Help H&R Block celebrate its 2024 Best of the Best associates with a fun and high-energy video that compiles photos of the MVPs with text and motion graphics for their company-wide Town Hall in August.

If you work a 9-5 office job, chances are you spend almost as much time with your coworkers as your family, so who you work with matters, and every year, associates and leaders across H&R Block nominate deserving associates for this award. About 25 of those nominees from around the globe will be recognized in their "Best of Block" award program and honored as the "best of the best" in an annual company-wide Town Hall in August. Last year, Tongal and H&R Block created a fun, celebratory video compiling and announcing each of the best of the best for 2023. They loved the 2023 video, so they're now looking to build on its uplifting style, vibrant pump-up music, and engaging motion graphics to announce the 2024 winners. 

For this project, we'd love to see you either work off of last year's general template and style, or come up with your own version of the video that's just as dynamic. It should run about 5-6 minutes, and it'll be used internally at H&R Block in a single 16x9 format. Last year, we incorporated more professional headshots and short videos of the winners, but this year we'd like to use more candid, "every day" style photos of the winners, which you should try to incorporate in a fun and energetic way. You should anticipate working up to 25 winners into your video, featuring 1-2 winners at a time. Those being featured are not just exclusive to the US, so winners will be from all over the globe!

While H&R Block is very open to your unique POV and interpretation, they're envisioning the video format unfolding like this: 

• First, an engaging but informative intro using dynamic text to give a quick and clear overview of Best of Block (what it is, how it works); H&R Block will provide the copy for this.
• Then, a compilation of each winner with their candid photo and potentially a line or two about them (their job title/department, location, maybe a fun fact) using motion graphics text.
• All with an energetic, fast-paced, upbeat music throughout, and potentially some VO to provide context and another layer of entertainment/excitement (with a script to be provided by H&R Block).

For the purposes of the Pitch Phase, we are including a folder of assets, including logos, brand colors, and font files, that you can use to put together a :10-:15 proof-of-concept edit to demonstrate your creative approach. The greenlit editor will also be provided with an A/V script with more info about Best of Block and each MVP, a drive of additional creative assets, and some branding elements to build out their video. We've also included an MP4 of the 2023 Best of Block video made on Tongal for reference, inspiration, and to serve as a general template.

Check out more information in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: One 5-6 minute Best of the Best compilation video (16x9)

EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE

RELEVANT ASSETS: 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.

• Presented live at H&R Block's all-company Town Hall in August 2024.

TARGET AUDIENCE: H&R Block associates and team members

TONE: Upbeat, engaging, high-energy, pumped up, celebratory.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your proof-of-concept video should use the provided sample assets as well as the font, logo, and color hex guides provided.
• Your proof-of-concept should also demonstrate how you'd incorporate motion graphics/kinetic type/on-screen text in a dynamic but organic way that fits the H&R Block brand.
• Your final video will need to prominently showcase icons or badges for different "Block Behaviors," both in the opening sequence, and throughout. The icons or badges are meant to reflect the business impact that certain winners have had, and/or how they embrace important "Behaviors" for the company.

OPEN BID: 

• This is an open bid project, so you will get to set your own budget proposal up to $6,000. If it makes sense, you may feel free to submit multiple versions of your bid at a budget, target, and reach price point.
• 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, 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.

PAST VIDEO FOR REFERENCE: Be sure to check out last year's Best of Block celebration video in the provided assets drive.

WINNER PHOTOS: H&R Block will be requesting candid shots include as winner photos in the video, and once collected they will be shared so you can incorporate them. This is an example of the type of photo they'd be providing. For your video, note also:

• You can use the above example photo as a placeholder for all 25 winners until we get the actual photos in. The name and title can also be placed somewhere other than on the actual picture if needed.
• H&R Block will need their Block Behaviors shown prominently on the screen as well. Each winner will be nominated based on demonstrating 1 or 2 of the Behaviors shown in this image, and they want the related Behavior badge to show with each winner.

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.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed out in the Deliverables.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• SAMPLE VIDEO (REQUIRED): Utilizing the provided assets, please provide a :10-:15 sample video demonstrating your approach to transforming the assets into a cohesive sizzle and how you would add motion graphics elements and transitions to build viewer energy and engagement.
  
  
• BID (REQUIRED): This is an open bid project, and the Sponsor would like each producer to create all of the content listed in the Deliverables section within a budget total of up to $6,000. 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.

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 REQUIREMENTS: Prior to the commencement of actual production, creators MUST receive final approval from the Sponsor on the elements below. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until an element is approved.

If you begin production before you have received final approval, you may need to reshoot or reanimate at your own expense. 

• STORYBOARD: Include individual images for each key beat in your video. It is best practice to include scripted dialogue or VO, along with on-screen text or disclaimers, under each panel in our Storyboards. If there are multiple unique videos, ensure you submit a Storyboard for each video.

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 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, 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.

1. 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. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
   
   
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. 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.
   
   
5. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p and formatted for the aspect ratios listed in the Deliverables (e.g. 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.
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. 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.
   
   
8. 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 creator.
   
   
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
   
   
10. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor, nor can Submissions contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
    
    
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.