The LEGO Group is looking to develop original and entertaining YouTube series that have repeatable formats and are led by an established YouTube content creator or influencer.
There's no shortage of absolutely incredible LEGO content creators out there, and part of the reason why is that The LEGO® Group has always embraced the boundless creativity that they bring, and it has been a ready partner in the mission to educate, entertain, or explore with LEGO. This project is another opportunity for some of those inventive creators to shine, as The LEGO® Group is putting out an open call for you to develop and produce an original YouTube series that is led by an established creator or influencer, and built upon a repeatable format.
The goal here is to find an established content creator or influencer, or a filmmaking team that can collaborate with one, to develop an original and entertaining YouTube series with a repeatable episode format, and episodes running somewhere between 8 and 12 minutes. This project will involve a "pilot phase" where, if greenlit, you'll be able to produce at least one pilot episode, but if you think that you're able to produce multiple episodes within the pilot phase's timeline, then you may be given additional budget and empowered to produce multiple episodes. In terms of the creator involvement, there is no bottom or upper limit to the size of the audience that they're willing to consider, but The LEGO Group is looking for family-friendly YouTube entertainers with active and engaged followings, and creators with larger followings won't unlock additional budget.
Creatively, The LEGO Group is open and eager to hear whatever creative take you think could work best with the target audience, which is predominantly teens, so that could mean everything from ASMR, to some kind of competition, to comedy skits, and even narrative storytelling. They're open to any medium, where it's live-action, stop-motion, 3D animation, etc., but regardless of your approach, LEGO building should play a central role, and the content should should be entertainment-first rather than simply product demonstration. They're hoping to see approaches that are designed specifically for YouTube, which something that includes a strong opening hook, visible story progression, stakes, personality, pace, and a satisfying payoff in each episode.
In terms of timing and budget, the "pilot phase" essentially allows for physical production during the middle and end of December. Our assumption is that you may only be able to produce a single episode during that timeframe, and the budget that you see accounts for production of a single episode. However, The LEGO Group is also open to having you produce multiple episodes within the pilot phase, if you can produce them and still stick to the existing timeline. That means they're open to 2, 3, or as many as 8 episodes, and the budget will scale up a corresponding amount for each additional episode that you're greenlit for. With efficiencies in scale, that could open up a lot of possibilities for you creatively, BUT, you still need to consider the production and post-production period, and guarantee you're ability to deliver on the timeline.
Note that Tongal and The LEGO Group also reaching out to some creators directly, so although the intention is to select some creators from within this project, there's no guarantee that we'll select someone here, if we don't see creators who fit the mold or have a sufficient following.
FOR YOUR PITCH: Be sure to detail your creative approach and the content creator that will be involved, but you should also take time to address how LEGO building will factor in as a meaningful component of the series, and speak to the production logistics involved with your pilot, especially if you think that you're able to produce more than 1 episode during the pilot phase.
For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: There are 6 total video and 3 static assets per episode.
EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE
EXPOSURE: We expect content will be used on the platforms below, but if casting talent, be sure they review our required Talent Release before they're cast, as we CANNOT guarantee that usage is limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Older teens (primarily ages 13–17) who are passionate about sports, gaming, lifestyle or music
TONE/FEEL: Relatable, authentic, fun, entertaining
EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:
AI USAGE: You may not use AI generated visual or audio assets in your final content. However, for the purposes of your pitch and pre-production materials, you are welcome to use generative AI to create visuals, storyboards, animatics, proofs-of-concept, etc. that might help the Sponsor understand your vision for creating the final content. Additionally, assistive AI tools (e.g. object removal, compositing, color grading, sound mixing, subtitling, etc.) may be used in post-production to supplement your workflow. Please keep record of any AI usage deployed in your submissions in the event that the Sponsor requests AI disclosures. If you have questions about any specific usage or tool, please ask your Tongal producer.
By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects do move forward, we'll notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the Project Forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and project team.
In order to be considered, include the below materials in your submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery. All Pitches remain private, even after a Pitch is selected, and Tongal strives to have Pitch selections made by the end of the Evaluation period,but additional time may be required by the Sponsor, depending on any number of factors. Unless specifically requested, there's no need to include a budget with your submission.
BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Looking for help? Post crew and production opportunities connected to Tongal projects on Backlot - before or after the Pitch Phase. Backlot includes search tools to help you find collaborators and crew by role, skill set, location, and more, for productions of any size and type. Tongal also supports inclusivity in all productions, and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find additional options for staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.
The most compelling pitch will be greenlit by the Sponsor, 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, typically included with the project timeline.
PRE-PRODUCTION BIBLE & APPROVALS: Prior to the commencement of actual production, creators MUST prepare a singular pre-production "bible" document with the elements contained below, and that document MUST receive final approval from the Sponsor. We recommend that you use the bible template we provide HERE, or something very similar. The bible can be presented in stages as different elements are ready for review (i.e. it's not expected that storyboards, if required, are ready with your first draft). Apart from the below, you're also welcome to include other key items that you think would be helpful to communicate your plan (e.g. moodboards, lighting, music, shot list, etc.).
Note that there may be multiple rounds of feedback until elements are approved, and if you begin production before you have received final approval, you may need to reshoot or reanimate at your own expense.
For convenience, we've provided some helpful templates that you can consider using for pre-production materials, and they can all be accessed here.
REVISION REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: Once Content has been submitted and the initial Production Phase completed, greenlit creators will enter into Revisions. Creators will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor's feedback. Check out our Filmmaker Resource Portal to access helpful post-production resources like Text-Safe Guides for different platforms, Project File Organization Tutorial, Export Presets, and Captioning services.
MUSIC: If you use music from a library for your content, you MUST use one of Tongal's music providers: Universal Production Music, PrimalHouse, or Slipstream. 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 Music Release Form. To learn more, click on any of the providers' names above.
If you use original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. Please ensure your composer reviews and signs this form BEFORE beginning their work.
STOCK FOOTAGE: Tongal has partnered with the stock footage library Storyblocks, which can be used to source video clips, photography, and After Effects templates for your video submission to this project. Video or photo content from Storyblocks is available at no charge, solely for incorporation into submissions on this project, and will not require a separate Release Form. If identifiable people or intellectual property appears in a video clip or photo, you may only utilize assets that are clearly marked “Model released: Yes” or “Property release: Yes” on the clip description pages. You may NOT use any audio.
If you intend to use Storyblocks, inform your Tongal producer, and an account will be created for you to access the library. Once assets are approved for delivery, you must provide a complete list of all Storyblocks content that you used via our template HERE.
ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: 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 any costs associated with the hard drive and shipping. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
To ensure a smoother delivery, please review the Export Presets, Specifications, and Project File Organization Tutorial in our Filmmaker Resource Portal.