HELPFUL REFERENCE IMAGES:

• Claw machine concept 
• Lowe's Bucket

*Owing to product availability considerations, you must be able to receive product at an address in the U.S. or Canada.*

When it comes to home improvement branding, nothing is more iconic than the Lowe's bucket. These days, DIY enthusiasts can buy an adorable, miniature version of the blue bucket to add some decorative flair to their workbench. Now, Lowe's wants to create hype for the little buckets by having a filmmaker put hundreds of mini buckets in a functional claw machine, and pull a winner to the top!

The goal of this project is to create a live-action social video that shows a mini Lowe's bucket (which is the size of a cup) being pulled up by the claw of a claw machine. Lowe's envisions fun, suspenseful music playing as the camera pushes in from a wide shot of the claw machine to a close-up of the bucket being pulled up by its handle, with an ending call-to-action along the lines of: "Mini Lowe's Buckets available NOW in stores." Lowe's will provide the chosen creator with all of the buckets needed for the claw machine, but it will be up to the creator to either create or acquire access to a machine itself. 

Because Lowe's has such a clear vision for the video, your pitch should focus on how you plan to bring this concept to life, specifically: how will you build or gain access to a functioning claw machine, and what creative filmmaking techniques will you incorporate to make the video exciting. Creative flourishes are welcome to embellish the core claw-machine concept, but it's important to note that Lowe's does not required the claw machine itself to be Lowe's-branded; it's okay if it's a regular, nondescript machine too. But you must avoid the color orange on the claw machine and in the creative in general. On-screen talent can be incorporated if you feel it supports your creative concept, but it is not a requirement.

This project will operate on a very tight timeline, and pre-production will kick off soon after the Pitch Phase has closed. More promotional and product specifics will be given to the chosen creator upon greenlight. Check out more information in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There is 1 total video asset.

• One :10-:30 social video (9x16)

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 we CANNOT guarantee that usage is limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.

• Lowe's social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)

TARGET AUDIENCE: Lowe's shoppers, DIY enthusiasts, Gen Z and Millennial home improvers

TONE/FEEL: Fun, eye-catching, playful, suspenseful, and engaging

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• The greenlit creator must have access to or create a claw machine. Lowe's will only provide the mini buckets.
• If you are using an existing claw machine, absolutely no claw-machine branding or related IP can be visible in the creative. 
• You must include the Lowe's-approved CTA text within your video. 

AI USAGE: No AI usage of any kind is permitted on this project.

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. Unless specifically requested, there's no need to include a budget with your submission.

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

 

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Looking for help? Post crew and production opportunities connected to Tongal projects on Backlot - before or after the Pitch Phase. Backlot includes search tools to help you find collaborators and crew by role, skill set, location, and more, for productions of any size and type. Tongal also supports inclusivity in all productions, and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find additional options for staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

 

• BACKLOT OPEN ROLES (Optional): Backlot enables you to source collaborators and crew on Tongal, and we'd encourage you to post at least one open role if you're greenlit. Please indicate on the submission form which roles you might need help filling, and Tongal can help. Whether you post will neither increase nor decrease the likelihood of your pitch being greenlit.
  
  

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 IN 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 in 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.