TERMS
What is an IDEA? An Idea can be anything that is concisely expressed and directly relates to the Project at hand in 25 words (140 characters) or less. We've kept the definition and examples somewhat vague for now so as not to put participants in a box. Remember, an Idea is not a script, that is, if you create a Video based on an Idea, it does not have to be a word-for-word interpretation of that Idea.
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What is a PITCH? Using text (500 characters or less), images (storyboards), video, and/or external links (to other supporting assets, i.e., your reel, etc.), give us your Pitch for how YOU would go about producing this Video based on one of the winning pieces of content from the previous Phase. The most compelling Pitches will be selected and the creators of those Pitches will receive a production advance to produce their Video.
What is a CONCEPT? A Concept is more elaborate than an Idea and less elaborate than a Story. A Concept is 250 characters (45 words) or less and, in terms of content, should land somewhere in between an Idea and a Pitch. Remember, a Concept is not a script, that is, if you make a Video based on an Idea it does not have to be a word-for- word visual interpretation of that Idea.
What is a STORY? A Story is a synopsis of the basis plot points that the Video should follow in 500 characters or less. The point is to come up with a creative and engaging Story, so don’ t feel like you have to writeout a detailed script. David Mamet's dramatic story paradigm is a good place to start from a structural standpoint (i.e., Once upon a time…and then one day…and just when everything was going so well…when just at the last minute…). Don't get hung up on details. Tell us big chunks of the Story. Alternatively, you can submit an image, a storyboard, or even a Video of yourself reading a 500 character Submission. Just make sure you follow the guidelines set out in each Project Overview.
What is a TAGLINE? The goal of a Tagline is to create a memorable phrase that will sum up the tone, premise and benefits of product or service. A great Tagline is concise (10 words or less), direct and will get stuck in people's heads.
What is a VIDEO? Live Action, Animation, whatever you want, just follow the guidelines set out in each Project Overview with regards to length, content, quality, etc. Sometimes there may be a Project that has no Ideas or Pitch leading up to a Video Phase. In that case, it's up to you! Naysayers tell us there is no way "non- professionals" can compete with the companies and directors making content. We created this company on the bet they were wrong: so prove us right!
What is a WILDCARD? A Wildcard is a video submission that’s not based on any winning material from a previous phase. Wildcards are only accepted in certain projects, so be sure to read the project overview thoroughly before diving in. So why would someone submit a Wildcard? Maybe you had a great idea, but missed the first phase, or maybe none of the winning concepts are up your alley, or maybe your pitch wasn't quite there, but you're sure your video will be. By creating a Wildcard, you can take a creative gamble and see how it fares against the judges' top picks from the Ideation round.
What is a SUGGESTION? Think you can improve the winning submissions? You've got 140 characters, five chances and exactly 24 hours to give it a shot. Just click the submit button, select the idea you want to improve from the drop-down menu and type your suggestion. If the Judges think your suggestions adds value, they'll pay you $20 for it. It's that simple.
What is a PREDICTION? After a Submission Phase of a Project ends, you have the opportunity to view the Submissions and are asked to predict which ones the Judges will select, and in what order. Submissions may be Taglines, Videos, Stories, etc. The person whose top ten list most closely matches that of the actual Judges' wins cash.
What is MOST VIEWED? The Most Viewed Phase of a Project begins as soon as the Video Submission Phase ends and the Videos have been Screened for content. The goal of the Most Viewed Phase is to have your Video seen the by largest number of unique people, as indicated by different computers. You can embed your Video anywhere, but in order for the view to count, it must be seen via the Tongal player. In other words, if you manually upload the Video on YouTube, those hits will not count. Because Most Viewed is its own Phase, it in no way affects which Videos will be chosen as the best by the judging panel.
What is EXHIBITION? The Exhibition Phase is open to EVERY REGISTERED PERSON ON TONGAL, even if you did not submit a Video to the Project. Using the five winning Videos, any of the additional Video purchases, or your own Video from the previous Phase, try to generate as many views of the Videos as possible within a specified time period following the Video Phase using the Tongal player's Share functionality.
