Create a full suite of vibrant product demo videos to explain different H&R Block offerings, in part by working with the brand to source quality screen captures and commentary from employees, and in part by leveraging your editing and motion graphic skills. 

Whether you're filing your own taxes for the first time, untangling the tax realities of owning a small business, or just trying to make your money go further with mobile banking, H&R Block has a number of different products that can help, and they have a variety of resources on hand to guide customers through those products. These resources explain what the products do, what their benefits are, and what tools and features are offered with them. That said, humans being visual learners, explaining a product isn't quite the same as seeing it in use, so H&R Block wants to to create some product demos as another resource that can help put customers minds at ease when they start to engage with the H&R Block platform. To that end, they've got some of their experts recording a series of feature demonstrations and walkthroughs, using screen capture and commentary, and they need a savvy editor to stich things together and elevate the content with motion graphics and some kind of vibrant format.

The goal of this project will be to create 18 different product demo videos, each about 2 minutes long, covering different H&R Block products: 4 for their consumer tax offerings, 8 for their Block Advisors program for small businesses, and 6 for their Spruce mobile banking platform. These videos will feature pre-made screen recordings with either VO or video commentary from H&R Block experts, and the content will need to be spiffed up with motion graphics, text, and branding elements so that they feel more vibrant, more engaging, and more dynamic than a simple screen capture might otherwise. Some of the videos will be intended for consumers, and they'll include heavier branding, but some will actually be intended for H&R Block's media partners and journalists, as they hope to use these videos to spark story ideas with the media, and help them understand what the might be writing about. Whichever audience it is, we want viewers to know what happens when engaging with the H&R Block platforms, see how easy it is, and walk away understanding the benefits.  

Reporters and consumers alike should benefit from a show and tell or see/say format, so we want what's on screen to align closely with the commentary, and potentially be reinforced by text. You'll also want to think about pacing, background music or sound effects, and creative ways to make the format more engaging, which could involved branded visual frames, split screens, or picture-in-picture elements. Although these videos aren't advertisements, they're an important stepping stone on the consumer's path, and we ultimately want the videos to encourage people to sign up and try out the features. As consumers continue on that path, they may have questions, and the topics for some of these videos may serve as a FAQ of sorts. You can expect topics like “How to set up a Spruce saving goal” or “How to use our AI tool.” 

Videos created for the media can be a little more bare-bones and functional, with limited branding, and no need for prominent title or endcards. Videos created for consumers will need intro and endcards based on some artwork that's already being created. You will not be required to script the videos, and marketing messages will be built into the various components provided: screen records, voice overs and branded cards. Each brand will need to follow slightly different guidelines when it comes to color, text, graphics, etc., and those guidelines will be provided to the selected creator. 

For your pitch, we'd love for you to use general H&R Block branding to see at least a short :15 proof of concept demo video using some kind of screen capture and commentary, and illustrating the creative approach that you're proposing. Maybe this proof of concept is just you walking us through the process as you log into your own H&R Block account online; the subject doesn't matter as much as the format, how you weave together screen capture and commentary, and how you handle branding and graphics. All of that should be able to easily translate to the actual subject matter of the demos when you're provided with them.

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

DELIVERABLES: There are 18 total video assets.

• Consumer Tax: Four up to 2:00 demo videos (16x9)
• Block Advisors: Eight up to 2:00 demo videos (16x9) 
• Spruce: Six up to 2:00 demo videos (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.

• The basic versions will be shared with H&R Block media partners, and hosted on their website and internal owned platforms.
• The branded versions will live in multiple locations, including our their website's Resource and Help Centers, and on social media.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• For the basic version of these videos, the audience will be internal, and H&R Block media partners. 
• For the branded versions, the audience will be:
  • Consumer taxpayers (Global Consumer Tax)
  • Small businesses (Block Advisors)
  • Gen Z taxpayers (Spruce)

TONE/FEEL: Vibrant, dynamic, welcoming, helpful

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Branded consumer-facing videos must follow the respective product guidelines (e.g. for H&R Block, Block Advisors, or Spruce) for text, colors, and graphics.

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.

HELPFUL REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION/TONE:

• T-Mobile Employee Tutorial Video - Although we'd like to elevate it a bit more than this, this is an approximation of what we're looking for, combining employee commentary with screen capture in a clever and branded way that keeps the video engaging and more dynamic.

ABOUT THE OFFERINGS:

• For Consumer Tax, H&R Block has been a trusted partner to millions of hardworking Americans. As the pioneer in tax preparation, H&R Block inspires confidence in clients and communities everywhere, delivering stress-free, reliable assistance and helping individuals achieve their best possible financial outcomes. While H&R Block is well-known for tax offices across the country, awareness of our online offerings is much lower. With nearly 70 years of experience and more than 935 million returns filed worldwide, H&R Block has a long history of helping hard-working Americans achieve the best possible outcomes at tax time. H&R Block invented the tax preparation category and has offices in every state, within five miles of the majority of the U.S. population. H&R Block takes our history seriously with the belief that everyone deserves tax help without stress or hassle.
  
  
• Block Advisors builds on H&R Block’s nearly 70 years of trusted service in communities across the country and reinforces its commitment to Small Businesses. Block Advisors specializes in tax preparation and year-round financial support services for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs through high-value, accessible tools, resources, and human expertise across business formation, bookkeeping, payroll, and beneficial ownership. Our experts provide niche industry expertise, and our services are designed to fit the evolving needs of the 30 million and counting small businesses that contribute to a flourishing Mainstreet U.S.A.. Block Advisors is positioning itself in the “magic middle” - striking a balance that provides customers a customized experience with human expertise they can’t get with online tools at a price much lower than their local CPA or bookkeeper. Our largest competitors are independent tax preparers, accountants, and bookkeepers. Intuit, Collective, Xero, Freshbooks, LegalZoom etc are competitors. We are seeking to continue to grow our small biz tax prep client volume this year. However, there is a large focus on being seen as “more than taxes” by small business owners. We need them to be aware of and embrace our year-round service in bookkeeping, payroll, business formation, and compliance as well.
  
  
• Spruce, the mobile banking platform built by H&R Block, includes a robust lineup of tools to empower individuals to take control of their finances. Arising from nearly 70 years with a front row seat to Americans’ financial journeys, H&R Block created Spruce with a clear mission in mind: Help consumers with day-to-day money management and give them the tools to improve their financial future. Spruce combines the best features of the leading neobanks with H&R Block’s trusted brand, making managing your money simple, inclusive, and easy. Managing finance can be daunting and trusting your hard-earned money doesn’t come easy for everyone. Among all of the neo bank options out there, consumers see our name tied to Block and know that we can be trusted. While we’re always looking to have sign-ups we also want to encourage current and new users to add money to their account and engage with the app.

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 in the Deliverables.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A more detailed and specific description of how you propose to execute all of the content listed out in the Deliverables. Explain what we can expect to see, and how you'll make it. If it's helpful, we've provided a treatment template HERE.
  
  
• PROOF-OF-CONCEPT VIDEO (REQUIRED): Please provide a :15 proof-of-concept video demonstrating your approach to the product demo videos, and how you'd balance screen capture and commentary with branding and motion graphics.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, editor, artist, etc.) but do not include links to your showreel. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show what you're capable of. Consider a video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect, or consider test videos, proof-of-concept edits, animatics, etc. For examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery.

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. 

• TREATMENT Describe in detail how you plan to execute the content, and how you plan to bring it to life visually. Feel free to use concept art, references, style frames, or mock-ups. If relevant, share additional information about your team, and your process.

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.

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.