Help National Geographic explore the human side of space with Concepts for a series of digital videos about the untold personal stories of the men and women taking us into the final frontier.

Space isn’t exactly warm and fuzzy, but even so, most of the digital content you see about space is just as cold, dark, and impenetrable as the void between planets. Sure, everyone loves epic shots of distant stars, but space videos tend to be really impersonal and abstract – not to mention information dense, which can be a turn off for some audiences. National Geographic wants to explore a different approach.

National Geographic is looking for the humanity in space exploration, literally, and they’re turning to you to develop a series of digital videos that reveal the unique and untold human-interest stories of the men and women, past and present, in space and space exploration. Whether this is about the astronauts themselves, or researchers and engineers and professionals on the ground, this is a series about people with a different perspective on a topic that can feel barren and lifeless for those of us on planet Earth. We need to take that perspective and tell a story that is real, personal, emotional, and relatable.

So, how can you do that without having actual true stories in front of you? Think about the questions you could ask to drive a series: some movie examples, Hidden Figures asks what real life obstacles got in the way of space exploration; The Dish asks what it’s like when seemingly ordinary people are thrust into extraordinary situations around space exploration; and Apollo 13 famously asks how people deal with disaster in an unforgiving environment. You might ask questions like these of anyone in space and get a great story. Your Concept then is a framework for the series, so it should work for any person in any role, and a successful framework will come when you figure out what questions to ask, what themes to explore, and what side of the stories to investigate. 

Think hard, then show us how you will leave audiences with a connection to space that they’ve never felt before.  

What is Required to Submit your Series Concept:

• 500 Character Concept (Required) – Give us a Concept that brings humanity to the topic of space exploration. How will your idea capture the true stories of the people whose lives are dedicated to space, and make audiences feel an emotional connection to space? Don’t limit yourself to astronauts only. Think hard about the people you want to cover and most importantly, how your idea will leave an emotional impact on the audience. 

The goal is to come up with a unique new Concept for National Geographic social video series that will reveal the true and untold human stories around space exploration, and help give audiences a personal and emotional connection to space. We want to deeply engage viewers and make them feel moved and inspired by the stories, leaving them with a new connection to, and awareness of, space.

--Target Audience:

• The Enlightened Wanderers – adults 25-54 who are all about human connections, and who are stimulated by trending topics, always interested in something new, yet also diving deep into whatever interests them in the moment. They use their knowledge as a vehicle to help them connect with (and hopefully impress) other people. They skew female and are on a journey of self-discovery, and they love to travel. 

o   They look to find meaning, patterns and concepts through personal stories, images or expert advice

o   Use sources of inspiration to put their desires into action

o   Think unpredictability is the perfect antidote to complacency 

o   Want a better understanding of others and of themselves

o   Mantra: I recognize how my actions impact others around the world

--Tone:

• Emotional, Personal, Raw, Beautiful, Genuine, Passionate. 
• Avoid textbook language and don’t talk down to your audience 

--Exposure:

• The eventual videos inspired by these concepts are intended *primarily* for social platforms, but will also likely live on the National Geographic website.  Length is TBD – and more about how much time we need to tell a good story.

This Project will be worth a total of $1,500 and consist of one Phase: Series Concept. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules. 

PHASE 1: SERIES CONCEPT – Submit your Concept convincing the Sponsor why your Concept should be selected, as outlined in the Background and Objectives above, using:

• Concept (REQUIRED) – In 500 characters or less, tell us your Concept.

The THREE (3) most compelling Series Concepts will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, each will receive $500.

1. 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.

2. BY SUBMITTING AN 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.

3. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

4. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

5. 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.

6. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

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

8. In the event that fewer than 75 Concepts are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

9. Winners must complete the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.

10. 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.