Open to some ASMR? Or talking cats? Or MTV Cribs parodies? Funny people, get over here: T-Mobile is looking for several creators to produce suites of really quirky and comedic short social media videos that can help their Careers team showcase the benefits of working at T-Mobile. Live action filmmakers and animators alike are welcome.

You know that feeling when you've found the perfect job? When you've got great health benefits, sweet 401(k) plan, twice daily catnip allowances, and... wait...? Catnip allowances?!?

Okay, wait, we should explain. See, T-Mobile's got amazing employee benefits and an incredible company culture, and they're a super fun place to work, so their Careers Team wants to let people know. Now, ordinarily, you might just plop some HR dude in front of a blue screen and have him ramble on about "unlocking your potential" while stock footage rolls, but T-Mobile's not ordinary, and that's sooooooo boring. T-Mobile is the Un-carrier. If T-Mobile's going to talk about why people love working there, you can bet that they're going to have a lot of fun with it, and that's what brings us to talking cats and ASMR. T-Mobile's Careers Team wants to create a bunch of quirky social videos about their employee benefits and culture, and they've picked out some clever and unexpected concepts to inspire those videos... concepts that include everything from talking cats to ASMR and a multiversal montage.  We want you to take one concept and run wild with it.

The goal here is to find several creators who can each produce at least two videos for social media. We say at least two, but you can potentially produce up to five videos, and you'll have up to $3,000 for each video you produce. The videos can be up to :60 in length (though they can be much shorter), and they're intended for social media so we're not looking for high production value or polish. We're looking for cleverness, comedy, self-awareness, and smart messaging. Either live action or animation are cool. 

Videos should cover one or more topics including employee benefits, perks, culture, community, diversity, and other company initiatives, which you can find in the Background. and you MUST leverage one of the concepts in the Background too. If you're doing more than two videos, please tell us how each video will be different. 

Remember that T-Mobile has a distinct voice that is vibrant and playful, self-aware, confident, celebratory, and quirky - NOT totally ridiculous or absurd, but still professional. They want employees to have their own journey while making sure they feel inspired every day. Additionally, they want to facilitate meaningful relationships that set them apart from the rest. 

For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum, and then, you know, go unlock your potential.

DELIVERABLES: 

• At least two :15-:60 videos (4x5 or 9x16)
• Note: Aspect ratios have been suggested for some concepts, but they are at your discretion. 

TIMELINE: HERE

EXPOSURE:

• You should primarily think about Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter.
• Please click here to see the platform best practices page.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Career seekers, millenials, and Gen-Zers.

TONE: Self-aware, humorous, surprising, winking but not too snarky, big, bold, fun & relatable

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• You should adhere to certain elements of the T-Mobile brand guidelines. A few specific call-outs are below:
  • The primary logo to use is the full T-Mobile logo. 
  • Always make Magenta (#E20074) the hero color in designs. 
    • Other primary brand colors are Dark Magenta (#861B54), Dark Gray (#6A6A6A), Light Gray (#E8E8E8), Black (#000000), and White (#FFFFFF).
  • The official brand font is TeleNeo; the font will be provided to the selected creator. 
• Your video should avoid competitor colors (e.g. Verizon's reds, AT&T's blues).

OPEN BID: 

• This is an open bid project, so you will get to set your own budget proposal of up to $6,000 for two videos. If you want to propose more than two videos, you can bid up to $3,000 for each additional video, with a theoretical maximum of $15,000. Note that you are NOT guaranteed any additional videos, but we're hoping to award more than two videos per creator.
• 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 with a greenlit bid, 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.

THE CONCEPTS: Most of the concepts can easily support a series of videos, and T-Mobile wants creative diversity, so it's possible that they even pick a different filmmaker for each concept. If you really want, you can pitch to produce a video for more than 1 concept, but that's not our intention. 

1. Oddly Satisfying ASMR - What’s more satisfying than a great place to work? Whispers, tingles, and employee discounts! T-Mobile is looking for some smooth, satisfying, ASMR videos - and they're open to ANY variety of ASMR, so you don't need a soft gravely voice to succeed here. Google different types of ASMR and show us what you got. 
   • Budget Consideration - We expect this to be much less costly per video, given the simplicity. 
   • Format - Think 9x16, and you should definitely come with a good microphone.
2. That's The T - There’s a popular phrase on social media, "That’s the T!" or "Spill the T!" and it refers to the latest gossip or "truth" (the T). T-Mobile likes the fun gossip angle, and they're a fan of all things "T," so they think this is a strong way to tee up all the awesome things they offer employees. Let's see a gossip sesh, with one or more characters spreading the news about benefits and culture. 
   • Budget Consideration - We expect this to be less costly, and think there's the potential for you to easily knock out multiple videos very efficiently if your approach involves quick, witty banter and you should consider whether you want multiple actors, or just one person playing multiple characters, ala social trends. 
   • Format - Think 9x16, and you should definitely come with a good microphone.
3. The Purrfect Job - Meow. Do you like cats, AND The Office? How about creating a parody of The Office (or a corporate recruitment video?) that takes place at T-Mobile and features only cats? This one's ripe for animation, but live action could be incredible too. Do they actually speak? Or are their meows subtitled? Either way, let's have these furballs explain all the benefits of working at T-Mobile. Also, yes, we're open to dogs too. 
   • Budget Consideration - We expect this to be more expensive since animals are involved, but consider how you might use stock footage to supplement or replace the need for real animals (we can provide you with free access to Storyblocks), or to serve as an "office" background that you could comp kitties over top of, as that could make it easier to execute. 
   • Format - Could be 4x5 or 9x16.
4. Every Benefit Everywhere All At Once - Think about a montage similar to this incredibly impressive one from the multiversal masterpiece Everything Everywhere All At Once: a single character (an employee?) in the same frame as we cut through different scenes. Maybe you just told them about a benefit and it totally blew their mind. Or maybe we're seeing them flash through a doctor's office (for healthy benefits), dental cleaning (dental coverage), an eye doctor (vision), exotic location (vacation), and finally, in a magenta uniform. 
   • Budget Consideration - We expect this to be more expensive since you'll want different locations or different setups, with a little more wardrobe and production design. If you use a few different actors and make smart use of lots of different locations/setups, you could efficiently shoot a number of these and make the most of your budget to create multiple videos. 
   • Format - Could be 4x5 or 9x16.
5. T-Mo Office Cribs - We all remember MTV Cribs, right? How about a mockumentary that combines The Office and MTV Cribs in a satirical way? These fun snippets could feature "office" tours with a diverse cast of characters, and show the different aesthetics in work environments that are social media-worthy. We can provide access to existing footage from inside T-Mobile's different headquarters or T-Mobile retail locations, which could lend this a lot of authenticity.
   • Budget Consideration - We expect that this would be a mid-range option, but it depends on the production value you bring, and how much you want to rely on existing footage from T-Mobile (or from Storyblocks)
   • Format - Could be 4x5 or 9x16.

T-MOBILE BENEFITS: Each individual video can cover one topic/category of benefits, or it can cover multiple. Think about what works best creatively. An ASMR video can cover a lot if someone's speaking, but if it's about tracing words in the sand, it'd be much more limited. 

• Employment Benefits (e.g. health, paid R&R, ongoing education, childcare, 401ks, etc.)
• Company Culture in general
• Diversity @ T-Mobile
• Military Initiatives @ T-Mobile

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 execute this video.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. 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.
  
  
• 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.

• 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.
• TREATMENT: This project requires Treatment approval. 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. 
• 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.

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 4x5. 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.