Create a suite of two different elevated selfie-style testimonial videos that celebrate everyday moments of Black Joy, and point viewers to the BLK dating app as the place to find a dating community where Black individuals can connect and share these experiences.

Celebrating Black Joy means celebrating the many different ways Black individual experience joy and happiness within their communities. BLK aims to be a conduit for these experiences. Always striving to create a warm, inviting, and supportive space - where Black Love is celebrated in all its forms - BLK is a dating and lifestyle app that's tailor-made for the black community. Uplifting and strengthening that community has been the goal since BLK was founded. With this project, they hope to highlight the ways Black individuals experience these everyday moments of Black Joy through a series of unique testimonial videos for broadcast.

The goal of this project is to increase awareness for BLK and get members of the black community to download or sign-up for the app by featuring real people authentically speaking about how they experience Black Joy and how it impacts their everyday life - which includes their dating life. In the process, we want to create videos that highlight moments of laughter, resilience and triumph by amplifying the diverse spectrum of happiness that radiates from the each unique member of the black community. These videos should feature those relatable, 'if-you-know-you-know' moments shared by the black community everyday in black spaces. As this video is all about Black Joy and celebrating the black community, it'd be helpful if, in your pitch, you could speak to your personal connection to the black community and what Black Joy means to you or a member of your team.

It's important that these videos offer a unique take on the testimonial style, and while the BLK team does see these as mostly being shot in an elevated selfie-style format, to provide a casual tone with a premium look, they are still open to alternate approaches on how to make these testimonials feel unique. That means we're not looking for singles speaking straight to camera in some kind of sterile interview environment, like a studio with a white cyc. Maybe you do casual on-the-street style interviews, or maybe you put talent in realistic environments and make it seem as though they're filming themselves. Importantly, we're also NOT looking for anything that's actually shot on a phone, given the broadcast component involved. The two :30 videos should be edited with an eye towards broadcast. While they should all feel cohesive, they should be distinct in their messaging. The accompanying :15 should be edited with an eye towards both broadcast and social. The :15s might be cutdowns, or they might be interview segments that play better in a shorter format. The :10s will be strictly for social and are great for quick one-liners, but the team is open to how these come together based on the edit. Regardless, for these shorter cuts, you should talk in your pitch about how you'll optimize the :15 for social and broadcast and the :10 for social.

Location will be key in establishing the feel of these videos as you explore these everyday moments of Black Joy within the environments the black community experiences them. The locations should be places that are relevant to black culture. BLK suggests locations like a barber shop, a braiding shop, a brunch restaurant, a nail salon, a cookout, or a sporting event, but they are open to other relatable locations. If you decide on the man-on-the-street style, perhaps you could catch the subjects "exiting" a key location. Of course, you won't actually be catching them by surprise, as you'll need to cast them ahead of time.

Casting will be extremely important here, and we're not necessarily looking for 'actors,' authenticity is key.  We'll be starting the casting process immediately upon greenlight. It's important that you cover various subgroups within the Black community. What this means is that while you might include someone who is involved in the black music or sports community, you should also include someone in the gaming community or in academia. Similarly, your casting should include a variety of cultural diversity within the black community. Ideally, we'd like to see a total of at least 6 talent, but could be open to a range of 4-6 if the execution is particularly appealing.

To be extra clear here, these are not supposed to feel like scripted videos, but rather testimonials given in a more informal environment. We've included a number of sample interview questions in the Background.

In your pitch, please speak to how you'll keep the edits fresh, engaging, and - most importantly - distinct from what the average viewer expects from a testimonial. Beyond that, check out more information in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are 14 total video assets.

• Two :30 Videos (16x9, 9x16)
• Four :15 Videos (16x9, 9x16)
• Two :10 Videos (16x9, 9x16)
• All raw footage shot in connection with the project.

EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE

EXPOSURE: We expect content will be used on the platforms below, but if casting talent, be sure they review our required Talent Release before they're cast, 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.

• Broadcast
• Social
• Brand Website

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• Black singles, ages 18-39
• Culture connoisseurs, meaning people who value their cultural roots and are actively engaged in their community.
• Live in cities, enjoy traveling, up-to-date on the latest music and entertainment.
• Tastemakers.

TONE/FEEL:

• Uplifting, authentic, celebratory
• Relatable to black audiences
• Moments of humor 
• Supportive and inclusive of the black community

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Casting materials must include a video of the subject no less than :60.
• Do NOT portray negative representations of being single, nor should you make fun of other dating apps
• Depending on location and shoot dates, the client may choose to attend in person.
• If any client team member is not able to physically be on set, you MUST provide a live feed of the shoot for client feedback.
• Singles need to be single and have the app downloaded at the time of filming. 
• Adhere to BLK Brand Guidelines.
• Due to the availability of the app, this video needs to be produced & filmed in the US.

OPEN BID: 

• This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to submit your own budget proposal up to $30,000 If it makes sense, you may 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 do move forward, we’ll 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 project team.

BRAND MISSION STATEMENT - At BLK, we believe that love has the power to change the world. We provide a safe and welcoming platform for our users to connect, form meaningful relationships, and build a strong sense of community. We believe in challenging societal stereotypes and redefining what Black relationships look like.

