Create a suite of fun, exciting adventure videos that will inspire kids to see the endless play possibilities LEGO Super Mario has to offer.

One of the world's favorite game characters is now also in LEGO bricks! If you haven't gotten to experience the adventurous joy of LEGO Super Mario, this is the project for you! For years, Super Mario has been one of the most popular games in the world, inspiring imagination and creativity for all ages, and LEGO Super Mario has become the physical representation of this adventure that takes place right in your living room. Now, LEGO Super Mario wants to create an awesome, engaging suite of videos that challenges kids and their families to explore the different types of play possible with the LEGO Super Mario universe when you've got their sets at home.

The objective here is to tell three Super Mario-style adventure stories that utilize select LEGO Super Mario sets (which sets can be found in the Background below), and show families the many ways in which these cool, electronic toys can be enjoyed. In addition to the three hero videos, you will need to create a :05-:15 second cutdown for each one as well (in both 9x16 and 1x1). This can range from role-play scenarios, to course challenges, coin collection, or even combining multiple LEGO Super Mario sets to make an ultimate course. The point is, it has to be adventurous, fun, and show how kids can use these toys to create their own LEGO Super Mario adventure fantasy right in their living room. In formulating your treatment, be sure to clearly outline your direction for all three videos: this could range anywhere from a group of videos that are chapters of one continuous story, to three completely different types of videos. Whichever direction you go, you should note that you'll need to utilize all of the sets listed below, and that these are NOT commercials, but rather these videos should be demonstrations of all the fun that LEGO Super Mario has to offer, and a reflection of the creative possibilities that come with these LEGO sets.

Though LEGO Super Mario is interested in different approaches, your videos should NOT look like they're part of a video game: this means they should not contain a  "gameplay" mechanic of any kind, and they should NOT use animated backgrounds that place our LEGO Super Mario characters "in the world of the game. These settings need to be placed in real life, as LEGO toys being enjoyed. If you're an animator, you can still make an awesome adventure video with the LEGO Super Mario characters! You just need to be aware of the setting in which you place these characters. Many options are on the table here, so we'd love to see your detailed vision and approach in your pitch. Check out the Executional Mandatories section to be sure you've considered all of the specific requirements, and refer to the Background section below to see a few examples of what's possible in terms of style. 

For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES:  There are 9 total deliverables.

• Three :30 hero videos (16x9)
• Three :05-:15 second cutdowns - one per hero (1x1, 9x16)

TIMELINE: Click here to check out the full project timeline.

EXPOSURE:  

• LEGO's YouTube channel.
• LEGO's social media channels (IG, Facebook, Twitter)
• Please review the platform best practices page.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Families with kids 6-12 years old who are fans of Super Mario and LEGO Super Mario, to watch together.

TONE: Adventurous, Creative, Fun, Inspirational, Inclusive, and eye-opening to kids about what they can do with the LEGO sets

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• This project deals exclusively with LEGO Super Mario; no references or content from any Super Mario game should be included in this video. Nor should LEGO sets other than LEGO Super Mario sets be used.
• Your videos cannot contain any voices from any of the LEGO Super Mario characters (e.g. LEGO Super Mario saying "It's a LEGO Mario time!"). The only LEGO Super Mario sounds allowed would be something that stems from a toy character's action (like collecting coins). As each character toy is electronic, they have a variety of sounds made internally, which is fine. However, no additional, external sounds from the game should be used.
• This video should not feature any swearing, graphic/inappropriate/violent content, unsafe or dangerous activities, and should not make fun of any race, gender, or religion.
• Use of other trademarks, logos, or branding is strictly prohibited.
• Showing hands playing in your videos is completely fine, but no faces or partial faces should be seen anywhere in your content.
• These videos must be set in real life; you cannot set your story within any video game-scenario. 
• In the same vein, we can only use LEGO Super Mario characters, so no video game or hand-made/drawn characters should be included in your content.

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.

Shooting live action or stop motion? Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, so please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We're working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and you should ensure your submission is executable within the anticipated timeline and budget, while also ensuring everyone's safety.

Here are the LEGO Super Mario sets that will be featured and provided to the greenlit filmmaker: 

• 71403 - Adventures with Peach Starter Course
• 71360 - Adventures with Mario Starter Course 
• 71406 - Yoshi's Gift House Expansion Set
• 71408 - Peach's Castle Expansion Set

*Please Note: Each video should contain at least one LEGO Super Mario starter course.*

REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION OR TONE: 

• We made a LEGO Super Mario Level! - To be clear, we are looking for a more polished video with a stronger narrative, but this video displays the type of level-making adventure that would be very suitable for these videos. This kind of level-play would work well for live action or animation!

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): Up to 500 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.

• 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. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show them 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. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.

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.

• SCRIPT: This project requires script approval. The Sponsor 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 Sponsor.
• STORYBOARD: This project requires storyboard approval. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version.

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.