Pitch to create the first set of episodes for Navy Federal Credit Union's reimagined YouTube Shorts series "Moments in the Mission," featuring fast-paced, human-first stories from real Navy Federal Credit Union members that demonstrate Navy Federal's focus and their mission to put members first.
*Subjects featured must be current NFCU members but do not need to be active military personal or Veterans.
**This project must film within the continental United States. The brand has a preference to shoot in the Washington, D.C. area, though this is not a mandatory.
For over 90 years, Navy Federal Credit Union has been helping their members build financial security - and we're not just talking about run-of-mill customers here, we're talking about members of the armed forces, Veterans, and their families. In their success, Navy Federal has become the largest credit union in the United States, proudly serving the unique needs of 13 million member-owners by always putting those members first. In that spirit, Navy Federal is planning to relaunch their Moments in the Mission YouTube series, which showcased Navy Federal members sharing real stories that naturally reflect Navy Federal's values. They want to revamp the focus, reformat tit for YouTube shorts and a vertical format, and make sure everything ties back to that central idea, that their members are their mission.
The goal of this project is to produce the very first episodes of the revamped Moments in the Mission series, which will involve 5 episodes, each roughly 90 seconds and optimized for YouTube Shorts. The videos will need to tell stories from a mix of different members; some who are currently serving in the military, some who have served, and members who met the eligibility requirements through a family member. Navy Federal also wants a mix of individual stories and stories that involve spouses and families. The brand is looking to cast a wide net with the stories featured but there absolutely has to be some part that revolves or relates to the member's relationship or some sort of positive interaction with Navy Federal - stories about big and small financial wins, overcoming adversity with Navy Federal's help, etc. These videos will aim to build the Navy Federal online community by delivering real, grounded, relatable stories from individuals that naturally connect back to Navy Federal. We want to drive viewer's consideration of the brand, and inspire them to check out Navy Federal for themselves.
Critically, the brand is looking for a filmmaking team that can not only develop the look and feel of the series, but that can also tap into networks of active or former service members to source subjects. The subjects do need to be current members of Navy Federal Credit Union, whether they're active duty, Veterans, or eligible family members. The cast should be in their early to mid 30's and the brand is looking to capture the diversity within their member-base by featuring a mix of genders and ethnicities within the on-screen subjects. Navy Federal will work with the greenlit filmmaker to craft the prompts for the episodes to ensure that they tie into each subject's personal stake, and that they're able to naturally weave in Navy Federal. The proposed subjects will need to agree to a possible background check prior to being fully approved to shoot as well as NFCU looking into their current membership status.
In terms of execution, Navy Federal is looking for live-action executions that can include some selfie-style content, but they are not looking for completely lo-fi, smartphone-shot content. We want this to be slightly more polished and more professional, though it is not necessary for you to have a large team or extensive production capacities to execute this project. The brand is looking for these videos to be fast-paced, human-centric docu-style videos. We're talking cold opens - no title cards needed - hooking the audience into the stories in the first few seconds and then keeping them watching to hear the entire story being shared. They want to see the subjects in real environments - not in a studio or against a white cyc - with authentic b-roll of the subjects and maybe even some BTS footage from the shoot to create visual variance all delivered with subtle branding. Regardless of the exact execution, you should anticipate the need for light motions graphic package to be incorporated into the episodes for things like lower thirds, on-screen text, burned in captions for all spoken dialogue, and graphics.
The brand wants each video to feature a different subject or subjects, but they are open to reusing the same location or type of location across each episode, if that makes sense creatively, as long as there is enough variance so that it doesn't feel like a canned set. The team is leaning towards showing the subjects in relatable lifestyle setting, in a home or another place that speaks to their personality/story. There are some reference videos in the Background section to help orient you on other executions similar to what the Navy Federal team is looking to capture. As mentioned, there is a preference to shoot in the Washington, D.C. area - where the Navy Federal HQ is located - but they are open to other locations as long as they're within the contiguous United States.
With this being the first set of videos, we would also be looking to the greenlit filmmaker to help establish the overall structure for the episodes. You can find a rough outline of a video structure in the Background section that can be used but this is solely a starting point, and the brand is looking for ideas on what you imagine both the look and the structure of the episodes to be. One thing to flag is that while the Navy Federal logo may be present in the frame at all times (excluding potential end cards), we want to think about how we might be able to creatively bring in the Navy Federal branding - whether it's colors, iconography, etc. - in subtle ways across the episodes. Be sure to tell us more about your vision for the look and feel of the show in your pitch.
Should all go well in this pilot project, the greenlit filmmaking team may be selected to move forward in developing further episodes, either directly or stepping into more of a campaign director capacity, where you might oversee other teams around the United States filming with different subjects. Please note that this opportunity is NOT guaranteed at this stage, but it's Navy Federal's intent is to establish an ongoing work stream for this series moving forward.
FOR YOUR PITCH: Your pitch treatment should include 2-3 NFCU members that you have access to or connected with that could be featured as subjects. We're also looking to see how you would approach sourcing the remaining talent to feature for the episodes, show how you would approach the look and feel of the series, and where you are located/plan to shoot.
For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: There are 10 total video assets.
EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE
RELEVANT ASSETS: 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: Gen-Z and Millennials aged 25-44 who are currently serving in the military or have served as well as their spouses and family members.
TONE/FEEL: Thoughtful, earnest, genuine, lighthearted, humorous but not overly silly, natural, inspiring.
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.
THOUGHT STARTER STORY STRUCTURE:
HELPFUL REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR STYLE INSPIRATION ONLY:
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.