Create a video that celebrates the proudly family-owned and –operated heritage and employees of Jack Link’s.

When is a meat snack more than a meat snack? When it’s Jack Link’s. And while the distinction certainly comes from quality ingredients and spices, that’s not what we’re here to talk about. We’re here to take a step back from snacks and recipes and focus, instead, on what really sets Jack Link’s apart from the competition: the company’s pioneer spirit and awesome products, brought to you by the courageous creators who work there.

You see, Jack Link’s has a pretty unique corporate culture with no BS that encourages their employees to embrace their wild sides. Basically, it’s a pretty fun place to work – and Jack Link’s understandably wants to celebrate that in a fun internal marketing video.

We’ve got a script, which you can tinker with as you see fit. We’ve even got the man himself – Sasquatch. And we’ve got Mr. Jack Link, too. What we need is your filmmaking skills to bring it all to life…so read on to the Project Objectives for more.

The goal of this project is to create one 2-2:30 minute internal corporate video; a 60-second cutdown; a 30-second cutdown; and five stills.  

So, here’s the lowdown: we’ve got a script, which you can give a spin of your own to better fit the celebratory and unique tone we’re looking for. And we’ve got talent, in the form of real-life Jack Link’s employees, Sasquatch, and both Jack Link and his son and CEO, Troy Link, themselves. We’ve also got locations, four of them to be exact:

• Minong, WI
• New Glarus, WI
• Alpena, SD
• Minneapolis, MN
  
  

What we’re looking for from you is a brush-up on the script (not a full rewrite) and your comedic filmmaking expertise. You’re going to need to work fast, stay organized, and be great at coaching real people to deliver short but humorous lines convincingly. Not a small feat, but a lot of fun for the right filmmaker.

Basically, if you had to sum up Jack Link’s story and culture in a few words, what would it be? How would you bring their unique culture to life in a way that is fun and watchable?

Note that this project has a pretty expedited timeline that does require travel. Please read the below thoroughly and make sure you can work within the constraints we’re setting, and please take note, too, of what’s required in your Pitch submissions so we can stay on-track with the timeline:

Project Launch                                                 May 4

Pitch Phase                                                       May 4–10

Internal Review                                                May 10–11

Sponsor Review                                              May 11–15

Pitch Winner Announced                               May 15

Pre-Production Phase                                     May 15–22

Pre-Production Call                                        May 16

Production and Post Phase                            May 22–June 5

Revisions Phase                                                June 5–21

First Cut Full-Length Video Due                     June 5

Sponsor Reviews First Cut                             June 5–6

Filmmaker Revises Video                                 June 6–8

Sponsor Reviews Final Cut                             June 8

Filmmaker Makes Final Tweaks                      June 8–9

Final Cut Full-Length Video Due                     June 12 by 9AM PT

First Cut Cut-Downs Due                                 June 14

Sponsor Reviews Cut-Downs                        June 14–16

Filmmaker Revises Cut-Downs                       June 16–19

Final Cut Cut-Downs Due                                June 19

Master Files Delivered, Project Closes        June 23

As for style/tone, this video for Harry’s Shaving should be your north star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYWCUGmGuss

In your Pitch, your Treatment should outline how you’d approach the script (available in the Assets tab), including any changes you’d make to it. 

PRE-PRODUCTION NOTE: This project includes a Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). This means you will be required to submit certain items for Approval before moving onto the Video Phase. The Approval items for this project are:

• 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.
  
  Yes, we already have a script (see the Assets tab) but we really feel like this can be tightened up and the themes of celebrating heritage and employees with a unique tone can be heightened. We’re not asking for a full rewrite, but your Pitches should include your take on the script.

IMPORTANT: 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.

If you’re selected as a Pitch Winner, a Tongal producer will email you to help walk you through the Pre-Production and Approvals process.

NOTE: The final cut of the full-length, 2-2:30 minute video will be due no later than 9am PT on Monday, June 12. The cutdowns and stills will be due at the close of the Video Phase.  Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos. At the close of the Video Phase, you will also need to deliver a drive of your raw and project files.

--Key Marketing Messages:    Jack Link’s corporate culture and employees are as unique  as the brand itself.

--Target Audience: 

Full-length video: Jack Link’s global employees

Cut-downs: Jack Link’s consumers

--Executional Mandatories: 

Your video must convey the unique, courageously creative, and fun story and heritage of the Jack Link’s brand and its employees around the world.

--Tone:    Fun, tongue-in-cheek; Jack Link’s is a company that takes what it does seriously but doesn’t take itself too seriously. No corporate BS, just a focus on a unique culture.

--Exposure:

Full-length video: internal

Cut-downs: Jack Link’s social (platforms TBD)

This Project will be worth a total of $45,000 and consists of four Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase and a Revisions Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: 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 (Optiona): 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 $20,000 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 $25,000. 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 2: PRE-PRODUCTION – The Pitch Winner 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.
  
  Yes, we already have a script (see the Assets tab) but we really feel like this can be tightened up and the themes of celebrating heritage and employees with a unique tone can be heightened. We’re not asking for a full rewrite, but your Pitches should include your take on the script.

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 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner will create a 2-2:30 minute Video based upon their winning Pitch.

NOTE: The final cut of the full-length, 2-2:30 minute video will be due no later than 9am PT on Monday, June 12. The cutdowns and stills will be due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos. At the close of the Video Phase, the filmmaker will also need to deliver a drive of all raw and project files.

After revisions are completed (see the Revisions Phase details for more information), the Pitch winner will receive prizes.

--Video Phase Payout: The Pitch winner will receive $25,000 at the close of the Video Phase.

--Music: Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Killer Tracks 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 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% (up to $500) 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.

PHASE 4: REVISIONS – Once the Video Phase has closed, the Pitch winner will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, the filmmaker will perform reasonable edits on their Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. Once the Videos are finalized, the Sponsor will rank the Videos and winners will be announced.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 2:30 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 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 Videos 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.