with their daughter or two fathers sharing "Buddy Time" stories about building with their kids on a school night, we're looking to YOU to expand "Buddy Time" across families and generations, while focusing on Dad.

 

What You Need To Know:

• When submitting Ideas, think about submitting one perspective per Idea. For Example, Idea 1: Mom's POV on "Buddy Time", Idea 2: Grandpa's POV on "Buddy Time" etc.
• We are looking for TWO (2) filmmakers to each create a suite of THREE (3) Videos each featuring a different perspective on Buddy Time. 
• Check out this Video with co-play moments for inspiration: https://vimeo.com/101448065

 

 

The goal of this project is to create a suite of relatable and sharable Videos that will expand "Buddy Time" across families and generations. We want to see what “Buddy Time” means through the eyes of not just Dads but also Moms, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Kids.

 

We’re looking for Videos that resonate with Dad and Mom that ties “Buddy Time” and LEGO together. After viewing the Videos we want the takeaway to be emotional, for the viewer to feel something – whether it’s a Dad thinking about his kid or a college student thinking about his/her Dad, it should be able to speak to anybody’s universal Dad experience and inspire Dads to want to build with their kids.

 

NOTE: The Suite of THREE (3) Videos and THREE (3) 15 second cut-downs are all due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

 

--Key Marketing Messages:

• First Buddy
• Dads might not realize it, but they are their kid’s first friend. First joke-teller, fort-builder, bug-catcher, secret-keeper, LEGO-partner. First buddy. LEGO is more than a toy. It’s the building bricks of a lifelong friendship between Dads and kids. LEGO deepens the Buddy Bond.

 

--Target Audience:

• Dads with children ages 5-12 who have some level of potential to engage in LEGO play.
• Moms who wish for that “buddy time” relationship for her husband and kid.

 

--Executional Mandatories:

• Don’t show kids playing or building by him/herself.
• LEGO product must be incorporated in a way that centers around the “Buddy Time” bond between Dad and kid(s).
• Do not use the word “LEGO” as a noun. Please use the word ”LEGO” as an adjective. For example say LEGO bricks instead of “LEGOs.”
• Do not say LEGO blocks. Please say LEGO bricks instead.

 

--Tone: The tone should be authentic, natural, funny, and true.

 

--Exposure: LEGO Social Channels

 

 

This project will be worth a total of $75,000 and consists of THREE (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 Buddy Time Idea 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 TEN (10) winning Idea creators will receive $250 each.

 

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 two groups of 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.

• 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 TWO (2) most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive $16,250 to help create the Video. Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winner 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 $20,000. 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 TWO (2) winners from the Pitch Phase will each create a suite of THREE (3) Videos based upon their winning Pitch.

 

NOTE: The Suite of THREE (3) Videos and THREE (3) 15 second cut-down are all due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

 

--Video Phase Payout: Winners of the Video Phase will earn the following prizes: 1^st place $20,000, 2^nd place $20,000.

 

--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.

 

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. 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 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 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.