Produce an authentic and captivating short-form social video featuring an honest testimonial about the joys and struggles of building financial independence, via the real-life experience of an independent creator, freelancer, gig worker, or small business owner.
All stories must be filmed in the U.S. and feature U.S. taxpayers.
H&R Block is looking for up to three different Tongal filmmakers to source and produce a video that features the story of an independent creator, gig worker, freelancer, and/or small business owner - people who are building real-world experiences, and who are defining life and pursuing financial freedom and success on their own terms. For this project, you'll need to source a story subject who fits the narrative goals outlined below, and then produce an engaging docu-style social video where they talk about their financial journey, complete with relevant b-roll.
Your video should feel authentic and honest, with a documentary style that feels native to social media, and a focus on the financial goals and realities that your subject faces. While you'll only be responsible for one person's story, each video will need to feel like it's part of a singular campaign, so some guidance might be provided to ensure that your approach aligns with that campaign. For H&R Block, the goal here is to share these honest, authentic, and relatable stories of people who are "Making It Work" and going after their financial dreams, through the lens of the value an H&R Block Tax Pro can add for those pursuing their own path to financial success. That could come naturally in the story of someone who worked directly with an H&R Block Tax Pro who helped them find their confidence or untangle their finances, but H&R Block is open to incorporating the messaging around the support an H&R Block Tax Pro can provide through other methods, too, including on-screen text and branding. What matters most is that this inclusion feels like a natural beat in the story, vs scripted or 'forced' branding.
Narratively, your video's story must follow a simple emotional arc: outlining the dream; overcoming a challenge; shifting and making a step forward; and then defining what's next. That could be realized as the story of a gig worker whose finances begin as a hot mess, but who's then able to create a stable foundation, and then show evidence of real growth, improving their confidence along the way. Alternately, It could follow a small business owner who's gotten too used to wearing every hat, and then realizing they have the financial stability to hire their first employee; or it could be a freelancer who was on the brink of quitting before experiencing a perspective shift that made them see how far they've actually come.
How you film these stories is somewhat up to you, so long as all three feel authentic to the subject and to target social platforms (YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and Facebook). This can mean filming on an iPhone on a gimbal, but if you're able to step the production value up slightly, that's ideal. We'd like this to feel natural and organic though, so no locked-off or heavily staged shots.
In terms of the subjects, diversity is crucial, and not just the ways our subjects have pursued their financial independence, but also race, gender, and age; this includes the need to share stories from across the U.S. The intention here is that each greenlit filmmaker will produce one video about one subject, however, if you think you have multiple qualified subjects, we encourage you to submit additional pitches (one per story/subject); this can even include yourself if your personal financial story as a filmmaker aligns with this project's goals. If your authentic story subject is not local to you, you should factor travel or a satellite production team into your production budget.
An example video can be found in the Background section, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: One up to :90 authentic story video (9x16, 1x1), pre greenlight
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 we CANNOT guarantee that usage is limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Small business owners, freelancers, creators, and gig workers – anyone pursuing their own hustle.
TONE/FEEL: Honest, authentic, relatable
EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:
AI USAGE: You may not use AI generated visual or audio assets in your final content. However, for the purposes of your pitch and pre-production materials, you are welcome to use generative AI to create visuals, storyboards, animatics, proofs-of-concept, etc. that might help the Sponsor understand your vision for creating the final content. Additionally, assistive AI tools (e.g. object removal, compositing, color grading, sound mixing, subtitling, etc.) may be used in post-production to supplement your workflow. Please keep record of any AI usage deployed in your submissions in the event that the Sponsor requests AI disclosures. If you have questions about any specific usage or tool, please ask your Tongal producer.
By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects do move forward, we'll 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 project team.
This Chime video is a good reference for overall tone and style, although we encourage you to hone your narrative approach to your subject's specific story.
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. Unless specifically requested, there's no need to include a budget with your submission.
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 BIBLE & APPROVALS: Prior to the commencement of actual production, creators MUST prepare a singular pre-production "bible" document with the elements contained below, and that document MUST receive final approval from the Sponsor. We recommend that you use the bible template we provide HERE, or something very similar. The bible can be presented in stages as different elements are ready for review (i.e. it's not expected that storyboards, if required, are ready with your first draft). Apart from the below, you're also welcome to include other key items that you think would be helpful to communicate your plan (e.g. moodboards, lighting, music, shot list, etc.).
Note that there may be multiple rounds of feedback until elements are approved, and 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 music providers: Universal Production Music, PrimalHouse, or Slipstream. 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 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.