Vertical video is everywhere, and that means that creators who make great vertical branded content are in high demand. Check out our Vertical Video Workshop and apply for the opportunity to receive a $750 production stipend and learn how to create your own vertical content as a Mentee in Tongal's Branded Content Mentorship Program.

Vertical video is everywhere - from Instagram to Facebook to Snapchat to TikTok, and pretty much every other app on your phone. As more and more brands turn to vertical content, they'll be looking for creators who know how to ideate, create, and optimize video for the vertical frame. That's why we're excited to launch our Vertical Video Workshop, led by Tongaler Ryan Larkin, in partnership with The Melacast Network. This workshop is part of our Branded Content Mentorship Program, which is designed to provide creators with the information, tools, and skills needed to become savvy in the ways of a wide range of digital content. 

Ryan Larkin's already created helpful video resources for vertical video creation, which you can check out further below, but as a part of the Vertical Video Workshop, two Mentees will be selected to receive a $750 production stipend, and both Mentees will work directly with Ryan to learn more about what makes vertical videos unique, and how they can create professional-looking vertical content, before producing three videos for their respective portfolios. 

Here's how the Workshop will work:

• First, check out the Vertical Video 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 vertical video is, where and how to use it, how to ideate & produce for vertical, and how to optimize existing content for vertical platforms. 
• Then, Apply to become a Mentee - If you're interested in making your own vertical videos, Apply by submitting yourself 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 vertical video skills.
• Finally, Two Mentees will be Selected to Create 3 videos - Each Mentee will receive the $750 production stipend, and work directly with Ryan, Tongal & The Melacast Network to create 3 vertical 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 TikTok Video (9x16)
• One IG Story Video (9x16)
• One Vertical Video Optimized for a Platform of Their Choosing (9x16)

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

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

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Ryan'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, 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.

WATCH THE VERTICAL VIDEO WORKSHOP

Episode  1 - What is Vertical Video? And Where/How is it Used?

Episode 2 - Ideation & Production for Vertical Video 

Episode 3 - How to Elevate Existing Content for Vertical Video 

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. 

ABOUT THE MELACAST NETWORK:

The Melacast Network is making diversity in the industry the norm. The Melacast Network is a platform built to connect BIPOC actors, directors, and crew with the opportunities, talent, and resources needed to tell culturally rich and diverse stories in film.

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.