Produce a 1-2-minute Video that showcases HBX’s unique online educational platform.

Most people have an image of Harvard Business School in their heads: ivy covered brick walls, libraries filled with old books, and men with mustaches and elbow patches on their jackets.  But HBX is not your father’s Harvard Business School.  HBX is digital learning re-imagined.  HBX absorbed all the benefits of having HBS in its DNA, and then used those lessons, combined with the best digital tools available, to expand the reach of Harvard Business School and educate aspiring leaders from all corners of the globe.    

While HBX can clearly define itself through its association with the Harvard Business School (HBS) brand, it has struggled to communicate exactly how its digital learning experience is superior in comparison to what other online education platforms offer.  It’s almost as if we need to invent a new category to describe HBX due to the pervasive perception of online learning experiences being subpar (when compared to traditional classroom experiences).

And that’s what we’re trying to do here – to distinguish HBX as an innovative and young brand which, while benefitting from the quality and rigor one would associate with HBS, finds itself in a saturated market of online education programs who vary widely in quality.  HBX has changed the way people receive a business education by bringing the famous case method of study to life in a digital medium.  Unlike other online education courses, HBX requires students to be active drivers of their learning experience.

The goal of this project is to create a 1-2-minute Video to help explain the unique HBX digital learning platform and to highlight its 3 key differentiators (as outlined below). 

HBX wants to convey that when you log-in to their platform, the experience is unlike any other online program – it’s an active learning environment with a strong focus on social interaction. 

When you log-in to an HBX course, you immediately connect and collaborate in real time with real students from around the world.  You’re challenged to think in ways you may not have considered before and you’re compelled to participate even though you may be studying at home.  With HBX, you’re never passive or anonymous.

Typical HBX online courses are active learning experiences with highly-produced video content and animations, interactive exercises, and required peer engagement (through peer help, reading, commenting on other student responses, and closed Facebook groups). 

HBX programs have 3 KEY DIFFERENTIATORS at their core, which must be highlighted in the Video:

• The learning is case-based.  Rather than a typical deductive learning model, HBX uses an inductive case methodology, which was pioneered at Harvard Business School!
• The learning is active.  Rather than passively consuming content or watching long videos, every 3-5 minutes HBX requires participants to change the way they interact with the learning platform or their peers.
• The environment is social.  Participants are in cohorts of several hundred people located around the world and everyone is expected to contribute.

Ideators:  Think about how you’d convey HBX’s uniqueness in a manner that is innately unique.  HBX is lean-forward learning, and so are its students (past, current, and future).  HBX is looking for unexpected, engaging ideas – in keeping with their unexpected, engaging platform. 

Filmmakers:  HBX is open to live action or animation for this Video, but animation might be an especially smart approach!

In addition, HBX has high engagement and completion rates.  In fact, HBX’s average completion rate is 85% whereas a typical MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is in the 5-10% range.  HBX students are committed to their education and the HBX methodology. 

HBX considers itself selective but not exclusive.  Prospective students have to be motivated and willing to commit and, if they do, then HBX will give them the opportunity to be challenged, to learn alongside like-minded people, and to gain the insights, skills, & confidence needed to grow their career.

--Target Audience:

Target audience is anyone aged 20-30 from all industries and backgrounds with a desire to be challenged and to engage with a global community of committed learners.

HBX would like this Video to be relevant at all stages of education (college students, early career, mid-career).

--Executional Mandatories:

You should make sure it’s clear that HBX is not the MBA program or a residential Exec Ed program.  HBX will insert logo/branding for the selected Video.  Please refrain from using trademarked logos from Harvard or Harvard Business School.

--Tone:

Upbeat and fun.  You should emphasize community and activity.

In comparison with HBS, HBX is generally more irreverent, scrappier, younger, hip, playful, and humorous.  Humor is definitely welcome, especially in an animated Video approach.

--Exposure:

Video to be distributed by email and social media.  Potential placement on HBX website.

This Project will be worth a total of $10,000 and consists of three phases: an Idea Phase, a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, and a Video Phase.  Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: IDEA  – Tell us your Idea for the HBX Video Project in 140 characters or less.  Remember, an Idea (What is an Idea Phase?) is not a detailed script; it is a spark of inspiration, or a distillation of what will happen in the Video.  As always, Ideas should be clever and engaging.  The two winning Idea creators will each receive $250 and a 5% one-time residual payment for any winning Videos based on their Idea. (That means if your winning Idea is the basis for the 1^st place Video, you will receive an additional $275) – see Video Phase Payout details for more information. 

PHASE 2: PITCH – Submit your Pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute a Video based on one of the winning Ideas from the previous Phase using:

•  
• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this Video.
• 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.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what’s going to happen in the video. 
• 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.
• Headshots/Casting Boards (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc. 
• Pitch Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to show us 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.   
•  

The most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive $4,000 to help create the Video.  Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winner will also be GUARANTEED a winning place in the subsequent Video Phase.  So, if your Pitch is selected and you execute your Pitch effectively in your Video submission, you will win an additional $5,500 First Place video prize (subject to deduction for one-time 5% residual payment to eligible Idea winners). For an example of an effective Pitch, check out The Indie Machines winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGOs” Pitch video. All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the Project is complete.     

PHASE 3: PRE-PRODUCTION – The one Pitch Winner from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?).  During this phase, filmmakers will need to receive the following Approvals from the brand: 

•  
• SCRIPT – This project requires Script Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand 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 brand.

• HEADSHOT – This project requires Headshot Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.

• CHARACTER AND BACKGROUND SKETCHES – In the event you are selected to make an animated Video, the sponsor must approve character and background sketches before you begin production.

  
  

No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.

PHASE 4: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner will each create a 1-2 minute Video based upon their winning Pitch, which is due at the close of the Video Phase.

--Video Phase Payout:   Winners of the Video Phase will earn $5,500 (less any 5% one-time residual payments paid to the Idea winners, as applicable).

--Music:  Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Killer Tracks and Epidemic Sound, and Jingle Punks.  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 provider’s names above. 

Tongal members interested in a custom music solution for your project are invited to connect with SCORE A SCORE.  They specialize in the creation of custom music, on-demand.  

Their business model is based on a "name your price" system, so you can tell them what your budget is, and they will work with you to create a deal configuration that will work within the discussed parameters. Check out the FAQ for more information and how to contact SCORE A SCORE. 

If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. If you obtain music from other catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with our Music Release Form when you turn in your Video paperwork.  

--Referral:   Any Tongal member who refers one of the winning Video creators in this Project using the Tongal “Invite Friends” functionality will receive a referral fee equal to 5% of the amount won. That’s a potential $500 in bonus cash just for telling all of your talented friends about this Project! Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 120 seconds in length. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p 16x9. Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should you win, 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. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

6. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

7. 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.

8. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.

9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

11. In the event that fewer than ten (10) Pitches are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

12. 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.

13. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Video without providing additional compensation. Remember it’s easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.

14. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, winning Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their winning 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 prize.

15. 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.