A premium Hollywood content studio is looking to create documentaries about major news stories, events, or trends from the past that would look totally different if they were reported on now, through a modern lens. Submit concepts for anything that might work as a full-length film or multi-part series.

Although many of us take it for granted that society's viewpoints will change over time - with more exposure, new facts, and better understanding - it's really just an academic discussion when you're talking about it in the abstract. What makes it so much more powerful, and so much more obvious, is when you take a well-known, well-reported story, and contrast the way it was originally framed, with the way we'd see it now, through a very different, very modern lens. 

Tongal is teaming up with one of Hollywood’s premium content studios to find stories like these for a documentary project. They're especially interested in major stories, events, or trends from the 80's, 90's and early 00's that audiences would already be somewhat familiar with, but which could benefit from a fresh look and a reexamination. A dramatic example would be something like the Anita Hill hearings, or the way the War on Drugs was covered in the media, but you could go in a different direction and look at something like the popular rise of GM's massive SUV, the Hummer. 

They’re looking for topics that will fascinate and surprise audiences, and leverage what people think they already know, or introduce a format that can capitalize on a then-and-now approach.  

Are you a documentary filmmaker? Or are you just a big fan of docs? It doesn't matter. This ask is wide open for anyone at this stage - but the studio can help develop a documentary if you happen to already be working on something relevant for this project. You have the option to include additional info with your concept submission, and we'll reach out if the Sponsor responds and wants to pursue it beyond the scope of this project. If you pitched on the other Original Documentary Project and you're wondering why this is structured differently, it's because we don't expect many filmmakers just happen to be working on a project like this, so we're starting with a broad ask. 

DELIVERABLES: 500 character concepts for a documentary.

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

EXPOSURE & FORMAT: The studio is looking at feature length documentaries. If there is a compelling narrative that needs more than 90 minutes to be told then we can expand into a limited docu-series.

TONE: The studio is open to a wide range of tonal executions, so this can be dramatic, emotional, comedic, irreverent, quirky, exciting, romantic, or really anything that represents a compelling and unique human story.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• If you're a documentary filmmaker and you are proposing a project that you're developing that revolves around a real person, you must already have access to that individual or group of individuals, and you will need to provide a talent appearance release for them if the studio engages you further.

Since this is about reexamining stories through the lens of then & now, that means the stories you're looking at have to viewed differently by history than they would be today. This isn't about how something has merely changed over time - that is, we're not looking for stories about how the the legalization of marijuana has slowly spread from state to state. Instead, we're looking for how the reporting itself - the narrative and the conversation around the story itself - has changed. This is about reexamination.

We are open to any topic, and any tone. Many examples will be dramatic, and reflect changing viewpoints around how we view topics like race, sex, gender, identity, or crime, but there are examples on the lighter end of the spectrum that can be equally interesting, with topics like technology, video games, fashion, entertainment, food, and pop culture. 

In terms of format, if you think there's an interesting way to look at stories through the lens of then & now - but don't necessarily have a story yourself - feel free to submit a concept for a novel and unique storytelling approach that the studio could plug other stories into.

RELEVANT SUBJECTS FOR REFERENCE:

• Anita Hill
• Monica Lewinsky
• Lorena Bobbit
• Tonya Harding
• The "War on Drugs"
• Latchkey Kids
• GM's HUMMER
  
  

TONGAL ORIGINALS INCUBATOR & THE SPONSOR:

• This project is part of the Tongal Originals Incubator program, and we're partnering with a premium content studio 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're able to develop, produce, or finance any documentary, 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: 

• If the Sponsor responds to your concept submission and you have included additional information about individuals or sources you have access to, intellectual property you control, or production production capabilities that you have, the Sponsor may want to pursue your participation beyond the scope of this project. If that is the case, it will be negotiated in good faith with the Sponsor, and covered by a separate agreement.

In order to be considered, you must include the below materials in your concept submission. Remember, a concept is not a detailed script - it is a spark of inspiration or a distillation of what could happen in the documentary. As always, concepts should be clever, original, and engaging.

• TITLE (REQUIRED): Include a potential title for the documentary.
  
  
• CONCEPT (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing your concept for the documentary.
  
  
• ADDITIONAL INFO (Optional): If you'd like to share more information that could help the studio understand your concept, you may attach it to your submission. If you are working on an existing documentary or story for a documentary, you may also include additional information about individuals or sources you have access to, intellectual property you control, or other reporting that may be relevant, as well as any production capabilities you bring to the table. This attachment might include a short treatment, news articles, additional research, reference images, or even a short video.
  
  
• LINK (Optional): If you'd like to include helpful reference links to relevant stories or articles, or other existing documentary executions that also might demonstrate something similar to what you're proposing, please feel free to include those too.

Greenlit concepts creators will receive $500 each. Should your concept be selected, you must complete the Winner Affidavit and IP Assignment forms in order to receive payment.

1. 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.

2. 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.

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

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

5. 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.

6. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

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

8. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.

9. Winners must submit the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.

10. 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.