Create a fun and shareable 30-second Pilot for a Series of six videos to create awareness of the new Pokémon action figures. Videos should use stop motion animation to demonstrate Pokémon’s new articulation and relative scale in an engaging way.

When Pokémon debuted in the United States in 1998, the loveable pocket monsters instantly took the nation by storm. In no time at all, kids (and adults) across the country were trying to catch ‘em all. They’re one of the biggest things to come out of Japan, and they’re about to get even bigger. Literally.

Tomy is about to unleash a new line of Pokémon action figures that are larger and ready for battle. For the first time ever, Pokémon figures are now built in relative scale and feature articulation, so kids can recreate the Pokémon action they see on TV! And what better way to show off these cool new features than some awesome stop motion videos?

Tomy wants one talented filmmaker to create a Series of SIX incredible stop motion videos. So tell us your concepts for an exciting Series of videos that highlight these new action figures’  relative scale, action articulation and battle features. Ideally, the Videos will work as standalone short films as well as in a series. This project’s a big one so it’s going to be run a little differently than most past projects – be sure to check out the objectives tab for more info.

The goal of this project is to create a fun 30-second Pilot for a Series of six videos to introduce the new Pokémon action figures. Videos should use stop motion animation to demonstrate the new action features and relative scale of figures (see PDF in assets tab for more info) in an exciting and compelling way. Ideally, the Videos will work as standalone short films as well as in a series. The creator of the First Place Pilot video will be asked to create the remaining five 30-second videos in the Series.

The Pokémon universe is very vast and detailed. Please make sure to familiarize yourself with it before submitting a Story or Pitch. If you’re submitting a Pitch, you must be very familiar with Pokémon yourself or have a consultant who can guide you when creating your Videos. Tell us about your qualifications or your consultant’s qualifications in your pitch.

There are 18 products in the new Pokémon action figure line. Not all figures need to be featured in every Video but please make sure each one has screen time in at least one of the Videos. You can find a detailed list of the action figures and their features in the Assets tab, along with a PDF showing their appearance.

Note to Story Submitters: We’re looking for over-arching ideas for a Series of videos, not just  one-off ideas for a single video. So let us hear your great framing stories or tv show formats for a Series of videos that demonstrate the new action figures’ new to-scale world and articulation.

Note to Pitch Submitters: By pitching on this project, you are agreeing to comply with the Series Delivery Timeline if you are selected as the Series Winner:

July 8 — August 5: Series Winner creates five additional 30-second Videos

Series Outline Note: Pitch winners are also required to submit a Series Outline when they deliver their Pilot submission. The Series Outline is a 1-3 page PDF that gives a detailed plot and production synopsis of the remaining five Videos in the Series.

Bumper Note: Filmmakers will be required to create their own bumper graphics to end the video. See the assets tab for images/logos you can use in creating your bumper. All bumpers should have the following legal text in a small font at the bottom of the screen: “2015 Pokémon © 1995-2015 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAMEFREAK inc. TM,®, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo. Manufactured by TOMY.”

--Key Marketing Messages:

• Exciting new Pokémon action figures are in scale and in action!
• “Gotta Catch ‘Em All!”

--Target Audience: Boys ages 6 to 11. Also, collector fans – aged 16 to 40.

--Executional Mandatories:

• Videos must feature stop motion animation – not CGI or 2D animation.
• Content should feature TOMY Toys only (no other licensed Pokémon products: video games, cards, tv shows, etc.)
• Please do not reference the Pokémon video games in any way in your Videos or Stories.
• Please be sure all Pokémon terms and names are pronounced correctly.
• Pokémon terminology cannot be appropriated (i.e. “PokéVideos” or “Evolve your toy collection”)
• When referring to Pokémon generations, please reference fictional regions from the Pokémon universe NOT the video game titles (i.e. Pokémon from the Kalos region, rather than from XY generation) 
• Use only approved toy product titles (see PDF in the assets tab)
• When showing Pokémon battles, please keep Pokémon types in mind (i.e. water is stronger against fire but weaker against grass, etc.)
• Ash can only be shown using his own Pokémon: Pikachu, Charizard, Froakie and Hawlucha
• Pokémon should not be referred to by gender pronouns (“it” rather than “he or she”)
• Only one figure can be shown within a single Poké Ball at any time

--Tone: Fun and exciting.

--Exposure: Social video platforms (YouTube, Facebook, etc.) as well as online campaigns across popular websites (Cartoonnetwork.com, Nintendo.com, etc.)

--Product: Pitch Winners will be provided with all action figures needed to be featured in the video Series. 

This Project will be worth a total of $45,000 and consists of four Phases: an Idea Phase, a Pitch Phase, a Pilot Phase and a Series Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: STORY– Tell us your Story for a Series of Pokémon Videos in 500 characters or less.  Remember, a Story is not a detailed script; it is a spark of inspiration, or a distillation of what will happen in the Videos.  As always, Story should be clever and engaging.  The winning Story creators will receive $1,000 each.

Tell us the Title for your Story, the Logline (140 characters or less) and the Synopsis (500 characters or less).

PHASE 2: PITCH – ***BY SUBMITTING TO THIS PHASE OF THE PROJECT, YOU ARE AGREEING TO COMPLY WITH THE SERIES DELIVERY TIMELINE LAID OUT BELOW***

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 Stories 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.

• 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.   

Make sure you include a description of not just what will happen in the Pilot video but also what the other five episodes in the Series will look like.

The two most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive $5,000 to help create the Pilot.  Additionally, upon submitting a Pilot that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winners will also be GUARANTEED a winning place in the subsequent Pilot Phase.  So, if your Pitch is selected and you execute your Pitch effectively in your Pilot submission, you will win an additional $6,500, at a minimum, and have a chance to compete for the $6,500 First Place Pilot prize and to have your Pilot ordered to Series for $20,000. For an example of an effective Pitch, check out Erik Beck’s winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGOs” Pitch video. All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Series Phase is announced and the Project is complete.    

PHASE 3: PILOT – The winners from the Pitch Phase will each create a 30-second Pilot video based upon their winning Pitch.

Series Outline: Pitch winners are also required to submit a Series Outline along with their Pilot submission. The Series Outline is a 1-3 page PDF that gives a detailed plot and production synopsis of the remaining five Videos in the Series.

The Judges will score the two winning Pilots submitted by Pitch winners to determine the standings for the Pilot Phase. Remember, the two Pitch winners will receive prizes.

--Pilot Phase Payout: Winners of the Video Phase will earn the following prizes: 1st place $6,500 and 2nd place $6,500.

--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.

Tongal members interested in a custom music solution for your project are invited to connect with SCORE A SCORE.  They specialize in the creation of custom music, on-demand.  Their business model is based on a "name your price" system, so you can tell them what your budget is, and they will work with you to create a deal configuration that will work within the discussed parameters. Check out the FAQ for more information and how to contact 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 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 Series creators in this Project using the Tongal “Invite Friends” functionality will receive a referral fee equal to 5% of the amount won. That’s a potential $500 (up to $500 per place) in bonus cash just for telling all of your talented friends about this Project! Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.

PHASE 4: SERIES – The first place winner from the previous Pilot phase will have their show ordered to series and be paid $20,000 to deliver the remaining five Videos (30 seconds each) in accordance with the schedule below—

• July 8 — August 5: Series Winner creates five additional videos. 

1. The Videos MUST not exceed 30 seconds 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 Phase.

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

11. In the event that fewer than 50 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.