Ever wanted to share your creativity and knowledge with the next generation of filmmakers, animators, and editors? Here's your chance! Tongal is launching the next wave of our revamped Creative Mentorship Program to support new and emerging talent, and we are looking for established video creators - specifically in the fields of live action filmmaking, 2D or 3D animation, and editing - who have wisdom to share. This is part of an ongoing program, and you can read a bit more about the inaugural wave in the background section.

The selected mentor in this program will receive funding to build out a full lesson plan (elements of which could later be public on the Tongal website), and help oversee a content production project for two mentees in the program. Lesson plans will consist of written and video elements that clearly break down the skill you are teaching, basic steps and workflows, helpful tips and tricks, and ways to learn more. Video content can be more produced, or more of webinar format, depending on your production capabilities and what you think works best for your lesson. Exact lesson plans will be dependent upon the skill you're teaching — and you'll work with teams from Tongal to build them out — but you can also see good examples of previous lesson plan content in the background section.

If you're interested in being a mentor, please give us some information about your background, why you'd like to become a mentor, and the lesson you'd like to teach within your field of expertise. We're specifically looking for established creators who have demonstrated experience in their field, and are looking to be a close collaborator with emerging video creators to help guide them through a content project, the focus of which will be agreed between the participants, and could be simulated for the purpose of the mentorship. In terms of lessons, we're open to any and all ideas in the fields of physical media, photographer, illustration, digital content, animation, live action filmmaking, 2D or 3D animation, and editing. Topics can be more technical in nature (such as how to tell stories in :06), or specific to certain verticals (such as food & beverage, consumer products, etc.). We're breaking down more details on the full process below. 

HOW IT WORKS:

1. Identify Mentor and Develop Lesson Plan: Potential mentors can apply to the next wave of the Tongal Creative Mentorship Program with ideas of lesson plans they'd like to expand upon. Once selected, a greenlit mentor will receive funding, work with the Tongal team to develop their lesson plan, and create a lesson that guides the mentee through an agreed content project, which could be simulated, so potential mentees have the opportunity to think through all the creative considerations that come with creating content for a brand or client.
2. Identify Mentees: We’ll also launch a second project on the Tongal platform to identify emerging creators who would like to be mentored and create a new content sample for their portfolio, based on the specific skills laid out in the brief. To participate in the program, prospective mentees will be asked to submit a creator statement and an outline or treatment of their idea for a final project based on the brief. Mentors, along with the Tongal team, will review and select two mentees for the program. 
3. Mentees Creates Portfolio Pieces with Mentor Support: Let the creativity and learning begin! Mentees and mentor will take part in a kick-off call to discuss their concept and plan how they’ll bring their final projects to life. Check-ins meetings will be scheduled to provide guidance along the way. Mentees will be given a grant to help cover the cost of any software and materials needed.

WHAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN A LESSON PLAN:

Exact lesson plans will be different depending on the type of lesson you plan to teach, but below are elements we'll be aiming to include across all lesson plans.

• Introduction to the skill / vertical, and its potential uses
• Any software, equipment or material that would be helpful for this lesson
• Basic steps and workflow examples
• Helpful tips & tricks
• Ways to continue to learn more, should a mentee want to dive deeper into the subject 

DELIVERABLES:

• One written lesson plan PDF, to be developed with with teams from Tongal
• Up to Five 1-Hour Meetings (Two x 1-hour meetings in pre-production and Three x 1-hour meetings in post production) to interact with your mentees in a smaller setting, and give them any insight as they complete their own project
• Additional Deliverables will be determined based on the mentorship program we create together.

EXPOSURE: Lesson plans will live on the Tongal website, and your 

TARGET AUDIENCE: Emerging creators who are new to the branded content space, or are interested in learning a new skill.

AI USAGE: You may not use AI generated visual or audio assets in your final content. However, for the purposes of your pitch and prep 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. If you have questions about any specific usage or tool, please ask your Tongal producer.

