Produce an engaging and emotionally resonant social video for the American Cancer Society, that helps share how those impacted by cancer can benefit from their services to help drive donations.
For decades, the American Cancer Society has been dedicated to pursuing better outcomes for every cancer, and every life. Today, more people are surviving cancer then ever before, but there is still work to be done, and that's why the American Cancer Society is working harder than ever to spread the good word about the services that the ACS provides, and how they can really be a help those who have been impacted by cancer. Now, they're looking for you to help produce a live action short YouTube social video that gets their message out there and that in turn helps drive donations.
The goal of this project is to produce an urgent but hopeful :30 YouTube video for the American Cancer Society that leans into the core messaging that "donations = lives saved." This should be organic, selfie-style content that, while serious, always remains positive in intention, and that ends on an optimistic note that can inspire people to donate to this worthy cause. Since the video will primarily live on YouTube Shorts in a vertical format, the ACS will be looking for visually interesting concepts that feel grounded, simple, and powerful. Beyond that, there is a lot of creative flexibility here, and the ACS is open to a variety of executions, so long as it remains in that organic selfie-style space.
For casting, the key is authenticity. We are looking to cast someone who has real life experience with cancer, be it directly or indirectly. One thing we do NOT want to do is cast talent to play someone affected by cancer, or a medical professional. In terms of messaging, you'll be creating your video specifically for YouTube as a paid ad, so you should first consider YouTube's ABCDs of creating effective video ads. the American Cancer Society has an established tone and cadence to their online brand, so you should definitely check out the Background to see their current YouTube Shorts output.
For this project, once a filmmaker is selected, they will be put directly in contact with the sponsor. All communication and feedback between both parties will run through the Tongal platform.
For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: There are 2 total video assets.
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 it is NOT limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Adults who could be potential donors
TONE/FEEL: Serious, urgent, but hopeful
EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:
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.
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 storyboard, 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.).
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.
BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Looking for help? Post crew and production opportunities connected to Tongal projects on Backlot. 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.
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 Jingle Punks. 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 choose to 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.