Produce a live-action explainer video to introduce new features in EBlock's online auction platform that will benefit car dealers and sellers.

E INC is an automotive company that specializes in both wholesale and retail distribution of automotive vehicles through their digital platforms. Their digital dealer-to-dealer auction platform EBlock combines a buying experience that dealers know and love with the extensive online audience that wholesalers demand - all in real time. The platform has recently seen some important updates, so we are looking for a filmmaker with experience in explainer or tutorial content to create an exciting live action video that uses motion graphics or limited animation to amplify messaging, in order to drives awareness to the new updates on their automotive auction site, and also express how these changes are beneficial to their consumers. 

EBlock would like to include a host to bring some life and excitement to the new features of the site. With that in mind, you will be want to include how you would plan to film talent to make sure they will provide confidence, transparency, and sincerity when talking about how the site functions and how the new features will benefit car dealers and salesmen. You will most likely want to plan to film in an office, conference room, or studio setting where you will have professional lighting, although if you have more creative ideas on how to film the talent, feel free to share them in your treatment. There will be 1 hero explainer video - 2-3 minutes in length - where the host will walk viewers through the process and explain the new features: Buy Now and Transport Estimates. To learn more about what each of these new website features are about, check out the Background section. 

Importantly, while the host explains the process and benefits of using the new functionalities, we'll need to use motion graphics or light animation to show off the features on the website, including the UI, the sound effects used, and how the live auction element functions. Assets will be provided, and note that EBlock has both a Canadian and American website, so ultimately you will need to create another versions of the explainer videos: one with American website visuals, and one with the Canadian website visuals. The differences shouldn't be too substantial.

In terms of the target audience, we are not talking to the average consumer, but to other automotive businesses, car dealers, and auction goers. However you decide to film, motion graphics are going to be important, whether we're talking about integrating the auction site visuals, transition effects, text, branding, or more complicated visuals, like a car. We want to see how you will take the balance between live action video and motion graphics to create high-energy explainer videos. Check out more examples of how the EBlock site works in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are 4 total video assets.

• One 2-3 minute New Features Explainer Video with American Website Graphics (16x9, 1x1)
  • Version w/ Canadian Website Graphics(16x9, 1x1)

TIMELINE: HERE

EXPOSURE: We anticipate content will be used on the platforms listed below, but if casting talent, please be sure your talent reviews the required Talent Release, 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 page.

• E.Inc and EBlock's Website, Youtube, Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter

TARGET AUDIENCE: Automotive businesses, Car dealers, and Auction goers in Canada and U.S.

TONE:

• Informative, high-energy, engaging, transparent
• Fearlessness, curiosity, and ingenuity

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your videos MUST contain the EBlock logo and keep their Brand Guidelines in mind.
• Your videos should include an element of moving back and forth between the "real world" and "digital world."
• Your videos will need to highlight the exact website feature updates; specific assets for those features will be shared in pre-production.
• Your videos can show manufacturer branding on vehicles as long as the vehicles are being shown on the UI from the site or the app.

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects on our platform do move forward, we will 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 the project team.

TOPICS FOR THE EXPLAINER VIDEOS

1. Transport Estimates - Often times the dealers or wholesalers who are looking for vehicles to buy on EBlock do not feel comfortable bidding unless they know how much it will cost to have the car transported to them once they win the bid. With cars being sold in 60 seconds or less, it is essential that the auto buyers can quickly see their total costs so they don't miss out on bidding. The new Vehicle Display Page on both the web and mobile app will have a transport slide-out section, once a user clicks on Transport, they will see a menu to select their drop-off location, and once the drop-off location is selected, they will see the transport estimate.
2.  Buy Now - With the Buy Now feature, sellers that have not sold a vehicle in an EBlock Live Auction or those that know the exact price they want on a vehicle can now sell a vehicle quickly without going through the auction process and buyers can now also choose to forego bidding and purchase a vehicle outright. The process works when an EBlock staff member or dealer launches a vehicle to the Timed Grounded Auction and they set a Buy Now price which is equal to or greater than the Reserve Price. They then submit the vehicle to the Timed Grounded auction timeslot and buyers will see the Buy Now button on these vehicles, with the Buy Now price. If a buyer agrees with the price and want to purchase the vehicle, they simply click the Buy Now button. Then they have “won” the vehicle and it will be put into check-out to finalize the purchase.

EBLOCK FUNCTIONALITY & DEMO - These demo videos provides a through breakdown of what the EBlock sites looks like and how the live auction functions. You will want to make sure and incorporate elements of the site in your videos.

• EBlock Mobile Demo Video
• EBlock Walkthrough Video
• EBlock Anthem Video

EBLOCK CORE VALUES:

• Only EBlock’s real-time virtual auction can create the sense of urgency & energy found in a live auction. 
• Cars bought and sold in 60 seconds: Cars are "up on the block" for a limited amount of time, bidding goes quickly and cars are often sold within a minute.
• Set auction times for easy planning & prep: Our online auctions always start at a set time, 1:30PM PT and 1:30PM ET every Tuesday and Thursday. So you always know exactly when and where to show up. We are unlike other digital auctions, like eBay, that take the approach where auctions are running all day long, which makes it very difficult for buyers because they need to watch the auction all the time.
• Features to make buying fast & efficient: We send a run list before the auction starts which showcases all of the vehicles that will be up for sale in that day's auction which helps buyers to get prepared. Additionally, at the live auction there are multiple lanes running at the same time. 
• Powerful filter & search tools to connect the best buyers with the right inventory: Live reps making decisions in real time. At live action auctions the "rep" (seller) of the vehicle stands up next to the auctioneer and watches the bids and can make a call at any time to say they are happy with the price and that the next bid wins - we have a similar functionality on the app that allows the seller of the vehicle to indicate that they are ready to sell at the current price

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 synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed out 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, both in terms of what we can expect to see, and how you’ll make it. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• 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.

• STORYBOARDS (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.

• HEADSHOTS/CASTING BOARDS (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.

• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show them 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. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.
  
  
• APPRENTICESHIP ADVISOR (Optional): The Tongal On-Set Apprenticeship Program is an opportunity to support new & emerging talent in production positions with hands-on on-set experience. Please indicate on the pitch submission form if you would be interested in overseeing an apprentice on your production; your answer will neither increase nor decrease the likelihood of your pitch being greenlit. Tongal will cover the apprentice's day rate outside of your project budget, and if you are matched with an apprentice, your Tongal producer will reach out with more information. To learn more about the On-Set Apprenticeship Program and the responsibilities of an advisor, please click HERE.

The most compelling pitch 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.

PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Prior to shooting, filmmakers must receive the below approvals from the Sponsor.

• SCRIPT: This project requires script approval. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a script is approved by the Sponsor. 
• STORYBOARD: This project requires storyboard approval. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version.

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 & RESOURCES: 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. 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 any 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 about using each of these music providers, click on any of the providers’ names above.

If you choose to use custom or 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.

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 the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.

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.
   
   
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 filmmaker.
   
   
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.