Create a stunning 30-second TV spot that changes the way consumers think about GMC by introducing the new 2017 Acadia.

When you think “GMC. We Are Professional Grade,” what pops into your head? Glimpses of pickup trucks hauling boulders up a perilous mountain pass? Lumber being loaded into the flatbed and a firm handshake between two guys wearing hardhats on the construction lot? What we’re aiming at with this project is advancing (and tweaking) GMC’s bedrock positioning to memorably introduce the all new 2017 GMC Acadia -- a crossover SUV that shares the same precision engineering and professional grade DNA as it’s brawnier brethren, and adds a meticulous attention to premium materials and design-detail. It’s the perfect intersection of form and function, capability and styling. It’s the SUV that doesn’t overdo it but, rather, does it just right.

This is where you come in. GMC needs your help to evolve the way people think about this vehicle, and their brand.  Right now, too many people in the SUV market think “GMC doesn’t make a model for me.” You’re going to help us change that forever, by creating a TV commercial that will showcase GMC’s commitment to professional-grade design, show the relevance of that meticulousness to the SUV space -- and most importantly, make the Acadia the new favorite in the race.

For a little inspiration, we have chosen two possible taglines and directions this TV spot could go:

• “Fits your Life, Precisely,” based on the insight that most people use their cars for a lot of different things in life and want a car that can be the perfect balance of form and function, whether you’re pulling into the valet with your spouse, or bringing the whole family on a ski trip. The 2017 Acadia is versatile and capable, and just the right size to fit your lifestyle, however distinct and different it may be.
• “Premium Is Our Standard,” based on the insight that people always love it when a product exceeds their expectations -- and the 2017 Acadia Denali does just that, as the most standard premium offering in it’s class. But it’s not a trophy, and it’s not about flash. It’s beautiful and useful, confident without being brash. You can do anything and look good doing it, but you don’t need to bring attention to yourself. 

Ideators, choose one of the above directions and then tell us your awesome Concept for a 30-second TV spot that could change the way car buyers think about the GMC Acadia.

Two Ideas will be selected as winners, then filmmakers will pitch to create one of three Animatics or Test Videos. The winning Test Video will be greenlit to create a TV commercial for the 2017 Acadia. Check the objectives tab below for more info!

The goal of this project is to create a stunning 30-second TV spot (plus 15-second cut-down and five still images) that changes the way consumers think about GMC by introducing the new 2017 Acadia. Choose one of the directions/taglines from the drop down menu then give us your compelling Concept that will have car buyers sit up and take notice. 

--Things About the Acadia to Consider:

• Think Aspirational settings: this is a car for urban settings and progressive, modern environments. Fewer than 5% of SUVs ever actually go off-road, so if you go somewhere remote, it’s more than likely a ski resort or a vineyard than a farm or drill site. We’ve all seen plenty of scenes with SUVs on a hidden surf beach, so you can avoid that too; you’d be more in line with an intimate beach wedding. 
• The GMC Acadia is the intersection of form and function – more stylish than a minivan, but more practical and accessible than a luxury SUV.
• Retain your sense of self and dignity – if a minivan is “giving up,” this is how you get all that function without the sacrifice. It has the utility of a truck, with the style of an SUV.
• Makes daily life look easy and sleek.

--Target Audience: Men and Women, ages 35-54. Note that Women tend to be open to considering a "Man’s" vehicle, but Men tend to avoid a "Woman’s" vehicle. We want to appeal to both genders without alienating anyone.

--Executional Mandatories:

• Don’t over focus on detail. GMC doesn’t want a spot littered with close up shots of leather stitching.
• Avoid “Soccer mom” moments: kids and pets piling out of a car, etc.
• Avoid construction and other labor uses like hauling rocks or lumber, etc. This spot is about the precision engineering and attention to detail of the Acadia. Not its “toughness” or load capacity.
• Avoid blue-collar stereotypes.

--Tone: Confident, bold, premium, and precise. Not mass-market, brash, arrogant or brawny.

