Share the true story of a successful Small Business Owner who's trying to take their business to the next level in two 1 to 2-minute Videos; one Video that explores their own story, motivations and challenges, and one Video that explores how their business fits within the community and investigates the question, "Why are small businesses important?"

Capital One Spark Business is inspired by the game changers who believe they have a better way. They’re driven by the unconventional, the creative, the inspired – the Small Business Owners who challenge the status quo every day, and take control of their destiny along the way. But taking a small business to the next level can be a challenge, even for the most innovative of these heroes, so Spark is there to be the loyal wingman, tirelessly working to remove the things that get in a Small Business Owner's way so they can focus on what they love most. Capital One Spark Business is designed to deliver radically simple solutions, reimagining the way that small business interacts with their finances by bringing everything together – banking, payroll, commerce, and accounting. Spark Business constantly work to understand their needs and create tools that help owners stay ahead, so that they can always be there to offer the meaningful expertise and support that Small Business Owners need to work better, smarter, and more efficiently.

That said, Spark Business believes that the Customer is the Hero. Their story is better than Spark’s story. With that in mind, we could tell you more about Spark Business, but this isn’t really about them. Capital One Spark Business is coming to Tongal to tell the authentic story of a Small Business Owner who’s working hard to manage and grow their business, and to explore who they are, how they do what they do, what they think about banking, and how they fit into their community.

What you need to know:

• The Small Business Owners DO NOT have to be Capital One Spark Business customers.
• If the Small Business Owner is part of an organization for other Small Business Owners in their community (for mutual assistance, education, group advocacy, etc.), that's a big plus. 
• The stories must feature actual Small Business Owners and their businesses. No actors.

• Submissions must include a 500 character or less summary of the Small Business Owner (and his or her business) and a photo of the Small Business Owner.
• When submitting on someone else’s behalf, the subject must agree to participate for no compensation beyond the Story award. If a Story subject’s participation is contingent on a percentage of potential winnings from the Video phase and/or an additional casting fee then, they are not eligible.
• Prizing for Stories is not paid until the subject has cooperated with the producer selected by the Sponsor and the video is completed. 

Check out the Objectives and Details below for more important information…

The general goal of this project to create two 1 to 2-minute Videos, each with a 30-second cut-down, that share the authentic story of a successful Small Business Owner who’s working hard to take their business to the next level. The specific objectives of the Videos are two-fold:

• In the first Video, to profile the Business Owner and explore their motivations, aspirations, needs, challenges, and the pain points they deal with every day, as well as to investigate how they feel about banking for small businesses. If that Small Business Owner is part of an organization that works with other Small Business Owners, or if they somehow bring multiple perspectives into the conversation, that's a big plus. 
• In the second Video, to show how that Small Business Owner uniquely fits into and contributes to their community, as an economic driver and more, and how their success affects everyone, perhaps even including the perspective of other businesses or customers – essentially, answering the question, “Why are Small Businesses Important?”

--Brand Persona: Spark is a Small Business Wingman - an optimistic force that stands alongside small business owners, offering the guidance and support they need to succeed. Why a Wingman? Most brands probably wouldn’t classify themselves as a Wingman, but they’re not most brands. They’re a small business owner’s right hand, standing beside them to provide the support they need to succeed from behind the scenes. It’s not about credit; it’s about showing them we have their back. In the Air Force, the wingman flies alongside, serving their mission by providing protection and support. It’s not the typical role of a bank, but we’re not typical. A few things to consider:

• Unconventional: Spark is different from the rest – an optimistic force with a fresh and unexpected take on business banking. They challenge the conventions of the industry, stripping away the things that don’t make sense for your business. 
• Real: They are real—real people who are approachable, accessible, and invested in your business.  They meet you where you are because they want to work on your terms.  They don’t take themselves too seriously but they take your business very seriously.
• Passionate: They are your biggest fan, an inspired ally and an avid supporter.  They are on your side constantly thinking about your business and designing products that work for you.
• Inventive: They are courageous—a catalyst that is forward-thinking, but always intentional.  Their goal is to bring you bold ideas that simplify your business.

