Puppies are one of life’s greatest joys.

Puppies instantly have the power to melt your heart with their pure and utter cuteness while constantly showering you with unconditional love (and unconditional playtime). And there’s nothing more rewarding than helping a puppy grow into a loyal friend and faithful companion.

We can agree that all puppies are very good boys (and girls). But some puppies are destined for greatness. They just need your help getting there.

Southeastern Guide Dog’s Puppy Raiser program aims to do just that. SEGD is a leading national nonprofit that trains Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Goldador (Lab-Golden crossbreed) dogs to become elite service animals. The Puppy Raiser program is the first step in this process. They match their puppies with suitable homes where puppies are taught social and behavioral skills that start them on their journey to being guide or service dogs. Puppy Raisers are incredible people from all walks of life who open their hearts and their homes to these superheroes-in-training. With the love and support SEGD puppies get through the Puppy Raiser program, these dogs will eventually provide freedom, confidence, courage, and hope for people who cannot see and veterans who have seen too much.

Now SEGD is turning to the Tongal community to help spread awareness of SEGD’s Puppy Raiser program and encourage more people to become Puppy Raisers themselves. Find out more about how you can help change lives, one dog-to-be at a time in the Project Objectives.

The goal of this project is to create an engaging and inspiring :30 PSA, potentially for broadcast, as well as a :15 Facebook cutdown, to help recruit potential new puppy raisers.

Southeastern Guide Dogs is looking for a video that is inspiring and about the difference that puppy raisers and the puppies make; they are NOT looking for a standard documentary or a dry deep dive into the Puppy Raiser process. Be creative, be original, and maybe even put yourself (or your camera) into the perspective of this puppy destined for greatness, who only needs a little help from the right person or family to achieve their destiny as a superhero.

In other words, this is a chance to have some fun while creating an adorable, shareable, inspiring, and informative video that drives awareness to the Puppy Raiser program and encourages people to become Puppy Raisers themselves.

Learn more about SEGD’s Puppy Raiser program here.  This doc-style video also goes into detail about the puppy raising process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IMlUSg6ND

For your Pitch:

You will need to submit a Budget Proposal with your Pitch. Check out the Budget template in the Assets Tab at the bottom of the page. Your budget should not exceed $10,000.

You will need to submit a script with your Pitch. The Pitch winner will have a chance to revise their Pitch with the Sponsor’s feedback during Pre-Production, but to keep the timeline moving your script is required with your Pitch documents.

PRE-PRODUCTION NOTE: This project includes a Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). This means you will be required to submit certain items for Approval before moving onto the Video Phase. The Approval items for this project are:

• SCRIPT  – This project requires Script Approval before filmmakers move on to 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.
• HEADSHOT  – This project requires Headshot Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two options of people you would like to feature in the video (real people and /or actors). If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new options per role.
  
  

IMPORTANT: 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.

If you’re selected as a Pitch Winner, a Tongal producer will email you to help walk you through the Pre-Production and Approvals process.

NOTE: The :30 PSA,  potentially a broadcast TVC, :15 Facebook cutdown, five stills, and 1 2D endcard are all due at the close of the Video Phase.

--Deliverables:

• One (1) :30 PSA, potentially a broadcast TVC
• One (1) :15 Facebook optimized cutdown version of the video
• Five (5) still images
• One (1) 2D endcard

--Facebook Best Practices:

• The first few seconds are the most important so consider leading with a hook, or telling your story in a non-linear manner. The introduction to the video is critical, and slow builds do not work in the Facebook platform. You might also consider using a "Trailer" approach with 2-3 lines of copy up front to frame/present the video.
• Storytelling needs to be driven by visuals so you should be able to convey the important parts of the story without relying on sound at all. Tell visually engaging stories, and try to give your video a constant rhythm. Use text graphics, new frames, characters and settings to move the story forward. It is recommended that something visually happens every 3-5 seconds.
• Shoot your Video with a 1:1 square aspect ratio in mind. Don’t put yourself in a position where you’re cropping out important visuals in post-production because you shot in 16:9 or widescreen. Embrace the format.
• Review your edits on a mobile device.

 

--Exposure:  Potentially national/regional broadcast; SEGD’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

--Executional Mandatories:

• SEGD will fly two puppies and their trainers to the winning filmmaker for their shoot
• Not looking for a documentary-style video.

--Tone: Pitches and Videos should be narrative and fun.  Tonally, think enjoyable, authentic, shareable, and uplifting.  Not documentary style.

--Key Marketing Messages: 

• Extraordinary dogs, transforming lives
• Changing lives, one dog at a time.
• Open your home and heart to a superhero-in-training.
• Puppy Raisers open their homes and their hearts.

--Target Audience: Families and individuals across the southeast who can raise a puppy destined for greatness.

--Inspiration: Check out SEGD’s website and specifically, the Puppy Raiser page: https://www.guidedogs.org/volunteer/raise-a-puppy/ as well as this doc-style video that goes into detail about the puppy-raising process:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IMlUSg6NDY

 

This Project consists of four Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase and a Revisions Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

 

PHASE 1: 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 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.
• Budget Proposal (REQUIRED): Outline the total budget you would need to bring both the 4-5 minute video and the 30-second cut-down ‘trailer’ to life. Your Budget Proposal should include travel estimates. Your budget should not exceed $10,000.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what’s going to happen in the video. 
• Script (REQUIRED): 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 most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive production budget 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 an additional prize in the subsequent Video Phase. 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 2: PRE-PRODUCTION – The Pitch Winner from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, the Pitch winner 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.
• HEADSHOT  – This project requires Headshot Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two options of people you would like to feature in the video (real people and /or actors). If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new options per role.

No filmmaker 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 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner will create a :30 PSA (potentially for broadcast), a :15 Facebook cutdown, and 5 stills based upon their winning Pitch.

NOTE: The :30 PSA (potentially for broadcast), a :15 Facebook cutdown, and 5 stills are all due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos/assets when submitting your Videos.

After revisions are completed (see the Revisions Phase details for more information), the Pitch winner will receive the Video Prize.

--Video Phase Payout:   The winner of the Video Phase will receive prizing.

 

--Music:   Tongal has partnered with a premiere music provider, Jingle Punks, which can be used to source music for your Video submission to this Project. Music from this provider 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 this music provider, click ontheir name 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.

PHASE 4: REVISIONS – Once the Video Phase has closed, the winning submitter will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, the filmmaker will perform reasonable edits on their Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. Once the Video is finalized, the winner will be announced.

 

1. The Video MUST not exceed :30s 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 10 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 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 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.