Produce an original digital miniseries that expands on core themes and storylines from the hit TNT drama Snowpiercer through the conceptual lens of stories told by Black filmmakers.

While Snowpiercer is gearing up for its third season, TNT is looking to dive deeper into the core themes and storylines from the show in an original digital miniseries - one created by Black filmmakers, animators, and showrunners, through WarnerMedia's MORE campaign. Earlier this month, we sourced three incredible, original concepts from the Tongal community that each explore themes from Snowpiercer in a new, unexpected way. For this project. we're asking how you would bring one of these concepts to life as a digital miniseries. 

This is your chance to really dig deep into an established world, grab on to something that interests you, and leverage it to create something new, original, and compelling. You have the potential here to take this in an entirely unexpected direction and ultimately create an epic, rich miniseries. Take a look at the concepts, and show us how you'd expand upon them and tie everything back to the main series, while also saying something about the world we live in through your unique POV.

Think about how you'd unfold the story across up to five - yes, FIVE - 2-5 minute episodes, and how you'd build off of one of the concepts to explore Snowpiercer's themes: power, loyalty, survival, class warfare, and trust. If you'd like, you may draw from elements of multiple concepts in your pitch, and we're open to live action, 2D or 3D animation, stop motion, papercraft, or any kind of hybrid productions - whatever helps you tell your story best.

Check out the concepts, and TNT's notes on each, in the Background section. For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are 15 total video assets and 10 still assets:

• Five 2-5 minute episodes (16x9)
• Five :15–:60 social edits/trailers (1x1, 9x16)
• 10 Stills (two per episode) (16x9, but croppable for 1x1 and 9x16)

TIMELINE: Click here for the full project timeline.

EXPOSURE: TNT and Snowpiercer social media, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and the WarnerMedia MORE platform. Please review the platform best practices page.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• US-based Black viewers
• Snowpiercer fans on social; average age is 34
• TNT viewers: fans of drama, crime, action, scifi, adventure, spectacle, thrills
• Fans of dark narratives, multiverse storylines, and thrill seekers

TONE: Empowering, supportive, actionable, optimistic, self-aware, present.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your pitch must be based on one of the three concepts in the Background section, and must take TNT's notes into account; beyond that, we want to see how you'd turn that concept into a 5-episode story arc. Please specify which concept your pitch is based on using the provided drop-down menu in the submission form.
• If your concepts do take place in the established world of Snowpiercer, they cannot go back and change past events; keep canon canon.
• You may not recast a character who is presently on the show; if your story does involve an existing character, that character can appear in flashback, through VO/OS dialogue, or you may cast for a younger version. There is some potential to include a new cameo of a current character, but you shouldn't plan on or build your pitch around this.

OPEN BID: 

• This is an open bid project, so you will get to set your own budget up to $60,000 for your digital miniseries. The Sponsor is interested in seeing tiered pricing options, so please feel free to submit various versions of your pitch at budget, target, and reach price points within that price range.
• By participating in this open bid project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a bid. Though most open bid projects on our platform do move forward with a greenlit bid, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any bids via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all open bid 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, and we're now requiring a COVID safety protocol plan for all relevant productions. 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.

MINISERIES CONCEPTS - Your pitch should be based on one of these three concepts, and address TNT's notes on the concept. 

1. The View From Above - Follow an international crew of astronauts on an orbiting station over the course of a year, watching the world freeze, as their supplies dwindle and their orbit decays. They make radio contact with Snowpiercer... but is there any way to make it to the train?
   
   TNT's Notes - Primarily what we love about this is the idea of another group stuck in a hostile environment, and we like the angle of taking Snowpiecer's themes in a more sci-fi direction. Consider how this story could be the opposite problem of Snowpiercer: what if they have figured out a working social structure, but don't have the resources to keep it going? Whether you choose to keep this an isolationist story, built in a wholly separate world, or have the ship make contact with Snowpiecer (and possibly one of the main characters from the show) is up to you.
   
   
2. Chess - In a series of flashbacks, we take a look at Andre, as he learns from his mentor, Old Ivan, and reveal flashbacks to Old Ivan's life, as they discuss the nature of hope over a chess game. We see the parallels between what happens, and their current philosophical discussions.
   
   TNT's Notes - We were drawn to the hopeful nature of this concept, but we want to see how you'd include the other key characteristics that have made Andre Layton a great revolutionary – specifically, his sense of determination and his strength of character. Tonally, this concept ties into the sense of hope that season 3 of Snowpiercer will build on, and, where appropriate, we see room to authentically talk about and celebrate Black cultural values, family, and growing up through this concept.
   
   
3.  Tumult - It is the day of the train's departure, and random private security members are given a number and a task to fill the back wagons by their own choice. We see each go through the process of picking and weighing strangers' lives by their own personal moral weights.
   
   TNT's Notes - Snowpiercer fans are hungry for backstory before the train departed; but how can we shape this into a more positive, hopeful story and message? What can this say or parallel about recent or current events, or what would you use this concept to say about your experiences? There are a lot of potential paths and characters to explore through this concept; what and who are they? How do they shape their future – and what does it say, or what would you use them to say, about ours?

ABOUT SNOWPIERCER - Set more than seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland, Snowpiercer centers on the remnants of humanity, who inhabit a perpetually-moving train that circles the globe. Class warfare, social injustice and the politics of survival play out in this television adaptation based on the acclaimed movie and graphic novel series of the same name. Mr. Wilford (Sean Bean), the creator of Snowpiercer, emerges, to take back the train that was stolen from him, creating a new power struggle. This causes a dangerous rift as passengers are divided between their loyalty to the revolutionary Layton (Daveed Diggs) and to Mr. Wilford, who has a new train, new technology and a game plan that keeps everyone guessing. While Layton battles Wilford for the soul of Snowpiercer, Melanie (Jennifer Connelly) leads the charge on a shocking new discovery that could change the fate of humanity.  

Need to catch up on the first two seasons? Check out previous episodes here.

More about the MORE CAMPAIGN - TBS, TNT, and truTV are expanding their commitment to provide equity & representation through a new platform that acts as a promise to prioritize and celebrate Black Excellence and BIPOC talent, both on and off screen and within the TNets. It’s a celebration of culture and heritage.

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.
  
  
• CONCEPT (REQUIRED): Using the dropdown, select which of the three concepts from the Background section your Pitch is based on.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• BID/BUDGET (REQUIRED): This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. The Sponsor would like each producer to create all of the videos listed in the Deliverables section within a total budget range of up to $60,000 for your digital miniseries. Please ensure that your budget factors in appropriate COVID safety protocols (i.e. testing, PPE, cleaning supplies, backup talent, etc.). You can download the budget template here.
  
  
• COVID PROTOCOL (REQUIRED): Please let us know your team’s COVID safety protocols for production. If you’re doing everything yourself, or your team will be working 100% remotely, let us know that this won’t apply. Otherwise, at the very minimum, your safety plan must include information about:
  • What city and state you plan to film in
  • Whether you are filming interiors or exteriors
  • Approximately how many people you plan to have on set
  • How you’ll account for testing, PPE, and distancing on set
  • How you’ll handle talent and backup talent, including any hair, make-up, and wardrobe needs
  • Whether you’ll have a dedicated compliance officer on set
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• HEADSHOTS/CASTING BOARDS (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.
  
  
• 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. 

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.
• CASTING: This project requires 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.
• LOCATION: This project requires location approval. This means you will need to submit multiple images of your primary filming location. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your location and ask you to submit additional photos or to find a new location and submit images for that.

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.