What’s that in the sky? It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s Super Max! - the red-caped alter ego of a rambunctious and determined little bunny, Max, co-star of the long-running animated TV series Max & Ruby.
Max & Ruby, the famous bunny siblings, are a mainstay in many homes, and have delighted children for over a decade. Max is a cheerful, fearless, and enthusiastic bunny, the younger brother of Ruby, a perfectionist who loves being in charge, and can sometimes be a little bossy, but who always patiently looks out for Max. Whether it’s a small adventure inspired by Max’s toys or one of Ruby’s special crafts, each episode of the TV series engages kids on their level, with warmth and humor.
Now the Max & Ruby team wants to highlight one of the show’s best characters with an original short-form digital series: Super Max! But we need an awesome 2D animation team make it happen. Before we get much further though, you should check out a full Super Max episode below, along with a compilation of some other short form content they've done - both of which are perfect examples of tone and story structure.
The new digital series will look like it’s drawn straight out of the whimsical world of Max & Ruby, but with a distinct focus on Super Max’s adventures. You’ll have some 2D assets to help, but we’re running another project to source a writer for this video, which means you’ll have your own side-kick.
So, tie on your red cape, and let’s hop to it, Tongal! Super Max has a lot of work to do, and we need the right team to help him save the day. Show off your best animation repertoire and help create the first-ever Adventures of Super Max.
Check out more details below…
The goal of this project is to create a series of ten (10), 2-minute animated videos about the adventures of Super Max bunny, targeting young children ages 3 to 7. The whole series will be made up of original narratives about Max Bunny’s alter ego, but five (5) of the videos will be non-verbal – meaning that they should be driven by clever use of on-screen action and sound effects – and five (5) of the videos will focus on existing and well-known nursery rhymes, including an English and Polish-language version of "Happy Birthday," which will use the same visuals. In this process, you’ll work with a writer sourced from this project, who’ll develop the scripts for each video, and also help determine which nursery rhymes we’ll be adapting.
NOTE: If you're a Filmmaker and also want to pitch on the Writing project, you can be considered for both projects.
Since you’re not being asked to pitch narratives, what the Max & Ruby team is looking for in your Pitch is your ability to creatively execute playful and dynamic 2D animation videos for children, and direct an engaging short that can captivate a young audience. If you have past children’s animation work, that’s great, but it’s not mandatory that you do! You’ll be provided with some existing character and environment assets from Max & Ruby, and you shouldn’t stray far from their design aesthetic, but since this revolve around the imaginative adventures of Super Max, you do have a little more license to be creative in how you bring the different episodes to life.
In terms of story, they'd encourage you to consider a few specific narrative territories that perform very well: e.g. lighthearted pranks; playing with toys, food, or Max's trains; wearing costumes; and doing seasonal activities for holidays like Halloween or Christmas. The primary focus should always be Super Max, but other characters from Max & Ruby can be featured, including Super Max’s friend and trusty side-kick, Morris (aka Zoom Zoom). Don't get carried away with the scale and try to fit all of the characters in though; Super Max’s stories tend to be limited in scope. You can review an info packet in the Assets section, or directly HERE, and you will also be provided with a brand deck after the pitch phase for additional guidance as you create the videos.
Thematically, Super Max stories embrace a sense of adventure but provide children with positive examples of imagination, courage, selflessness, kindheartedness, and problem solving. Max’s alter ego is a play on his favorite character, Super Bunny, who is himself inspired by Superman: the paradigm of heroism. If you’re incorporating Zoom Zoom, his sidekick, you can also bring in themes of teamwork and cooperation.
In terms of casting & the Polish-language video, you will not have access to any voice talent from the Max & Ruby show, so you should cast sound-alikes for any speaking roles. For the Polish-language nursery rhyme video, The Max & Ruby team will help select the rhyme and guide you through it’s execution, but you will need to cast Polish-language talent for that video.
--Deliverables:
--Assets: You will have access to existing 2D character and environment designs from Max & Ruby, as well as a limited collection of audio & music assets. Any new characters and environments should build on these and stay close to Max & Ruby’s established visual style. You will be provided with a brand deck after the pitch phase for additional guidance & info as you create the videos.
--Target Audience: Young families with children aged 3 to 7. Existing fans of the show should be drawn in by the addition of something new to the Max & Ruby story, but this is as much for new and casual viewers.
--Tone: Playful, whimsical, cheeky, humorous, wholesome, endearing, educational, and inspirational.
--Executional Mandatories:
--Exposure: This will live on the Treehouse Direct YouTube channel, as well as other Max & Ruby owned channels.
Tentative Timeline: We’ve included a timeline below for the first three episodes, but pre-production and production will move forward at a steady pace between October and January. Please see the full timeline document in the Assets section below, or directly here.
Development & Pre-Production Ep 1-3:
Animatics (Ep 1-3)
Production (Ep 1-3)
Additional schedule posted in Assets
Project Details: This Project will be worth a total of $60,000 and consists 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.
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:
The most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive $10,000 to help create the Video. The remaining payments for production are subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal, and it is only 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, that 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 # of Pitch Winners from 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 producing 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 ten (10), 2-minute Videos based upon their winning Pitch.
--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 remainder of their budget.
--Music: Tongal has partnered with two premiere music providers: Jingle Punks and Epidemic Sound, either 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, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their 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. You will be responsible for the costs associated the hard drive (if necessary) 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 2 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. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
9. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
10. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.