Spiffy Pictures is looking to create a series of videos (in support of the PBS Show Nature Cat) to inspire kids to play outside and show that interacting with nature is easier than you think.

Working with Tongal, Spiffy Pictures is looking to create a series of videos (in support of the PBS Show Nature Cat) to inspire kids to play outside and show that interacting with nature is easier than you think. 

Like many kids, Fred (aka Nature Cat) can’t wait to get outside for a day of backyard nature excursions and bravery! But there’s one problem; Fred’s still a house cat with no real instincts for nature. But he doesn’t let that stop him from learning and experiencing all he can!

Taking inspiration from Nature Cat, we’re looking for one filmmaker to create a TEN (10) episode companion series to show and educate kids on how to discover and explore the nature in their environments. Each episode (between 2 to 4 minutes in length) will feature a DIY project as well as a learning objective. Your series should share the message that whether you live in a busy city, quiet suburb or small farm town, nature is everywhere… you just have to know where to look!

Curious? Read below for more information:

• This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the budget template here. The sponsor would like each producer to create 10 videos with a cost range of $3,000 - $3,500 per video.
• Videos can be either live action or any type of animation. 
• This project falls under SAG. If you plan to have actors in your live-action video, only hands could be shown on screen doing the projects. There is a maximum limit of two actors for the series. This limitation does not apply to animated videos.
• You must have Nature Cat narrate the series (voiceover to be provided by the sponsor based on your scripts).
• The sponsor will supply the concepts for all ten videos in your series and will provide outlines for these 5: Pine Cone Pals, Nature Art, Make a Nature Journal, Build a Model Igloo, and Make a Mini Greenhouse.
• The sponsor is open to providing outlines for the other 5 videos or you can create outlines for them yourself.
• In your pitch, please outline how you will bring “Pine Cone Pals” to life as well as give an overview of how you plan to structure the other 9 episodes. You can find the episode concepts here.
• The delivery timeline will be tiered. We want to make sure the first episode has the right look and feel before the rest of the episodes are edited. See timeline below:

Pitch Phase: March 8 - March 13

Winning pitch selected by Sponsor: March 22

Pre-Production Phase: March 22 - April 2

Video Phase: April 2 - May 2

Rough cut of pilot video delivered to Sponsor: May 2

Editorial feedback from Sponsor due: May 7

Filmmaker executes revisions: May 7 - May 14

Revised pilot delivered: May 14

Second round of editorial feedback from Sponsor due (if any): May 18

Filmmaker executes revisions: May 18 - May 23

Final pilot delivered: May 23

Rough cut of episodes 2-10 delivered: June 1

Editorial feedback from Sponsor due: June 8

Filmmaker executes revisions: June 8 - June 18

Revised videos delivered: June 18

Second round of editorial feedback from Sponsor due (if any): June 25

Filmmaker executes revisions: June 25 - July 2

Final videos delivered: July 6

The goal of this project is to create a series of ten videos (in support of the PBS Show Nature Cat) to inspire kids to play outside and show that interacting with nature is easier than you think. Each episode should be between 2 to 4 minutes in length.

--Key Marketing Messages: 

• Get outside, starting right in your own backyard!

--Target Audience:

The target audience is 4 to 6-year-old boys and girls.

--Executional Mandatories

• This is a SAG affiliated project. If you plan to have actors in your live-action video, only hands could be shown on-screen doing the projects. There is a maximum limit of two actors for the series.
• You must have Nature Cat narrate the series (voiceover to be provided by the sponsor based on your scripts).
• DO NOT FEATURE other brands in your video.
• DO NOT FEATURE anything that might be considered dangerous for kids.

--Tone: The tone should be fun, funny, and instructional.

--Exposure: Your videos will be shown on all PBS digital platforms including YouTube.

End Card: You will be required to create an end card specific to YouTube as well as an end card specific to PBS.com

This project will consist of FOUR (4) Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, and a Revisions Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: PITCH This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the budget template here. The sponsor would like each producer to create ten videos with a cost range of $3,000 - $3,500 per video. 

Submit your pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the sponsor why you should be selected to execute a series of videos using:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this series.

• 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.

• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the series. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.

• Proposed Budget Per Episode (REQUIRED): Instead of us dictating your budgets, we’re looking for you to let us know the amount you need in order to execute your video. Please provide explicitly how much you need. Budgets should fall between $3,000 and $3,500 per episode. Your budget proposal is subject to approval if your pitch is selected. Please consider the most economical way to produce your video.

• Script (Optional but highly encouraged): This should include dialogue/ narration from the videos 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 but highly encouraged): 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, animatic, etc. are welcome.   

The most compelling pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive half of the proposed budget (as a production advance) to help create the series. Please note the payment of the pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Additionally, upon submitting a series of videos that satisfy the criteria laid out in your winning pitch, completing sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor, the pitch winner will receive a final payment per his/her initial bid minus the pitch advance.

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 2: PRE-PRODUCTION The winner from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, the filmmaker will need to receive the following approvals from the brand: 

• SCRIPT – This project requires script approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand 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 brand. 
• HEADSHOT – This project requires headshot approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.
• STORYBOARD/ ANIMATIC - This project requires storyboard/ animatic approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version of the storyboard. 

No filmmakers may begin shooting their video until all approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your video during the Pre-Production Phase before you have received final approval, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense).

PHASE 3: VIDEO Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the pitch winner will create a series of TEN (10) videos based upon his/her winning pitch. 

--Video Phase Payout: Upon submitting a series of videos that satisfy the criteria laid out in your winning pitch, completing sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor, the pitch winner will receive a final payment per his/her initial bid minus the pitch advance.

--Music: Tongal has partnered with two premiere music providers: Jingle Punks 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. 

Tongal members interested in a more customized music solution for your project are invited to connect with our partner Score A Score. Email a brief description of your project (timing, creative, budget, etc.), along with any specific music direction and/or references to their creative team at music@scoreascore.com and include “Tongal Project - Your Name” in the subject line. Their creative team will be in touch within a few minutes to discuss the simple process and options with you. Please note that you will be responsible for the fees associated with using Score A Score. 

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 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.

PHASE 4: REVISIONS Once the Video Phase has closed, the winning submitters will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the sponsor’s feedback. 

PHASE 5: ASSETS DELIVERY 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. 

For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post-production please click here.

1. Each video in your series MUST not exceed 4-minutes in length. 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 the Pitch Phase.

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 series of videos 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.