To celebrate the premiere of BLACK POP on E! this year, we're looking for FOUR artists, illustrators, animators, or filmmakers to create a piece of art - either still image or video - that depicts a moment from your life that was impacted or influenced by a Black pop cultural moment from film, television, music or sports.

It's undeniable - Black artists, athletes, entertainers, and public figures have heavily influenced popular culture in the United States and around the world. To honor and celebrate the Black community's extraordinary cultural impact, E! Entertainment Network is premiering a brand new, four-part event docu-series called BLACK POP. It is a showcase for the power and the glory of Black excellence and the influence that Black pop culture has had and continues to have on America, American culture, and specifically American pop culture. Now, E! is looking for artists, animators, and filmmakers to create a piece of art - either a still image or a video - based around a life-changing or inspiring experience that Black pop culture had on YOU.

Each episode of the show will cover one of four topics - film, music, television, and sports - and E! is looking for creators to make a single piece of art for each of those categories, with a different creator chosen for each category. The inspiration for your piece should come from a defining moment where Black culture had a positive impact on your life. Did watching iconic Black actors play a multitude of prominent roles show you that the potential was limitless? Did listening to any of the most famous Black female music artists prove to you that a Black woman could be on top for not only the music industry, but also American pop culture at large? Did certain broadcast sitcoms change the way Americans thought about Black family life? Did seeing one of the most famous Basketball players of all time's iconic dunk inspire you to play sports? There are so many moments throughout history that demonstrate the impact Black pop culture has had on America. No matter which one you choose, we want to know the impact that it's had on YOU and your life. 

For your Pitch, you should cite a moment from any of these four categories as the source of inspiration for your piece of art, and since we're only selecting one creator for each category, feel free to submit pitches for multiple categories if there are numerous moments in Black pop culture that speak to you; just be sure to dictate which category (film, television, music, or sports) you're pitching against for each idea. The only caveat, and it's a big one, is that you cannot mention any specific people, teams, films, television shows, characters, brands, or logos in your piece. You'll have to reference them indirectly. For instance, if we're thinking about the references in the previous paragraph, you could say: "Watching films with a Black lead actor showed me that...," "Listening to an iconic Black woman push the boundaries of the music industry inspired me to...," "Seeing a television show about a Black family with a positive, healthy, happy home life reframed how I...," or "Watching a man defy gravity with a basketball inspired me to..." 

E! is open to any and all artistic mediums for this project - except live-action video. Photography, illustration, graphic design, sculpture, and animation (all types) are fair game. If you are producing any sort of still image, your budget will be $1,500. If you are creating a video, your budget will be $2,500, and your video can be a maximum of 15 seconds long. 

Last but in no way least, E! welcomes people from all backgrounds to pitch on this project, since the influence of Black excellence has affected people from all walks of life. Check out more information in Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: Each creator will be responsible for two total assets: 

• Either one up-to-:15 video (4x5, 9x16)
• Or one illustration or static image (4x5, 9x16) 

TIMELINE: Click here.

EXPOSURE:

• Broadcast
• Social Media
• Please review the platform best practices page.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Anyone who's been inspired and moved by Black pop culture.

TONE: Celebratory, inspirational, uplifting, reverential, respectful 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Live-action filmmaking is NOT a permitted artistic medium for this project. 
• You CANNOT reference or depict any specific people, teams, films, television shows, brands, logos, jerseys, or any specific intellectual properties for this project. 
• If you're creating an animated video, the total length of the piece can be no longer than :15.
• ALL work must be original. Distorting otherwise-licensed photos is not permitted.
• By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a bid. Though most 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 submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.
• AI-generated or assisted content is strictly prohibited.
• “While creating these submission tapes DO NOT engage in or encourage any activity that is potentially hazardous or could cause injury to you or anyone else.”

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a bid. Though most 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 submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.

Shooting stop motion? Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, so please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We're working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and you should ensure your submission is executable within the anticipated timeline and budget, while also ensuring everyone's safety.

BLACK POP is a multi-part, archive-rich series executive produced by Stephen Curry. Premiering in 2023, BLACK POP will explore how Black Americans have impacted and shaped culture through film, television, music, and sports.

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): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed out in the Deliverables.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A more detailed and specific description of how you propose to execute all of the content listed out in the Deliverables, both in terms of what we can expect to see, and how you’ll make it. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• 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.

• 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 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 here.

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

• TREATMENT  This project requires treatment approval. The treatment should describe how you plan to execute the video and how you plan to bring the storytelling to life visually. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your treatment and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a treatment is approved by the Sponsor.
• CHARACTER DESIGN / CONCEPT ART (If Applicable): This project requires character approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your character designs and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until the characters are approved by the Sponsor.
• STORYBOARD (If Applicable): This project requires storyboard approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version.
• CASTING (If Applicable): This project requires casting 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. Tongal advocates for inclusivity in on-screen representation and diversity in casting. As a best practice, please submit three to four options per role with at least one of those options being a person of color.

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.

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Tongal supports inclusivity in all of our productions and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: 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. 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: You will be required to use the E!-approved music provider Source Audio to source music for your Video submission to this Project. Music from this provider is available only to the filmmakers that E! selects at no charge solely for their incorporation into Submissions to this Project and will not require a separate music release form. Filmmakers will be provided with a log-in and access by a Tongal producer once they are selected. 

If you are selected as a filmmaker and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our music release form. 

FONTS: If you use any actual fonts (as opposed to drawing your own letters) you will be required to use the E!-approved font service Monotype to source fonts for your Video submissions to this project. Fonts from this provider are available only to the Pitch Winners at no charge solely for their incorporation into Submissions to this Project and will not require a separate Release. Pitch Winners will be provided with a log-in and access by a Tongal producer once they are selected

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 the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.

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

1. Preferred format for video upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p 16x9, and for image is .png or .jpg. other 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. 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.
   
   
6. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
7. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
8. 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.
    
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
10. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
     
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.
    
    
14. 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.
    
    
15. 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.
    
    
16. 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.