Show us how you solve a Rubik's Cube! Create a unique and inspirational video that takes Rubik's solve materials and explains them in a creative way to promote the new Rubik's Cube 2.0.
For decades, the real power of the Rubik's Cube has always been, not in the solution, but in the journey, and the world needs more solvers. How can we encourage current and future generations to stay in the problem, to sit with the frustration, and to keep going anyway? Rubik’s wants to help tell that story and celebrate the small wins that come along the way - the push through the hard parts, the putting it down and picking it back up - and they want to do it with the launch of the Rubik's Cube 2.0. This initiative is where we honor that the journey can be different for everyone, and we want to meet people where they're at. That's where you come in! We want your unique perspective and process. We're not just making content just about how to solve a puzzle, we want to build a community around a mindset: that the journey is the point.
Rubik's is looking for up to seven creators to show us their own unique style and approach when it comes to solving the Rubik's Cube. The ultimate goal is to create a roughly 2-minute tutorial video that showcases an interesting and inspiring way to teach the 8 Rubik's Cube Solve Steps, and does it in a way that speaks to your own skills, personality, or ambitions as a creator. We want to celebrate the many different ways that people think, learn, and grow, and we want social-first concepts that can catch viewers' attention in thumb-stopping and creative forms, as these will live on the Rubik's Cube website and social channels.
We're open to live action, stop-motion, 3D printing, puppetry, and more… the list is endless. Consider your own talents and passions and how you can utilize that skillset to reimagine our Solve Materials to teach this in your own style. Think: a rap about the algorithm, a narrative with animated characters that help you memorize the steps, or an explainer that breaks them down into code. Are you a musician that breaks down the solve through rhythm, a mnemonic, or lyrics for audio learners? Are you a cinematographer who creates a cinematic trailer that follows the journey of an individual aspiring to solve the cube? Or an engineer creating CAD-style technical drawings with precise rotation angles for an analytical mind? You might even be a comedic actor putting together a support group for those who have trouble solving on their own.
For the video itself, the completed end result shouldn’t be the main focus, as the process of solving is what we want to elevate and promote. Solving the Rubik's Cube is not an exclusive endeavor, but rather a fun challenge that anyone can achieve through practice. By celebrating different learning styles and approaches, we're saying: progress over perfection, play is the point, and the journey is the destination. Some people need to see it, others need to hear it, and some need to move through it. Each tutorial can teach each step in a different thinking style (i.e. visual, logical, kinesthetic, etc.), and you can get an idea of how to approach the materials and other important information through our Content Creator Guidelines. With us looking for multiple creators for this project, there will be multiple people telling the same story with the Solve Materials, so the challenge is really about how you can make sure that your concept and your video stands out amongst the rest.
Keep in mind that we are still promoting the product, so while completing the Rubik's Cube may not be the main focus, the actual physical product still needs to be shown at some point during your video. A cheat sheet guide has also been provided for this brief, but once you're greenlit, we will also provide a group video call session with a Rubik's Cube Ambassador to teach you the solve more thoroughly, and to answer any questions you might have.
All greenlit creators will receive product for production, but for the purposes of pitching, you can use your own current Rubik's cubes. Your videos also do not need to include VO or dialogue, but if they do, we are open to the tutorials being in other languages as well, as long as you can provide a full script and a clean version of your final assets for localization partners to update the assets in their own languages. Part of this new campaign being promoted also includes a new app that will provide helpful guides, resources, and tips when it comes to solving the cube, so we would like to see in your pitches how you could possibly integrate mentions or callouts to utilize the app function as well.
For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: There are 3 total video assets, per creator
EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE
RELEVANT ASSETS: HERE
EXPOSURE: We expect content will be used on the platforms below, but if casting talent, be sure they review our required Talent Release before they're cast, as we CANNOT guarantee that usage is limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
TONE/FEEL:
EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:
AI USAGE: You may not use AI-generated visual or audio assets in your final content. However, for the purposes of your pitch and pre-production materials, you are welcome to use generative AI to create visuals, storyboards, animatics, proofs-of-concept, etc. that might help the Sponsor understand your vision for creating the final content. Additionally, assistive AI tools (e.g. object removal, compositing, color grading, sound mixing, subtitling, etc.) may be used in post-production to supplement your workflow. Please keep record of any AI usage deployed in your submissions in the event that the Sponsor requests AI disclosures. If you have questions about any specific usage or tool, please ask your Tongal producer.
By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects do move forward, we'll notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the Project Forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and project team.
In order to be considered, include the below materials in your submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery. All Pitches remain private, even after a Pitch is selected, and Tongal strives to have Pitch selections made by the end of the Evaluation period, but additional time may be required by the Sponsor, depending on any number of factors. Unless specifically requested, there's no need to include a budget with your submission.
The most compelling pitch will be greenlit by the Sponsor, 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, typically included with the project timeline.
PRE-PRODUCTION BIBLE & APPROVALS: Prior to the commencement of actual production, creators MUST prepare a singular pre-production "bible" document with the elements contained below, and that document MUST receive final approval from the Sponsor. We recommend that you use the bible template we provide HERE, or something very similar. The bible can be presented in stages as different elements are ready for review (i.e. it's not expected that storyboards, if required, are ready with your first draft). Apart from the below, you're also welcome to include other key items that you think would be helpful to communicate your plan (e.g. moodboards, lighting, music, shot list, etc.).
Note that there may be multiple rounds of feedback until elements are approved, and if you begin production before you have received final approval, you may need to reshoot or reanimate at your own expense.
For convenience, we've provided some helpful templates that you can consider using for pre-production materials, and they can all be accessed here.
BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Looking for help? Post crew and production opportunities connected to Tongal projects on Backlot. Backlot includes search tools to help you find collaborators and crew by role, skill set, location, and more, for productions of any size and type. Tongal also supports inclusivity in all productions, and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find additional options for staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.
REVISION REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: Once Content has been submitted and the initial Production Phase completed, greenlit creators will enter into Revisions. Creators will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor's feedback. Check out our Filmmaker Resource Portal to access helpful post-production resources like Text-Safe Guides for different platforms, Project File Organization Tutorial, Export Presets, and Captioning services.
MUSIC: If you use music from a library for your content, you MUST use one of Tongal's music providers: Universal Production Music, PrimalHouse, or Slipstream. 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 Music Release Form. To learn more, click on any of the providers' names above.
If you use original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. Please ensure your composer reviews and signs this form BEFORE beginning their work.
STOCK FOOTAGE: Tongal has partnered with the stock footage library Storyblocks, which can be used to source video clips, photography, and After Effects templates for your video submission to this project. Video or photo content from Storyblocks is available at no charge, solely for incorporation into submissions on this project, and will not require a separate Release Form. If identifiable people or intellectual property appears in a video clip or photo, you may only utilize assets that are clearly marked “Model released: Yes” or “Property release: Yes” on the clip description pages. You may NOT use any audio.
If you intend to use Storyblocks, inform your Tongal producer, and an account will be created for you to access the library. Once assets are approved for delivery, you must provide a complete list of all Storyblocks content that you used via our template HERE.
ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: 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 any costs associated with the hard drive and shipping. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
To ensure a smoother delivery, please review the Export Presets, Specifications, and Project File Organization Tutorial in our Filmmaker Resource Portal.