THE TONGAL CREATIVE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM:

Launched in 2021, Tongal's Creative Mentorship Program is an initiative designed to equip emerging creators with the tools and experience to excel in a branded content environment. By developing real-world lessons around branded content skill development and pairing emerging creators with seasoned mentors from within the Tongal community, the program will teach mentees how to pitch creative, interface with clients, meet deadlines, address feedback, and deliver a final product. Each mentee will work towards developing a specific skill based on their mentor’s lesson plan (e.g. editing a video for social, or animating a logo) that will help them further their career as a branded content creator. By the end of the program, each mentee will walk away with a completed piece of content for their own portfolios. You can learn more about the first wave of the program - which was a workshop around creating for vertical video - here. 

EXAMPLES OF GOOD LESSON PLAN CONTENT:  The below links are examples of the videos that were created during for the first few waves of the Creative Mentorship Program:

• Echoes of Access: Short Documentary
• What is Vertical Video and How is it Used?
• Mugen Short Film by Firman Machda
• Ideation & Production for Vertical Video
• How to Elevate Existing Content for Vertical Video

ABOUT TONGAL:

Tongal believes creativity drives human potential and that everyone has the potential to be creative. We empower Creators by connecting them to each other and to opportunities for top networks, studios, and brands, setting into motion a never-ending cycle of opportunity and growth.

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.

• MENTOR APPLICATION/INTRODUCTION (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters introducing yourself & why you'd like to become a mentor in Tongal's Branded Content Mentorship Program. 

• LESSON IDEA (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters introducing your idea for a lesson, and why you think it would appeal to emerging creators.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous work in your specified field. Please specify your role (producer, director, cinematography, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• INTRO VIDEO (Optional): If you prefer to talk through your ideas, feel free to make a quick intro video introducing yourself to the Tongal team, telling us why you're interested in becoming a mentor in this project, and what lesson you're interested in teaching for potential mentees.

The most compelling pitch will be greenlit by the Sponsor, and the responsible creator will then receive an email from Tongal producers detailing next steps. All submitters will also receive an automated email notification that a selection has been announced. To ensure you’re receiving project updates, review your email settings to check that you haven’t unsubscribed.

Creators who’ve been selected will receive funding upon completing the Winner Affidavit and the IP Assignment. Payment of the pitch funds is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal, typically included with the project timeline.

Note that there may be multiple rounds of feedback until elements are approved, and if you begin production before you have received final approval, you may need to reshoot or reanimate at your own expense.

For convenience, we've provided some helpful templates that you can consider using for pre-production materials, and they can all be accessed here.

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Looking for help? Post crew and production opportunities connected to Tongal projects on Backlot. 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.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: Once Content has been submitted and the initial Production Phase completed, greenlit creators will enter into Revisions. Creators will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor's feedback. Check out our Filmmaker Resource Portal to access helpful post-production resources like Text-Safe Guides for different platforms, Project File Organization Tutorial, Export Presets, and Captioning services.

MUSIC: If you use music from a library for your content, you MUST use one of Tongal's music providers: Universal Production Music, PrimalHouse, or Slipstream. 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 Music Release Form. To learn more, click on any of the providers' names above.

If you use original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. Please ensure your composer reviews and signs this form BEFORE beginning their work.

STOCK FOOTAGE: Tongal has partnered with the stock footage library Storyblocks, which can be used to source video clips, photography, and After Effects templates for your video submission to this project. Video or photo content from Storyblocks is available at no charge, solely for incorporation into submissions on this project, and will not require a separate Release Form. If identifiable people or intellectual property appears in a video clip or photo, you may only utilize assets that are clearly marked “Model released: Yes” or “Property release: Yes” on the clip description pages. You may NOT use any audio.

If you intend to use Storyblocks, inform your Tongal producer, and an account will be created for you to access the library. Once assets are approved for delivery, you must provide a complete list of all Storyblocks content that you used via our template HERE.

ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: 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 any costs associated with the hard drive and shipping. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.

To ensure a smoother delivery, please review the Export Presets, Specifications, and Project File Organization Tutorial in our Filmmaker Resource Portal.

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.