Produce a video and accompanying image that celebrates Women's History Month in a fun, engaging, and eye-catching way that resonates with kids and teens who watch Nickelodeon.

It goes without saying: women have been instrumental in all areas of the universe, from STEM to entertainment to fashion to politics and so much more. March is Women's History Month, and Nickelodeon is looking to highlight and uplift those women, teach kids about their relevance and influence, and do so with engaging and eye-catching social content. 

To celebrate Women's History Month, Nickelodeon wants to create a social video and accompanying still image that inspires and educates their young audience about the innumerable achievements of women. Your suite can highlight historical figures that kids should know about, or it can celebrate women making an impact today. Think about women that kids would be interested in learning more about (like Amanda Gorman, for example). Please keep in mind that it's important to celebrate all types of women, from all backgrounds and walks of life.

Nickelodeon is open to a variety of approaches (including live-action), but they're looking for something that brings graphic design, motion graphics, and potentially even limited 2D animation to the forefront. Check out the Background section for examples of past social videos that Nick has produced. While most videos leverage motion graphics, editing, and light animation to highlight historical events, a few videos (specifically the Ruby Bridges Anniversary and Kids Bill of Rights videos) use live-action footage of real kids talking to camera mixed with still images and stock footage. Nickelodeon is open to all creative directions, but should you choose to pitch a live-action approach, you'll need to include a Covid-19 Safety Protocol in your pitch. 

The social video can take the form of an explainer video about historical figures, an educational song, a collection of inspirational quotes, a short animation, or something else entirely! For the accompanying image, you can create a single still image or an image carousel, depending on your creative approach. The possibilities are endless, as long as it celebrates a diverse range of women in a way that would resonate with kids and teens. Yes, it should be educational - but it should also be fun!

Since the timeline is fast-paced, Nickelodeon would like you to submit a script for your video in your pitch so they can get an idea of the intended flow of your video and speed up the pre-production process. 

If you do plan to highlight historical or current public figures in your video, please make sure to list who you plan to depict in the Pitch Synopsis section of your pitch. Nick considers "public figures" to be figures from history, pop culture, entertainment, and politics. 

You can also feature popular Nickelodeon animated characters in your video, but any use of the characters is subject to Nick's approval. Describe your approach for using the characters in the Pitch Synopsis section of your pitch, and if greenlit, be prepared to alter your direction based on Nick's feedback. 

Check out more information in the Background / Additional Details section for examples of past successful Nickelodeon social content, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are 2 total deliverables.

• One video up to :59 (1x1, 9x16)
• One static image (4x5 or 1x1), or... one carousel of themed images (4x5 or 1x1)

TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets section. Please note: This is a fast-moving project!

EXPOSURE:

• Nickelodeon-owned social media pages (Instagram is the top priority, followed by TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter)
• Please review the platform best practices page.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Nick’s social audience is primarily kids and young teens/adults.

TONE: Celebratory, respectful, educational, and fun!

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your concept does not need to include voiceover. However, if your concept does have a creative need for it, Nickelodeon would prefer a tween/teen girl (age 12-15) to be the voice actor.
• If you plan on highlighting public figures in your video, please include your list of proposed people in the Pitch Synopsis section of your pitch.
• If you plan on incorporating Nick animated characters in your video, describe your approach in the Pitch Synopsis section of your pitch. While animated characters are OK, you CANNOT depict actors from Nick shows. 
• Depictions of current Nick characters or public figures are subject to Nick's approval. 
• Your videos MUST have baked-in subtitles for any dialogue or VO.
• You can use stock footage and images in your video as long as they are appropriately licensed from a provider like Shutterstock, Getty, etc.
• Any form of still image is acceptable: drawings, sketches, paintings, collages, manipulated photographs, digital renders (2D or 3D), in color or in grayscale.
• Your content should be suitable for children.
• Your content must not include third party materials (i.e. artwork, logos, photographs, etc.).

OPEN BID: 

• This is an open bid project, so you will get to set your own budget proposal for your suite of content up to $3,000. 
• 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.

Shooting live action or stop motion? Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, and we're now requiring a COVID safety protocol plan for all relevant productions. Please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We're working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and you should ensure your submission is executable within the anticipated timeline and budget, while also ensuring everyone's safety.

