Create a feature-length documentary that captures an amazing untold and unique American story. Subjects could be a cultural phenomena or movement, undiscovered histories, biographies, exposés, local heroes, underdog stories, top dog stories… any story really. As long as they’re fresh, original and would appeal to an American audience.

Always Original. Always Smart. Always Bold. Never Ordinary. AUDIENCE is the exclusive home for the smartest, most daring entertainment on television and it's only on DIRECTV. From critically acclaimed originals like Kingdom and Rogue to special events and groundbreaking documentaries you can't see anywhere else. AUDIENCE has teamed up with Tongal to create "The Next Great American Documentary." And it's going to premiere this year in over 20 million households in the US.

This is your chance to be the next Errol Morris or Ken Burns — to make the next Jiro Dreams of Sushi or Citizenfour. We're searching for fresh, untold and original stories — cultural phenomena or movements, undiscovered histories, exposés, biographies, local heroes, underdog stories, top dog stories... fascinating real-life tales that could only happen in America. We want to unearth never-before-filmed subjects that are just begging to be brought to life on television — because that's exactly what the Tongal community's going to do! DIRECTV will provide a production budget and support to realize the vision and bring one of the films to life.

As you can tell, this is a BIG project and it’s going to move fast – the documentary will premiere the end of this year! So please pay very close attention to details in the next few sections. We’ve also built an FAQ to answer all your questions, so be sure to check that out, too.

The goal of this project is to create a feature length (80 to 85 minutes) documentary that captures an amazing untold and uniquely American story. Subjects could be biographies, exposés, underdog stories… any story really. As long as they’re fresh, original and would appeal to American audience.

Your feature documentary is destined for television – which means it must be filmed on a 4K master and will need to conform to very specific broadcast specs. There are a lot of moving parts to this project and it’s going to go fast so please pay special attention to the information outlined in this section and the Details section.

This project will be broken into four production and two voting phases. These are outlined thoroughly in the Details section but here’s a quick breakdown:

PHASE 1 – SUBJECT (OPEN TO EVERYONE): March 17th – March 30th

PHASE 2 - SUBJECT VOTING (OPEN TO ANYONE): April 13th – April 16th

PHASE 3 – PITCH (OPEN TO ALL FILMMAKERS): April 17th – April 27th

PHASE 4 – SIZZLE REEL (OPEN TO THE TWO PITCH WINNERS): May 7th – June 15th

PHASE 5 - SIZZLE REEL VOTING (OPEN TO ANYONE): June 15th – June 18th

PHASE 6 – PRODUCTION (OPEN TO THE ONE SIZZLE REEL WINNER): June 19th – October 26th

***IMPORTANT NOTES: This is a special project and differs from the typical Tongal project in some very important ways. Pay close attention to the notes below and consult the Details, Requirements and FAQ for more information.***

-US ONLY: All Subjects, Subject Submitters and Pitch Submitters must be located in the United States.

-Rights: All subject submissions must have full life rights to their story and agree to cooperate with the filmmakers throughout the shoot.

-Ownership: DIRECTV will be granted an option for every winning Subject, Pitch, Sizzle Reel and Video for three years. This option will require no additional compensation from DIRECTV.

-Shooting/Delivery Format: The Sizzle Reel winner that advances to the production phase will be required to shoot in 4K and deliver a digital 4K master and several other formats. A full list of the deliverables can be found in the Assets Tab.

-Final Deliverables: Filmmakers will need to deliver a Broadcast Master (HD 1080i or 720p  16x9 with frame rate at 29.97/59.94), a Premiere and Edit Master (1080p), a 4K Master, as well as all raw footage, image assets and editing project files. You can see a full list of the deliverables and all their specifications in the Assets Tab.

-Finishing Funds: Filmmakers are required to have their documentary professionally mastered. DIRECTV and AUDIENCE have allotted an additional $6,000 in finishing funds to help pay for onlining and coloring.

