We are looking for multiple filmmaking teams to conduct two different 1-day shoots featuring Walden University alumni; one in Michigan, and one in New Jersey. You will be responsible for all aspects of physical production – including location, wardrobe, and HMU – in coordination with a Campaign Director who will supply storyboards and creative guidance for your shoot, and handle all post-production.
Walden University, an Adtalem Global Education institution, is an online university that supports a diverse community of adult learners who seek to achieve their academic goals and make positive, lasting social change in their professions and communities.
Walden University wants to bring the voices of its alumni forward to help tell the Walden story as part of a new campaign entitled, "Set a Course for Change," and so we'll be filming 2 different Walden graduates who've gone into the fields of nursing and education. We'll profile them as they tell their stories, and can talk about how Walden and their degree have provided them with the educational credentials, confidence, and skills to reach their leadership potential to improve their communities. One of the graduates lives in New Jersey, and one lives in Michigan, and both may be filmed within the same production window, so we'll need two different production teams to accomplish this, while still ensuring that all of the content feels coherent and consistent with the larger campaign objectives.
The brand has already brought on a Campaign Director to oversee the creative development for the new campaign, so for this project, we're looking for up to two teams who can handle local physical production. Raw footage from these shoots will be provided to the Campaign Director, who will handle ALL post-production and delivery. Details about the alumni and their specific locations will be provided to the pitch winners, but we have the general info below:
Shoot dates are still being confirmed and are subject to change owing to the alumni's availability (they're real people, managing busy lives), but it is likely that you will need to conduct a one-day video shoot and conduct a tech scout prior to the shoot itself.
You are NOT being asked to pitch a creative take here as the goal is to align seamlessly with the format established by the brand and the Campaign Director. We have detailed out this approach in the Background section below, including the need for a standalone social shoot to capture some tailor-made 9x16 footage, and with that in mind, understand that we are prioritizing filmmaking teams that have a proven ability to manage and direct real people in a docu-style or testimonial setting.
Once selected, you'll work closely with the Campaign Director and their team throughout pre-production and production. The Campaign Director and their team will provide creative & technical pre-production guides as well as storyboards and shot lists for you to follow when shooting. Your team will be responsible for locations, wardrobe styling, set decoration for any featured props (as needed), and all talent hair & makeup. Our assumption is that each shoot will involve two locations: a residence, and a place of work, but that will ultimately be dependent on the person and their story, and what kind of B-roll is needed. It's possible that each alum may provide their own wardrobe, but you shouldn't count on it, and instead plan on providing options for them.
The Campaign Director will be joining your shoot remotely to provide real-time feedback during production and ensure everything is aligning with their vision, and there may be also local Walden University or Tongal representatives on set in person. After the shoot you will be asked to send proxy files to the Campaign Director digitally, as well as ship a hard drive to them with all raw footage and photos. You will not be responsible for any video or photo post-production services.
Please note you do NOT need to be based in any of the Alumni locations to pitch on this project, but there is no additional travel budget available, and any crew travel or lodging should be covered under your production budget. In your pitch materials, you MUST introduce the team you would be working with on this project. We're breaking down more details about the process, as well as some budgeting assumptions, below. If you have any questions, ask away in the forum.
IF YOU ARE SELECTED:
FOR YOUR PITCH: Your pitch should primarily highlight:
DELIVERABLES: Digital or physical delivery of all proxy files, hard drive delivery of all raw footage.
EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE
EXPOSURE & RIGHTS: 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 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.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Adults – 25-54, racially and ethnically diverse. They are Career Climbers, they have a specific job in mind and understand the requirement to continue to grow in that career to serve the needs of their diverse client base and make the impact they want to make in the world. They are looking to get the next degree to gain greater confidence and satisfaction in their career and to be taken seriously.
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.
BUDGETING ASSUMPTIONS:
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.
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 REQUIREMENTS: Prior to the commencement of actual production, creators MUST receive final approval from the Sponsor on the elements below. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until an element is approved.
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.
ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: You must also provide all raw footage and signed releases for talent, location and artwork (if needed) to the Campaign Director in order to receive 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.