Based on the New York Times bestseller, and starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay, WONDER tells the inspiring and heart-warming story of August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to discover their compassion and acceptance, Auggie’s extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out… WATCH the trailer here!

Last month, Wattpad writers shared their 500-character short stories, telling of a time when kindness prevailed to encourage people to #ChooseKind and spread the message inherent in WONDER.

Now, Lionsgate and the WONDER team are turning to the Tongal community to adapt these inspiring short stories into authentic and heartfelt Short Films (live action or animated!) to help create awareness and curiosity for WONDER the movie, arriving in theaters November 17^th!

Here are the three winning Wattpad stories for you to Pitch on:

1. The Fuzzy Spark – "So that’s why I’m standing here. I’m a little wobbly, and I’m sorry about that..."

2. Please Recycle – One act of kindness can make a world of difference.

3. The Woods – The author recounts a day that made her truly appreciate her family and opened her eyes to the inherently good people in the world.

NOTE: Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay are NOT available as talent for your short films. Sorry! 

Read on to the Project Objectives for more…

The goal of this project is to build awareness for WONDER the movie by bringing to life one of the three winning Wattpad stories into a touching Short Film (live action or animated) that encourages audiences to #ChooseKind (and see WONDER in theaters November 17^th!). 

NOTE: Your Pitch must be based on one of the three winning Wattpad stories. 

ICYMI, you should read the three winning Wattpad stories here: 

1. The Fuzzy Spark – "So that’s why I’m standing here. I’m a little wobbly, and I’m sorry about that..."

2. Please Recycle – One act of kindness can make a world of difference.

3. The Woods – The author recounts a day that made her truly appreciate her family and opened her eyes to the inherently good people in the world.

Also, you can submit up to 5 Pitches, so if more than one story resonates with you, feel free to get creative and submit a Pitch for each of them!

When Pitching, please be sure to select the Story you intend to bring to life from the drop-down menu.

Like the original stories themselves, your videos should leave viewers feeling emotionally moved, motivated and inspired to #ChooseKind and take their friends & families to see WONDER, in theaters on November 17.

 

--Deliverables:

Each pitch winner will be required to produce

• 1 Short Film (up to 3 minutes in length)
• 1 Social Teaser (15-30 seconds for Facebook)
• 1 Promotional Still Image (for Instagram)

--Facebook Best Practices:

The Pitch Winners will need to keep the following in mind for their 15–30 Social Teasers for Facebook:

• The first few seconds are the most important so consider leading with a hook, or telling your story in a non-linear manner. The introduction to the video is critical, and slow builds do not work in the Facebook platform. You might also consider using a "Trailer" approach with 2-3 lines of copy up front to frame/present the video.
• Storytelling needs to be driven by visuals so you should be able to convey the important parts of the story without relying on sound at all. Tell visually engaging stories, and try to give your video a constant rhythm. Use text graphics, new frames, characters and settings to move the story forward. It is recommended that something visually happens every 3-5 seconds.
• Shoot your Video with a 1:1 square aspect ratio in mind. Don’t put yourself in a position where you’re cropping out important visuals in post-production because you shot in 16:9 or widescreen. Embrace the format.
• Review your edits on a mobile device. 

 

--For Inspiration:

Check out Mr. Browne’s precepts for more inspiration: https://www.wattpad.com/416300300-mr-browne%27s-book-of-precepts-mr-browne%27s-precepts

 

PRE-PRODUCTION NOTE: This project includes a Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). This means you will be required to submit certain items for Approval before moving onto the Video Phase. The Approval items for this project are:

• 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 multiple rounds of feedback until a Script is approved by the brand.
• HEADSHOT  – This project requires Headshot Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.
  
  FILMMAKERS: You may NOT use union talent in your videos. Please be aware of this when submitting headshots for Sponsor approval. 

IMPORTANT: 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, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.

If you’re selected as a Pitch Winner, a Tongal producer will email you to help walk you through the Pre-Production and Approvals process.

--Key Marketing Messages: 

• #ChooseKind
• See #WONDERtheMovie on November 17

--Target Audience:

• Inspire younger audiences who have read the book for school or summer reading to want to see the film, as well as the parents of those younger audiences

• Women 25–49, Parents of kids 6–11, Teens, especially females 13–17
• Family moviegoers

--Executional Mandatories: 

• Your video must mention WONDER the movie (Lionsgate will provide a branded end card with WONDER and the release date)
• Your video must use the CTA, #ChooseKind

--Tone:  

Motivational, inspiring, and evoke the message of choosing kind. WONDER the movie is a family drama, in tone.

 

--Exposure:  

Lionsgate WONDER and Tongal social channels, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This Project will be worth a total of $63,000 and consists of four Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase and a Revisions 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• Headshots/Casting Boards (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.
• Pitch Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to show us 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.

 

The three most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive $12,000 to help create the Video. Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winners will also be GUARANTEED a winning place in the subsequent Video Phase.  So, if your Pitch is selected and you execute your Pitch effectively in your Video submission, you will win an additional $9,000. 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 three 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 multiple rounds of feedback until a Script is approved by the brand.
• HEADSHOT  – This project requires Headshot Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.
   

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, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.

 

PHASE 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winners will each create a short film up to 3 minutes in length; a social teaser for Facebook, 15–30 seconds in length; and 1 promotional still image for Instagram. Both videos and the Instagram still image are due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

After revisions are completed (see the Revisions Phase details for more information), the three Pitch winners will receive prizes.

--Video Phase Payout:  Winners of the Video Phase will each earn $9,000.

 

--Music:   Tongal has partnered with a premiere music provider, Jingle Punks, which can be used to source music for your Video submission to this Project. Music from this provider 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 Jingle Punks, click on their name above.

Tongal members interested in a custom music solution for your project are invited to connect with SCORE A SCORE. They specialize in the creation of custom music, on-demand.

Their business model is based on a "name your price" system, so you can tell them what your budget is, and they will work with you to create a deal configuration that will work within the discussed parameters. Check out the FAQ for more information and how to contact 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 other catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with our Music Release Form when you turn in your Video paperwork.

--Referral:   Any Tongal member who refers one of the winning Video creators in this Project using the Tongal “Invite Friends” functionality will receive a referral fee equal to 5% of the amount won (up to $500). That’s a potential $500 in bonus cash just for telling all of your talented friends about this Project! Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.

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. Once the Videos are finalized, the Sponsor will rank the Videos and winners will be announced.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 3 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 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. In the event that fewer than 10 Pitches are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

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.