Using existing scripts, create a series of four engaging and informative live action TikToks that create awareness around H&R Block Emerald Advance®, a limited-time credit promotion for H&R Block customers

*** Note: This has a two day pitch phase and a fast-moving timeline. Please review the timeline when you pitch. ***

With all the holiday expenses, we often find moths in our wallets instead of cash. What’s more frustrating, tax season falls right after the holidays, the period when we tend to empty our bank accounts faster than any other time of the year. Sometimes we just need a little extra help - and H&R Block has the solution. With a limited-time offer called The H&R Block Emerald Advance®, H&R Block wants to help extend some credit to consumers who are looking for a little more cash flow around the holidays. 

The goal of this project then is to quickly create four live action TikTok videos that create awareness for the offer and explain how it works, using scripts that will be provided by the brand. The H&R Block Emerald Advance® promotion is a line of credit, and once approved, clients in the promotional program are able to repeatedly borrow and repay up to $1,000. Emerald Advance allows H&R Block to connect with new and old clients during the promotional period, which will run before tax season, and its in this period when many taxpayers choose how to prepare their taxes in the upcoming new year, which is important for H&R Block. This period around and after the holidays is also when cash flow is generally low. 

This project has a super fast timeline: the greenlit filmmaker must be able to hop on a quick pre-production approval call with Tongal and H&R Block at 1pm PT / 3pm CT / 4pm ET on Friday 11/4, and your first video has to be mastered and delivered by Monday 11/14 – and H&R Block is looking for a TikTok-savvy production partner who can move as quickly as they can. H&R Block will supply the greenlit filmmaker with pre-approved scripts, so the focus here is on production and post.

Don't overthink this one: your videos should look and feel like actual TikTok videos, not polished branded content. Think one talent speaking directly to camera or filming from a POV perspective, in a home setting, and your pitches should demonstrate your previous TikTok experience and how you'd bring this type of platform-led production to life. We've got some solid reference videos in the Background tab that help illustrate what we're looking for.

For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: Four :15-:30 videos (9x16)

TIMELINE: HERE. Be sure to read the bolded timing notes for a pre-pro approval call and first video delivery above.

EXPOSURE: TikTok, organic and paid. Potential use on IG Reels as well. Please review the platform best practices page. 

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• Consumers with constrained cash flows, especially around the holidays
• Clients new to H&R Block
• PATH Act customers who know they won't be getting their tax refund until later in the season and need help with end-of-the-year expenses

TONE: Insightful, educational, supportive, confident, thoughtful, and vibrant.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your videos must include the CTA: "Make an appointment to apply for Emerald Advance."
• You must shoot against the pre-approved scripts, which will be provided to the greenlit filmmaker before production.
• You MUST be able to deliver the master for one video by Monday 11/14; speed is a crucial factor in this project.
• Due to the quick timeline, H&R Block is relaxing some of the standard pre-production approvals; therefore, you MUST be sure to film without any third-party logos or branding.
• Talent must look 25 or older.
• Audio must come from Tongal's partner libraries; you may not use trending Sounds (sorry!).
• Additionally, the Siri/TikTok AI voice cannot be used in these videos.

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a pitch. Though most projects on our platform do move forward with a greenlit pitch, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any pitches via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all 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, and we're now requiring a COVID safety protocol plan for all relevant productions. 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.

The H&R Block Emerald Advance® is a line of credit. If approved, it allows clients to repeatedly borrow and repay up to $1,000. Offering this product allows H&R Block to connect with new and prior clients during the Emerald AdvanceSM Promotional Period before tax season when many taxpayers choose how to prepare their taxes in the upcoming new year.

REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION OR TONE: 

• The Side Hustle That Changed My Life
• Life Before Asana
• How to Prepare an Emergency Fund
• How to Use Life Insurance

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.
  
  
• 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.

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. 

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

• CASTING: This project requires casting approval. Tongal advocates for inclusivity in on-screen representation and diversity in casting. As a best practice, please submit three to four options per role, with at least one of those options being a person of color. If the Sponsor does not approve any of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options. Additionally, owing to the risk of disruption from COVID, you will be expected to have backup talent approved by the Sponsor in advance of production to account for any last-minute changes.

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: 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 & 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. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p 9x16. 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.