Produce a pilot for a chance to create a series of entertaining and educational live-action how-to plant videos for beginners centered around an engaging host.

Love plants but don't know where to start? Feel overwhelmed just thinking about how to care for your new citrus tree? Always wanted to grow your own bananas, but don't know if you live in the right climate? FastGrowingTrees.com wants to help you out!

We're looking to create a series of entertaining and educational how-to videos for beginners featuring FastGrowingTrees.com's major plant categories: Privacy Trees, Citrus Trees, and Indoor/Patio Plants. The series will be centered around an engaging and charismatic host - could be a gardener, botanist, talented actor, or just a regular amateur hobbyist with a passionate green thumb!

Before digging into the series though, we're starting off with a pilot. FastGrowingTrees.com will select up to three filmmakers to produce test pilots, each of whom will receive $3,000. Based on these test pilots, they will then determine which filmmaker(s) will be greenlit to make an entire series.  

If you're ready to plant, please read below for more details, or ask a question in the forum.

DELIVERABLES: 

• One 2-10 minute video (16x9, 4x5)
• Note: If selected to move forward into series, you will create at a minimum six additional 2-10 minute videos (16x9, 4x5)

TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.

EXPOSURE:

• The FastGrowingTrees.com YouTube and other social channels.
• Check out our platform best practices page!

TARGET AUDIENCE: Slight Female Skew 45-64; Household Income $70K+; enjoys travel, outside activities, DIYer.  They're no non-sense, want whatever they consume to get to the point but don't mind being entertained in the process.

TONE:

• Engaging, relatable, informative, and inspirational.
• The personality of FastGrowingTrees.com is approachable, trustworthy, confident, hard-working.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• For the pitch phase, filmmakers must provide images of their film location (whether it's a studio, living room, family room, or yard) so the client could get a sense of where the trees will be filmed/ planted.
• Pitch winner(s) will be provided product, guidance, and instruction by the sponsor.
• Please note that after receiving the trees, the trees need about a day or two out of the box to be in tip-top shape for filming.
• This project is open to filmmakers based in the US only due to product shipping restrictions.

OPEN BID: 

• While the pilot phase has a set prizing amount $3,000, if greenlit for a series you will get to set your own budget proposal within $18,000 - $24,000 to produce at a minimum 6 additional episodes.
• By participating in this open bid project, creators acknowledge that the sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a bid. Though most open bid projects on our platform do move forward with a greenlit bid, we will notify you in the event the sponsor decides not to fund any bids via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all open bid 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, and we're now requiring a COVID safety protocol plan for all relevant productions. 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.

If you’ve ever been in the market for a tree, you know the purchasing process can be a massive hassle. You drive to your local nursery, meander through the greenhouse having no idea what you’re looking at, and wonder which tree could actually flourish under your care. After finally figuring out what you want to buy, you have to get said tree home, but you REALLY don’t want to ask your slightly strange neighbor with the pick-up. FastGrowingTrees.com provides convenience, speed, and simplicity for anyone looking to buy trees and plants. With a comprehensive selection of over 2,000 trees, plants, and shrubs, FastGrowingTrees.com has the right selection to suit any climate, location, and customer’s individual needs.

What Make FastGrowingTrees.com Unique:

• Comprehensive Selection, Right for You: Over 2,000 trees, plants, and shrubs carefully selected to suit your climate, location, and individual needs.
• Unequaled Quality & Care: Our plants are sourced, nurtured, and cared for by experts who have only one goal in mind---enabling you to enjoy living better and living greener, guaranteed.
• Convenience, Speed, & Simplicity... Delivered to You: No waiting in lines, no messy cars, order online or over the phone…and plants shipped to your door in 1-2 days.

REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION OR TONE: 

• Plant propagation for beginners » 5 indoor plants

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.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): 500 or fewer characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this video.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the pilot as well as an outline of what the additional episodes will be about. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• BID/BUDGET (REQUIRED): While the pilot phase has a set prizing amount $3,000, if greenlit for a series you will get to set your own budget proposal within $18,000 - $24,000 to produce at a minimum 6 additional episodes. Please ensure that your budget factors in appropriate COVID safety protocols (i.e. testing, PPE, cleaning supplies, backup talent, etc.). You can download the budget template here.
  
  
• HEADSHOTS/CASTING BOARDS (REQUIRED): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.

• LOCATION (REQUIRED): This should include location examples of where you would film.

• COVID PROTOCOL (REQUIRED): Please let us know your team’s COVID safety protocols for production. If you’re doing everything yourself, or your team will be working 100% remotely, let us know that this won’t apply. Otherwise, at the very minimum, your safety plan must include information about:
  • What city and state you plan to film in
  • Whether you are filming interiors or exteriors
  • Approximately how many people you plan to have on set
  • How you’ll account for testing, PPE, and distancing on set
  • How you’ll handle talent and backup talent, including any hair, make-up, and wardrobe needs
  • Whether you’ll have a dedicated compliance officer on set

• SCRIPT (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create.
  
  
• STORYBOARDS (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show them 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. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.

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. Please see the full payment schedule in the Assets section.

PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Prior to filming, filmmakers must receive the below approvals from the sponsor.

• SCRIPT: This project requires script approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The sponsor may provide feedback on your pilot script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be up to 2 rounds of feedback until a script is approved by the sponsor.

• CASTING: This project requires a video audition with a headshot for any talent to get approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. Tongal advocates for inclusivity in on-screen representation and diversity in casting. As a best practice, please submit three to four options per role with at least one of those options being a person of color. If the sponsor does not approve of either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options. 

• LOCATION: This project requires location approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. This means you will need to submit multiple images of your primary filming location. The sponsor may provide feedback on your location and ask you to submit additional photos or to find a new location and submit images for that.

• WARDROBE: This project requires wardrobe approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You will need to submit descriptions and/or pictures of your cast’s wardrobe. You must submit at least two wardrobe options per role. If the sponsor does not approve of either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new wardrobe options.

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.

CREW: Tongal supports inclusivity in all of our productions and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your production and post-production departments. To find crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS: 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.

MUSIC: Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Universal Production Music and Epidemic Sound, any of which can be used to source music for your video submission to this project. 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 separate 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/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. If you obtain music from third-party catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with your license purchase receipt when you turn in your video paperwork.

ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS: 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. In addition to the project files, you are also required to provide all raw footage. You are responsible for the costs associated with the hard drive and shipping.

For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post-production, please click here.

1. 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 your submission be greenlit, 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. You may not contact any employees or members of the Sponsor’s organization, their affiliates, or any of their partners. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification of your entry in the project.
   
   
6. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
7. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
8. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.
    
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
10. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
     
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.
    
    
14. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Videos without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.
    
    
15. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, greenlit Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their 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 earnings.
    
    
16. 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.