It’s easy to forget, as their singles have become staples on classic-rock radio – but it was one album, Tommy, that really made The Who. It was their signature artistic achievement, and it gained them worldwide attention, hugely expanding their audience – for good. There’s never been another rock opera, or rock idea, as audacious or as successful as Tommy. 

Which is why we’re thrilled that Universal is giving Tommy the super-deluxe treatment this November 11th, curated by the windmill-wizard himself, Pete Townshend. The new box set contains 4 discs of music, with rare demos and outtakes from Pete’s personal archives, complete 1969 tour recordings, 5.1 surround mixes, a massive hardbound book, and a few other surprises for hardcore fans.

Tongal and Universal are celebrating this occasion by inviting you to make a music video for one of Tommy’s greatest songs: “I’m Free.” 

You know the song.  You know how it looks back to their roots from the summit of their greatest achievement.  You know Tommy.  You know how important and flat out ass-kicking this tune is.  And it’s wide open.  You're free too, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with.

The Who, Universal Music, and Tongal want you to create a music video for The Who’s “I’m Free” track from their iconic Tommy rock opera. You can download the track from the Assets Tab.

Executional Mandatories-- Use the song “I’m Free.”

Tone-- Contextually relevant to the band and song.

Exposure-- YouTube, Vevo

This Project will be worth a total of $10,000 and consists of three Phases: an Idea Phase, a Pitch Phase and a Video Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: IDEA  – Tell us your Idea for an “I’m Free” music video in 140 characters or less.  Remember, an Idea (What is an Idea Phase?) is not a detailed script; it is a spark of inspiration, or a distillation of what will happen in the Video.  As always, Ideas should be clever and engaging.  The winning Idea creators will receive $250 each and a 5% one-time residual payment for any winning Video(s) based on their Idea. That means if your winning Idea is the basis for the 1^st place Video, you will receive an additional $250, the 2^nd place Video $100– see Video Phase Payout details for more information.

PHASE 2: PITCH - Submit your Pitch (What Is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute a Video based on one of the winning Ideas from the previous Phase using:

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

• Links (REQUIRED): To your previous video work, showreel, etc.

• Images (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, scripts, casting notes, anything that helps get your point across.

• Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to show us 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.  

The 1 most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive $2500 to help create the Video.  Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winner will also be GUARANTEED a winning place in the subsequent Video Phase.  So, if your Pitch is selected and you execute your Pitch effectively in your Video submission, you will win an additional $2,000, at a minimum, and have a chance to compete for the $5,000  First Place video prize (subject to deduction for one-time 5% residual payment to eligible Idea winners). For an example of an effective Pitch, check out Erik Beck’s winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGOs” Pitch video. All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the Project is complete.    

PHASE 3: VIDEO – The 1 winner from the Pitch Phase will create a Video based upon their winning Pitch. All other creators are invited to enter a Wildcard (What Is a Wildcard?) submission that can be based on one of the winning Ideas from the previous Phase or a totally original concept that is not based on any winning material from the Idea Phase.  The Judges will score all Wildcard submissions and the 1 highest scoring Wildcard Video along with the 1 winning Videos submitted by Pitch winners will be scored to determine the standings for the Video Phase.  Remember, the 1 Pitch winners, along with 1 Wildcard creator, will receive prizes.

--Video Phase Payout: Winners of the Video Phase will earn the following prizes: 1st place $5000 and 2nd place $2000  (less any 5% one-time residual payments paid to the Idea winners, as applicable).

--Referral: Any Tongal member who refers one of the winning Video creators in this Project using the Tongal “Invite Friends” functionality will receive a referral fee equal to 5% of the amount won. That’s a potential the sum total of (5% of each Video amount, capping the money possible at $500 per place) in bonus cash just for telling all of your talented friends about this Project! Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.

1. The Video MUST not exceed the length of the song. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p 16x9. Should you win, you will also be required to provide a 1080p master file. Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX.

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. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.

8. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

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

10. In the event that fewer than 5 Pitches are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

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[and insert any additional judging criteria stated in the Deal Memo].

12. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Video(s) without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.

13. 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 copy of a photo ID for all On-camera Talent releases. You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a QuickTime .mov file in uncompressed, Animation or ProRes HQ codec at 1920x1080 to claim your prize.

14. 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.