What is MOST DOWNLOADED? Using the five winning Videos from the previous Phase, try to generate the Most Downloads within a period of time. Unlike the typical Most Viewed Phase, this Phase is OPEN TO EVERY REGISTERED PERSON ON TONGAL. This means that even if you did not create a Video, you may participate in this Phase.
What is a RESIDUAL? Tongal members get paid a percentage of the prize money their winning Submissions generate. The more that their Idea gets used in subsequent rounds, the more money they win. Residuals are calculated based solely on a percentage of derivative winning Submissions. Residual percentages also vary depending on the Project, so always check the Project Overview.
What is a BUMPER? A bumper is a branded video clip or animation (typically between 3 and 15 seconds long) that appears at the beginning or end of your video.
THE TONGAL PROCESS
Why is an Idea 140 characters (25 words) or less? The Idea is that this size allows the users to text or tweet their submission. Although it's short, the best Ideas, in our opinion, can/should be summed up in a concise manner. It also allows the users in the subsequent rounds to build upon simplicity rather than be put in a box.
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What if my Submission (e.g. Idea, Pitch or Video) is the same as someone else's? Although unlikely, no Idea is truly original. If two are exactly the same, and the company intends to select one as a winner, we'll notify the members and choose the one submitted to us first.
Do all the Projects have 3 Phases? NO, there will be many Projects that are strictly Ideation or maybe just Video Production. It all depends upon the company's requirements or needs.
If I participate in subsequent rounds, do I have to submit a Pitch or Video based on the Idea I submitted? NO, not at all. In some cases, you may think someone else's Idea is better than yours. The reason there are multiple winners is to give everyone, including the winners, a choice.
Can I participate in any phase if I missed another? YES. The whole point here is to open up each round to everyone. Your skill set may not lie in Idea generation but in improving upon someone else's Idea, so you can do that in the Pitch Phase. We encourage you to participate in all Phases, but understand some require more time than others.
How do Residual Payments work? Tongal members get paid a percentage of the prize money their winning Submissions generate. The more that their Idea gets used in subsequent rounds, the more money they win. Residuals are calculated based solely on a percentage of derivative winning Submissions. Residual percentages also vary depending on the Project, so always check the Project Overview.
How literal does my interpretation of the Idea, Concept or Story have to be? You can, but do not have to literally interpret every piece of an Idea, Concept or Story. Think of them as a framework with a general theme or Tagline that should work within. Be creative, capture the essence, know the goal, and abide by the Project guidelines.
What if my Video is too long? One of the many advantages to submitting your Video a few days before the Project deadline is that you have time to fix it if it does not follow guidelines set out in the Project Overview. For example, if you submit your Video two days before the Project ends and it happens to be ten seconds too long, A Tongal Administrator will notify you to change the Video. You will then be able to resubmit your corrected version. However, if you submit a Video last minute, there is no room for error. In this case, your Video will be screened out during the Screening Phase for disobeying the Project guidelines.
How strict are the time limits put on Videos? We follow a strict 10% rule. That is, if your Video exceeds the time limit by more than 10% the allotted length of the total Video, it will be screened out. For example, for a 30-second Video, you have three seconds of wiggle room.
What if I was unable to upload by the deadline? Under no circumstances will Tongal accept a Video that is uploaded after the deadline unless a server malfunction causes the Video upload to stop mid-upload. If you are unsure about whether or not your Video made it into the contest, contact help@tongal.com immediately upon the close of the Project Phase.
Does the Sponsor own my Submission (e.g., Idea, Pitch, Video, etc.) if I do not place 1st-5th or receive a cash prize? NO, but if the Sponsor likes it, they have the option to buy it for the price of the 5th place winner.
Does the Sponsor ever give out additional awards? YES, occasionally, Sponsors decide that they like the work produced on Tongal so much that they will decide to give out additional awards. These awards are equal to the last place prize of the applicable Project Phase.
