Working with real H&R Block Tax Pros as your talent, create a suite of helpful, friendly video guides for Gen Z taxpayers to help them master tax filing and determine whether they should file on their own, or with the assistance of an H&R Block Tax Pro.
Please note this project must film in the US.
Whether you prefer to prep and file your taxes yourself, or whether you'd rather work with a tax pro, H&R Block has the resources, online programs, and expertise you need to personalize your prep and help you have the best possible filing experience every year. If you're not sure which forms you need though, or how to fill them out, or how to file them once you're ready, then it can be hard to gauge which path is right for you. Luckily, H&R Block has a Tax Information Center that is full of articles and guides for all sorts of tax questions, and they're looking to turn five of these articles into easy-to-follow, helpful how-to videos, hosted by real H&R Block tax pros.
These videos will be aimed primarily at Gen Z audiences who are newer to taxes, so your videos should be approachable and friendly, and present the information in a clear, digestible, and easy-to-follow way. Ultimately, viewers should feel informed and empowered, and should understand not only the tax topics but also their options for, and the benefits of, filing with H&R Block directly. That includes whether they choose to do so in person, online with a tax pro, or on their own using H&R Block's digital tax prep portal.
Your videos will be hosted by actual H&R Block tax pros, and H&R Block will work with the greenlit filmmaker to find one or more tax pros in your area that you can work with. How you approach the content (e.g. whether Q&A, or direct-to-camera, filming in the H&R Block retail office or on a set/location, etc.) is up to you, so long as it feels personable and friendly; we want to hear your ideas, and you should talk us through what you're envisioning in your pitch. Tone and voice will play a big part in the success of your videos, so take that into consideration. While topical education is the primary goal for each video, it's also important that viewers see H&R Block as a trustworthy and customizable tax prep partner no matter how they choose to file.
Check out the Background for the articles you'll be adapting to video to get a sense of what you'll be covering. For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: Five :60-:90 videos (16x9)
TIMELINE: HERE
EXPOSURE: We anticipate content will be used on the platforms listed below, but if casting talent, please be sure your talent reviews the required Talent Release, 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 page.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Gen Z audiences; first-time tax filers.
TONE: Informative, helpful, upbeat, confident, friendly.
EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:
By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects on our platform do move forward, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.
Your five videos should bring the following articles to life:
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.
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.
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: If you use any 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 about using each of these music providers, click on any of the providers’ names above.
If you choose to use custom or 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 content 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 beforehand, and an account will be created for you to access the library and its features. Once your video submissions are approved by the Sponsor, 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 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.