BRAND AND CAMPAIGN BACKGROUND - The key message of the campaign is “My Type of Joy.” The campaign will emphasize there is no “right” way to celebrate personal joy and that it looks different for everyone within the Black community. By showcasing the diverse ways in which young Black individuals experience joy and happiness, the campaign will encourage its audience to showcase and celebrate their own unique forms of joy. It will highlight those if-you-know-you-know moments. As a socially current brand, BLK understands our community's challenges. They are here to uplift and inspire, to break down barriers, and bring people together.

SAMPLE TESTIMONIAL QUESTIONS:

Joy Within Your Day:

1. What do you think of when you hear the word “joy?”
2. When you’re having a rough day, how do you find a moment of joy?
3. What's a compliment you've received that made your day instantly brighter?
4. When do you laugh the hardest?

Joy Within Love/Dating:

1. What's your ideal idea for a cozy and romantic date night?
2. What qualities within your partner bring you joy?
3. How would you make your potential partner feel special?
4. What's a pickup line you've heard or used while dating that heavily made you chuckle?
5. What is a recent text message (or BLK message) that had you smiling from ear to ear?
6. What’s the corniest thing someone can text you?
7. How are some ways someone can make you feel loved?
8. What is the #1 way that you demonstrate your love for your potential partner?
9. Best pickup line received or delivered?

Joy Within Community/Friends:

1. Describe a moment when a friend made you feel truly seen and appreciated.
2. Describe a moment when you and your friends laughed so hard it hurt.
3. If your friends had to describe you in three words, what would they be?
4. If you and your BFF’s friendship had an emoji, which one would it be and why? [editing feature]
5. What is the funniest text message that your friend has recently sent to you?
6. One of your favorite IYKYK moments is when…
7. What’s the funniest code name your friends had for one of your exes?
8. Your friend texts you saying that they got back with their ex for the third time. What emoji do you send to them?

Joy Within Yourself:

1. What's one thing you do to practice self-love regularly?
2. What's a hobby or activity that makes your heart genuinely happy?
3. Tell us about a recent achievement that brought you immense happiness.
4. What is your favorite way of spreading joy and love to others?
5. What does being unapologetically Black mean to you?

In order to be considered, include the below materials in your submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery. All Pitches remain private, even after a Pitch is selected, and Tongal strives to have Pitch selections made by the end of the Evaluation period,but additional time may be required by the Sponsor, depending on any number of factors.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed 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. Explain what we can expect to see, and how you'll make it. If it's helpful, we've provided a treatment template HERE.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, editor, artist, etc.) but 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 you to create ALL of the content listed in the Deliverables within a budget total of up to $25,000. You can download the budget template HERE.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show what you're capable of. Consider a video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect, or consider test videos, proof-of-concept edits, animatics, etc. For examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery.
  
  
• 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.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 by the Sponsor, 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, typically included with the project timeline.

PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Prior to the commencement of actual production, creators MUST receive final approval from the Sponsor on the elements below. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until an element is approved.

If you begin production before you have received final approval, you may need to reshoot or reanimate at your own expense.

• TREATMENT Describe in detail how you plan to execute the content, and how you plan to bring it to life visually. Feel free to use concept art, references, style frames, or mock-ups. If relevant, share additional information about your team, and your process.
• CASTING: Tongal advocates for inclusivity in on-screen representation and diversity in casting. Please submit three to four options per role, with at least one of those options being a person of color. It is preferable to share multimedia content (i.e. video & audio clips) to help the Sponsor gauge the talent's performance, rather than headshots or resumes. For this project, it is required that each casting submission include a video of at least 60 second introducing themself.
• LOCATION: Present images of your potential filming locations, and submit at least two options per location. If possible, please include context on where you intend to film within each location, what angles you might use, or how you might dress the location.
• WARDROBE MOODBOARD: This project requires wardrobe moodboard approval. You will need to submit descriptions and/or pictures of your cast’s potential wardrobe. You must submit at least two wardrobe options per role. If the Sponsor does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new wardrobe options.

For convenience, we've provided some helpful templates that you can consider using for pre-production materials, and they can all be accessed here.

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Looking for help? Post crew and production opportunities connected to Tongal projects on Backlot. Backlot includes search tools to help you find collaborators and crew by role, skill set, location, and more, for productions of any size and type. Tongal also supports inclusivity in all productions, and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find additional options for staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: Once Content has been submitted and the initial Production Phase completed, greenlit creators will enter into Revisions. Creators 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 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, click on any of the providers' names above.

If you choose to use 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.

STOCK FOOTAGE: Tongal has partnered with the stock footage library STORYBLOCKS, which can be used to source video clips, photography, and After Effects templates for your video submission to this project. Video or photo content from Storyblocks is available at no charge, solely for incorporation into submissions on this project, and will not require a separate Release Form. If identifiable people or intellectual property appears in a video clip or photo, you may only utilize assets that are clearly marked “Model released: Yes” or “Property release: Yes” on the clip description pages. You may not use any audio.

If you intend to use Storyblocks, inform your Tongal producer, and an account will be created for you to access the library. Once assets are approved for delivery, you must provide a complete list of all Storyblocks content that you used via our template HERE.

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 any costs associated with the hard drive and shipping. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.

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. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
   
   
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 creator.
   
   
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.