Using current and past Nickelodeon animated shows as inspiration, create eight unique short videos or still images designed for social media that can be used on Nickelodeon-owned social channels to celebrate the Winter season and holidays, including Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, First Day of Winter, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.
The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and the fireplace is crackling. That can mean only one thing... Winter is coming! It's time to bust out the turkey and gravy, gingerbread houses, holiday cookies, and, of course, LOTS of Nickelodeon slime! To celebrate all things Winter and the multitude of meaningful holidays that come with the season, Nickelodeon is looking for engaging and thumb-stopping social content that highlights some key Winter holidays and events, like Thanksgiving (Nov. 24), Hanukkah (Dec. 18-26), the First Day of Winter (Dec. 21), Christmas (Dec. 25), and Kwanzaa (Dec. 26), each featuring characters from current and past Nickelodeon animated shows (check out the Background section for a full list).
All of these posts (except for Post #8) would be used on the main Nickelodeon Instagram account and should mash up characters from current Nickelodeon animated shows and nostalgic past Nickelodeon animated shows. This account focuses on current Nickelodeon animated shows like The Loud House, The Casagrandes, and Middlemost Post. For your reference, older properties like Teenage Mutant Turtles, Garfield, or NickRewind shows (learn about NickRewind more in the Background section) do not often go on this account by themselves - but they CAN be included in a wide variety or grouping of other Nickelodeon characters.
In terms of executions, the sky is the limit! We're open to seeing creative executions for everything from stop motion & animation, to motion graphics, papercraft, photography or lifestyle content, and everything in between. Executions should feature Nick characters whenever possible, but which characters and how they are incorporated are up to you. You could even create custom illustrations featuring characters from multiple Nick properties in a single image (similar to this Nick or Treat Instagram carousel or this First Day of Spring post). While you will have access to official reference images of Nickelodeon characters, the expectation is that you will be drawing the characters yourself to fit the creative concept you submitted.
For the purposes of the Pitch stage, we're asking that you include at least 1 creative concept per social post in your treatment (so 8 total ideas). That said, the more ideas, the better! These creative concepts should illustrate the potential creative approach you would plan to execute for each holiday, along with any specific characters you would plan to feature. You can mix & match format and execution depending on what would work best for each holiday. Understanding that costs can vary depending on the creative execution of each social post, we're also asking that you include a proposed budget for each content idea in your treatment. For example, you could pitch a custom Loud House Thanksgiving illustration that costs $500, or a gingerbread house recreation of Tommy Pickle's house that costs $2,000. Essentially, we want to know what your budget would be for each individual social post (but no line item breakdown is necessary).
It's strongly recommended that the creative execution for each holiday feel different and unique. Nick is NOT looking for 8 assets that are similar in style and approach. Each asset should be able to stand on its own while still feeling on brand for Nickelodeon. We encourage you to check out the Background section for more information about each show and examples of successful social content.
While Nick is primarily looking for one creator to make all 8 assets, there is a chance Nick may want to "mix and match" ideas from different creators. If that's the case, Tongal will reach out to those creators individually to work out a revised budget based on your original bid for all 8 assets.
For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: 16 total social assets
TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets section. Please note: This is an example timeline. Actual project timelines for each post will be set with creators on an individual basis.
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OPEN BID:
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's a list of some of the most popular current and former Nickelodeon shows that you can use as inspiration for your social posts. Please note: If you'd like to use characters from live-action shows in your pitch, Nickelodeon would like to avoid any Dan Schneider shows except the Henry Danger/Danger Force universe. In order to avoid likeness approvals from the actors, you can only use approved images of the characters that are provided by the Nickelodeon team.
EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL NICKELODEON SOCIAL CONTENT
NICKELODEON BRAND - Nickelodeon is the number one entertainment brand for kids, and it's a brand on the precipice of change. Nickelodeon is expanding its focus far beyond the traditional cable TV channel. Treating Nickelodeon as a lifestyle brand – with content, products, experiences and more – is the core of Nick's future-forward plan. Video that embodies that distinct Nickelodeon feeling and connects with fans old and young can help drive that message.
NICKREWIND: NickRewind is Nick’s place for all things nostalgia - covering all your favorite Nickelodeon shows from the 1980s to late 2010s.
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.
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: Pre-production approvals will be dependent on the creative concepts selected, but may include:
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.