Apply for the opportunity to receive a $750 production stipend and learn the ins and outs of creating a branded social suite as a Mentee in Tongal's Branded Content Mentorship Program.

Social Suites - or collections of different social assets to support a single campaign or brand message - are a very common request from clients nowadays. This means that creators who excel in not only ideating but producing social content for various platforms under a single campaign banner are in high demand. That's why we're excited to launch our Social Suite Workshop, led by Tongaler April Merl, which breaks down what social suites are, why they matter, and how YOU can get started making your own social suites today.

This workshop is part of Tongal's Branded Content Mentorship Program, an on-going initiative designed to provide creators with the information, tools, skills and portfolio links needed to become savvy in the ways of a wide range of digital content through lessons, one-on-one education, and completing portfolio work that creators can use to position themselves in front of brands.

April Merl's already created helpful video resources for social suite creation, which you can check out below, but as a part of the Social Suite Workshop, two Mentees will be selected to receive a $750 production stipend, and both Mentees will work directly with April to learn more about what a social suite consists of, and how they can plan out their own social suite, before producing three videos for their respective portfolios.

Here's how the Workshop will work:

• First, check out the Social Suite Workshop Videos - There are three videos linked in the Background section below; these videos are open to anyone & everyone who wants to learn more - NOT just Mentees. The workshop breaks down what a social suite is, the different strategies for creating a social suite, and how to create cohesion with three different assets for a mock social campaign.
• Then, Apply to become a Mentee - If you're interested in making your own social suite, apply by submitting for this project. Tell us a little bit about who you are, the work that you've done, and why you want to up your social suite skills.
• Finally, Two Mentees will be Selected to Create 3 videos - Each Mentee will receive the $750 production stipend, and work directly with April and Tongal to create 3 social videos for their own portfolio. The videos that Mentees create will not involve the participation or involvement of a specific brand or Tongal client. Instead, videos will be created on spec for a fictional brand or product of the Mentee's choice, with the sole objective of existing as a solid piece of sample work for their portfolio.

For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: Two Mentees will be selected to each create the below list of videos. The final video runtime will be up to them, but we expect that you'll want to create videos that run between :06-:15.

• One Instagram In-Feed Post (1x1)
• One TikTok Video (9x16)
• One IG Story Video (9x16)

TIMELINE: Click here for the full project timeline

EXPOSURE: Content created in this project will be for use in the Mentee's portfolio. 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• April's workshop tutorial videos will be open and available to everyone who wants to learn more about creating vertical video – regardless of whether you apply, or are chosen to be a Mentee.
• Anyone is welcome to apply to become a Mentee in this program, but you must be registered for a Tongal account to apply.
• You MAY NOT use an actual brand or company in your Workshop video. You should also avoid all third party logos or IP, i.e. on wardrobe, technology, etc.

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.

WATCH THE SOCIAL SUITE WORKSHOP

Episode  1 - What is a Social Suite?

Episode 2 - Strategies for Creating Social Suites 

Episode 3 - One Graphic Asset, Many Ways 

ABOUT THE  TONGAL BRANDED CONTENT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM:

Tongal's Branded Content Mentorship Program is a new initiative designed to equip emerging creators with the tools and experience to excel in a branded content environment. By developing real-world lessons around branded content skill development and pairing emerging creators with seasoned Mentors from within the Tongal community, the program will teach Mentees how to pitch creative, interface with clients, meet deadlines, address feedback, and deliver a final product. Each Mentee will work towards developing a specific skill based on their Mentor’s lesson plan (e.g. editing a video for social, or animating a logo) that will help them further their career as a branded content creator. By the end of the program, each Mentee will walk away with a completed piece of content for their own portfolios.

ABOUT TONGAL:

Tongal believes creativity drives human potential and that everyone has the potential to be creative. We empower Creators by connecting them to each other and to opportunities for top networks, studios, and brands, setting into motion a never-ending cycle of opportunity and growth. 

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): Up to 500 characters telling us a bit about yourself! Who you are, the work that you've done, and why you'd like to up your vertical video game.

• LINKS TO PREVIOUS WORK (Optional, but Recommended): To your previous video, writing, design, or other work. Please specify your role (producer, director, cinematography, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual assets.
  
  
• TREATMENT (Optional): Already have ideas for what you'd like to create for your vertical videos? You are welcome to submit a treatment breaking down your creative vision. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.

Two Mentees 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 shooting, filmmakers must receive the below approvals from the Sponsor.

• TREATMENT: To help guide you in the pre-production process, this project will require treatment approval. The treatment should describe how you plan to execute your videos and how you plan to bring the storytelling to life visually. Ryan, Tongal, and The Melacast teams may provide feedback on your treatment and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a treatment is approved.

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: 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. You are responsible for the costs associated 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.