Tongal is looking for a writer (or writers) to research and write three scripts for a suite of three YouTube video essays exploring and celebrating the history and achievements of Black creators and characters across animation, comics, and narrative films.

The goal of this project is to research and write three longform essays about the history of Black animators and characters, comics and illustrators/writers, and narrative film and filmmakers for Tongal’s YouTube channel. The essays will serve as the voiceover and text script for three videos that may run as long as 15-20 minutes, but note that NO video editing will be required for this project. While we know this is a large topic to cover, we’re specifically looking for primers that dive into the highlights and milestones along each topic’s path, and that help illustrate how the industry was pushed forward. At the same time, we also want to mention any obstacles that were overcome - and that are still being overcome - along the way. 

These video essays will also incorporate interview snippets from creators that will offer commentary to enhance your scripts. We will consider green-lighting one writer for all three essay, or a combination of three different writers, for one essay each.

The three covered topics are the History and Achievements of:

• Black Animation/Animators
• Black Comics/Illustrators
• Black Narrative Cinema/Filmmakers

When submitting your pitch, please identify the 1 to 3 topics you wish to cover.

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

DELIVERABLES:  

• One 10 to 15 minute in length video essay script (.doc, .pdf)
• Citation Page Of Research

TIMELINE: HERE

EXPOSURE:

• YouTube
• Please review the platform best practices page.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• The Tongal Community and creators across the Internet - predominantly writers, filmmakers, directors, animators, editors, and producers.

TONE: Educational, Inspiring

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.

REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION OR TONE: 

• The History of Queer Animation
• The Importance of MTV's Liquid Television - Animation History

In order to be considered for this project, you must include the below materials in your submission.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this video.

• WRITING SAMPLE (REQUIRED): Show us some of your previous written work that you feel makes you the ideal creator for this project.

• LINKS (OPTIONAL): To your previous work. Please specify your role (writer, producer, director, cinematography, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO A SHOWREEL. Please link to individual pieces of content.

• 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. 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 will be greenlit, 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. Please see the full payment schedule in the Assets section.

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

ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS: Your final script must be delivered in both .doc and .pdf format. You must also deliver a citation page of your research.

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. BY SUBMITTING AN 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.
   
   
3. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
4. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. Limit 5 submissions per member.
   
   
7. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or old to enter. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest at their discretion.
   
   
8. Creators of selected submissions must provide the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.
   
   
9. 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.