We are looking for 3 different local social-savvy filmmakers to create a suite of low-lift, lo-fi iPhone content for Meow Wolf's locations in Las Vegas, Santa Fe, and Houston, as part of an initial pilot that could lead to continuing social opportunities.
Meow Wolf is an arts production company that creates immersive, multimedia experiences that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms, inspiring creativity in people’s lives through art, exploration, and play. It's an indescribable and dynamic combination of maximalist art, interactive exploration, and non-linear storytelling, and trying to say any more than that won't do it justice. See, you can't really explain Meow Wolf, you just have to experience Meow Wolf. That means, if you're trying to get new audiences to understand what Meow Wolf is, you need to tease the experience itself, and use that to spark their curiosity and pique their interest. To do just that, Meow Wolf wants to create an ongoing stream of social content for a few of their locations, using simple social formats that can give people just a taste of what to expect.
In this project, Meow Wolf is looking for three different local filmmakers—one in Las Vegas, one in Santa Fe, and one in Houston—who can separately produce a low-lift, lo-fi suite of 5 social videos, each no more than :30, that can capture some of the wonder to be found at Meow Wolf. This ASMR-style video is a good example of the type of content Meow Wolf is looking for, and you can find other helpful references in the Background. You'll see that the POV feels subjective and personal, and that the editing style is always simple and straightforward; in fact, some videos only involve a single shot. The content is intended to hero the visuals and the experience within the Meow Wolf locations, so we're not looking to create anything that includes marketing messages or complex narratives. Meow Wolf is also going to provide some concepts and "prompts" (like the categories in the Background) for the content that they'll be looking for, so we're not necessarily looking for a campaign concept or a host of new original ideas, although they're certainly open to suggestions that fit the mold.
Importantly, we're specifically looking for local filmmakers who live within easy driving distance of these locations, and the expectation is that this is a one-person job. All you need is the latest iPhone, or another comparable smartphone, to capture the footage. We'd prefer to shoot in vertical 4K (9x16), and it'd be wise to shoot with a gimbal or some other helpful iPhone rig, but this is about low-lift, lo-fi content, and we don't want to unnecessarily complicate things. In terms of sound, you should also expect to record sound yourself so that it feels more subjective and authentic, although Meow Wolf can provide some exhibition sound if necessary. Ultimately, if you read all this and want to use a legit camera or bring along another person from your team, that's fine - we just want to be clear we're not looking for a crew.
In terms of the shoot itself, we're seeing this as a single day of shooting, but we'd strongly recommend scouting beforehand to experience Meow Wolf for yourself, if you haven't already, and to get a good sense of the production challenges you might run into, like dynamic lighting and sound, tight quarters, and interactive environments . You'll be provided with tickets and the access you need to pop in and film whatever's relevant for your content. Keep in mind that the Meow Wolf locations will likely be open to the public when you film, so you'll need to be careful not to disturb guest experiences.
Creatively, your approach will vary depending on the concept, but the footage should largely feel breezy, casual, up-close-and-personal. In pre-production, you'll work with Meow Wolf to determine what each of the 5 videos will be, and lightly develop a Treatment and Story Outline to ensure you're fully dialed in when you go to shoot. We're not anticipating any real need for scripting, outside of a line or two that might frame up what we're seeing, and we aren't expecting any voiceover or dialogue. The tone should embrace humor, and feel surreal, playful, emotional, and unexpected. We're building a mythos around Meow Wolf: it’s not just a visit, it’s a portal.
As mentioned, this project is intended to function as a pilot for continued social content creation. In success, we'd anticipate a steady stream of future opportunities at your local Meow Wolf location, with similar asks, similar budgets, and similar timelines.
For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
FOR YOUR PITCH: Your should highlight:
DELIVERABLES: Each filmmaker will deliver the following content:
EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE
EXPOSURE: We expect content will be used on the platforms below, and in the unlikely event that you're working with or 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.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
TONE/FEEL:
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.
MEOW WOLF EXAMPLES & PROMPTS:
Did you know...?
Atmospheric Art features:
Dream Questions:
Trends with a Twist:
Product Intros (Omega Mart Only)
MEOW WOLF LOCATIONS: Below are the details on both Meow Wolf locations your team can choose from for this project..
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 work with the Campaign Editor and any provide pre-production materials to prepare their own, 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.
ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: You must also provide all raw footage and signed releases for talent, location and artwork (if needed) to the Campaign Editor in order to receive final payment. You are responsible for the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.