National Geographic is inextricably linked to the larger-than-life tales of professional Explorers - the seemingly superhuman men and women that heroically summit the highest mountains and swim through the deepest chasms of the sea. These tales fill us with fascination and wonder - stirring within us the dream of adventure. Yet, there’s more to the story. More to their story. Something that might help us take our own steps towards an incredible tale. 

Nat Geo wants to develop a digital series that takes these extraordinary individuals and humanizes them, to tell a part of their story that we never see, so that we might inspire curiosity and action in the “everyday explorers” that are a part of the Nat Geo community. We’re used to seeing Explorers as they complete their adventures, but in this series, we’ll get a rare glimpse of the path that led to those adventures.

This is where you come in. Nat Geo wants you take to look at "the sparks" that kindled the fire that drives these Explorers: the experiences, the influences, the family members, and the pivotal moments that set them in motion and planted the seeds of their greatest adventures. These "sparks" could be almost anything, and they’re just as likely to come from their childhood as they are from events that happened last week. Your goal is to examine what inspired these Explorers - how they got where they are, how they acquired their skills and determination, what they were afraid of, and who helped them along the way.  You must also look at the obstacles they faced, and ask how these sparks became a flame. What barriers were overcome? What setbacks nearly snuffed out their pursuit of lofty goals and grand adventures? Your series will help us relate to these Explorers and understand what really sparked them, so that it might motivate us to embrace our own curiosity, and truly begin to explore the world around us.

In the creation of this Series, you will interview and document the work, inclusive of the triumphs and obstacles, of a number of real professional National Geographic Explorers.

We have six specific Explorers whose stories you can use as inspiration for your Pitches, and while there is a chance that you’ll be able to work with these Explorers, you should know that we cannot guarantee that they will be available for the actual Series due to their intense travel schedules. With that in mind, your Pitch can include the specifics of their stories, but it is just as important that you establish a clear narrative format, structure, and theme that will anchor your Series, and tie all of the videos (however many there may be) together. Essentially, your biggest challenge is to find a creative approach that will allow you to tell any Explorer’s story within the framework of your Series.  

• Cory Richards is an adventure photographer and alpine climber who summited Mount Everest, but not without intense struggle.  This article chronicles his personal battles with PTSD, alcoholism, and infidelity, and reveals intimate details about where he came from and how he got to where he is now.
• Alize Carrere is not your typical teen.  She was raised in a tree house and spent many months conducting fieldwork in Madagascar to combat deforestation.  Check out her site and for a different take on an Explorer.
• Albert Lin is an engineer and UCSD scientist who applies an innovator’s approach to exploration.  He has pushed those boundaries even further given his bionic leg.
• Wasfia Nazreen, a Bangladeshi mountaineer, activist, social worker, and writer, did not become those things by accident.  She was self-educated, and had to overcome childhood trauma following her parents’ tumultuous divorce that left her homeless and depressed.
• Jedidah Isler is an astrophysicist, STEM advocate, and the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Yale University. 
• Erika Bergman is a submarine pilot who studies chemical oceanography.

Here is a rundown of the project: 

• This project will consist of 3 Phases: a Pitch Phase, Pitch Development Phase, and a Video Phase.
• For the initial Pitch Phase, you can include certain Explorer’s stories, but you will need to figure out the narrative format or theme that will allow you to tell any Explorer’s story, within the framework of the series.
• IF your initial Pitch is selected as one of the winners, then you’ll move into the Pitch Development phase, where the available pool of Explorers for this project will be revealed. In this phase, you’ll be required to create a Treatment specific to these Explorers along with a proposed Budget to produce the entire series.
• The number of Videos that you’ll produce in your Series will be determined after the Pitch Development Phase, and it will depend on your proposed budget.

What is Required to Submit your initial Pitch:

• Text: 500 characters or less telling us why YOU should be given the opportunity to produce a series for National Geographic and work directly with some amazing Explorers.
• Links to Previous Work: Please specify your role and DO NOT just put your reel.
• Treatment: Please describe a detailed framework for the series and how you plan to weave a common thread throughout.
• Pitch Video: Introduce yourself, describe your filmmaking experience, and your approach to this work.  Your video is limited to 3 minutes.

The goal is to produce a National Geographic digital series.  Full-length episodes will be 5-10 minutes in length, and they will each be accompanied by a 15-second teaser for Facebook and Instagram, as well as a 30-second teaser for Facebook. The number of Videos that will be produced will be determined in the Pitch Development Phase, after the Pitch Winner’s have submitted their proposed budgets.

