We are looking for a photographer and filmmaker to attend the WeightWatchers Carnival in New York City on March 30th and 31st and then produce a highlight video, suite of social videos, and 10 retouched member photos quickly after the event. 

WeightWatchers is all about the enjoyment of food - and the joy that comes from building healthy habits and achieving your goals with the support of a community of members who are always cheering you on. To tap into all the fun that comes from joining the WeightWatchers community, WeightWatchers is hosting the "WeightWatchers World of Wonder" carnival in New York City's meatpacking district on Thursday, March 30th and Friday, March 31st. There will be non-stop games, prizes, photo booths, influencers, celebrities, and of course, lots of delicious (and WW-friendly) foods. Think of this carnival like the Museum of Ice Cream - but with everything WeightWatchers themed.

To capture all the excitement, WeightWatchers is looking for a small team of 2 to 4 people - with at least one filmmaker and one photographer - to attend both days of the event and capture a mix of video and photography that features WeightWatchers members enjoying all the activities. The brand will ultimately need you to create one highlight video, as well as four short social videos, with ten retouched images of WeightWatchers members. 

Most of the content is intended primarily for social media, so you are actually encouraged to film much of the event with a phone to ensure that all the footage looks and feels like it was designed for distribution on social media. That said, you will still need some more polished event coverage footage for the highlight video, and WeightWatchers is also looking to capture more polished photography with a handful of specific WeightWatchers members who will be attending the event. Stylistically, and especially for the social videos and event photography, WeightWatchers is looking for something similar to these "Escape to Upstate" videos and still images that were filmed during an event last year. In terms of what you'll need to capture, check out this document for a good overview with guidance and style references. For the four social videos, WeightWatchers is looking for fun, engaging, social-forward clips showcasing different activations at the event (think boomerangs, fun transitions, etc.). 

Logistically, there will be a two-hour window on Friday, March 31st from 11am-1pm ET, before the public event begins, for a designated photoshoot with WeightWatchers members. For that, and the event in general, you will NOT need be required to handle talent releases or post notice-of-filming signage - all of that will be handled by WeightWatchers. Also, for the video component, no sound is required, and for photography, although you will be responsible for ten retouched photos, the brand will also require that you deliver all of the raw photography that you capture. 

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

DELIVERABLES: 

• There are 11 total video assets:
  • One up-to-:60 event highlight video (16x9, 4x5, 9x16)
  • Four up-to-:15 social videos (4x5, 9x16)
• There are 9-12 total photography assets:
  • 9-12 retouched WeightWatchers member photos (aspect ratio to be confirmed after greenlight)
  • All raw photography

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.

• Social Media - Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest

TARGET AUDIENCE: WeightWatchers' main target audience is "life cravers" who are:

• Women between 30-50 with a household income of $50K+ 
• Unhappy with their weight, seeking to lose 25+ lbs
• Because of their busy lifestyle, don't take care of themselves as well as they should
• Food is their go-to facilitator for feel-good experiences
• Believe food isn’t functional. It’s an inspiring, immersive lifestyle!
• Hunger for human connection, shared stimulating experiences, and discovering novelty.
• Have the life motto: “if you’re going to do it, you might as well enjoy it!”

TONE: Motivational, inspirational, hopeful, joyous, and celebratory. 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your team MUST be able to film on site in New York City on Thursday, March 30th and Friday, March 31st, and you MUST attend both days of the event. 
• No additional budget will be provided for travel or hotel stay. 
• You are NOT required to obtain talent or location releases for any WeightWatchers Members that appear on camera.

OPEN BID: 

• This is an open bid project, so you will get to set your own budget proposal up to $14,000. If it makes sense, you may feel free to submit multiple versions of your bid at a budget, target, and reach price point.
• By participating in this open bid project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a bid. Though most open bid projects on our platform do move forward, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any bids via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all open bid submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.

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.

"WEIGTWATCHERS WORLD OF WONDER" CARNIVAL SCHEDULE

• Thursday, March 30th: 
  • 7pm-9pm ET - Invite-Only Event
• Friday, March 31st: 
  • 11am-1pm ET - WeightWatchers Member Photoshoot
  • 1pm-5pm ET - Public Event from 1-5pm ET

ABOUT WEIGHTWATCHERS:

For 60 years, WeightWatchers has helped millions of people lose weight. Over that time, they've innovated and improved their program based on the latest in nutritional and behavioral science. The WeightWatchers app has been updated, and the program has evolved to fit the needs of members. But, at the end of the day, WeightWatchers has always been a sustainable, flexible path to weight loss rooted in the power of community. No cutting out food groups, no extreme dieting, no one-size fits all approach.

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.

• PHOTOGRAPHER (REQUIRED): Please include information on the photographer you plan to work with, and how you would incorporate still photography into your production schedule. You should include examples of the photographer's past work that is stylistically similar to the examples shared by WeightWatchers. 

• 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.
  
  
• BID (REQUIRED): This is an open bid project, and the Sponsor would like each producer to create all of the content listed in the Deliverables section within a budget total of up to $14,000. Please ensure that your budget factors in appropriate COVID safety protocols (i.e. testing, PPE, cleaning supplies, backup talent, etc.). You can download the budget template here.
  
  
• COVID PROTOCOL (REQUIRED): Please let us know your team’s COVID safety protocols for production. If you’re doing everything yourself, or your team will be working 100% remotely, let us know that this won’t apply. Otherwise, at the very minimum, your safety plan must include information about:
  • What city and state you plan to film in
  • Whether you are filming interiors or exteriors
  • Approximately how many people you plan to have on set
  • How you’ll account for testing, PPE, and distancing on set
  • How you’ll handle talent and backup talent, including any hair, make-up, and wardrobe needs
  • Whether you’ll have a dedicated compliance officer on set
    
    
• 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.

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.

• TREATMENT: This project requires treatment approval. The treatment should describe how you plan to execute the video and how you plan to bring the storytelling to life visually. The Sponsor 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 by the Sponsor. 
• SHOT LIST: This project requires shot list approval. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your shot list and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a shot list is approved by the Sponsor. 

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.