Send us your pitch to write the pilot episode for a brand new animated series called Astroloopers for preschool ages 3-6.

PLEASE NOTE: We are re-opening this project for another week!  Make sure you take a look at a few changes to the submission requirements below, marked in bold red.  

Our goal is to identify a screenwriter to create a script for an 11-minute pilot for a 2D animated preschool series. The writer should be well versed in using a voice appropriate for our young audience! The series bible has already been developed, so this project is less about world-building and creative development than it is truly a screenwriting project. PLEASE NOTE: the writer who is greenlit will be provided with the full series bible (including character descriptions, tone, rules of the world, curriculum, and episode format) as well as a clear pilot outline. The primary focus should be on leveraging these materials to help guide your writing process and produce the best pilot script possible, with the ultimate goal of pitching it to buyers and further developing it into a series.

DELIVERABLES: 

• A finalized 11-minute pilot script for Astroloopers. 

TIMELINE: For the *revised* full project timeline please see the Assets tab.

TARGET AUDIENCE:  Our viewers are preschool children ages 3-6. It's important to avoid subjects like danger or bullying. Be sure to read the extended background below on this demographic.

TONE: Fun, exciting, adventurous, inclusive, friendly, humorous! This series deals with colorful characters and whimsical situations, while also centering on lessons of communication and emotional intelligence. 

OPEN BID: This is an Open Bid project, so you will get to set your own writer's fee within the $3-5k 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.

As the “AAA of the galaxy,” the Astroloopers are four heroic cars that help space travelers in need across the universe. On their super fun adventures they’ll make friends, solve problems, and learn valuable communication skills.

Every mission takes the Astroloopers somewhere unique. You never know what you’re gonna find! No matter where they go, the Astroloopers are sure to encounter new friends and adventures!

When they're not out on missions, our "Galaxy Responders" live and play at the Galactic Garage, a super cool home base located on a huge asteroid floating through space! 

Our goal with this series is to entertain and delight preschoolers, while also exposing them to a curriculum that centers around important themes of interpersonal communication, teamwork, sensitivity to those around us, and emotional intelligence.

Audience

Kids 3-6 are at a special age where the world is big and fascinating. They want to know more and they have an insatiable curiosity, but at the same time, they are still sensitive to dangerous situations, complex storytelling, and overly thrilling moments. They don't necessarily need to be talked down to, but it's important to keep things straightforward. Here are a few do's and don'ts to keep in mind:

• Thrilling language like "crush", "wreck", and "smash" can be jarring and disturbing for this age. Be sure to avoid these scenarios and add whimsy so that it is approachable for kids.
• Patterns, patterns, patterns. Our viewers love process and engage with step-by-steps easily. 
• Exposition. Our audience wants to stay present in the story. Too much history or forecasting can be too laborious for our demographic. 
• They are big kids! It's important to remember that no one wants to be made to feel small, especially kids 3-6. Therefore, our characters should actually be aspirational figures and resemble the mindset of someone 8 or 10 years of age.
• Please stay away from food-themed topics, as these can be controversial for this age group.

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): 250 characters or less synopsizing why you're right for this project. PLEASE specify the context of your writing sample (see below).
  
  
• WRITING SAMPLE (REQUIRED): Show us your best example of screenwriting for kids. 
  • Ideally, it should be a preschool sample, but we're open to evaluating other kids writing. 
  • Ideally it should be for TV or a digital series. PLEASE give us context regarding your sample. Were you staffed on a show? Is it a spec script? 
  • This project will be dialogue-heavy, so keep that in mind and make sure to show us something with dialogue. Also, we're looking for comedy, action, excitement, and clear storytelling for kids.
    
    
• 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, animatic, 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.

• ADDITIONAL MATERIALS (OPTIONAL): You're welcome to include anything else that helps position you as a great candidate for the job! This could include resumes, links to past work you've written for, or additional writing samples.

The most compelling Pitch Qualification will be greenlit, and upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, the responsible creator will receive funding. 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 tab. Also please note: the greenlit writer will receive a percentage of net royalties to Little Red Truck licensing.

WRITING REQUIREMENTS: During the Writing Phase, the following will be required for a complete submission. 

• SCRIPT & REVISIONS: You will be required to complete a script for an 11-minute preschool animated series. There will be several rounds of feedback until a Script is approved by the client. Please refer to full project timeline in the Assets tab for more details on this.

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
5. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
6. 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.
    
7. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
8. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
    
9. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
   
   
10. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
11. 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.
    
    
12. 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.
    
    
13. 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.
    
    
14. 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.