The Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products team is creating a special installation to celebrate Batman's 85th Anniversary with a secret brand collaboration in Los Angeles - and we need a team with a slick cinematic style, a talented photographer, and a fast-moving editor to create some live action content on Monday, November 18th.
Fans of the Dark Knight, the Bat Signal shines once again - but this time it shines for you. We can't share many details here, but in Los Angeles, on the morning of Monday, November 18th, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products is going to unveil an incredibly exciting and exclusive Batman collaboration with a high end lifestyle brand. It's the kind of brand collab that's going to generate a LOT of buzz, and it somehow gets even better, because it's a full installation that's meant to evoke the Batcave, and it even includes the Batmobile. We can't tell you how, or where, but it's all going to be insanely cool, and the absolute best part is, we need someone to film it.
The goal here is to capture both video and photography content for a special installation that's being created at the retail flagship store of a high end lifestyle brand. This will be a very fast-moving project, with same-day turnaround and delivery expected for both the video and photography assets. The installation will feature a range of Batman-related props and memorabilia, including three different Batmobiles, as well as four authentic Batsuits, and an array of glass-encased movie-authentic props - all within a stunning architectural space that's being designed to evoke the Batcave. You'll need to create a single video, somewhere between :30-:80, that feels dramatic and impactful, showcasing the props and memorabilia by situating them amongst the beauty of the space around them. You'll also need a talented photographer that has experience capturing architectural spaces in a way that makes them feel dynamic and dimensional.
We expect the video to feel cinematic and exciting. Think dramatic montages of close-up shots on individual elements that build up to the epic final reveal. Cinematography, lighting, and lensing are critical, but so too will be a deft handle on music selection, and sound design (if any). Pacing is going to be important too: you'll want to avoid too many fast-cuts or a generally fast-paced edit; we want to give these visuals a moment to really land with audience. We don't expect that you'll need any on-screen talent, nor any voiceover, and you won't be responsible for any location costs. It's unlikely that you'll need sound, but you may want to capture it to be safe. Ultimately, the video will be used on social media and other owned digital platforms, so you'll be creating for multiple aspect ratios, and should have a deliberate approach to each aspect ratio - just cropping as an afterthought won't cut it.
Your photographer will be capturing many of the same elements that your motion team is capturing, with a priority given to situating elements within the larger space. No post-production retouching will be required of your photographer. Instead, we'll ask that they initially provide all assets in JPG form for an initial review, before delivering TIFFs of a small selection with a proposed color treatment, and then ultimately delivering all raw assets.
In terms of production, you must be available to shoot between 6-10AM PT on Monday, 11/18 at the brand's location in Los Angeles. You'll be able to schedule a quick tech scout before that, but the actual Batman installation isn't being built until the night before, so you won't be able to see it in advance. More information about the brand, the location, and the props will be shared with the team that is selected, but you can review this suggested shot list with some additional prop information - just note that we're flexible on creative approach, so you shouldn't look at the shot list there as locked in. After you wrap, you'll also need to move through the edit very quickly; the content that you capture on Monday will need to be fully edited and delivered by EOD the same day.
For your pitch, we want to see your team, your past work, and information about your technical approach to the production (i.e. camera, camera rig, lighting, etc.). You'll need a small, disciplined, and nimble team, but you'll need a slick and talented cinematographer, and potentially a very capable lighting team that can nonetheless operate with limited resources.
For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: There are 3 total video assets, and a hard drive with all photo assets.
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.
TONE/FEEL: Cinematic, impactful dramatic, exciting, beautiful,
EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:
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.
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.
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.