There's no shortage of absolutely incredible LEGO content creators out there, and part of the reason why is that The LEGO® Group has always embraced the boundless creativity that they bring, and it has been a ready partner in the mission to educate, entertain, or explore with LEGO. This project is another opportunity for some of those inventive creators to shine, as The LEGO® Group is putting out an open call for you to develop and produce an original YouTube series that is led by an established creator or influencer, and built upon a repeatable format.

The goal here is to find an established content creator or influencer, or a filmmaking team that can collaborate with one, to develop an original and entertaining YouTube series with a repeatable episode format, and episodes running somewhere between 8 and 12 minutes. This project will involve a "pilot phase" where, if greenlit, you'll be able to produce at least one pilot episode, but if you think that you're able to produce multiple episodes within the pilot phase's timeline, then you may be given additional budget and empowered to produce multiple episodes. In terms of the creator involvement, there is no bottom or upper limit to the size of the audience that they're willing to consider, but The LEGO Group is looking for family-friendly YouTube entertainers with active and engaged followings, and creators with larger followings won't unlock additional budget.

Creatively, The LEGO Group is open and eager to hear whatever creative take you think could work best with the target audience, which is predominantly teens, so that could mean everything from ASMR, to some kind of competition, to comedy skits, and even narrative storytelling. They're open to any medium, where it's live-action, stop-motion, 3D animation, etc., but regardless of your approach, LEGO building should play a central role, and the content should should be entertainment-first rather than simply product demonstration. They're hoping to see approaches that are designed specifically for YouTube, which something that includes a strong opening hook, visible story progression, stakes, personality, pace, and a satisfying payoff in each episode. 

In terms of timing and budget, the "pilot phase" essentially allows for physical production during the middle and end of December. Our assumption is that you may only be able to produce a single episode during that timeframe, and the budget that you see accounts for production of a single episode. However, The LEGO Group is also open to having you produce multiple episodes within the pilot phase, if you can produce them and still stick to the existing timeline. That means they're open to 2, 3, or as many as 8 episodes, and the budget will scale up a corresponding amount for each additional episode that you're greenlit for. With efficiencies in scale, that could open up a lot of possibilities for you creatively, BUT, you still need to consider the production and post-production period, and guarantee you're ability to deliver on the timeline. 

Note that Tongal and The LEGO Group also reaching out to some creators directly, so although the intention is to select some creators from within this project, there's no guarantee that we'll select someone here, if we don't see creators who fit the mold or have a sufficient following.

FOR YOUR PITCH: Be sure to detail your creative approach and the content creator that will be involved, but you should also take time to address how LEGO building will factor in as a meaningful component of the series, and speak to the production logistics involved with your pilot, especially if you think that you're able to produce more than 1 episode during the pilot phase. 

For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are 6 total video and 3 static assets per episode.

• One 8:00-12:00 YouTube video (16x9)
• Two :15 Episode related YouTube Shorts (9x16)
• One Thumbnail (16x9, 9x16, 1x1)
• One :30 Series trailer (16x9, 9x16, 1x1) 

EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE

EXPOSURE: We expect content will be used on the platforms below, but if casting talent, be sure they review our required Talent Release before they're cast, as we CANNOT guarantee that usage is limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.

• YouTube
• Instagram
• Facebook

TARGET AUDIENCE: Older teens (primarily ages 13–17) who are passionate about sports, gaming, lifestyle or music

TONE/FEEL: Relatable, authentic, fun, entertaining

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Greenlit filmmakers MUST strictly adhere to all The LEGO® Group guidelines, which will be provided upon selection.

AI USAGE: You may not use AI generated visual or audio assets in your final content. However, for the purposes of your pitch and pre-production materials, you are welcome to use generative AI to create visuals, storyboards, animatics, proofs-of-concept, etc. that might help the Sponsor understand your vision for creating the final content. Additionally, assistive AI tools (e.g. object removal, compositing, color grading, sound mixing, subtitling, etc.) may be used in post-production to supplement your workflow. Please keep record of any AI usage deployed in your submissions in the event that the Sponsor requests AI disclosures. If you have questions about any specific usage or tool, please ask your Tongal producer.

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects do move forward, we'll notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the Project Forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and project team.

In order to be considered, include the below materials in your submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery. All Pitches remain private, even after a Pitch is selected, and Tongal strives to have Pitch selections made by the end of the Evaluation period,but additional time may be required by the Sponsor, depending on any number of factors. Unless specifically requested, there's no need to include a budget with your submission.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed in the Deliverables.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A more detailed and specific description of how you propose to execute all of the content listed out in the Deliverables. Explain what we can expect to see, and how you'll make it. If it's helpful, we've provided a treatment template HERE.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, editor, artist, etc.) but do not include links to your showreel. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show what you're capable of. Consider a video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect, or consider test videos, proof-of-concept edits, animatics, etc. For examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery.

 

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Looking for help? Post crew and production opportunities connected to Tongal projects on Backlot - before or after the Pitch Phase. Backlot includes search tools to help you find collaborators and crew by role, skill set, location, and more, for productions of any size and type. Tongal also supports inclusivity in all productions, and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find additional options for staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

 

• BACKLOT OPEN ROLES (Optional): Backlot enables you to source collaborators and crew on Tongal, and we'd encourage you to post at least one open role if you're greenlit. Please indicate on the submission form which roles you might need help filling, and Tongal can help. Whether you post will neither increase nor decrease the likelihood of your pitch being greenlit.
  
  

1. 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. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
   
   
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. 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.
   
   
5. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p and formatted for the aspect ratios listed in the Deliverables (e.g. 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.
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. You may not contact any employees or members of the Sponsor's organization, their affiliates, or any of their partners. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification of your entry in the project.
   
   
8. 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 creator.
   
   
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
   
   
10. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor, nor can Submissions contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
    
    
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.