NOTE: We're testing a new feature on projects like this. In addition to the submission that the Sponsor will be selecting, FOUR additional submissions will be selected for Honorable Mention, and each will receive $50 for the great creative work that went into them. Submissions selected for Honorable Mention will not be used by the client, and not all submissions identified as Finalists will receive an Honorable Mention.

While you're here, make sure you also check out Nick's design project for International Women's Day too!

For inspiration, here are some examples of successful Nickelodeon social content, broken down by videos and still images. 

VIDEOS:

• Black History Month Rap Anthem (2D animated music video with motion graphics)

• Nick Jr. Black Sunshine (narrated by Alicia Keys, good 9x16 example) 

• Little Rock Nine (explainer video with historical footage)

• Black Poetry Day (short animation of Nick character Clyde McBride mixed with still images)

• Ruby Bridges Anniversary (docu-style video where kids explain the significance of Ruby Bridges)

• Hispanic Heritage Month (short animation of Nick character Ronnie Anne Santiago mixed with still images/footage)

• Juneteenth Celebration (explainer video with short animation of Nick character Clyde McBride)

• Kids Bill of Rights (mix of motion graphics and live-action footage of kids)

• Kwanzaa Celebration (short animation of Nick character Clyde McBride mixed with still images)

STILL IMAGES:

• Black Women Inventors (carousel format)
• Hispanic Heritage Month (carousel format)
• Native American Heritage Month (carousel format)

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 or fewer characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this suite of content. If you plan on highlighting public figures or featuring Nick animated characters in your video, please include your list of proposed people/characters here.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in your suite of content. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• SCRIPT (REQUIRED): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create. The script doesn't need to be fully fleshed out - it can be a story outline or beat sheet. We're just looking for something that will give Nickelodeon an idea of the flow of your video.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, cinematography, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• BID (REQUIRED): This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. The Sponsor would like each producer to create all of the assets listed in the Deliverables section with a total budget up to $3,000. If relevant, please ensure that your budget factors in appropriate COVID safety protocols (i.e. testing, PPE, cleaning supplies, backup talent, etc.).

• COVID PROTOCOL (REQUIRED FOR LIVE-ACTION APPROACHES): Please let us know your team’s COVID safety protocols for production. If you’re doing everything yourself, or your team will be working 100% remotely, let us know that this won’t apply. Otherwise, at the very minimum, your safety plan must include information about:
  • What city and state you plan to film in
  • Whether you are filming interiors or exteriors
  • Approximately how many people you plan to have on set
  • How you’ll account for testing, PPE, and distancing on set
  • How you’ll handle talent and backup talent, including any hair, make-up, and wardrobe needs
  • Whether you’ll have a dedicated compliance officer on set
    
    
• 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, animatics, etc. 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.

The most compelling pitch will be greenlit, 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. Please see the full payment schedule in the Assets section.

PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Prior to shooting, filmmakers must receive the below approvals from the Sponsor.

• TREATMENT: This project will require treatment approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The treatment should include any relevant cast, production design, or animation style frames, to show how you plan to execute the video. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your treatment and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a treatment is approved by the Sponsor.

• SCRIPT: This project requires script approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a script is approved by the Sponsor.
  
  
• CASTING (IF APPLICABLE): If applicable, this project requires casting approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. Tongal advocates for inclusivity in on-screen representation and diversity in casting. As a best practice, please submit three to four options per role, with at least one of those options being a person of color. If the Sponsor does not approve any of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options. Additionally, owing to the risk of disruption from COVID, you will be expected to have backup talent approved by the Sponsor in advance of production to account for any last-minute changes.

For your convenience, we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They can all be accessed here.

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Tongal supports inclusivity in all of our productions and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS: Once the Video Phase has closed, the greenlit submitters will enter the Revisions Phase. Filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback.

MUSIC: Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Universal Production Music 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 providers’ names above. 

If you 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.

ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS: 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 the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.

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

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 your submission be greenlit, 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. You may not contact any employees or members of the Sponsor’s organization, their affiliates, or any of their partners. 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, per Phase.
     
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
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, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, greenlit Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their 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 earnings.
    
    
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.