We’re looking for stop-motion animators from all over the galaxy to help us create LEGO Star Wars videos!

Stop-motion animators, we have an epic project coming at you this winter. While we can’t reveal too much, we CAN say it involves LEGO bricks and Star Wars. 

This isn’t a Jedi mind trick! We’re looking for a group of 4 to 8 talented stop-motion animators to create a series of at least EIGHT (8) 1 to 2-minute stop-motion videos for an upcoming campaign to be launched in 2019. There may be additional opportunities for the group in 2019 as well. 

If you’re interested, please read below for additional information.

• Only winners from the pitch qualification round will move forward to the pitch phase and will receive additional information about the project after signing an NDA.
• If you are a winner from the pitch qualification round, you can submit more than one pitch and be greenlit to create more than one video.
• If you are a pitch winner, you will need to go through the following pre-production approvals:
  • Treatment
  • Script (this may or may not be provided by the sponsor)
  • Storyboard/Animatic
  • Voiceover
• Keep in mind approvals need to go through The LEGO Group and Lucasfilm and could take up to 10 business days per round.

What is required to submit your pitch qualification:

• 500-character or less synopsis telling us why YOU should be given the opportunity on this project.
• Previous Work with a strong emphasis on stop-motion content. Any LEGO content will be a bonus!
• Confirm Availability to produce a 1 to 2-minute LEGO Star Wars stop-motion video between November 2018 and March 2019 (if chosen as a pitch winner). 

Pitch qualification winners will each receive $500 to create a pitch and move onto the Pitch Phase. Winners are encouraged to submit more than one pitch (although the pitch qualification amount will stay fixed at $500 total).

Pitch qualification winners will be notified 11/16 and will have until 11/20 to complete his/her pitch.

What is required to submit your pitch:

• Text: 500 characters or less synopsis of your approach to a LEGO Star Wars stop-motion video.
• Treatment: Detailed explanation of how you plan to execute the video.
• Script: For a LEGO Star Wars stop-motion video. This may or may not be provided by the sponsor. We will confirm this once the Pitch Qualification phase ends.
• Proposed Budget (REQUIRED): Instead of us dictating your budgets, we’re looking for you to let us know the amount you need in order to execute the video. Please provide explicitly how much you need. Your budget proposal is subject to approval if your pitch is selected. Please consider the most economical way to produce your video.
• Pitch Video: A 1 to 3-minute pitch video introducing yourself, telling us why you’re right for this project, and summarizing your qualifications.

The goal of this project is to identify a group of stop-motion animators (at least 2)  to help us create at least EIGHT (8) LEGO Star Wars stop-motion videos (each 1 to 2-minutes in length).

Note, for each video, you will need to create the following social assets:

• 1x1 cut-down version for FB and Instagram (up to 60s) and a thumbnail image
• 16x9 version for YouTube and a thumbnail image
• 9x16 version for Instagram Stories and a thumbnail image
• Behind-the-scenes stills

It’s important to know that we’re breaking the Pitch Phase into two parts – Pitch Qualification Phase and Pitch Phase. The Pitch Qualification Phase is a helpful first step that essentially allows stop-motion animators to raise their hands and let us know if they’re available and have the desire and ability to take on this project. 

The sponsor will be selecting at least 2 animators to move forward to the Pitch Phase (this will live on a separate project page) and will give them access to additional materials to help them flesh out their pitches and budgets further.

Pitch qualification winners will be notified 11/16 and will have until 11/20 to complete his/her pitch.

--Executional Mandatories: 

• Please keep your videos in line with the standard LEGO tone of voice, branding, etc.
• DO NOT SAY LEGOS OR LEGO BLOCKS. The word “LEGO” should be used as an adjective (i.e. LEGO bricks, LEGO sets).
• Content needs to be family friendly.
• DO NOT show competing toy lines.
• DO NOT show other LEGO product lines.
• You must follow the Star Wars timeline. For example, Jyn Erso and Rey cannot exist at the same time.

-- Target audience: The primary target audience is kids between 6 and 13 and also Star Wars and LEGO fans of all ages.

--Tone: The tone is cool, relevant and action-packed, with a uniquely LEGO voice. Content should skew up in age with a more edgy and theatrical-like feel, while still having humor incorporated.

-- Exposure: The animated videos will live on The LEGO Group social channels.

This project consists of a Pitch Qualification Phase.

Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: PITCH QUALIFICATION - This project will include a Pitch Qualification Phase which gives animators the opportunity to submit a synopsis, confirm their availability for production, and provide samples of previous work.

At least TWO (2) pitch qualification winners will move forward into the Pitch Phase and will be awarded $500 each to further develop their pitches (after signing NDAs). Winners are encouraged to submit more than one pitch (although the pitch qualification amount will stay fixed at $500 total).

Please note that pitch qualification winners are not guaranteed to be greenlit into production. If you have any questions about the Pitch Qualification Phase, please post to our forum or reach out to us at info@tongal.com.

Required for your pitch qualification submission:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less telling us why you’re right for this opportunity.
• Links (REQUIRED): To your previous stop-motion video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, animator, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.
• Confirm Availability (REQUIRED): Please confirm you could produce a 1 to 2-minute LEGO Star Wars stop-motion video between November 2018 and March 2019 (if chosen as a pitch winner). 

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 you be selected as a winner, 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 the sponsor.

6. Submissions must not portray the sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with the 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 1 pitch qualification submission per member.

10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

11. The sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.

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 a 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 award.

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.