Create a 2-3 minute stop motion video and a 30-60 second cut down featuring toys based on the hit animated Nickelodeon show Top Wing.

Debuting in 2017 on Nickelodeon, Top Wing is a hit CGI series that takes place on the never boring Big Swirl Island. The main characters are four ambitious and kind-hearted birds – Swift, Penny, Brody, and Rod – who are fellow cadets at Top Wing Academy. They must earn their wings by doing good deeds and helping the other residents of Big Swirl Island. Speedy their mentor/teacher assists them on finding new missions to hone their rescue skills and learn important lessons along the way.  

This spring Nickelodeon is releasing a line of Top Wing toys and would like the Tongal community to create a 2-3 minute stop motion video to get kids excited. If you have the stop motion chops and want a shot at earning your wings, please read the remainder of the brief for all of the important details!

The goal of the project is to create a 2-3 minute stop motion video featuring Top Wing toys (please see the Assets tab for some images of the toys).  Videos must not feature any voice or spoke dialogue so you will need to convey a compelling narrative with clear and engaging visuals. The videos should be bold, bright, adventurous, funny, and match the tone and feel of the Top Wing series. Definitely watch some past episodes before crafting your Pitch.

--Key Marketing Messages: 

The video should get kids excited and tap into their sense of adventure with the ultimate goal of having them create their own stories with the toys.

--Target Audience: 

Kids 2-5 years old and their parents.  Many are already fans of the show. We want to inspire them to play with the toys and create their own stories.

--Executional Mandatories:

• No dialogue
• Match the optimistic, fun and adventurous spirit of the current series.

--Exposure: 

Nickelodeon’s social channels. YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

Product:  

Nickelodeon will provide product to the Pitch winner.

Deliverables:

• One 2-3 minute stop motion video
• One 30-60 second cut down (4:5 aspect ratio for Instagram and Facebook) 
• Five stills pulled from footage
• One end card
• Hard drive with final editing sequences.  The winning producer will need to cover the cost of the hard drive and shipping.

Timing

Please see the Assets tab for the complete project timeline.

Facebook Best Practices

• Design tight stories that answer the questions: “What is it?” “Why would the audience care?” and “Why would the audience share?”  Usually these are the three answers…
• “Oh that’s so me” – the video is relatable.
• This video made the viewer feel something, and they want to share the emotional gift.
• Resonates with a belief of the viewer.  This video explains it better than they could.

• The first few seconds are the most important so consider leading with a hook, or telling your story in a non-linear manner.The introduction to the video is critical, and slow builds do not work in the Facebook platform. You might also consider using a "Trailer" approach with 2-3 lines of copy up front to frame/present the video.

• Don’t Bury the Lead. Introduce the brand in the first 3 seconds, however the brand should be introduced cleverly and NOT via a standard product beauty shot.

• Storytelling needs to be driven by visuals so you should be able to convey the important parts of the story without relying on sound at all. Tell visually engaging stories, and try to give your video a constant rhythm. Use text graphics, new frames, characters and settings to move the story forward. It is recommended that something visual happens every 3-5 seconds.

• Shoot your Video with a 1:1 square aspect ratio in mind. Don’t put yourself in a position where you’re cropping out important visuals in post-production because you shot in 16:9 or widescreen. Embrace the format.

• Use a Call-to-Action to invite people to a website or follow a hashtag.

• Review your edits on a mobile device.You really need to do this because 90% or more of the audience will be viewing your video on their phone.

This Project will be worth a total of $23,000 and consists of 5 Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, a Revisions Phase, and an Assets Delivery Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: PITCH:

Submit your Pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute a Video based on the information provided in the brief.

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this Video.

• Links (REQUIRED): To your previous stop motion video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, cinematography, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.

• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a Treatment template, which you can find here.

• Script (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create. 

• Storyboards (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.

• Headshots/Casting Boards (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc. 

• 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. Also, test videos, animatic, etc. are welcome.   

The most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive $7,700 to help create their Video.  Please note the payment of the Pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor the Pitch winner will receive a final payment of $15,300. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the Project is complete. 

PHASE 2: PRE-PRODUCTION:

The Pitch Winner from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will need to receive the following Approvals from the brand: 

• STORYBOARD - This project requires Storyboard Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version of the storyboard. 
• BACKGROUNDS – Before going into production the Sponsor would like to ensure your backgrounds match the general feel and color palette of the existing show.

No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase before you have received final approval, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense).

For your convenience we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a Treatment, Production Budget, Storyboards, Shot List, Call Sheet, and a Music Cue Sheet.  Additionally, there are templates that will help you clearly present the Sponsor cast, location, and wardrobe options. They can all be accessed here.

PHASE 3: VIDEO:

Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner will create the below deliverables based upon their winning Pitch. 

• One 2-3 minute stop motion video featuring Top Wing toys
• One 30-60 second cut down (4:5 aspect ratio for Instagram and Facebook) 
• Five stills pulled from footage
• One end card
• Hard drive with final editing sequences.  The winning producer will need to cover the cost of the hard drive and shipping.

--Video Phase Payout:   Upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor the Pitch winner will receive a final payment of $15,300.

--Music:  Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, 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 more customized music solution for your project are invited to connect with our partner Score A Score. Email a brief description of your project (timing, creative, budget, etc.), along with any specific music direction and/or references to their creative team at music@scoreascore.com and include “Tongal Project - Your Name” in the subject line.  Their creative team will be in touch within a few minutes to discuss the simple process and options with you. Please note that you will be responsible for the fees associated with using 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 third-party catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with your license purchase receipt when you turn in your Video paperwork.

PHASE 4: REVISIONS:

Once the Video Phase has closed, the winning submitters will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback.

PHASE 5: ASSETS DELIVERY:

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 will be responsible for the costs associated the hard drive (if necessary) and shipping.

For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post production please click here.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 3 minutes 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 be selected as winner, 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. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

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

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

11. 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.

12. 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 award.

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.