If two people submit the same winning Predictions, who wins? The person who submitted their Predictions first.
Why do Prediction and Most Viewed Phases begin at the same time? Won't one skew the results of the other? The Prediction and Most Viewed Project Phases begin at the same time because they are mutually exclusive. In other words, the results of one Phase will not affect the results of the other. The point of the Prediction Phase is to watch the Videos and make your best guess as to how you think the Project Judges will rank them. The point of the Most Viewed Phase is to have your Video viewed the most times before a set deadline. Just because one Video has more views than another does not mean that the Judges necessarily like that Video more or are more likely to place it in their top 10. Likewise, because Prediction results are not made public until the end of a Project, they will be ineffectual in terms of generating more views.
In the Prediction phase why are we predicting what the judges will select rather than what we liked best? We believe it's a more accurate measure of what's best. Plus, then it doesn't become a popularity contest in which people are asking their peers to vote for them.
How can I get feedback on my Idea, Pitch or Video? You can go to the forums page and ask. We ask that if contacting Judges, you do it through the Tongal site. If you do contact the Judges, ask a more intelligent or specific question than, "WHY DIDN'T I WIN?"
Can I contact the Judges directly? We ask that if contacting Judges, you do it through the Tongal site. If you do contact them, ask a more intelligent or specific question than, "WHY DIDN'T I WIN?"
How does the judging work? Judges are representatives of the company sponsoring the Project. They select entries based on a number of criteria, which may or may not be explicitly stated on the Project Details page.
What is the Judging Criteria For a Tongal Project? Generally, Judges look for four things when considering an entry. 1) Creativity: Is this an original and interesting piece of content? 2) Brand Representation: Does this content properly represent the brand, product and/or messaging? 3) Production Quality: Is the Video properly formatted, well-lit, well-shot, is the sound crisp and clear, is it well-acted, does it go above and beyond in terms of resourcefulness? 4) Objective: How well does the piece of content fulfill the objective of this specific Project?
What is the Tongal Leaderboard and Point System? In our ongoing effort to exemplify our commitment to the Tongal Community that all work completed on Tongal is valuable and will be recognized, we have created the Tongal Point System and Leaderboard. The Point System is our way of assigning value to every piece of work ever submitted and the Leaderboard is a way to assess your ranking relative to other creators on Tongal.
How are Tongal Points earned? Points are earned based on the type of work created (e.g., Tagline, Concept, Pitch, Animation, Video, Prediction, Most Viewed, etc.) and are weighted according to the total dollar amount awarded in that particular Phase. The more involved the Phase (i.e. Video) and the more cash awarded, the greater the number of Points distributed. Points are awarded in different increments to the top ten Submissions and in an equal amount to every other Submission that places outside the top ten. (Even if you don't place in the top ten, you are still going to be awarded Points, just for your Submission and participation.)
How are Tongal Points calculated? By way of example, if you finished second place in the Video Phase of the Kiva Project, you would have received Five-hundred and eighty (580) points: 7,250 ($ amount in Kiva Video Phase) / 1,000 (relative to $1,000) = 7.25; 7.25 X 80 (Standard value assigned to a Second Place Video) = 580 Points. There is no limit to the number of Points you can earn and Points have no expiration date.
How do I get on the Tongal Leaderboard? If you are ranked among the top 200 Tongal members (according to your Tongal Points total) your Name, Point Total and Nationality will appear on the Tongal Leaderboard.
How is the Leaderboard organized? The Leaderboard is divided into three sections according to time (This Month, Year To Date and All Time) and further divided by discipline (Total Points, Other Points and Video Points).
What are 'Other Points' on the Leaderboard? Other Points are Points awarded for anything that is not a Video. This includes Ideas, Concepts, Stories, Pitches, Predictions, Most Viewed, Exhibition, etc.
Are there rewards for earning Points or for being on the Leaderboard? YES, over the next calendar year, we’ll be introducing ways in which reaching a certain number of Points will translate to real-world rewards including cash, equipment, exclusive opportunities, special event invitations, travel opportunities, product discounts, and further exposure.
