Tongal, TBS, TNT, and truTV are looking to develop new and original 3-5 minute digital pilots of all kinds from Black filmmakers, animators, and showrunners. Show us what you've got for a shot to produce a pilot episode for audiences worldwide. Now accepting pitches!

The MORE BY: Black Voices Digital Pilot Development Project is now in pre-production on four fun pilots. Stay tuned for more updates as we progress!

New to the project but have a great idea for a pilot? Submit your pitch! 

Submitted a pitch proposal, but didn't receive a development stipend to turn it into a full pitch? Submit your pitch! We want to see more about your pilot and vision for a series.

TBS, TNT, and truTV are teaming up with Tongal to develop fresh, creative stories for short-form digital pilots conjured up for and by Black Creators – your words, your ideas, your characters, and your experiences, to share with audiences worldwide. While TBS is known for episodic comedy and sports, TNT is the home of drama, and truTV is all about comedy, the three networks are partnering on a new digital platform launching in September that will encompass all genres and show formats. And they're looking for fresh new short-form pilots from Black Creators to help kick things off. So let's make the pilot that you would want to watch. 

If you've got an idea for an unforgettable 3-5 minute digital pilot, in any genre and any medium, we want to hear from YOU. That means unscripted or scripted, live-action or animated, bite-sized shows, horror, sitcom, docu-style, talk shows, hybrid production, cooking shows, and anything and everything in between are all on the table. This is a chance for you to take that idea that's been rolling around in the back of your head and get it out into the world. Together, we'll develop your idea into a full pitch and help produce your pilot episode with the ultimate goal of getting greenlit for a 6-8 episode digital series. 

Please note that this project will be split into THREE Phases, each designed to identify, then develop, and finally create your Pilots. We're outlining these in more detail in the Submission Requirements, but here's a quick breakdown:

PROJECT PHASES:

• Phase 1: Pitch Proposals (OPEN TO EVERYONE) September 13–October 1
• Phase 2: Full Pitch Development (OPEN TO EVERYONE) October 19–November 8 !! NOW OPEN !!
• Phase 3: Pilot Production (OPEN TO TWO GREENLIT PITCHES) November 16–February 3, 2022

We are currently in Phase 2, Full Pitch Development. Missed the Pitch Proposal Phase, or didn't get selected? You can still submit a full pitch in the Pitch Phase through November 2. All Pitches will be given the same consideration regardless of whether they were advanced from the Pitch Proposal Phase. See more info in the Submission Requirements section.

ABOUT THE PITCH PHASE:

• Your Pitch is your chance to introduce is to your digital pilot: what it's about, how you'll make it, and who it's for. You'll be asked to share a detailed treatment for your pilot, which can include optional supportive materials like a script, storyboards, or casting references; your pilot bid and budget (up to $15,000); and links to your relevant past work. You can also include a pitch video that allows you to speak face-to-face with the Sponsor or that shows proof-of-concept or sample content for your pilot.
• The Sponsor will evaluate all Pitches and select two Creators to move forward to produce a Pilot. These creators will receive funding, up to $15,000 each, to create their 3-5 minute Pilot.
• If your Pitch is not selected as a winner, all rights will revert back to you six (6) months after the project closes. See the Project Rules for more information.
• Your Pitch must be original and of your own creation. 
• All styles and mediums are on the table – live-action, papercraft, even fully-animated 2D or 3D animation if you can make it work. 
• Similarly, we're open to all genres and formats: comedy, horror, kids shows, drama, documentary, reviews or unboxings, cooking shows, talk show formats, etc. Unscripted and snackable content are especially of interest to the Sponsor.
• Your pilot should fit into a 6-8 episode series run with episodes in the ~3-5 minute range, although if you want to run longer than that, we're open to it. Your show can be episodic, or serialized. 
• Your 3-5 minute Pilot should be up to $15,000. 

So, pitch us already! We want to get your show out there. For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

To enter your Pitch submission, you must:

1. Be 13 years or older
2. Log-in to, or create a Tongal Account
3. Upload your Pitch submission to Tongal through the "Submissions" tab of the project page (above)
4. Fill out the required information on the Submission Form and click the "Submit Pitch" button

TIMELINE: Click here for the full project timeline.

EXPOSURE: morefromus.com and @morefromus on Instagram; Turner Networks (TBS, TNT, truTV, etc.) digital platforms.

The More By: Black Voices Digital Pilot Development Project is open for Pitch submissions from noon PT on October 19, 2021 to 11:59 am PT on November 8, 2021. Participants must be thirteen years or older at the time of entry. No purchase necessary to enter or win. See Official Rules at https://tongal.com/about/official-rules for eligibility and other requirements.

If you have any issues with your submission, please reach out to us at info@tongal.com at least 2 hours before the deadline.

SERIES PHYSICAL PRODUCTION BUDGET
If Warner Media elects to take your pilot into production on a series, you'll be asked to put together a physical production budget for 6-8 additional episodes. You should anticipate that your per episode budget will be comparable to the pilot's, in terms of physical production costs, with some efficiency for scale.

