Here is a sample of the types of video games the Mystery Sponsor would like to consider paying homage to:

• Platformers, such as Super Mario Brothers
• RPGs, such as 16-ish-bit, Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger
• Sandbox games, like Minecraft and Animal Crossing
• Fighters, such as Street Fighter/Mortal Kombat
• Flight simulations, or whatever you might consider what Star Fox is
• Action/Adventure games, like the Legends of Zelda
• First-person shooters, such as Goldeneye or Doom
• Sports games, like Madden 
• Racing games, like MarioKart and Riiiiiiiiiidge Racer
• Or puzzle games, like the classic Tetris
  
  

These examples are just to get your creative juices flowing, definitely come with your own ideas too!

The goal of this project is to kick-off a virtual cybersecurity conference with a BANG! The mystery sponsor is a prominent tech company that wants to center their summit presentation around security and automation using the themes of game theory and the "leveling up" of their technology. So, naturally, what better way to illustrate these themes than through the imagery of video games?

The mystery sponsor has created an example script that follows an epic journey through the history of video games, and it can be used as a basis for your pitch, but we'd encourage you to make your own creative changes to the story as well. You're not locked into each specific video game reference, easter egg, or call-out, but each level should still pay homage to a different classic video game era while alluding to the mystery sponsor's themes of security and accelerating technology. You can level up from 8-bit worlds to 16-bit worlds to even modern-day 3D worlds! 

Knowing that you may be constrained in trying to showcase multiple different animation techniques, the Mystery Sponsor is open to inventive interpretations as long as we pay homage to a variety of games and demonstrate "leveling up" in the format. Free free to think about how you can incorporate other games and fan-favorite moments. Ultimately we want to see lots of creativity and understand how you would approach animating a hero navigating between various video game worlds and levels, with plenty of easter eggs.

Additionally, to make sure your amazing animation feels present throughout the sponsor's presentation, we want you to provide character & design assets from the animation to use within the mystery sponsor's presentation deck. Lastly, to help close the presentation we'd also like a very short clip of a character from the main video sending the audience onto their next journey.

 

DELIVERABLES:

• One :45 - :60 kickoff video (16x9)
• One :06 closing video (16x9)
• All character & design assets
  
  

TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.

 

EXPOSURE: During the Mystery Sponsor's tech summit

 

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• Developers, Coders, and Tech Nerds
• Old-school video game fans

 

TONE: Epic, Fun, Exciting, Tongue-in-cheek

 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your pitch should utilize the sponsor's script as a starting off point.
• Your animation MUST span multiple generations and titles of video games.
• While you may pay homage to recognizable characters and games, you may NOT include any existing intellectual property, including actual characters, logos, music, or sound effects from the original games.
• Your story MUST be split into an intro video and a closing video.
• Your narrative MUST incorporate the themes of security, automation, and leveling up.
• Your animation should also draw inspiration from the Mystery Sponsor's color guide.

In order to be considered for this project, you must include the below materials in your pitch submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery.

 

• 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.
  
  
• ANIMATION STYLE FRAMES (REQUIRED):  Please upload images or a visual treatment that illustrates what your animation will end up looking like at various stages of the "leveling up" in different videogame eras.
  
  
• SCRIPT (Optional): This should include your script changes should you decide to deviate from the sponsor's provided script.
  
  
• STORYBOARDS (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.
  
  
• 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, animatics, etc. are welcome. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.

1. 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 your submission be greenlit, 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, 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.
    
    
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.