WEBSITE FUNCTIONALITY
I've just received an error message, what should I do? Contact help@tongal.com and inform us of the problem. We will respond as quickly as possible.
What time zone are Project times set for? The Tongal clock automatically adjusts to whatever time zone you are viewing the Project Details page from.
I'm having trouble viewing your site. What browsers work best for using Tongal? Internet Explorer 6, 8 do not support Tongal and although Tongal is supported by IE 8+ and Safari, we strongly recommend using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome to access and participate on the Tongal site.
What are the general requirements for a Video- format, aspect ratio and file format? This could vary from Project to Project, so be sure to check the guidelines set out in the Project Overview for each Project before submitting. In general, preferred format is 720p HD; 16x9 aspect ratio. Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. APPLE PRO RES IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE FILE FORMAT.
Where do I upload my Video? On the Project Details page of any Project, you will see the blue "SUBMIT" button on the right-hand side at the top of the page. From here, you can browse and upload your Video.
How do I know if my Submission has been received? You should receive a confirmation email. Also, you can check to see if your content has been successfully submitted by visiting the My Submissions section of your My Tongal page.
Why can't I see if my Video has been successfully uploaded? Go to your My Tongal Page and click My Submissions in the left-hand navigation, you will be able to see whether or not your Video was successfully uploaded and submitted.
I uploaded a Video, but now the "SUBMIT" has disappeared, what should I do? If you have uploaded your Video, but the "SUBMIT" button has disappeared, it is because the Submission Phase has ended. Anyone who chooses to submit a Video near the end of a Project runs the risk of not being able to get his or her Video in on time because the upload process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on connection speed. To avoid this issue, plan on uploading and submitting your Video at least 2 hours before the end of the Project. Once the Submission Phase ends, no more Videos will be accepted.
Where can I watch my Video on the site? Go to your My Tongal Page and click My Submissions in the left-hand navigation bar. You will be able to view your Submission there, by clicking on the Video thumbnail.
I named my Video the wrong thing. Is there any way to fix it without re-uploading the entire Video? Yes, simply visit the My Submissions section of your My Tongal page and click "Edit Submission." A submission form will appear allowing you to rename your Video.
How do you ensure the quality of the Video? In the Judging Phase, we can determine whether certain Videos are ineligible. They may miss the point or be inappropriate. In terms of quality, obviously the better it is, the higher chance the Video will have of winning.
I just uploaded my Video, why is the picture quality so bad? Generally, bad picture quality results from an improper aspect ratio or improperly sized Video, which causes the image to pixilate. Preferred sizing is 1280 X 720 HD.
Can I see what other people have been submitted on Tongal? Yes, once the Phase of that particular Project is over and has been screened for content, you may view the Submissions. To avoid "foul play" and/or information from cascading, you may not view the Submissions before then. We believe this keeps everyone on an even playing field.
How can I edit a Submission? Once you have made a Submission, you can edit it by visiting the My Submissions Section of your My Tongal page. Simply click on the title of the submission then click "Edit Submission" on the right-hand side of the page.
How can I remove a Submission from the Project? You can remove a Submission by visiting the My Submissions section of your My Tongal page and clicking the "Remove Submission" button on the right hand side next to the Submission you want to remove. If you want to restore the Submission, simple click the "Restore" button on the right hand side next to the Submission.
How do I learn about upcoming Projects? There are two ways. You'll see featured Projects in the carousel. There is also a calendar on the home page with upcoming dates.
Why do Projects repost? Projects repost for a number of reasons. Sometimes, the minimum number of Videos requested by the sponsor is not met. Other times, an application error creates problems that prevent members from submitting their Videos on time, through no fault of their own. Consequently, Video Projects will sometimes repost for a minimum of 7 days to rectify these sorts of issues.
How do I search for Videos? The ability to search for Videos is available under the search functionality. Simply type in the title of the Video you want to see into the search bar.