OWNERSHIP & PARTICIPATION

WINNING SUBMISSIONS:

1. If Your Pilot Goes to Series - If a Pilot is produced and the Sponsor elects to move forward into Series development, all rights to the creative, artistic, and other original works of authorship created by the Creator(s) in connection with this project shall be owned in perpetuity by Sponsor. The Creator's ongoing involvement and participation in the project, including their percentage of net proceeds, will be subject to good faith negotiations with the Sponsor and covered by a separate agreement.
2. If Your Pilot Does Not Go to Series - If a Pilot is produced, but the Sponsor elects not to move forward into Series, then Sponsor shall retain ownership rights to the Pilot for one year, after which all rights will revert to Creator. If the Pilot is released publicly in that time,  Sponsor agrees to make good faith efforts to include the winning Creator(s) with participation in a percentage of net proceeds.
   
   

NON-WINNING SUBMISSIONS:

• For Pitch Proposals and Full Pitches not selected by WarnerMedia, all rights to Submissions that are not selected by WarnerMedia in either Phase 1 or Phase 2  will revert back to the Creator six months after the close of the Pilot Pitch Phase.

In order to be considered for this project, you must include the below materials in your pitch proposal submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery.

PITCH PROPOSAL PHASE:

You must include the below materials in your Pitch Proposal Submission. The Pitch Proposal phase gives filmmakers the opportunity to submit a Pilot Logline and a more detailed Pilot Concept where you can share your initial creative thoughts and tell us a bit more about your aesthetic as a creator. Six creators will be given $750 to develop a Pilot Bible as part of the Pitch Phase.

• PILOT/PITCH SYNOPSIS (REQUIRED): Your pilot logline in up to 500 characters.
  
  
• PILOT CONCEPT (REQUIRED): This is your opportunity to tell us about your Pilot in more detail. You should include your show's medium and format, estimated episode length, and what will happen in the Pilot episode. You may also include more detail around your full 6-8 episode series/season. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a template, which you can find here.
  
  
• YOUR BIO (REQUIRED): This is your chance to introduce yourself to the Sponsor: tell us who you are, what you care about, and what this series means to you, in your own words. You can upload a document or a video – whatever format is more comfortable for you.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your relevant previous work. Please specify your role (director, designer, animator, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.

PITCH PHASE:

In order to be considered for this project, you must include the below materials in your pitch submission. Six (6) Pitch Proposals from the previous phase will be given $750 each to develop full Pitches, but the Pitch phase is open equally to anyone regardless of the status of your Pitch Proposal submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters that sum up the theme, thesis, plot, characters, and/or main question of your Pilot in a snappy and memorable way. Think of this as your logline.
  
  
• PILOT BIBLE (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in your Pilot and how you will achieve it. While not mandatory, you may also include a draft of your script, storyboards, character designs and descriptions, and/or a summary of the full 6-8 episode series as you envision 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.
  
  
• PILOT BID/BUDGET (REQUIRED): This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall Pilot budget proposal, up to $15,000. Please ensure that your budget factors in appropriate COVID safety protocols (i.e. testing, PPE, cleaning supplies, backup talent, etc.). You can download the budget template here.
  
  
• 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. 

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

• SCRIPT: This project requires script approval. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a script is approved by the Sponsor.
• CASTING: This project requires casting approval. 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. If the Sponsor does not approve any of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options. Additionally, owing to the risk of disruption from COVID, you will be expected to have backup talent approved by the Sponsor in advance of production to account for any last-minute changes.
• STORYBOARD: This project requires storyboard approval. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version.

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: 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 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. NON-WINNING SUBMISSIONS: FOR PITCH PROPOSAL AND FULL PITCHES NOT SELECTED BY SPONSOR, ALL RIGHTS TO SUBMISSIONS THAT ARE NOT SELECTED BY SPONSOR IN EITHER PHASE 1 OR PHASE 2 WILL REVERT BACK TO THE SUBMITTERS SIX (6) MONTHS AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE PITCH PHASE. 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. WINNING SUBMISSIONS: 
   • IF A PILOT IS PRODUCED AND THE SPONSOR ELECTS TO MOVE FORWARD INTO SERIES DEVELOPMENT, ALL RIGHTS TO THE CREATIVE, ARTISTIC, AND OTHER ORIGINAL WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP CREATED BY THE SUBMITTER IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROJECT SHALL BE OWNED IN PERPETUITY BY THE SPONSOR. THE CREATOR'S ONGOING INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PROJECT, INCLUDING THEIR PERCENTAGE OF NET PROCEEDS, WILL BE SUBJECT TO GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE SPONSOR AND COVERED BY A SEPARATE AGREEMENT.
   • IF YOUR PILOT DOES NOT GO TO SERIES - IF A PILOT IS PRODUCED, BUT THE SPONSOR ELECTS NOT TO MOVE FORWARD INTO SERIES, THEN SPONSOR SHALL RETAIN OWNERSHIP RIGHTS TO THE PILOT FOR ONE YEAR, AFTER WHICH ALL RIGHTS WILL REVERT TO CREATOR. IF THE PILOT IS RELEASED PUBLICLY IN THAT TIME,  SPONSOR AGREES TO MAKE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS TO INCLUDE THE WINNING CREATOR(S) WITH PARTICIPATION IN A PERCENTAGE OF NET PROCEEDS.
     
     
6. 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.
   
   
7. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
8. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
   
   
9. 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.
   
   
10. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
    
11. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
    
    
12. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
13. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
14. 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.
    
    
15. 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.
    
    
16. 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.
    
    
17. 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.