When we think about the future of mobility, we often imagine the most far-flung ideas, ones that are almost alien to the world we live in today. But present-day innovations in transportation technology are turning these once-imagined worlds into reality: from autonomous cars and flying taxi services to the Hyperloop. Changes in mobility technology over the next 10 to 20 years will have far reaching effects not only on how we travel but also on the environment, public health, road safety, the economy, and society at large. 

This is where Launch Forth comes in. Launch Forth is like Tongal’s long-lost twin: a massive online community for crowdsourcing and collaboration, where designers, engineers, and technologists are asked to help shape the future of industries, from mobility and vehicles to technology and consumer electronics. Launch Forth teamed up with one of the world’s leading insurers, Allianz, and as part of the Allianz Global Explorer Program, they launched a concept design challenge asking people to imagine the evolution of mobility in the next 10-20 years. . They sourced a wide-range of innovative concepts and narratives, and the submissions they received tackle everything from individual mobility to mass transportation, with modular vehicles, smart bridges, advanced submersibles, you name it. These design concepts are fleshed out with detailed descriptions, examples of use-case scenarios, and graphic visualizations.

Launch Forth will be announcing the winning design concepts next week, and when they do, they’ll need three Tongal filmmakers to bring those concepts’ futuristic visions of transportation to life in the form of 60-second animated videos. These videos - sleek, stylish, smart, and imaginative - will be promoted across all Allianz digital and social media channels, bringing the creators’ innovative ideas to a wider audience. 

Here’s what you need to know:

• Each of the three Pitch-winning Animators will work with Launch Forth and a winning design concept creator to produce a single 60-second video that is based on one of the winning design concept submissions. Your video should be smart, stylish, inspirational, futuristic, and engaging.
• Launch Forth design concept submissions are available for you to preview here.
• Pitch Winners will be assigned a winning design concept when they enter pre-production, based upon how each of the design concept fits with your visual approach.
• Animators will be responsible for the style, look, and feel of the video, but they will need to stay true to the actual design and underlying engineering of the technology in the winning submission.
• Both 2D and 3D animation are acceptable, but stop-motion will not work. 
• Since Launch Forth won’t know the winning design concepts until next week, we’re looking for animators to present a flexible and general vision for a sleek and stylish futuristic video about mobility and transportation.
• This will be as much about motion graphics as animation, and animators should also explain how they’d like to handle motion graphics and any text that may be needed to explain how the submission to viewers. 
• Your vision for the world of tomorrow should feel like it’s 10-20 years ahead, and it should bend reality, not abandon it altogether. That means your animation style should feel more realistic, and not represent an extreme retro style, or a fantastical futuristic one. 
• This project has a tight timeline, and you must be able to complete your animation within the time allotted.
• The three Pitch-winning Animators will need to deliver a script and animation styleboard for approval before beginning to animate. 
• Each video will require a 2D end-card to promote Allianz and the Future of Mobility. Launch Forth and Allianz will provide guidance on this end-card.

Check out more in the details below…

The goal of this project is to create a 60-second animated video that brings to life a futuristic vision of transportation for Launch Forth and Allianz, based on a winning concept from Launch Forth’s innovation platform.

--Target Audience: This will target a broad-based audience, including, but not limited to designers, engineers, innovators, futurists, and technologists.

--Executional Mandatories:

• Your designs for any technology or innovations that are contained within the winning Launch Forth concepts must accurately reflect the visualization graphics included in the original submission. 
• Your video must contain a 2D end-card to promote Allianz and the Future of Mobility. 

--Anticipated Timeline: 

• Pitch winners selected by LaunchForth: March 23
• Pre-Production/Production: 1 week (March 23 – March 30)
• First Cut Videos Delivered to Sponsor: April 23
• Editorial Feedback from Sponsor due: April 24
• Filmmakers execute revisions: April 24 – April 26)
• Fine Cut Videos delivered: April 26
• Final Tweaks & Feedback from Sponsor Due: May 1
• Final Videos Delivered: May 3

--Tone: Videos should be smart, inspirational, futuristic, engaging, and especially inclusive. You should avoid being academic, dense, process-oriented, or for insiders only, while still reflecting the underlying science and engineering that anchors the design concept. Additionally, you should avoid anything overly edgy or off-color, and humor my not be appropriate.

--Exposure: All Allianz digital and social media channels, including YouTube and Facebook.

This Project will be worth a total of $42,000 and consists of 5 Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, a Revisions Phase, and a 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 the overall Concept 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.

• Visual Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed description of how you’re going to approach the animation in the video. This may also include information about your animators / team, along with visual references and inspirations. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a Treatment template, which you can find here.

• 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 3 most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive $6000 to help create their Video. Please note the payment of the Pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Additionally, upon submitting Video that satisfy the criteria laid out in their winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor, each of the 3 Pitch winners will receive a final payment of $8000. 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 3 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: 

• 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 up to multiple rounds of feedback until a Script is approved by the brand. 
• ANIMATION STYLEBOARD – This project requires an Animation Styleboard for Approval before filmmakers can move onto the Video Phase. The styleboard should include designs for any vehicle or piece of technology that is the focus of the video, along with any characters or other primary elements, and it should also describe how you plan to execute the video and bring the storytelling to life visually. The sponsor may provide feedback on your Animation Styleboard and ask you to submit a new version. There may be rounds of feedback until a Styleboard is approved by 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).

PHASE 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner(s) will each create a 60-second Video based upon their winning Pitch. 

--Video Phase Payout: Upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in their winning Pitches, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor, each of the three Pitch winners will receive a final payment of $8000.

--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, 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. 

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 Codecin 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 Video MUST not exceed 60-seconds 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. 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 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.