-Post Production Software: The final documentary will be mastered on a DaVinci bay for color. Editing software options are Final Cut, Adobe Premiere or Avid. Filmmakers must edit on one of these software packages to work on this system. Sony Vegas, etc. will not be acceptable.

-Camera Requirements: For your Sizzle Reel submissions, make sure to shoot on an equivalent camera to the RED Epic or some similar quality camera.

-Production Budget/Schedule: The Sizzle Reel winner will need to submit detailed production schedules and budgets to Tongal/DIRECTV once selected. The Sizzle Reel winner will also be required to sign a Production Services Agreement directly with DIRECTV.

-Audio: Film must be delivered in 5.1 sound (Dolby Digital) so be sure to prepare for this during shooting.

-Close Captioning: The Sizzle Reel Winner will be required to provide closed captioning for their documentary.

-Affidavit & IP Assignment: This project will not use the standard Tongal Winner's Affidavit or IP Assignment. Instead, you will be asked to complete a custom Affidavit and IP Assignment if you are selected as a winner.

This project will unfold over four production phases and two voting phases.  Phases 1, 3 and 4 will be conducted as a skill-based contest, so you should review the DIRECTV and AUDIENCE Project Official Rules prior to getting started.  Phase 6 of this project will only be open to the Sizzle Reel winner and will be governed by the terms of a Production Agreement to be entered into by the winner and DIRECTV and AUDIENCE.

PHASE 1 – SUBJECT (OPEN TO EVERYONE): Submit up to five Subjects for a compelling documentary film. What topic really gets you going? Whose story do you want to tell? What real-life character needs to be brought to the small screen? These can range from newsworthy subject matter to specific, local stories or life stories. You’ve got 500 characters of text and the option to upload photos and/or videos as part of your submission, so make the most of them.

 -- Keep in mind, if your Subject wins you'll be required to submit corresponding releases indicating that you have the rights to the Subject. And take a piece of advice from your good friends at Tongal: it's a good idea to obtain rights before you submit - you'll only have five days to deliver any releases to Tongal once notified that you're a winner or we'll have to select an alternate. Many release forms can be found in the Winner Forms link. For example, if your Subject is a person, you should have them sign the Life Story Agreement. Depending on the nature of your Subject, you may be asked to submit additional forms evidencing you have the rights to the Subject before being declared a winner.

• Prizing:  The Audience Network will select three (3) winning Subjects based on the judging criteria set forth in the DIRECTV Audience Network Project Official Rules.  Each Subject winner will receive a $1,000 Subject prize. If your Subject is the basis for the Sizzle Reel winner's entry, you will also receive an additional $1,000 as a residual at the project's conclusion.

NOTE: Winning members must submit all rights documentation necessary (e.g., publicity rights, life story rights, property rights, etc.), as determined by Tongal in its sole discretion, to execute (or to allow another Tongal member to execute) on your great idea. Tongal members who submit Subjects and are not selected as a winner will retain all rights to their entries.

PHASE 2 - SUBJECT VOTING (OPEN TO ANYONE): Vote on which Subject you would most like to see as the focus of a documentary. Which Subject’s story do you want to see brought to life? It’s your chance to get involved! Voting will help DIRECTV choose the Subject Phase winners.

 PHASE 3 – PITCH (OPEN TO ALL FILMMAKERS):

• Summary: Submit up to two Pitches convincing us why you should be selected to bring either (a) one of the winning Subjects from the previous phase or (b) any Subject of your choosing (a “Wildcard Pitch”) to the screen. If you submit a Wildcard Pitch, you must also abide by the Subject phase requirements. Please see the Subject phase summary above. Your Pitch must include:
  • Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less summarizing how you plan to approach and execute your documentary production – and, if your Pitch is a “Wildcard Pitch,” don’t forget to include up to 500 characters of text (plus uploaded videos or photos) to convey your Subject idea (see Subject phase above).
  • Links to existing work (REQUIRED): Each Pitch must include an existing portfolio of work that clearly demonstrates the director’s ability to execute the documentary. Please link to your previous video work and specify your role (producer, director, etc.)
  • Storyboards and/or Treatment (REQUIRED): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, scripts, casting notes, anything that helps get your point across.
  • Pitch Video (REQUIRED): This is your opportunity to put yourself in the room with The Audience Network. Use it wisely.

