Produce four animated read-along motion graphic comic videos based on the DC LEGO Batman children’s books, and pack them full of thrilling narration and superhero excitement.

The Bat-Signal is on, and the young readers of DC need your help turning four existing DC LEGO Batman books into a fun and engaging read along series with a limited motion graphic style of animation. Each book is anchored by DC heroes in LEGO form - Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Flash & Superman - going on epic missions, and fighting crimes against classic DC villains like Joker and Penguin, so this is your opportunity to bring life to these tales through animated motion and thrilling narration.

We're looking for one animator to take the existing files and illustrations from all four of these books and turn them into moving-image read-along videos, each up to 5 minutes long (think The Kid Stays in the Picture style, where a flat image comes to life through animation), to live on DC Kids YouTube channel. Since you're working with static illustrations, you should have a solid understanding of their limitations when used within a video, you should have a lot of experience with motion graphics, text animation, and you should have heroic editing skills. Music and sound effects also play a huge part when it comes to making the world multidimensional; exciting music tracks that line up with the action, sound effects and an immersive design are all factors to consider in your pitch. Along with the animation, you'll also need to cast and record some awesome voice-over narration. 

In addition to the main motion series, the greenlit animator will also be required to deliver a :15 cutdown and YouTube thumbnail for each video.  You can check out Background for more details on each book, and for any questions or other project updates, head to the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are 8 total video assets, and 4 total photo assets.

• Four up to 5 minute read-along videos (16x9)
• Four :15 cutdowns (3x4, 640 px)
• Four YouTube thumbnails

TIMELINE: Click here for the full project timeline

EXPOSURE: DC Kids YouTube Channel

TARGET AUDIENCE: 5-8 year olds; kids who are beginning to read on their own or who are ready to begin reading with help

TONE: Fun, Exciting

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Animators can only use the material provided or their own original art. They CANNOT pull from external sources.
• Since these are LEGO characters, moving the heroes and villains bodies will require approval from The LEGO Group in the pre-production process. 
• As this is a read along, text animation will be required throughout each video.
• Casting voice-over talent for this project is required and will need to be approved by the client. There is a possibility that you can use one talent for all videos, OR multiple talents across different videos, so feel free to provide multiple options in your pitch.

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a pitch. Though most projects on our platform do move forward with a greenlit pitch, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any pitches via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.

BOOK SYNOPSES:

• PENGUIN TROUBLE  -  LEGO® Batman™ swings to the rescue in this action-packed leveled reader with two stories on one book! Learning to read has never been more fun as LEGO® Batman™ faces off against his old foe The Penguin™ and an army of penguins, and then flip the book over for another story featuring Batman™ and The Flash™ taking on some trouble-causing ghosts. Perfect for boys and girls ages 3 to 7, who can learn all about LEGO Batman as well as their other favorite LEGO DC Super Heroes and Super Villains in this Step 2 leveled reader!
• BATMAN vs. JOKER - The Joker and his fiendish friends are causing trouble, but Batman and his Super Hero allies are ready for battle. Which team will be the winner? Read about amazing Super Heroes and wicked super-villains. Discover their awesome powers and accessories. Decide who comes out on top in each battle, including Batman vs Poison Ivy, The Flash vs Captain Cold, and Firestorm vs Firefly.
• BATMAN'S MISSIONS - Can Batman & Robin Save Gotham City? Learn how Batman and Robin train to take on their enemies. Go on epic missions. Follow Batman under the sea and out of this world! Engaging topics and fun, interactive pages build reading skills in this Level 3 Reader – just right for children who are beginning to read on their own. A glossary and fun quiz at the end of the book help to develop vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. Each title in the DK Readers series is developed in consultation with leading literacy experts to help children build a lifelong love of reading.

REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION OR TONE: 

• Batman, Birds of a Feather - Though we expect a more elevated video than this, Birds of a Feather gives you an idea of what kind of content we're creating!

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.
  
  
• 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.
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• SAMPLE VIDEO (Optional): If you want to give us an idea of what you're capable of, please provide a :15-:20 sample video demonstrating your approach to creating this motion comic series.

• VOICEOVER CASTING (Optional): If you know some great voice-over talent and want to include them in your pitch, please include casting information as well as examples of their work.

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.

PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Prior to shooting, filmmakers must receive the below approvals from the Sponsor.

• STORYBOARD: This project requires storyboard approval. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version.
• ANIMATIC: This project requires animatic approval. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your animatic and ask you to submit a new version.
• VOICE-OVER CASTING: This project requires voice-over 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.

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.