Tongal is looking for someone to write a script for a YouTube video essay about the history of LGBTQIA+ representation (or lack thereof) in animation.

The goal of this project is to research and write a longform essay about the history of LGBTQIA+ representation in animation for Tongal’s YouTube channel. The essay will serve as the voiceover and text script for a video that may run as long as 16 minutes, but no video editing will be required for this project (we have another editor for that). We’re looking for a deep dive about the long road it's taken to bring representation to the animated screen, what the current state of it is, where it might be going, and who was involved along the way. You can reference any source material you wish - movies, television series, etc. - to use as visual references within the video essay itself.  

Some questions we'd love to see answered:

• Who were the first LGBTQIA+ animators?
• When did an LGBTQIA+ character first appear on screen and in what context? What was the response?
• How did production companies view characters and content like this? How did the public react?
• Was this a US-only issue and how did other cultures approach it?

This is your chance to help shine a light on this topic’s history and share it with the creative community. If you've got any questions, ask away in the Forum. 

DELIVERABLES: One 16+ minute script (.doc, .pdf)

TIMELINE: For the full project timeline, please see the Assets section.

EXPOSURE: YouTube

TARGET AUDIENCE: Animation fans, the LGBTQ community, the Tongal community.

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: 

• Goofy: Portrait of a Troubled Soul
• The 90's Suicide Squad Cyberpunk Horror Anime
• The Golden Age of Horror Comics

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 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 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. 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 either .doc or .pdf format. 

1. Preferred script format for upload to the Tongal website is .doc or .pdf.
   
   
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 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 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.