How can I find Submissions made by other participants? Once the Phase is closed you can see all of the Submissions by clicking on the Submissions tab in the left-hand navigation on any project page, or if you visit the member's page you'll see a history of their Submissions.
I have a production company; can I be tied to more than one Tongal account, i.e. one for my production company and one for personal use? Yes, you can be tied to multiple Tongal accounts. Some members submit as themselves and through a group they belong to. A Tongal member is an individual with a valid Social Security Number or a business entity with a valid tax id. We allow and encourage collaboration because we believe it produces better content.
What is the best way to find members who have joined Tongal? Under the Search function on the home page you can type in member name, email, skill, group, etc. Or just use ANY and enter in the data.
How do I invite friends to join Tongal? Visit the Following section of your My Tongal page and click "Invite Friends." From here, you can enter your friends email addresses or invite friends using Facebook Connect.
How do I provide feedback about the Tongal experience? Click on feedback and email us with ANY question or comments. Or you can post a question in the forums or on the discussion board of any Project.
Why do prompts to submit Predictions appear on My Tongal page? We invite all Tongal members to submit their Predictions even if they have not participated in any of the other Phases of the Project. It is a quick and easy way to view all of the Videos or other content that was submitted and, if your Predictions are accurate, win cash at the same time.
Why can't I submit my Predictions? First, check to make sure you are signed in and that you have clicked "remember me." Second, make sure you have watched ALL of the Video Submissions or other content. You will not be able to submit your Predictions until you have reviewed each Submission.
Why are view counts calculated differently than YouTube? Unlike YouTube, which bases its view count on aggregate, or total views, the Tongal player is designed to count both aggregate and unique views. If you had the patience, you could sit in front of a computer all day and click on your own YouTube Video to increase the number of times it has been "seen." The Tongal player does not allow for this to happen. Rather, such activities would be accounted for under the number of aggregate views, but would not change the number of unique views. In order to win a Most Viewed Phase, you must have the greatest number of unique views. Aggregate views are used simply as reference points and for the purposes of Tongal competitions are essentially meaningless. There are three specific things that must occur for a view to be counted on Tongal.
First: The Video must be delivered by Tongal. However this is not limited to the site. You can use the "Share" controls on the top right of the player, which gives you the option to email the Video, copy and embed the code to post to blogs or share via social networks. You can also post your Video to Facebook, link to it via Twitter, etc. As long as the Video is delivered via our player, it will count as a view.
Second: Only one view counts per computer. This is intentional to avoid someone clicking over and over to again to amass views and game the system. Third: In order for the views to count, someone must watch the Video for at least ten seconds.
Where can I find a direct URL link to my Submission? If you visit the My Submissions section of your My Tongal page and click on your Video Submission, underneath it, in bright red lettering it will read, "Discuss." Click on this link and copy the URL from the new page. This will be a direct URL link to your Video Submission.
How do I email/embed/share my Video? Select the Video you wish to share. Underneath the video will be different share icons. From here, simply select the way you would like to share your Video - embed, email, or other.
Where will the Videos be seen? It depends. They can be posted in a number of places. In some cases, the companies are looking for brand engagement within the Project and for the Tongal Community to spread the word. In others, the Sponsors are simply looking for content to place on their own site. There will also be instances in which the Sponsor is looking to buy ad space and repurpose the content in a strategic manner be it on the web, on local access television or on national television.
How can I add Collaborators to my Video? Visit the My Submissions section of your My Tongal page, click on the title of the Submission and click on to the Add/Edit Credits section of submission. A prompt window should appear allowing you to add Collaborators. You can even add Collaborators who are not on Tongal if you are friends with them via Facebook.
Why can't I upload a profile picture? Most often, members have trouble uploading photos because they are not the correct size or format. Photos should be 100 pixel by 100 pixel .PNG files. If trouble persists. Contact help@tongal.com and ask for help.
Can I use Facebook Connect to sign up for Tongal? YES, we’re always trying to make it easier for people to integrate their social networks and get connected, hence, our new Sign-Up options. In addition to Facebook Connect, you will now be able to join Tongal via Twitter, Google/YouTube, Yahoo, LinkedIn, and Vimeo.
