NASA wants you to help create a suite of videos that will inform the public about its Asteroid Grand Challenge (AGC) program. 

There’s nothing like a clear night sky and the chance to marvel at the seemingly infinite number of celestial objects surrounding us. While beautiful and inspiring, the Universe is also a harsh place. Asteroid impacts are a part of Earth’s history, and the possibility of future impacts poses a hazard to Earth.

On a daily basis Earth is hit with more than 100 tons of dust and sand-sized particles, and nearly once a year an asteroid about the size of a car hits Earth’s atmosphere. You may remember in 2013 near the city of Chelyabinsk, Russia, a meteor exploded, causing significant damage and resulting in hundreds of injuries. Then there’s the Alvarez hypothesis that theorizes an asteroid approximately 6 miles in diameter struck the earth nearly 65 million years ago causing the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.

Driven by the goal of protecting our planet and the life that inhabits it, NASA created the Asteroid Grand Challenge (AGC) program. The AGC is a forum where citizen scientists, creative thinkers, academia, other government agencies, international partners, and industry can collaborate to find ways of improving asteroid detection and characterization and devise strategies to prevent potentially hazardous asteroids from striking the Earth. NASA is excited to foster a community around this topic with a website, videos, and a mailing list – in fact, if you’re interested, you can sign up now.

Now NASA is asking the Tongal community to create a suite of videos that will inform the public and generate excitement about this ambitious and important program.

What you need to know:

• Ideas must be based around one of 4 pillars : 1) Detection, 2) Characterization, 3) Mitigation, 4) Probability and Risk. Ideas should outline engaging and informative ways to communicate the importance of one of these pillars.

• The selected Pitch winner will be required to deliver 5 videos total: one long-form video up to 3 minutes in length that encompasses each of the above pillars and four cut downs up to 45 seconds that profile the individual pillars.

• Videos can include CGI, animation, live action or a combination of any of these things.

• You will have access to NASA’s repository of 3D object files. Once you click into an individual file it can be downloaded from the bottom left-hand part of the page.

• Prior to production the Pitch winner will work with select NASA scientists to help ensure the accuracy of their script.

• Prior to the first cuts of the videos being due on 1/13/16 the winning producer will also need to provide some behind the scenes gifs/teasers and images on 12/17/15. These will be used by NASA to promote the project and generate excitement about the upcoming videos.

The goal of this project is to create a suite of 5 videos that will inform the public about NASA’s Asteroid Grand Challenge (AGC). You will have access to NASA’s repository of 3D object files to help create your videos. Ideas and the resulting videos must be based on one of 4 pillars (outlined below).  Deliverables will consist of 4 individual videos featuring each pillar and a 5th video that is a compilation of the individual pillar videos. The individual videos should be around 45 seconds long and the complilation video should be approximately 3 minutes.

The 4 Pillars

1) Detection - Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are about 140 meters (about 460 feet) or larger, roughly one and a half times as big as the Statue of Liberty is tall. They approach Earth's orbit to within 7.5 million kilometers (about 4.6 million miles). Ground-based telescopes and NASA’s NEOWISE mission (the NEO project of NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer space telescope) are the current means of finding Near-Earth-Objects (NEOs). NASA’s NEO Observations Program currently supports five detection and tracking campaigns.

2) Characterization - Methods of characterizing NEOs include radar measurements, ground-based and space-based infrared measurements, light-curve measurements, and long-arc high-precision astrometry. Asteroid radar research is an especially useful means of characterizing NEOs, providing shape and spin information, and discovering asteroid moons (if present). The world's two primary facilities used for planetary radar astronomy are the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center's Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico and NASA's Goldstone Solar System Radar (part of the Deep Space Network) in California. Most light-curve measurements are taken by amateur astronomers from around the world.

3) Mitigation - Knowing the size, shape, mass, composition and structure of a NEO helps determine the best way to divert one should it turn out to be on an impact course with Earth. Efforts to mitigate the hazard of possible asteroid impacts with Earth include asteroid deflection mission concept studies, impact effects studies, and emergency response planning.

4) Probability and Risk – A study by Dr Amy Mainzer and her NEOWISE team, using observations of NEOs made by NEOWISE, estimates that there are some 1,000 NEOs larger than 1 kilometer, and around 20,000 larger than 100 meters. For comparison, the asteroids that caused the Tunguska event and Arizona’s Meteor Crater were around 50 meters in size, and the Chelyabinsk event was caused by the explosion of a roughly 17 meter asteroid. A working group chaired by Dr. David Morrison, NASA Ames Research Center, stated that an impact by one of these larger objects in the wrong place would be a catastrophe, but it would not threaten civilization. However, the working group concluded that an impact by an asteroid larger than 1-2 kilometers could degrade the global climate, leading to widespread crop failure and loss of life. Such global environmental catastrophes, which place the entire population of the Earth at risk, are estimated to take place once every several million years on average. A still larger impact by an object larger than about 5 kilometers is damaging enough to cause mass extinctions.

Videos can include CGI, animation, live action or a combination of any of these things. Prior to production the Pitch winner will work with select NASA scientists to help ensure the accuracy of their script. You wil also have access to NASA’s repository of 3D object files if you'd like to use them. Once you click into an individual file it can be downloaded from the bottom left-hand part of the page.

PLEASE NOTE: Prior to the first cuts of the videos being due on 1/13/16 the winning producer will also need to provide some behind the scenes gifs/teasers and images on 12/17/15. These will be used by NASA to promote the project and generate excitement about the upcoming videos.

--Key Marketing Messages:  Join the AGC and help devise ways of preventing potentially harmful asteroid impacts.

--Target Audience: Citizen scientists, creative thinkers, academia, government agencies, international partners, and industry.

--Tone:  Videos should be engaging , informative, and focused on problem-solving. Feeding fear is not okay. Humor, when appropriate, is okay.

--Exposure: NASA’s digital properties including the AGC website and its social media pages.

This Project will be worth a total of $20,000 and consists of 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 based on one of the 4 specified pillars 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. Please note, there are no residuals on this project

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.

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

• Treatment (Optional): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. 

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

• 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 most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive $9,000 to help create their Video.  Additionally, upon submitting Videos that satisfy the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing the necessary revisions, and turning in the final Master files you will be paid an additional $10,000. For an example of an effective Pitch, check out The Indie Machines 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 winner from the Pitch Phase will be required to deliver 5 videos total:  one long-form video up to 3 minutes in length that encompasses each of the above pillars and four cut downs up to 45 seconds each that profile an individual pillar.

PLEASE NOTE: The long-form video and cut-downs are all due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

--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. 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).  That’s a potential $500 in bonus cash just for telling all of your talented friends about this Project! Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.

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 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.