The LEGO Group wants you to produce an engaging and sharable 30-60 second Video that will get new parents and children excited to explore the LEGO Ninjago universe, and reignite current fans’ excitement for the property.

Silent but powerful, ninjas are the ULTIMATE warrior. To be a ninja requires discipline, hard work and oh yeah, MORE hard work. The weak are weeded out leaving only a group of elite fighters, the best of the best.

So meet the LEGO Ninjago team: Cole, Jay, Kai and Lloyd. Just like real life ninjas, ahem American Ninja Warriors, LEGO Ninjago warriors have to train and master special skills so that they can conquer their own Mount Midoriyama.

Working with Tongal, the LEGO Group wants YOU to get parents of kids everywhere excited about LEGO Ninjago by integrating the Ninjago team with the pop culture phenomenon of American Ninja Warrior challenges and contestants. Think about how you would feature the main Ninjago characters – Kai should be the primary ninja featured - in an American Ninja Warrior setting playing off the theme “it takes a ninja to….”

Please read below for more information:

• The goal of this project is to produce an engaging and sharable 30-60 second Video that will appeal to parents (men and women) and get them interested in exploring the Ninjago universe.
• We want humorous, action-packed Videos that will feature the main Ninjago characters (primarily Kai) in an American Ninja Warrior setting playing off the theme of “it takes a ninja to….”
• Utilize key character traits as outlined in their online profiles (hyperlinked in Background section)
• Ninjas have special skills that they must be trained to master. The key skill is Spinjitzu.  Spinjitzu is an ancient battle art technique where ninjas tap into their innate elemental energies (hyperlinked in Background section) while spinning rapidly, creating a tornado-like vortex of energy around themselves. Ninjas can appear and disappear.
• This project involves a Social Pack: (ONE) 1 Behind-the-Scenes Video, FOUR (4) Still Images, TWO (2) GIFS.

The goal of this project is to produce an engaging and sharable 30-60 second Video (with a 15 second cut-down) that will pique curiosity of non-LEGO users, getting them to explore the property, and reignite current fans’ excitement for the property.  

We want playful, humorous, action-packed Videos that will feature the main Ninjago characters in an American Ninja Warrior setting playing off the theme of “it takes a ninja to….” Your Videos should target parents but also appeal to children through action, humor, and emotional connection.

We want viewers to laugh / smile after watching your Video and either:

1. Be interested by the characters enough to consider the line for his/her children.
2. Find the content creative enough to share with friends.

Note: The 30-60 second Video and 15 second cut-down as well as the Social Pack: (ONE) 1 Behind-the-Scenes Video, FOUR (4) Still Images, 2 (2) GIFS are all due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

--Key Marketing Messages:

• “It takes a ninja to spot a ninja.”
• Ignite excitement from families familiar with LEGO Ninjago for the upcoming season and new sets.
• Create a feeling of exclusivity around being a ninja, and desire to be one – an experience and feeling that offers humor and emotional connection to get parents of non-LEGO children interested in the storyline.

--Target Audience:

• Parents (men and women) who would appreciate the humorous content and tie to pop culture phenomenon, American Ninja Warrior. They should not need existing knowledge about the Ninjago property to enjoy the content as it should appeal based on pop culture relevance. Content should be appropriate (compelling/entertaining/humorous) enough to inspire co-viewing with children as well.

--Executional Mandatories:

• Your Video must mention “Ninjago” twice.
• Content needs to be family friendly but still funny enough to appeal to adults.
• DO NOT show competing toy lines.
• DO NOT show other LEGO product lines.
• Ninja characters cannot die

--Tone: Playful; Funny; Sharable; Engaging

--Exposure: Media outlets (i.e ESPN.com, NBCSports.com, Yahoo Sports, Mashable, EW.com etc), LEGO Digital Channels (YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest) 

This project will be worth a total of $25,000 and consists of THREE (3) Phases: an Idea Phase, a Pitch Phase and a Video Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: IDEA  – Tell us your Idea for a LEGO Ninjago Warrior Video in 140 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, Ideas should be clever and engaging.  The winning Idea creators will receive $250 each and a 5% one-time residual payment for any winning Videos based on their Idea. (That means if your winning Idea is the basis for the 1^st place Video, you will receive $600, the 2^nd place Video $312)– see Video Phase Payout details for more information.

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. 

• Storyboards (REQUIRED): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across.

• Script (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create. 

• 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 TWO (2) most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive $3,000 to help create the Video. Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winners 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 $6,250, at a minimum, and have a chance to compete for the $12,000  First Place video prize (subject to deduction for one-time 5% residual payment to eligible Idea winners). For an example of an effective Pitch, check out Erik Beck’s 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: VIDEO – The TWO (2) winners from the Pitch Phase will each create a 30-60 second Video based upon their winning Pitch.

Note: The 30-60 second Video and 15 second cut-down as well as the Social Pack: (ONE) 1 Behind-the-Scenes Video, FOUR (4) Still Images, 2 (2) GIFS are all due at the close of the Video Phase.  Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

The Judges will score the TWO (2) winning Videos submitted by Pitch winners to determine the standings for the Video Phase.  Remember, the TWO (2) Pitch winners will receive prizes.

--Video Phase Payout: Winners of the Video Phase will earn the following prizes: 1st place $12,000 and 2nd place $6,250 (less any 5% one-time residual payments paid to the Idea winners, as applicable).

--Music: Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Audioblocks, Killer Tracks and Epidemic Sound. Any of which can be used to source music for your Video submission to this Project. You may use up to THREE total tracks per Video submission, and they can come from any of the three providers listed above. 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.

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 per place. Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 60 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.