Create one :30 stop-motion video, based on a provided concept, that celebrates the fun and unique connection between The LEGO Group and SCHEELS world-class stores.

Anyone who has ever been inside a SCHEELS knows that it’s a sporting goods store like no other. With locations all across the United States, their mission is to bring an unforgettable experience to their customers, which includes in-store special attractions like Ferris wheels and aquariums, and expert employees who are passionate about their products. With this project, The LEGO Group and SCHEELS are teaming up, and they want you to create a fun and exciting video that recreates the magic of SCHEELS using LEGO bricks, and encourages viewers to check out the LEGO sets that are available in-store. 

The goal of this project is to produce a :30 stop-motion video that leaves viewers feeling happy and excited about the fun and unique connection between The LEGO Group and SCHEELS. We already have a general concept for the video, which will feature a mini-figure family (or a father and son) experiencing the wonder of SCHEELS: going into the store, riding the Ferris wheel, and meeting with a friendly employee. The team would love the final product to have the same feel as THIS Best Buy LEGO stop-motion video. and they really want to include specific elements, like a brick-built storefront and a Ferris wheel. 

To that end, we are looking for a stop-motion animator or team that is skilled at executing fairly complex LEGO builds, but that can also bring this idea to life in a creative and energetic way, and ensure it captures the feel of a SCHEELS store authentically. so make sure to highlight any LEGO brick building and stop-motion experience in your pitch. If you haven't already been to a SCHEELS, we highly recommend you check out a tour video on YouTube. Due to the large scale of the builds, we’ll need you to jump into building as soon as we have treatment approval during pre-production. Tongal will reimburse you for any brick purchases, separate from the production budget.

We expect that we'll want a few social cutdowns in addition to the hero video (outlined below). These could be pulled directly from the main video, but we'll need to have a plan during the pre-production phase.

As a callout, we need to deliver this video by mid-July, so there are some quick turnarounds on our timeline (particularly for the animatics during pre-production). We need someone who can jump into pre-production quickly and create board-o-matics with a little bit of camera movement and temp music that we can run past the client before moving you into production. The milestones we've outlined are the latest possible dates that we'd need to hit in order to deliver on time

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

DELIVERABLES: There are 9 total video assets.

• One :30 hero video (16x9, 9x16, 1x1)
• Three :06 cutdowns (9x16, 1x1)

EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE

EXPOSURE: We expect content will be used on the platforms below, however it is NOT limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.

• In-Store at SCHEELS 
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

TARGET AUDIENCE: Families and SCHEELS customers across the U.S.

TONE/FEEL: Fun, Happy, Positive

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Greenlit filmmakers MUST strictly adhere to all The LEGO Group guidelines, which will be provided upon selection.
• Avoid any special bricks from sets associated with specific IP (i.e. no Harry Potter or Marvel sets).
• Video MUST follow the provided concept and include a family or dad and son checking out the LEGO aisle. 
• It MUST include a brick-built SCHEELS exterior and incorporate unique elements from the stores (e.g. aquariums with people cleaning the tanks inside scuba diving, Ferris wheels, etc.)

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects do move forward, we'll notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the Project Forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and project team.

In order to be considered, include the below materials in your submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery. All Pitches remain private, even after a Pitch is selected, and Tongal strives to have Pitch selections made by the end of the Evaluation period, but additional time may be required by the Sponsor, depending on any number of factors.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed in the Deliverables.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A more detailed and specific description of how you propose to execute all of the content listed out in the Deliverables. Explain what we can expect to see, and how you'll make it. If it's helpful, we've provided a treatment template HERE.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, editor, artist, etc.) but do not include links to your showreel. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show what you're capable of. Consider a video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect, or consider test videos, proof-of-concept edits, animatics, etc. For examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery.

The most compelling pitch will be greenlit by the Sponsor, 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, typically included with the project timeline.

PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Prior to the commencement of actual production, creators MUST receive final approval from the Sponsor on the elements below. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until an element is approved.

If you begin production before you have received final approval, you may need to reshoot or reanimate at your own expense. 

• TREATMENT Describe in detail how you plan to execute the content, and how you plan to bring it to life visually. Feel free to use concept art, references, style frames, or mock-ups. If relevant, share additional information about your team, and your process.

• ANIMATIC: Using rough animation or Storyboard panels, edit together a preliminary version of your content. It is best practice to include music and temp dialogue or VO, when relevant.

  
  

For convenience, we've provided some helpful templates that you can consider using for pre-production materials, and they can all be accessed here.

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Looking for help? Post crew and production opportunities connected to Tongal projects on Backlot. Backlot includes search tools to help you find collaborators and crew by role, skill set, location, and more, for productions of any size and type. Tongal also supports inclusivity in all productions, and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find additional options for staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: Once Content has been submitted and the initial Production Phase completed, greenlit creators will enter into Revisions. Creators will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor's feedback. Check out our Filmmaker Resource Portal to access helpful post-production resources like Text-Safe Guides for different platforms, Project File Organization Tutorial, Export Presets, and Captioning services.

MUSIC: If you use music from a library for your content, you MUST use one of Tongal's three music providers: Jingle Punks, Universal Production Music and Epidemic Sound. 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 Music Release Form. To learn more, click on any of the providers' names above.

If you choose to use original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. Please ensure your composer reviews and signs this form BEFORE beginning their work.

ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: 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 any costs associated with the hard drive and shipping. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.

To ensure a smoother delivery, please review the Export Presets, Specifications, and Project File Organization Tutorial in our Filmmaker Resource Portal.

1. 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. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
   
   
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. 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.
   
   
5. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p and formatted for the aspect ratios listed in the Deliverables (e.g. 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.
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. 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.
   
   
8. 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 creator.
   
   
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
   
   
10. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor, nor can Submissions contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
    
    
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.