Pitch us your Concept for an Animated, Live-Action, or hybrid animation Series featuring Hot Wheels and Pets that will then be turned into a Series for YouTube! Your Concept should be centered around Hot Wheels and everyday household pets in a series of Videos that feature action, adventure, or comedy narratives where Hot Wheels and animals interact. 

For 50 years, Hot Wheels has inspired generations of boys to push the limits of their imagination, and more importantly, to have the resilience to overcome any challenge that gets in their way. Hot Wheels is more than just a toy; it’s a purpose-built, jumping, crashing, flying, speed machine racing through a world without limits. A place where the only failure is not trying and success is measured in high-fives, jumped dragons and OMGs. A place where young minds discover that limits are meant to be challenged, not obeyed. This is a vehicle for self-expression and self-confidence. This is the power of play. Supercharged. This is fun, not formulas. This is the original stunt brand.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR IDEATORS: While we want your imaginations to run free please keep in mind that animals cannot be featured in an abusive or aggressive way. Keep it safe and keep it fun for the animals.

Project Goals: The primary objective is to create an entertaining and exciting Hot Wheels focused Series for YouTube that features live-action animals interacting with Hot Wheels. Your series Concept should include the following:

• TONE: Hot Wheels is all about having fun and the limitless opportunity to play with diecast cars— action, racing and stunts should be featured. Comedy is encouraged in this Series of Videos. Episodes should feel cool and exciting.
• STORY: This is a six-episode Series. Episodes should be set up in a repeatable format. Each episode should feature Hot Wheels interacting with everyday household pets in a comedy and/or action, adventure narrative that can be repeated in different variations every episode. Think about ways that Hot Wheels and Pets can work together toward a mutual goal, or how Hot Wheels and Pets can compete without being adversarial or antagonistic. Bonus points if you’re able to include an element of experimentation into the story. You will also be asked to include specific types of Hot Wheels and products in each episode. Please note that budgets will be limited, therefore please take that into account when pitching practical locations and stunts in your Series Pitch.
• CHARACTER: We are open to all ideas, but ideally every episode focuses on Hot Wheels and Household Pets.
• ANIMALS: Please keep your Pitches focused on household pets that will perform well on camera. Stay away from exotic animals.
• AUDIENCE: Pitches should be engaging to Boys ages 8 to 10, and should be engaging and understandable for Boys 5 to 7 as well.
• FORMAT: Live-Action, Animation, or Hybrid Animation are acceptable formats. Series Formats should be repeatable, and allow for new products to be featured in every episode.
• ANIMATION: We are open to hearing Pitches that include animated pets, but prefer the pets to be live-action. Hot Wheels can be brought to life through stop-motion animation. Also consider creative use of CG effects outside of animated characters in the video.
• MUSIC: Consider music that will enhance the Video experience. How will you effectively use music to tell stories, and elevate the action?
• PRODUCT: Hot Wheels will be providing product. The brand will have mandated products for each episode which will be provided ahead of time to the Pitch winner.
• CUTTING ROOM FLOOR: Here’s what you should avoid in your Pitches—talking cars with animated mouths, overly expensive stunts, licensed vehicles (i.e. Batmobile), adult themes and children in danger.

Production Timeline: 

Idea Phase: March 10 - March 13

Announce Idea Phase Winners: March 21

Pitch Phase: March 22 - March 30

Pitch Winner Announced: April 4

Pre-Production Phase: April 4 - April 17

Series Production & Post Production:  April 21 - June 16

Episode 1 & 2 Delivery

First Cut: May 23

Client Feedback: May 26

Final Revised Videos: June 2

Episode 3 & 4 Delivery

First Cut: May 30

Client Feedback: June 2

Final Revised Videos: June 9

Episode 5 & 6 Delivery

First Cut: June 6

Client Feedback: June 9

Final Revised Videos: June 16

Deliverables: 

Pre-Production – Script Approval, Casting Approval, Location Approval

Video Phase – Six one-minute episodes, Six 15-second trailers, 30 still photos (5 per episode)

PRE-PRODUCTION NOTE: This project includes a Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). This means you will be required to submit the following items for approval before moving onto the Video Phase. 

• SCRIPT  – This project requires Script Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. 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  – This project requires Headshot Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role this includes animal casting. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.

• LOCATION - This project requires Location Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. This means you will need to submit multiple images of your primary filming. The brand may provide feedback on your location and ask you to submit additional photos or to find a new location and submit images for that. 

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.

This Project will be worth a total of $60,000 and consists of 5 phases: an Concept Phase, 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: CONCEPT – Tell us your Concept for a Hot Wheels and Pets YouTube Series in 500 characters or less. Remember, a Concept 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 Concept creators will receive $250 each.

PHASE 2: PITCH - Submit your Pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute a Series of Videos based on one of the winning Concepts 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 one most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive $29,000 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 $29,000 first Place video prize. 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 3: PRE-PRODUCTION – The single Pitch Winner 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:

• SCRIPT  – This project requires Script Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. 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  – This project requires Headshot Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. 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.

• STORYBOARD - (for Animation only) This project requires Storyboard Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version of the storyboard.

• LOCATION - This project requires Location Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. This means you will need to submit multiple images of your primary filming. The brand may provide feedback on your location and ask you to submit additional photos or to find a new location and submit images for that.

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 4: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner(s) will each create Six 1 minute Videos based upon their winning Pitch.

NOTE: The 1 minute Videos, 15 second trailers and 5 still photos per Video are all due at the designated due dates referenced on the timeline. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

--Video Phase Payout: Winners of the Video Phase will earn $29,000.

--Music: Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Killer Tracks 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 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 (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.

PHASE 5: REVISIONS – Once the Video Phase has closed, the winning submitters 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. Each Video MUST not exceed 1 minute 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. This project is open to U.S. residents only.

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. 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.

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, 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.

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.