With the option to travel and visit real farms, fields, and orchards, capture the coming harvest seasons of three key Great Grains ingredients and create a gorgeous, cinematic, and highly compelling suite of videos that highlights each ingredient's pureness and beauty.

Great days start with great beginnings. And great beginnings require great ingredients. That's true for every box of Great Grains cereal, each built on great trios of dried fruits, whole grains, and nuts to give you the fuel you need to make each day as great as possible. Now Great Grains is looking for one Tongal filmmaker to create a high-energy, sweeping and enticing suite of videos that leverages the organic origin story of one Great Grains cereal through its signature fruit, nut, and whole grain trio. Great Grains has always leveraged the quality and benefits of each flavor's key ingredients on the front of their boxes, and now they want to deep dive into what makes each ingredient a delicious, unique, and indelible part of the recipe for great that goes into each bowl of Great Grains cereal.

Great Grains is looking for a :15 Recipe for Great hero video that celebrates one Great Grains flavor, as well as individual ingredient profiles for each trio ingredient, up to :60, with social cutdowns and stills. Your videos should leverage each ingredient's organic origin story; each shot should be intentional, cinematic, and utterly tempting. We're looking for a broadcast-quality execution that combines sweeping aerial shots with textural macro shots, visceral slow-mo, match cuts, and intimate details of each key ingredient, ending with someone pouring the perfect bowl of Great Grains cereal. 

Great Grains already has a script for the :15 Recipe for Great hero, and it will be shared with the greenlit filmmaker. Ultimately, this is a visual-first video reinforced by narrator VO and on-screen text, so you should be thinking about the visuals around harvesting cranberries or dates, the texture of whole grain wheat sifting against someone's palm, and the contrast of pink almond tree blooms against their rough, craggy shells. 

Great Grains is not looking for farmer profiles, just the absolute best visual storytelling around each great ingredient. That means where you film and how you source each ingredient is up to you. Similarly, while Cranberry Almond Crunch is the flagship flavor for this campaign, logistically your production will be heavily dependent on current harvest seasons and locations. Therefore, you can choose ANY Great Grains flavor from the list in the Background section, but you'll need to indicate roughly where (regionally) and how you intend to capture each ingredient's origin story in your treatment. Since harvest seasons are an imprecise science and this project needs to move quickly, stock footage is also on the table, but it has to be premium and match the look, feel, and tone of the rest of your video.

There's a strong likelihood of extending this campaign across the full Great Grains product line, so consider how you might templatize aspects of your creative treatment for future executions. Think about how you'll capture the story of each ingredient, and how that footage could work efficiently across multiple Great Grains flavors – for example, both Cranberry Almond Crunch and Banana Nut Crunch feature almonds, so while the goal for this project is to celebrate one Great Grains flavor, your pitch should speak to how your content could celebrate multiple flavors through additional videos later in the campaign. 

Check out more information in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are 13 total video assets and 12 stills:

• One :15 Recipe for Great hero video (16x9, 1x1, 9x16)
• Three up to :60 individual ingredient profiles (16x9)
• Three :15 individual ingredient profile cutdowns (1x1, 9x16)
• One :06 cutdown for YouTube pre-roll and mid-roll ads (16x9)
• 12 stills pulled from video (16x9, but croppable in 1x1 and 9x16)

TIMELINE: This project has a rolling timeline. The :15 Our Recipe for Great hero video is due by October 15. For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.

EXPOSURE: Great Grains social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram). Please review the platform best practices page.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Great Grains's target consumer is The Purposeful Pursuer. The majority of Purposeful Pursuers are Gen X/Boomer (45-65) who are intentional about how they live their lives and see health as a critical element of success and happiness. They see Great Grains as a chance to take a moment to themselves to enjoy a meal made with simple, natural ingredients so they can start their day with the energy they need.

