Create a thumb-stopping, brain-tickling :60 ASMR video that can be paired with excerpts of Spotify audiobooks for broad audiences on TikTok.
Whether you're a die-hard BookTok fanatic or you just love to explore hot topics and trends on your FYP, you've probably come across more than one ASMR-style video that tickled your brain and triggered a sense of calm or satisfaction. Now Spotify is looking to combine the thrill of ASMR content with audiobook excerpts to create short-form, entertaining content that rewards viewers and listeners and encourages them to head over to Spotify to check out audiobooks in their favorite genres.
In a previous project, three talented Tongal filmmakers created ASMR videos to be paired with excerpts from some of Spotify's top podcasts, and we're looking to recreate that magic for audiobooks. With your help, we'll marry ASMR video content – with all the exaggeratedly satisfying visuals and sound effects – with excerpts from audiobooks. Your ASMR content should appeal to fun-loving mainstreamers looking for short-form entertaining content that's topical and trendy while dovetailing with a particular audiobook genre (e.g. Thriller/Suspense, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, or more general/evergreen audiobook genres like celebrity memoirs).
We want to avoid leaning too heavily into physical book imagery (after all, this is for audiobooks), but think about how your ASMR content can be super satisfying while also adding value to a specific genre: do we follow the plodding footsteps of a detective as they creep through an abandoned house stalking a killer? If you're a big Fantasy fan, would an ASMR video of a babbling stream, augmented with the slow clomping of horse hooves and accompanied by the sounds of a lute or panpipe transport you to your favorite world?
Ultimately we're looking for up to three Tongal filmmakers to each create am imaginative, unexpected, themed :60 ASMR video that Spotify can pair, either in whole or in clips, with relevant audiobook clips to create cool, enticing social content. We'd like two of these ASMR videos to each fit one of the specific genres listed above, while a third is more evergreen: think slime, cleaning/organizing, anything oddly satisfying, etc. Spotify is open to pretty much every style and format, so long as you don't use existing IP or copyrighted content. And it should go without saying that your audio needs to be crisp, immersive, and attention-getting to be effective.
What we're not asking for is specific marketing content: no messaging, no logos, no branded color schemes. The ASMR video that you create should simply feel relevant to a particular genre of audiobooks, as ASMR, with compelling visuals and audio. Once you deliver your video, Spotify will do all the work of pairing it with audiobook clips and excerpts.
For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: One :60 ASMR video for TikTok (9x16)
TIMELINE: HERE.
EXPOSURE: We anticipate content will be used on the platforms listed below, but if casting talent, please be sure your talent reviews the required Talent Release, 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 page.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Fun-loving mainstreamers looking for short-form, entertaining content related to mainstream topics and trends. That's pretty broad, so get loose with it!
TONE: Mesmerizing, satisfying, brain-tickling, calming, or exciting (depending on approach).
EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:
By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects on our platform do move forward, we will 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 the project team.
Shooting live action or stop motion? Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, so please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We're working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and you should ensure your submission is executable within the anticipated timeline and budget, while also ensuring everyone's safety.
Check out these super fun and satisfying podcast companion ASMR videos produced by Tongal creators earlier this year:
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.
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.
PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Prior to shooting, filmmakers must receive the below approvals from the Sponsor.
For your convenience, we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a treatment, production budget, storyboards, shot list, call sheet, and a music cue sheet. Additionally, there are templates that will help you clearly present cast, location, and wardrobe options to the Sponsor. They can all be accessed here.
BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Tongal supports inclusivity in all of our productions and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.
REVISION REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: Once the Video Phase has closed, the greenlit submitters will enter the Revisions Phase. Filmmakers 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 any music from a library for your content, you MUST use one of Tongal's three music providers - Jingle Punks, Universal Production Music and Epidemic Sound. 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 about using each of these music providers, click on any of the providers’ names above.
If you choose to use custom or 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.
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 the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.
To ensure a smoother delivery, please review the Export Presets, Specifications, and Project File Organization Tutorial in our Filmmaker Resource Portal.