Create original character & background designs for a world of whimsical creatures that represent different imaginative combinations and hybrids of real or mythical animals that we know and love – like the croctopus, the monkaroo, or the pandacorn!

Our Mystery Sponsor is one of the biggest names in entertainment, and they are currently developing a new children's series around fun & imaginative creatures that come in the form of hybrid animals. They are looking to the Tongal community for character illustrations of these combo critters, which should combine elements of two different animals in one entirely original creature, as well as background designs that visualize the world these animals live in. 

Character designs should be colorful, fun & appropriate for children in the 4-7 age range, but you have a LOT of freedom in how you interpret that. How you choose to design the characters & backgrounds beyond that is entirely up to you - the Mystery Sponsor is looking for a really diverse array of options. So, whether you want to draw inspiration from Dr. Seuss or Doc McStuffins, this is literally your chance to run wild!

DELIVERABLES:

• 10 unique character designs for specific hybrid animals (the exact animal combinations will be given to creators greenlit to the Concept Art Phase)
• 3 background scene designs (additional context on the worlds will be given to creators greenlit to the Concept Art Phase)

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

EXPOSURE:

• The Sponsor is ultimately hoping to develop an animated show or an illustrated book series using these designs as inspiration for buyers.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• Children, boys and girls, ages 4-7

TONE:

• Fun, whimsical, wild, silly, mischievous, and cheeky
• These should be colorful & happy - not scary

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Character designs must be based on 10 specific animal combinations given to the creators greenlit to advance to the Concept Art Phase
• Background designs will be based on additional context given to the creators greenlit to advance to the Concept Art Phase

PLEASE NOTE: 

• Two submitters will be selected to proceed to the Concept Art Phase and asked to sign an NDA so that we can reveal who the Mystery Sponsor is, and provide some additional helpful information. 

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

• TEXT (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less introducing yourself, and your background in design & illustration.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous illustration work. Please specify what each design was for.
  
  
• ADDITIONAL ARTWORK (Optional): If you'd prefer to attach existing or original work that may not be available online, or any sample hybrid animal designs, you may provide that here, along with information about what each design was for.

The two most most compelling pitches will be greenlit, and upon completing the Winner Affidavit and the IP Assignment, the responsible creators will receive funding to develop the full character & background designs. Please note: the 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 Concept Art Phase has closed, the greenlit submitters will enter the Revisions Phase. Creators will perform reasonable edits on their designs & illustrations according to the Sponsor’s feedback.

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. 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.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
5. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
6. 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.
    
7. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
8. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
    
9. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
   
   
10. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
11. 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.
    
    
12. 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.
    
    
13. 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.
    
    
14. 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.