TONE: Premium, uplifting, organic, inspiring, enticing; viewers should want to reach through the screen and grab each ingredient or take a bite of the cereal.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• You must specify which Great Grains flavor you're pitching against, and what region(s) or state(s) you'd most likely film in. You will need to factor current harvest seasons into the project timeline for your pitch.
• Your pitch must detail how you'd use your footage across multiple Great Grains flavors in potential future executions.
• You must factor all travel for your crew into your production budget; additional travel funds will not be provided.
• Both the Client & Tongal will be on set, likely virtually. For budgeting and logistics, your pitch should factor in how you'd handle client on set as well as virtual video village, as a backup/alternate option. Proof of COVID vaccination will be required for anyone on set.
• If using stock footage, you must purchase an appropriate license at your own expense, covering all mediums, globally, and in perpetuity. You must submit that license with your license purchase receipt when you turn in your video paperwork.
• While this is not an authentic story project per se, please include any relevant authentic story-style links to past work from you or your team in your pitch.

OPEN BID: 

• This is an open bid project, so you will get to set your own budget proposal, up to $120,000. The Sponsor is interested in seeing tiered pricing options, so please feel free to submit various versions of your pitch at budget, target, and reach price points within that price range.
• By participating in this open bid project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a bid. Though most open bid projects on our platform do move forward with a greenlit bid, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any bids via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all open bid submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.

Shooting live action or stop motion? Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, and we're now requiring a COVID safety protocol plan for all relevant productions. Please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We're working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and you should ensure your submission is executable within the anticipated timeline and budget, while also ensuring everyone's safety.

Great Grains believes that there is nothing more important than a good start. So why not make it great. Whether it’s starting a new workout routine, a new job or just a regular old Tuesday, the wholesome ingredients of Great Grains give you the perfect way to Start Great.

With real fruit, nuts, clusters, and delicious flavor combinations, Great Grains cereal delivers great taste, is heart healthy, is made with whole grains, is a good source of fiber, and is Non-GMO Project Verified.

Great Grains Flavors - While Cranberry Almond Crunch is the flagship flavor and Great Grains' preferred flavor for your video, the Sponsor is open to pitches against ANY flavor in their lineup, as long you factor in availability and harvesting seasons: 

• Cranberry Almond Crunch – cranberries, almonds, whole wheat
• Banana Nut Crunch – bananas, walnuts and/or almonds, whole wheat
• Blueberry Morning – blueberries, almonds, whole wheat
• Crunchy Pecan – pecans, whole wheat
• Raisins, Dates & Pecans – raisins, dates, pecans, whole wheat

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): 500 or fewer characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this video.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here. You must include info/links for your proposed food stylist and editor in your treatment.
  
  
• 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. You must include links for your proposed food stylist and editor as well.
  
  
• BID/BUDGET (REQUIRED): This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. The Sponsor would like each producer to create all of the videos listed in the Deliverables section within a total budget range of up to $120,000. 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.
  
  
• COVID PROTOCOL (REQUIRED): Please let us know your team’s COVID safety protocols for production. If you’re doing everything yourself, or your team will be working 100% remotely, let us know that this won’t apply. Otherwise, at the very minimum, your safety plan must include information about:
  • What city and state you plan to film in
  • Whether you are filming interiors or exteriors
  • Approximately how many people you plan to have on set
  • How you’ll account for testing, PPE, and distancing on set
  • How you’ll handle talent and backup talent, including any hair, make-up, and wardrobe needs
  • Whether you’ll have a dedicated compliance officer on set
    
    
• STORYBOARDS (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.
  
  
• HEADSHOTS/CASTING BOARDS (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.
  
  
• 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.

• 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.
• LOCATION: This project requires location approval. This means you will need to submit multiple images of your primary filming location. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your location and ask you to submit additional photos or to find a new location and submit images for that.
• FOOD STYLIST: This project requires food stylist approval. You must submit your planned stylist with your pitch submission. Once your pitch is greenlit, the Sponsor may either approve your stylist or ask you to submit a new one for approval.

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. 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. 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.