Bring the massively popular Wattpad story “Cupid’s Match” to life as an original series for CW Seed by first creating a Teaser Video that will get fans excited!
Want to create a brand new show for CW Seed – the CW’s digital network? Submit your Wildcard Teaser Video based on the hit Wattpad story "Cupid’s Match" with 29+ million reads online!
In a world where everyone has their perfect romantic match, what if you were matched with the dangerous, and notoriously good-looking, original bad boy… Cupid himself?
This is the line that teases this sensational Wattpad story. “Cupid’s Match” tells the story of LILA BLACK, a 17-year-old high school student who finds herself in a supernatural world of romance, adventure, and betrayal when the mysterious Cupid’s Matchmaking Service contacts her to let her know she’s been matched with the one and only Cupid, which is in fact NOT a good thing.
Lila discovers that there is a whole secret organization of other cupids, and their #1 rule is they can never be matched up with anyone. The fact that THE original Cupid has been matched up is unprecedented, and legends say that VERY BAD things will happen if Lila falls for Cupid… who of course is quite irresistible. Soon there is a chaotic frenzy as everyone around Lila and Cupid works to try and understand how this match happened and how they can stop it! Enemies assemble, mythical arrows fly, and an evil Goddess is awakened.
To read "Cupid’s Match" on Wattpad click HERE.
To read the synopsis click HERE.
With the eventual goal of creating an original digital series for CW Seed around this hit Wattpad story, we want you to come up with a take on how “Cupid’s Match” can live as an awesome scripted show, and create a Teaser Video that will function as a trailer, teeing up all of the romance and adventure, the twists and the turns… and the cast of sexy characters. That’s right, sexy characters, because, well, let’s be honest, what is this story without a bunch of great looking people in it?! Seriously.
To get your creative juices flowing, check out these Teasers/Recaps from other popular shows in the genre, like “The Vampire Diaries,” “iZombie,” "Teen Wolf," and even “Riverdale.” Also get familiar with CW Seed shows that are good companions with the prime-time schedule, especially featured originals like "I Ship It," "Saving the Human Race," and "How to Be A Vampire." The most successful entries will demonstrate that they love genre shows, and they also know how to execute great stories with a CW Seed twist: emotionally authentic storytelling with a knowing wink to pop culture and romantic expectations.
There’s incredible potential here, and CW Seed is watching intently with interest in actually developing the entire series with you, Wattpad and Tongal. Read on for all the juicy details…
The goal of this project is to create a Teaser Video that is up to 120-seconds in length to get audiences hyped about a potential series for Wattpad’s fantasy adventure / supernatural teen romance story “Cupid’s Match” for CW Seed. Your Video will have to introduce the main characters, capture the voice, look, feel and tone of your potential show, and tee up the narrative that’s going to drive the series forward.
Two Pitch winners will get a budget to produce their Teaser Video, but all other creators are invited to enter a Wildcard (What Is a Wildcard?) submission. After the Video Phase, both Pitch Winners will compete with the winning Wildcard Teaser Video for a chance to be the Grand Prize Winner, which may lead to production of an actual Series Pilot Episode. If your Teaser Video leads to a Pilot Episode, you will have a budget in the range of $25,000 to $40,000. That means that, in addition to getting fans excited to watch your show, you should clearly demonstrate that you have the chops to create that pilot.
Broadly speaking, much of what you will include in your Teaser Video depends on your vision for “Cupid’s Match” as a series, so you should put a lot of thought into how the story might function as a scripted narrative (likely formatted as ten (10) 7-11 minute episodes in Season One). In a series, sustaining something for multiple episodes means you need a more dynamic narrative with characters and a world that is fully developed and full of conflict, so you can feel free to expand upon what’s included in the original story, and take creative license in your adaptation!! Don’t forget the fans and ignore the elements that make this successful, but don’t feel locked into the original narrative either.