• Prizing:  The Audience Network will select two (2) winning Pitches based on the judging criteria set forth in the DIRECTV and AUDIENCE Official Rules. Each Pitch winner will receive $3,000 to produce a Sizzle Reel based on his or her winning Pitch.

• Conditions: If you choose to create a Pitch not based on a winning Subject from the previous phase (i.e., a “Wildcard Pitch” submission), you must submit all rights documentation necessary (e.g., publicity rights, life story rights, property rights, etc.), as determined by Tongal in its sole discretion, to execute on your great idea. Tongal members who submit Pitches and are not selected as a winner will retain all rights to their entries.

 PHASE 4 – SIZZLE REEL (OPEN TO THE TWO PITCH WINNERS):

• Summary: The two (2) winners identified in the Pitch phase will each create a Sizzle Reel for their documentaries. Sizzle Reels must be between 5-7 minutes and considered a “proof of concept” for the larger documentary. Your Sizzle Reel should establish the tone, characters and narrative you pitched us in the previous phase. All expenses (including travel and production costs) are at the discretion and will be at the sole expense of the submitting Tongal members.

• Prizing:  After the Sizzle Reel Public Voting, DIRECTV will select one (1) winning Sizzle Reel creator, based on the judging criteria set forth in the DIRECTV Project Official Rules, and offer him or her a Production Agreement worth at least $35,000, with a potential for another $6,000 in finishing funds, to create their feature-length (80 to 85 minutes) documentary film.

• Conditions: In order to qualify as a winner in this phase of the competition, filmmakers must timely submit all “production legal” documentation (e.g., talent, music and location releases, archival footage licenses, other clearances, etc.) for persons and property (including intellectual property) featured or displayed in the Sizzle Reel. Additionally, submissions must not include films or footage that you or any other person or company have previously exhibited in feature documentary form (i.e. at film festivals, online, TV, etc.).

PHASE 5 - SIZZLE REEL VOTING  (OPEN TO ANYONE): Vote on which Sizzle Reel you think should be greenlit to production. Which filmmaker do you want to see bring their documentary to television? It’s your chance to get involved! Voting will help DIRECTV choose the Sizzle Reel winner.

PHASE 6 – PRODUCTION (OPEN TO THE ONE SIZZLE REEL WINNER):

•  Summary: Once the one (1) Sizzle Reel winner from the Sizzle Reel phase is announced and accepts the Production Agreement, he or she will receive a $35,000 production budget, under the terms and timeline stated in the Production Agreement, to execute and deliver a feature-length (80 to 85 minutes) Director’s Cut of the film. The documentary will need to be professionally colored and mastered for television. To that end, the filmmakers will receive an additional $6,000 in finishing funds for onlining and coloring of the Final Cut of their documentary. AUDIENCE and Tongal will provide meaningful feedback and supervision along the way and AUDIENCE will air the Final Cut by the end of the year.  The Sizzle Reel winner with also receive production and post production support and mentorship from AUDIENCE including:
  
  • Scheduled access to AUDIENCE's edit/post facilities located in Los Angeles.

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

If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form.  

For specific questions, please refer to the DIRECTV and AUDIENCE Project FAQ.

1. 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 several master file formats as well as project files and raw footage. Please see the Objectives and Details section for more info.

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. Submissions must not include films or footage that you or any other person or company have previously exhibited in feature documentary form (i.e. at film festivals, online, TV, etc.).

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

7. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

8. 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.

9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.

10. Limit 5 submissions per member for Subject Phase and 2 submissions per member for the Pitch Phase.

11. You must be at least eighteen (18) years or older to enter.

12. In the event that fewer than 100 Pitches are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, winning Video creators MUST also provide the DirecTV Winner Affidavit, DirecTV IP Assignment, 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.

16. 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.

For specific questions, please refer to the DIRECTV and AUDIENCE Project FAQ.