For decades, the real power of the Rubik's Cube has always been, not in the solution, but in the journey, and the world needs more solvers. How can we encourage current and future generations to stay in the problem, to sit with the frustration, and to keep going anyway? Rubik’s wants to help tell that story and celebrate the small wins that come along the way - the push through the hard parts, the putting it down and picking it back up - and they want to do it with the launch of the Rubik's Cube 2.0. This initiative is where we honor that the journey can be different for everyone, and we want to meet people where they're at. That's where you come in! We want your unique perspective and process. We're not just making content just about how to solve a puzzle, we want to build a community around a mindset: that the journey is the point.

Rubik's is looking for up to seven creators to show us their own unique style and approach when it comes to solving the Rubik's Cube. The ultimate goal is to create a roughly 2-minute tutorial video that showcases an interesting and inspiring way to teach the 8 Rubik's Cube Solve Steps, and does it in a way that speaks to your own skills, personality, or ambitions as a creator. We want to celebrate the many different ways that people think, learn, and grow, and we want social-first concepts that can catch viewers' attention in thumb-stopping and creative forms, as these will live on the Rubik's Cube website and social channels. 

We're open to live action, stop-motion, 3D printing, puppetry, and more… the list is endless. Consider your own talents and passions and how you can utilize that skillset to reimagine our Solve Materials to teach this in your own style. Think: a rap about the algorithm, a narrative with animated characters that help you memorize the steps, or an explainer that breaks them down into code. Are you a musician that breaks down the solve through rhythm, a mnemonic, or lyrics for audio learners? Are you a cinematographer who creates a cinematic trailer that follows the journey of an individual aspiring to solve the cube? Or an engineer creating CAD-style technical drawings with precise rotation angles for an analytical mind? You might even be a comedic actor putting together a support group for those who have trouble solving on their own.

For the video itself, the completed end result shouldn’t be the main focus, as the process of solving is what we want to elevate and promote. Solving the Rubik's Cube is not an exclusive endeavor, but rather a fun challenge that anyone can achieve through practice. By celebrating different learning styles and approaches, we're saying: progress over perfection, play is the point, and the journey is the destination. Some people need to see it, others need to hear it, and some need to move through it. Each tutorial can teach each step in a different thinking style (i.e. visual, logical, kinesthetic, etc.), and you can get an idea of how to approach the materials and other important information through our Content Creator Guidelines. With us looking for multiple creators for this project, there will be multiple people telling the same story with the Solve Materials, so the challenge is really about how you can make sure that your concept and your video stands out amongst the rest.

Keep in mind that we are still promoting the product, so while completing the Rubik's Cube may not be the main focus, the actual physical product still needs to be shown at some point during your video. A cheat sheet guide has also been provided for this brief, but once you're greenlit, we will also provide a group video call session with a Rubik's Cube Ambassador to teach you the solve more thoroughly, and to answer any questions you might have.

All greenlit creators will receive product for production, but for the purposes of pitching, you can use your own current Rubik's cubes. Your videos also do not need to include VO or dialogue, but if they do, we are open to the tutorials being in other languages as well, as long as you can provide a full script and a clean version of your final assets for localization partners to update the assets in their own languages. Part of this new campaign being promoted also includes a new app that will provide helpful guides, resources, and tips when it comes to solving the cube, so we would like to see in your pitches how you could possibly integrate mentions or callouts to utilize the app function as well. 

For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are 3 total video assets, per creator

• One roughly 2-minute product hero videos (16x9, 9x16, 1x1), but we're open to longer if necessary.

EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE

RELEVANT ASSETS: 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.

• Rubiks' website and social channels

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• Adults (Ages 18–44) who buy them for recreation, stress relief, and nostalgia

TONE/FEEL:

• Motivational and inspirational - like a friend cheering you on from the sidelines.
• Creative and cinematic - should feel elevated and artistic.
• Educational and informative - we want to lower the barrier on entry on an iconic puzzle.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• The cube should never feel overly difficult, exclusive, or impossible. 
• Avoid this negative messaging when creating content: Stressed, Frustrated, Angry, Time-consuming, Overwhelming, Fed up / Got tired, Struggled, Pointless, Too hard

  
  

AI USAGE: You may not use AI-generated visual or audio assets in your final content. However, for the purposes of your pitch and pre-production materials, you are welcome to use generative AI to create visuals, storyboards, animatics, proofs-of-concept, etc. that might help the Sponsor understand your vision for creating the final content. Additionally, assistive AI tools (e.g. object removal, compositing, color grading, sound mixing, subtitling, etc.) may be used in post-production to supplement your workflow. Please keep record of any AI usage deployed in your submissions in the event that the Sponsor requests AI disclosures. If you have questions about any specific usage or tool, please ask your Tongal producer.

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.

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.