What is the Tongal Globe? The Tongal Globe is a way of visually representing where our active members and winners come from. Have a look for yourself: Tongal Globe
Is Tongal HTML 5 compatible? Tongal.com is completely HTML 5 compatible. That means if you own an iPhone or an iPad you can make written Submissions, watch Videos, send messages, etc. all from your mobile device.
How do I unsubscribe to email notifications? To unsubscribe from email notifications, you can go to your My Tongal page and edit your subscriptions settings under the Account tab in the left-hand navigation of your My Tongal page.
How do I delete my account? Email help@tongal.com and request to have your account deleted.
ALL THINGS MONEY
I Just Won! How do I get paid and what is the Deadline for filling out the forms in my To Do list? You have 45 days from end of the final Phase of the Project to fill out your forms in order to be paid. However, you are encouraged to fill out those forms immediately after winning. We cannot pay you unless you have filled out and submitted these forms.
Where can I find the payment forms / releases? Payment forms can be at the bottom of the Tongal website by clicking on important forms or by visiting this URL: Winner's Forms.
If I want to get paid via Paypal, what information do I need to provide? In addition to all the relevant important forms, the email address that your paypal account is linked to.
When do I get paid? After the Project ends and your forms have been submitted, you will be paid on the 1st of the following month.
Do all Project Phases have to end before I get paid? YES, the payment can only be processed after the final Phase of the Project.
Is there a minimum dollar amount we have to accumulate before we get paid? NO, upon completion of a Project, you will be paid whatever money you are owed.
Once I have filled out my forms, will I ever have to do so again? It depends on the form. The IP and Affidavit have to be submitted only once by each winning member. The W-9 needs to be filled out once annually in order to process payment.
Why do I have to put my Social Security number on the W-9 form? Tongal winners need to be valid individuals or businesses verified by a valid tax id, either SS or FEIN.
If I am under 18, do I fill out the processing forms or should I have my parents do it? It is up to you. If you do not feel comfortable filling out the forms yourself, you may have your parent or legal guardian fill them out on your behalf. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the winner affidavit.
Can my winnings be donated to an organization or charity? What you do with your winnings is up to you. Due to legal reasons, Tongal cannot donate money to an organization of your behalf.
Who do I email about payment? If you are having trouble uploading your forms or have a question about payment, email help@tongal.com with your question.
What is my "Tongal Handle?" Your Tongal Handle is the name or alias you go by on the site.
OTHER QUESTIONS
What if I don't know how to edit? There are multiple forums and help available online. We think you'll find I-Movie and Final Cut Pro extremely easy to use. In the future, there might be contests in which there is a separate editing phase.
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Can you guys get deals on equipment? We are working on it. In the near future, we hope to be able to point the community to places in which they can get discounts on all kinds of equipment from cameras to editing software.
What if it costs me more to make the Video than the prize money? Unfortunately, in some cases, this might be a reality. As time goes on, the prize money will go up and technology will make shooting the Videos cheaper. The new iPhone has software to edit and shoot directly from your phone.
Does everyone in my Video need a signed Talent Release? It is good form to have everyone who appears in your Video sign a Talent Release on the day of your shoot. Should you win, and should a sponsor decide to broadcast your Submission, you will be required to provide these releases. Tracking down actors months after the fact can be a real pain, so do yourself a favor and get all of your ducks in a row the day of the shoot. Talent, Location, Photo and Music Releases can all be found here: Winner's Forms.
If I'm considering Sponsoring a Project, whom do I contact? Contact Mark Burrell via mark@tongal.com and we'll set up a time to talk, walk you through the process, the timeline, etc.
How do I become an intern for Tongal? Tongal is always looking for interns and campus representatives. If you are a hardworking, self-motivated individual and want to earn some internship credit, email your resume and a short cover letter to caleb@tongal.com.
TONGAL FORUM
See what other people in the Tongal community are asking and answering!