In the Pitch Phase, your focus should be entirely on the creative.  The goal is to pitch your best ideas for bringing this series to life with the information at hand. Since we don’t know who the Explorers will be yet, it’s impossible to know the budget right now, so you don’t need to be confined by budget at this point.  Remember, in your Treatment you need to include a narrative format or theme that will allow you to tell any Explorer’s story within the framework of the series.   Just set your creativity free and sell us on your abilities as a filmmaker to kick butt on this project.

Five Filmmakers will advance into the Pitch Development Phase, where they will continue the development process.  Tongal will further brief them and we’ll have more information at that point on who exactly the Explorers will be, and know more specifics about their schedules.  We’ll be asking these 5 filmmakers to put together an even more detailed treatment and propose a budget based on a more complete understanding of the Explorers and this project.

--Deliverables Due:

• 5-10 minute episodes (TBD how many)
• 15 second teaser for FB & Instagram
• 30 second teaser for FB

 

--Target Audience:

Adults 25-54, those who are interested in creative storytelling.

 

--Tone:

Inspirational, motivational, grounded, thought-provoking, doesn’t all have to be super serious.

--Exposure:

Videos will be distributed on digital platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.

Video Timeline: 

Once a single filmmaker has been selected at the conclusion of the Pitch Development Phase, a more formal timeline will be worked out in conjunction with National Geographic taking into account the Explorers’ individual availabilities.  For now, here is a rough estimate of the timeline:

• Nat Geo Chooses 1 Pitch Development Winner: 11/6
• Pre-Production Phase: 11/6-11/20
• Video Phase: 11/20-1/2
• First Cuts Due to Tongal: 1/2
• First Cuts Due to Nat Geo: 1/8
• Consolidated Editorial Feedback from Nat Geo: 1/17
• First Round of Revisions: 1/17-1/24
• Second Cut Due: 1/24
• Consolidated Editorial Feedback from Nat Geo on Second Cut: 1/31
• Second Round of Revisions: 1/31-2/7
• Fine Cut Due: 2/7
• Final Feedback from Nat Geo on Fine Cut: 2/12
• Color Correction & Finalization: 2/12-2/16
• Quality Control: 2/19
• Master Files Due: 2/20

This Project will consist of 5 Phases: Pitch Phase, Pitch Development Phase, Pre-Production Phase, Video Phase, and Revisions Phase.  Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

 

PHASE 1: PITCH – Submit your Pitch convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected. 

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less telling us about yourself and why you’re right for this project.  Make sure to describe your crew!
• Links to Previous Work (REQUIRED)
• Treatment (REQUIRED) Please describe a detailed framework for the series and how you plan to weave a common thread throughout.
• Pitch Video (REQUIRED) This is your opportunity to show us what you’re capable of.  Tell the Sponsor what they can expect should they choose your Pitch.  Introduce yourself, describe your filmmaking experience, and your approach to this work.  Your video is limited to 3 minutes.
• Storyboards (Optional)
• Additional Materials (Optional)

The 5 (five) most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each earn $500 and continue on to enter the Pitch Development Phase.

For an example of an effective Pitch, check out Erik Beck’s 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 2: PITCH DEVELOPMENT PHASE – The 5 (five) winners from the Pitch Phase will participate in the Pitch Development Phase.

• Detailed Treatment (REQUIRED): Please provide a detailed description of the Series based on new information of the Explorers.
• Proposed Budget per Episode (REQUIRED)
  • Instead of us dictating your budgets, we’re looking for you to let us know the amount you need in order to execute your Series. Please provide explicitly how much you need per episode.
  • Your budget proposal is subject to approval if your Pitch is selected.
  • Please consider the most economical way to produce your Series, and keep in mind that if you provide optional elements that affect how high or how low you can go, we’d suggest including a budget range as well.

The 1 (one) most compelling Pitch from the Pitch Development Phase will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, and upon budget approval, will be selected to continue development and transition into production of your Series. 

PHASE 3: PRE-PRODUCTION – The 1 Pitch Winner from the Pitch Development 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:

• SCRIPT – This project requires Script Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase.  The brand may provide feedback on your Script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a Script is approved by the brand.
• LOCATION – This project requires Location Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two location options per set. If the brand does not approve either of your options, you may be asked to submit two new options.

 

No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.

 

PHASE 4: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner will each create a Video based upon their winning Pitch. Each 5-10 minute episode will have two teasers for social media.  ALL VERSIONS are due at the close of the Video Phase.  Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

--Video Phase Payout: A payment schedule will be established  to pay out 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 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 $100. Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.

PHASE 5: REVISIONS – Once the Video Phase has closed, the winning submitters will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. Once the Videos are finalized, the Sponsor will rank the Videos and winners will be announced.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 10 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 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 40 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.