In terms of the elements that make this successful: this is soapy, this is sexy, this is a world you’re building… and your Teaser should capture that. Plus this is also a supernatural fantasy adventure / teen romance with lots of mystery, betrayal, and action, so you should tease the vast scope of the world and the story. You’ve got a lot of great stuff to work with, and for inspiration, you might consider successful shows in the same category like "The Vampire Diaries," "Supernatural," "Teen Wolf," and even "Riverdale." Make sure to look at what’s successful on CW Seed now, including originals like "I Ship It," "Saving Human Race," and classics like "Everwood" and "Hellcats."
Practically, your Teaser Video can be Live Action OR Animation, and it’s going to be shown publicly to "Cupid’s Match" and CW fans, so you’ve got to create something entirely original, and you can’t just cut together scenes from any other properties. You should look to cast talent for the Teaser Video that can be cast in the series itself, so take that very seriously. Your cast will help sell your potential series as much as your vision, style and storytelling. Diversity in storytelling makes your narrative more relatable, specific and modern, so build your cast and crew accordingly!
PRE-PRODUCTION NOTE: This project includes a Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). This means you will be required to submit certain items for Approval before moving onto the Video Phase. The Approval items for this project are:
IMPORTANT: No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.
If you’re selected as a Pitch Winner, a Tongal producer will email you to help walk you through the Pre-Production and Approvals process.
--Awards:
--Target Audience: 18-34 year-olds, skews female.
--Tone:
--Executional Mandatories:
--Exposure: Intended to air on CW Seed, Wattpad and Tongal digital and social channels.
This Project will be worth a total of $12,500 and consists of four (4) Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase and a Revisions Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.
PHASE 1: PITCH - Submit your Pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute a Video based on one of the winning Ideas from the previous Phase using:
The most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive $2,500 to help create the Video. Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winner will also be GUARANTEED a winning place in the subsequent Video Phase. So, if your Pitch is selected and you execute your Pitch effectively in your Video submission, you will win an additional $2,500. For an example of an effective Pitch, check out The Indie Machines winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGOs” Pitch video. All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the Project is complete.
PHASE 2: PRE-PRODUCTION – The Pitch Winners from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will need to receive the following Approvals from the brand:
No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.
PHASE 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner will create a 120-second Teaser Video based upon their winning Pitch.
All other creators are invited to enter a Wildcard (What Is a Wildcard?) submission. After revisions are completed (see the Revisions Phase details for more information), the two (2) Pitch winners, along with the one (1) Wildcard creator selected, will receive prizes.
-- Video Phase Payout: Winners of the Video Phase will each $2,500.
-- Music: Tongal has partnered with a premiere music provider: Jingle Punks. It can be used to source music for your Video submission to this Project. Music from this provider 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 provider’s names above.
Tongal members interested in a custom music solution for your project are invited to connect with SCORE A SCORE. They specialize in the creation of custom music, on-demand. Their business model is based on a "name your price" system, so you can tell them what your
budget is, and they will work with you to create a deal configuration that will work within the discussed parameters. Check out the FAQ for more information and how to contact SCORE A SCORE.
If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. If you obtain music from other catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with our Music Release Form when you turn in your Video paperwork.
-- Referral: Any Tongal member who refers one of the winning Video creators in this Project using the Tongal “Invite Friends” functionality will receive a referral fee equal to 5% of the amount won. That’s a potential the sum total of (5% of each Video amount, up to $500 per
place) in bonus cash just for telling all of your talented friends about this Project! Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.
PHASE 4: REVISIONS – Once the Video Phase has closed, the winning submitter will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. Once the Videos are finalized, the Sponsor will rank the Videos and winners will be announced.
1. The Video MUST not exceed 120 seconds in length. 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 you win, 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. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
6. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
7. 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.
8. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
11. In the event that fewer than 20 Pitches are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.
12. 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 and supporting materials provided.
13. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Video(s) without providing additional compensation. Remember it’s easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.
14. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, winning Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their winning 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 prize.
15. 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.