Share your approach to a 10-episode podcast series about heroic dogs and what makes them special.

We've reopened this project with a revised brief specifically looking for podcast producers – keep reading for more!

We're looking for an organized podcast producer to produce a 10-episode podcast about the world's most impressive dogs. From avalanche rescue to bomb detection, guide dogs to cadaver dogs, the world of elite dogs is full of fascinating stories with broad audience appeal. We'd like to turn these stories into a podcast that will resonate with global audiences.

Tongal will work closely with the greenlit producer to source and develop the stories. What we want to hear from you is how you'd approach this topic in general and create an episodic format.

Earlier this year, a Twitter thread focused on the Search & Rescue dogs of 9/11 created an international conversation about heroic dogs – and we want to create a podcast that shares stories just like those with global audiences. We've listed some examples to get you started in the Background/Additional Details section, so check that out.

DELIVERABLES: One Podcast Pitch, with Budget

TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.

EXPOSURE: If this podcast goes to production, it will run wherever podcasts are available.

TARGET AUDIENCE: All ages, worldwide

TONE: Authentic, emotional

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: You must address the questions of Structure, Showrunning, Storytelling/Voice, and Bid/Budget in your Pitch.

OPEN BID:

• This is an open bid project, so you will get to set your own budget proposal. The Sponsor is interested in seeing tiered pricing options, so please feel free to submit various versions of your pitch at budget, target, and reach price points.
• By participating in this open bid project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a bid. Though most open bid projects on our platform do move forward with a greenlit bid, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any bids via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all open bid submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.

This is a wide-open call for podcast producers and creatives to share how you'd bring this podcast to life. We want to hear how you'll approach the topic of exceptional real-life rescue and working dogs in your series.

For more context, here are just some of the many incredible things these superhero dogs are doing: 

• Avalanche Rescue

• Water Rescue

• Bomb Detection / Crime Prevention

• Medical support

• Cadaver dogs

• Guide dogs

• PTSD / Emotional support dogs

• Fire safety

• Search & Rescue

• Disaster Response

• Endangered Species Protection

The Mystery Sponsor has produced a film with similar themes and is looking to expand their reach and breadth of stories through a podcast.

As a producer, there's an opportunity to really bring your perspective to this project: we want to know how you'd run this podcast, nuts to bolts, including: 

• Structure – How would you bring these stories to life across the series? 

• Showrunning – Think about how you'd capture stories from all around the world. Tongal will help source and develop story subjects. 

• Storytelling/Voice – How would you present these stories to audiences? Would there be one host, or would you bring in multiple voices? 

• Bid + Budget – While the Sponsor is still in the exploratory stages, budget is a key consideration for this project. We want to know what the podcast you're proposing would cost, and we've left the bid range open to accommodate that ask.

TONGAL ORIGINALS INCUBATOR & THE SPONSOR:

• This project is part of the Tongal Originals Incubator program, and we're partnering with an established production company to make it happen. You can learn more about the program itself HERE, but the Sponsor has elected to remain hidden for the initial phase of this project. We can tell you that they've produced a film with similar themes and are looking to expand their reach and breadth of stories through a podcast, but you'll be able to learn more if your submission is selected and the Sponsor wants to pursue it beyond the scope of this project.

OWNERSHIP/PARTICIPATION: 

• The rights to the podcast submission that is selected by the Sponsor will be negotiated in good faith with the submitter and the Sponsor, and covered by a separate production agreement.

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.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this video.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous  work. Please specify your role (producer, director, writer, showrunner, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual pieces of content.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the podcast series. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• BUDGET (REQUIRED): This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the budget template here.
  
  
• SCRIPT (Optional): This should include sample copy/dialogue from the podcast you intend to create.
  
  
• HOST LINKS (Optional): Links to your prospective host's past work. Can include links for multiple host options.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): 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. Supporting materials are welcome. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.

Should the Sponsor elect to move forward with a pitch, the most compelling pitch will be greenlit, and upon completing the Winner Affidavit and the IP Assignment, the responsible creator will receive funding and a new production phase will be opened for the greenlit creators. Please note: the payment of the pitch funds is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Please see the full payment schedule in the Assets section.

1. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is .mp4 (audio with a video title card) or .mp3. Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv, .mp3, and .wav. For video projects, acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should your submission be greenlit, you will also be required to provide a .wav master file.
   
   
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 PODCAST 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 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. Podcasts must be in the English language.
   
   
9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per 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 Podcast based on their prior work and experience as a creator.
    
    
13. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Podcast episodes without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-record so try to get as much coverage as possible.
    
    
14. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, greenlit  creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their Podcasts, 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 .wav master file to claim your earnings.
    
    
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.