Pitch us to produce social video content inspired by the iconic holiday film, A Christmas Story.

WarnerMedia is looking for you to create fun, lightweight social video content inspired by A Christmas Story.

The 1983 classic holiday film, A Christmas Story, often ranks as one of the best Christmas movies of all time. Our goal is to celebrate and raise awareness about the marathon event, "24 Hours of A Christmas Story" which TBS puts on every year on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

A Christmas Story has some truly memorable moments (see the Background/Additional Details section below). We want you to come up with catchy, engaging, relevant social content for 2019 that viewers can have fun with and develop warm brand affiliations with TBS and A Christmas Story.

Similar to the "Friendsgiving" project we launched last month -- WarnerMedia is open to ALL formats & styles including animation, live action, parody, DIY, UGC, etc. Just please make sure your pitch is feasible to execute within the time constraints of this project.  We suggest checking out the TBS Instagram account to see what kinds of content they have published in the past (including our very own Friendsgiving remix video by Tongaler Ryan Estabrooks!). WarnerMedia will provide the greenlit creators with the film asset.

DELIVERABLES:

• The sweet spot is 1-3 minute videos. You're welcome to produce videos that are longer, but the timeline is very short, so please make sure whatever you're pitching is actually doable!
• Your video should be 16x9, but the action should be framed so that it can be cropped for a 1x1 aspect ratio. Depending on the creative, it might be better to deliver a second version specifically designed for the 1x1 aspect ratio -- this can be discussed after the pitch is greenlit.

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

EXPOSURE:

• Open to any and all social channels, especially Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
• Check out our platform best practices page.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• Average Age on Social: 31
• Male: 52%
• Female: 48%

TONE:

• Cool, fun, and potentially nostalgic like the movie. Content should be appropriate for the typical TBS viewers.

TONE:

• Everything from the movie is pretty much fare game, except we recommend staying away from the last scene in the Chinese restaurant.

OPEN BID: 

• This is an open bid project, so you will get to set your own budget proposal within the $2,000-$5,000 per video range. 
• By participating in this open bid project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a bid. Though most open bid projects on our platform do move forward with a greenlit bid, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any bids via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all open bid submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.

From the pink bunny onesie to the scary Santa Claus at the store to "You'll shoot your eye out!!" - this movie really encapsulates the ups and downs of the holiday season. How can we forget when Ralphie's friend gets his tongue stuck to the frozen pole. Or the leg lamp... So many laughs and fond memories of watching this film with family and friends during the holiday season. See some fun clips below for inspiration!

• Bunny Pajamas
• Sticky Tongue
• Leg Lamp

Also, here's some more inspiration related to Friends, but it's in the same spirit of the type of social content we're looking for!

• Friends Opening With Cats: https://www.instagram.com/p/B2m_P1zHkfx/
• Friends 24 Bit Opening: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0yuGXwnqbl/
• Celebs on Sandwich Custom Art: https://www.instagram.com/p/BqfYhELnkdv/

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.
  
  
• BUDGET (REQUIRED): This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the budget template here. The Sponsor would like each producer to create videos with a cost range of $2,000-5,000 per 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. 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, 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.

The most compelling pitch (or pitches) will be greenlit, and upon completing the Winner Affidavit and the IP Assignment, the responsible creator (or creators) will receive funding. WarnerMedia will provide the greenlit creators with the film asset.

Please note: the payment of the pitch funds is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Please see the full payment schedule in the Assets section.

PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Prior to shooting, filmmakers must receive the below approvals from the Sponsor.

• SCRIPT: If needed, this project requires script approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback.

• HEADSHOT: If needed, this project requires headshot approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the Sponsor does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.

For your convenience, we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a treatment, production budget, storyboards, shot list, call sheet, and a music cue sheet. Additionally, there are templates that will help you clearly present cast, location, and wardrobe options to the Sponsor. They can all be accessed here.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS: Once the Video Phase has closed, the greenlit submitters will enter the Revisions Phase. Filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback.

MUSIC: Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Universal Production Music 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 providers’ names above. 

If you 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.

ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS: You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec in order to submit final payment. You are responsible for the costs associated with the hard drive and shipping.

For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post production, please click here.

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.