--“Small Business Owners” & Target Persona / Audience:

• Digitally-driven Small Business Owners are both the subject and the target audience.
• SBO’s are predominantly aged 35 and older (15% 18-34, 29% 35-49, 36% 50-59)
• They are confident, creative, aspirational, inspired; they’re trying to do something different and challenge the status quo, but not actually reinvent the wheel.
• They are tech-forward, but not tech obsessed. They are highly receptive to the digital experience generally, even if they’re not a tech business.
• They want to manage their own destiny, and they’re defined by their work.
• They often put others first and want to impact their community and society.
• The size and scale of their business varies, from $70k to $2-3m in revenue, but with multiple employees.
• For a few examples of the types of small businesses and their characteristics, check out the links below, which will take you to helpful Videos from Spark’s “Biggest Fans” series:

o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4xyFFpp0tU

o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgQQQ-rZGmE

o   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-74dfJ_3sw

--Key Marketing Insights to Include in your Video:

• Small Business Owners feel that all banks are the same. 
• They want to get back to actually running their business, rather than doing their banking/finances.
• They are strapped for time.
• They challenge the status quo and seek to be game-changers; they want to shake up their industry or their model for the better.
• They are creative thinkers who are inspired by their business.
• They are looking for ways to move their business processes online by using new technology.
• They are connected with their local community.

--Executional Mandatories:

• Must use Capital One Spark Business approved logo lock-up.
• While Capital One Spark Business is different than other financial services companies, the Videos should not badmouth other banks.  

--Tone: Authentic but not sappy or cheesy. It should feel optimistic, charming, clever, trustworthy, passionate, simple. When we say “Wingman” above, we think a Pilot’s Wingman, not a frat boy’s wingman.

• Optimistic: We believe in our customers and their business. We know their future is bright, and our tone reflects that sense of optimism.
• Keep it Real: Unlike most banks, we’ll speak to our customers in their language.  Our voice should be clever, down to earth and prove we’re on their side. It’s important to show small business owners we take their business seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
• Breath of Fresh Air: Unexpected, uncomplicated, and not like other banks.
• Passionate and Smart about Small Business: We work hard to understand the needs of small business owners, and our language should reflect that. Our tone is knowledgeable, showcasing our insight for the way they do business. 

--Exposure: Intended for their website content hubs, such as sparkbusiness.com and sparkbusinessiq.com, owned social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, email distribution, internal meetings, and use at events like South by Southwest and various tradeshows.

--Product & Assets: No product is necessary for this Video. That said, Videos should end with a lock-up of Capital One and Spark Business and/or sparkbusiness.com, which will be provided. Pitch Winner will also be provided with a brand standards guide. 

This Project will be worth a total of $40,000 and consists of 3 Phases: a Story Phase, a Pitch Phase, and a Video Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: STORY – Submit your real Small Business Owner story in 500 characters or less. Story submissions MUST include a photo of the Small Business Owner.

NOTE: If you submit on behalf of a Story subject please know the following:

• Prizing for Stories is not paid until the subject has cooperated with the filmmaker selected by the Sponsor and the Video is completed. 
• If you are submitting on someone else’s behalf, then the subject must agree to participate for no compensation beyond the Story award. If a Story subject’s participation is contingent on a percentage of potential winnings from the Video phase and/or an additional casting fee then they are not eligible.

The winning Story submissions will receive $1,500 each and a 5% one-time residual payment if the Videos are based on their Story (That means you will receive an additional $1000) – see Video Phase Payout details for more information. 

• Payment for a win in the Story phase is contingent on your completion of the Winner’s Affidavit, the IP Assignment, and cooperation with the winning filmmaker selected to bring the Story to life in the subsequent Pitch Phase.

PHASE 2: PITCH - Submit your Pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute a Video based on one of the winning Stories from the previous Phase using:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this Video.
• 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.
• Script (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create.  
• Treatment (Optional): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. 
• Storyboards (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across.
• Headshots/Casting Boards (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.
• Pitch Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to show us 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.   

If you win in the Pitch Phase, you will be required to make your own travel arrangements to film the Story winner from the previous phase. 

Pitch Winners will also be required to submit scripts/scriptments that lay out how they intend to approach the subject’s story and how they intend to frame both Videos.

The most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, that filmmaker will receive $15,500 to help create the Video.  Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch Winner will also be GUARANTEED the winning place in the subsequent Video Phase. So, if your Pitch is selected and you execute your Pitch effectively in your Video submission, you will win an additional $20,000 First Place video prize (subject to deduction for one-time 5% residual payment to eligible Story winners). For an example of an effective Pitch, check out The Indie Machines winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGOs” Pitch video. All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the Project is complete.    

PHASE 3: VIDEO – The Winner of the Pitch Phase will create two 1 to 2-minute Videos, each with a 30-second cut-down, based upon their winning Pitch. These are all due promptly at the close of the Video Phase.  Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.  

--Video Phase Payout: The Winner of the Video Phase will earn a $20,000 1st place prize (less any 5% one-time residual payments paid to the Story winners, as applicable).

--Music:  Tongal has partnered with two premiere music providers: Audioblocks 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 provider’s names above.

1. The Videos MUST not exceed 120-seconds in length. 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 you win, 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. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

6. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

7. 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.

8. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.

9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

11. In the event that fewer than 50 Pitches are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, winning Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their winning 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 prize.

15. 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.