Part Frank Zappa, part Zeppelin, part Police – the eclectic sound of Umphrey’s McGee is hard to pin down. But one thing is certain - they put on a helluva show. Since 1997, Umphrey’s McGee has packed over 100 live shows a year with their extremely loyal fan base.

Now, they’re releasing their eighth studio album, Similar Skin, and they want you to make a killer music video for it. Show us your awesome interpretation of one of two new songs off the album: “No Diablo” and “Puppet String.”

This project has only one Pitch Winner and NO Wildcards. That means if you nail the Pitch, you’re guaranteed to take home the Pitch Budget, Video Prize and a sweet VIP package (including two tickets to a Umphrey’s McGee show and backstage passes)! Click the Objectives tab for more info and be sure to check the Assets tab to listen to the songs and get a PDF of the lyrics.

The goal of this project is to create a 4-7 minute music video for either “No Diablo” or “Puppet String.” Check out the Assets section to listen to “No Diablo” and “Puppet String.” You’ll also find a PDF of the lyrics for both songs and some art assets.

Idea Submitters: Tell us your Idea for a great music video for either “No Diablo” or “Puppet String.” Pick which song your Idea is for by selecting it from the dropdown menu on the submit page.

--Executional Mandatories:

• Use the audio track provided in the asset tab.
• Your Video must include the entire song.
• Umphrey's McGee will not be available to appear in your Video.

--Exposure: YouTube and other social sharing platforms.

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 entertaining music video for either “No Diablo” or “Puppet String” 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 based on their Idea. (That means if your winning Idea is the basis for the 1^st place Video, you will receive $350 – 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 synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this 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.

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

• Treatment (Optional): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. 

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

• Pitch 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 most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive $2,500 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 $7,000 First Place video prize (subject to deduction for one-time 5% residual payment to eligible Idea winners) as well as a VIP prize package (see Video Phase Payout for more details). 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 winner from the Pitch Phase will create a 4-7 minute Video based upon their winning Pitch.

--Video Phase Payout: Winners of the Video Phase will earn the following prizes: 1st place $7,000 (less any 5% one-time residual payments paid to the Idea winner, as applicable). The Video winner will also receive a VIP prize package which includes two tickets to a UM show of the winner’s choosing, backstage Meet’N’Greet and photo opportunity with the band, signed copy of the album, and 10 UM Live downloads.

--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 $350 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 seven 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 win, 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. 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 50 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.

12. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Video 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 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 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.