Tongal's YouTube Channel is looking for some creative longform Yule Log videos, either live action or animated, to help get creators into the Holiday spirit. And yes, we're really talking about burning wood, for an hour, like the Yule Log videos of yesteryear that you'd find nowadays on Netflix or YouTube. Most viewers of Yule Log videos leave them running to provide a soundscape with some atmosphere for their holiday season... but we're looking for you to introduce a creative reason for viewers to check-in on their Yule Log video intermittently. What that means is up to you though, and the only essential element is a burning Yule Log. 

Here's a few thought starters that might light your creative fire:

• Your Yule Log video takes breaks from the close-up every few minutes to feature an actor reading from a Holiday storybook.
• Your video features motion graphics with a "Holiday Joy" meter that slowly fills over the course of the video.
• Your log burns alongside a snowman... who gradually melts.
• You split screen and showcase a burning Yule Log on one side of the screen, with a series of holiday quote graphic cards on the other, maybe from famous Holiday movies, or some eccentric thought starters that could be conversation starters for the family
• You might go educational, and feature illustrations with narration about different traditions around the world and through history.
• Or the Yule Log burns under a potion that simmers and steams as mischievous little elf hands pop to scoop out a cup, and dart away giggling and tipsy. 

For audio, you can utilize any public domain holiday songs and recordings, or your own original holiday music, but if you're going to have a reading of any holiday themed text, the recording should be original and created just for your video.

For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: Each creator is responsible for delivering one 60 minute video.

• One 30 minute videos (16x9).

TIMELINE: Christmas is just the corner, so this is a fast-moving timeline. For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.

EXPOSURE:

• YouTube
• Instagram
• Tongal's Filmmaker Blog

TARGET AUDIENCE: Tongal creators and their friends & family.

TONE: Lighthearted, humorous, holiday-themed.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: Your Yule Log must always be on camera. 

Tongal is the ultimate platform for content creation that gives networks, studios, and brands access to a global community of Creators to simplify and scale content development. The company connects the best and brightest creative talent to opportunities in a virtual online production studio that facilitates remote work and collaboration. Tongal's product and technology power the entire creative process end to end to bring undiscovered, great ideas to life through branded content, original content, and advertising.

REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION OR TONE: 

• Classic Yule Log Video
• Nick Offerman's Yule Log
• Yule Log with Squirrels
• Beavis and Butthead watch "The Fireplace Channel"

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 telling us your good and bad gift ideas.

• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): Your treatment should go into greater detail on how to you plan to execute your Yule Log videos. 

• 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.
  
  
• 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.

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

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.