--Exposure: Broadcast television.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FILMMAKERS

TEST VIDEO NOTES: This project involves a Test Video Phase before the Video Phase, and Pitch Winners will be required to create a 30-second Test Video that will be delivered 12 days after the close of the Pitch Phase. You have the flexibility to be creative in how you approach this Test Video - it can be a full Animatic, a rough cut Video that you shoot, or a Ripomatic with footage edited together from a number of other sources. Whatever approach you decide to take, it should feel polished and it should clearly reflect your ultimate vision for the Video. All three Videos from this phase will be tested by the Sponsor and used to select a Winner for the Video Phase. 

PRE-PRODUCTION NOTES: This project includes a Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?) after the Test Video Phase. This means you will be required to submit certain items for Approval before you are able to move into Video Phase. The Approval items for this project are:

• SCRIPT  –  You must submit a full script including all action, dialog, on-screen text, and any V.O.  that is present. The brand 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 brand.
• HEADSHOT  – You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.
• LOCATION -  You must submit multiple images of your primary filming locations. The brand may provide feedback on your locations and ask you to submit additional photos or to find new locations and submit images for those.
• WARDROBE - You must submit descriptions and/or pictures of your cast’s wardrobe. You must submit at least two wardrobe options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new wardrobe options.

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 the Winner of the Test Video Phase, a Tongal producer will email you to help walk you through the Pre-Production and Approvals process.

VIDEOS MUST BE PRODUCED WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL U.S.

VEHICLES: GMC will provide the appropriate Acadia for your Video. 

SPONSOR ON SET: The Sponsor will be on set during the shoot to provide input. You will need to provide a dedicated video village, a staff member who will ensure all feedback from the Sponsor is communicated to the Director, and hard copies of the script, along with a shot list and the day’s schedule.

REVISIONS:  The Sponsor is entitled to two full sets of revisions for this project.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: 

*This will be updated and included again once we’re able to announce Pitch Winners. 

FIRST CUT DELIVERY: The completed 30-second video, 15-second cut-down and five still images are all due at the close of the Video Phase.  Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

This Project will be worth a total of $170,000 and consists of 4 Phases: a Concept Phase, a Pitch Phase, a Test Video Phase, and a Video Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: CONCEPT – Tell us your Concept in 250 characters or less. Remember, an Idea (What is an Idea Phase?) is not a detailed script; it is a spark of inspiration, or a distillation of what will happen in the Video. As always, Concepts should be clever and engaging. The winning Idea creators will receive $1000 each. There are no residuals on this project.

PHASE 2: 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:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this Video.
• 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.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what’s going to happen in the video.
• Script (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create.
• Storyboards (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across.
• Headshots/Casting Boards (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.
• Pitch Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to show us 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.

The THREE (3) most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive $4,000 to help create their Test Video. Additionally, upon submitting a Test Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in their winning Pitch, the Pitch winners will also be GUARANTEED an additional $3,000 at the close of the Test Video Phase, and be eligible for selection to move forward into the Video Phase. 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 Test Video Phase is announced.    

PHASE 3: TEST VIDEO / ANIMATIC - The THREE (3) Winners of the Pitch Phase will each create a 30-second Test Video or Animatic based on their winning pitch from the previous phase, which will then enter a testing period with the sponsor. All Test Videos and Animatics will remain private.  If, after the testing period, your Animatic or Test Video is selected, you will move on into the Video Phase and will be paid an additional $70,000 to help create your Video. 

PHASE 4: VIDEO – The winner from the Test Video Phase will create a 30-second with a 15-second cut-down and five (5) still images based upon their winning Test Video or Animatic.

NOTE: The 30-second video, 15-second cut-down, and five (5) still images are all due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

--Video Phase Payout: Upon delivery of the final revised files, the Pitch winner will be paid out $77,000.

--Music:  Tongal has partnered with several premiere music providers - JinglePunks 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 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 the winning Video creator in this Project using the Tongal “Invite Friends” functionality will receive a referral fee equal to 5% of the amount won, up to $500. That’s a potential $500 in bonus cash just for telling all of your talented friends about this Project! Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 30-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 25 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

13. 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.

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