You know that Friday Feel, where you literally just can’t? How about that Thursday vibe, when just staying awake at your desk for 8 hours is a struggle? Same, tbh. On the bright side, for every overworked, exhausted hour of your workweek, there’s a hilarious gif or meme just a giphy search away to remind you that the weekend is just around the corner – and soon enough you’ll be sliding in to a wild hang, a new video game, or a favorite movie with your friend. Just try to do it more like this guy and not so much like this dog.
Comedy Central wants you to create a series of short videos that hilariously capture the joy and relief of sliding into the weekend. Your videos should appeal to the Comedy Central audience: partiers, stoners, and lovers of '90s movies, but above all, you gotta be funny. It’s okay to be a little provocative and to call it like you see it, and you can even toe the line on what’s socially acceptable – so long as you aren’t being cruel or trying to turn a joke on horrible world events. And absolutely no putting children or animals in dangerous situations. That’s not cool.
Before you jump in, here are some critical things to keep in mind:
Read on to the Objectives section for more about this fun project.
The goal of this project is to create a hilarious series of short videos to welcome Comedy Central fans into the blessed weekend. Your videos should be insanely funny, maybe a little self-aware and meta, but not cruel. Above all, this is content by comedy fans for comedy fans, so have fun with it.
What to lean in to:
Pop culture, especially ‘90s nostalgia. Step Brothers, Billy Madison, and Tommy Boy are all big hits with the Comedy Central audience. So are video games, partying, and 4/20.
You already know that Comedy Central shows aren’t afraid to speak the funny truth about current events and pop culture; their audience is young and predominantly male, but they’re culturally aware, smart, welcoming, and straight-forward…and your show should be, too. Be direct, push boundaries, and be edgy and clear with your humor. Be hilarious enough to be shareable.
Because these are for Facebook, most viewers will watch with audio off – so use visual or physical humor and titles/captions. But make sure your videos are just as hilarious, if not more so, with sound on.
Repeatable format: be consistent and give fans a format they can come to expect.
What to avoid:
Epidemics (there’s nothing funny about displaced refugees or the opioid crisis); children in peril (do we even have to tell you that?); and gratuitous sexual content (this is for Facebook, after all).
Don’t be fake and don’t try to force a laugh. This audience knows better.
While we want you to lean in to pop culture, current events, and nostalgia, we are NOT looking for found footage videos. Leave that to the GIFs and create something wholly original.
Target audience:
64% male, 36% female, 100% judging you
Largest demo is the 18–24 range. These aren’t teenagers, they’re savvy college kids and millennials who lead stressful, busy lives and put a premium on their hard-won weekend downtime. So treat them right.
Tone:
Not just funny, hilarious. Make the audience laugh so hard they can’t stop watching.
Honest. Edgy. Provocative.
Relatable. Know your audience so well that they see themselves or their lives in your videos and share them with their friends.
Relevant. No fellow kids here.
Inspiration:
First, get familiar with the “into the weekend” memes out there. Then binge watch some Comedy Central.
https://www.facebook.com/SaturdayMorningishCartoons/videos/351916671944821/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaeZiZTn5WK/?taken-by=dannypellegrino – Not the source footage, but the relatability.
This audience also loves Super Deluxe, Buzzfeed, Adult Swim, and Netflix. We want to remind them that Comedy Central is the funniest, because they’re the biggest comedy fans.
Exposure: Facebook Watch. Be sure to read our Best Practices for Facebook.
This Project will consist of 5 Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, a Revisions Phase and an Asset Delivery Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.
This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the Budget template here. The Sponsor would like each producer to create five videos with a cost range of $1,000–$2,500 per video.
The Sponsor will determine whether it will select a winning submission.
PHASE 1: PITCH - This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the Budget template here. The Sponsor would like each producer to deliver their suite of five videos and all of the associated assets within a budget range of $1,000–$2,500 per video.
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.
Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a Treatment template, which you can find here.
Budget (REQUIRED):
Feel free to download and use the Tongal budget template here.
Please remember to account for the full list of deliverables and ensure that you are able to meet all of the camera requirements and broadcast technical specifications presented in the details above when drafting your budget.
If any travel is required for your segment, you will be responsible for travel arrangements, and should include the costs of travel in your Budget.
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. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.
Headshots/Casting Boards (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.
Pitch Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show them 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, animatic, etc. are welcome.
The most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive a portion of their budget to help create the Video. Please note the payment of the Pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor the Pitch winner will receive the remainder of their budget. 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 Filmmaker selected in the Pitch 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:
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 before you have received final approval, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense).
For your convenience we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a Treatment, Production Budget, Storyboards, Shot List, Call Sheet, and a Music Cue Sheet. They can all be accessed here.
PHASE 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner will create 5 short videos for Facebook Watch based upon their winning Pitch. Each video should be under :30 (but can be up to :60) with a :06–:15 cutdown and one still or GIF.
--Video Phase Payout: Upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor the Pitch winner will receive the final portion of their approved 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 more customized music solution for your project are invited to connect with our partner Score A Score. Email a brief description of your project (timing, creative, budget, etc.), along with any specific music direction and/or references to their creative team at music@scoreascore.com and include “Tongal Project - Your Name” in the subject line. Their creative team will be in touch within a few minutes to discuss the simple process and options with you. Please note that you will be responsible for the fees associated with using 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 third-party catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with your license purchase receipt when you turn in your Video paperwork.
PHASE 4: REVISIONS – Once the Video Phase has closed, you will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, you will perform reasonable edits on your Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback.
PHASE 5: ASSETS DELIVERY - You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec in order to submit final payment. In addition, to the project files you are also required to provide all raw footage on a hard drive. You will be responsible for the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.
For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post production please click here.
1. The Videos MUST not exceed 4 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 be selected as winner, 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. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
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 award.
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.