Working from provided scripts, create a suite of short social content to encourage small business owners to file their taxes with Block Advisors by H&R Block.
Running a small business, being your own boss, or holding down a side hustle is a complex endeavor, and that's before tax season descends with its own myriad complications, piling even more work onto already-overflowing plates. Block Advisors from H&R Block are small business certified tax pros with an average of 15 years of experience, and they guarantee accurate tax returns, helping clients find every credit and every deduction they deserve. Not only that, they do it all for up to 30% less, on average, than a typical CPA would. So whether filing online, in person, or by dropping documents off at the local H&R Block office, filing with Block Advisors makes running a small business just a little bit easier.
To help create awareness around some of the incredible services and benefits that come in filing with Block Advisors, we're looking for two different filmmakers who can each create a separate suite of :06-:15 social videos (for YouTube, Meta, and TikTok), speaking to different types of small business audiences about the Block Advisors benefits. There are two suites involved here, and one will go to each filmmaker. Suite 1 will involve side hustlers, handy pros, contractors, landscapers, and realtors, while Suite 2 will involve general small business owners and caregivers. Suite 1 has a few less deliverables and requires less cast than Suite 2, so each suite has a different budget associated with it to reflect the scope. While H&R Block will provide scripts with specific claims for each suite, we've included some sample claims in the Background to give you a sense of what to expect.
This is a fast-moving project, so H&R Block will be providing scripts with key talking points for the different videos, and that should help streamline pre-production. That said, it's important that we nail the casting here, and with such a quick timeline, we'll need you to get ahead of things and include options in the Pitch Phase. The types of roles are indicated by the intended audiences (e.g. "caregiver," or "realtor"), and we're looking for a diverse range of talent between ages 25 and 50 for those roles. You shouldn't need more than 1 person for each role. Beyond that, the creative ask is about bringing the talking points in the provided scripts to life in snappy, digestible, and memorable ways. Scripts won't be available until AFTER the Pitch Phase closes (~01/17), so we're not expecting fleshed out creative pitches here. Instead, what we'll be looking for in pitches is a proven ability to create compelling, attention-holding social content that incorporates clear brand messaging, while featuring relatable, engaging talent.
In terms of location and production design, it's hard to provide exact details without scripts or additional context, but you can expect to show talent in either a nondescript location, a "home" location (where they might be doing their own taxes), or something representative of their business (e.g. a coffee shop, photography studio, etc.). You will NOT be able to film at H&R Block locations, so don't consider that option. You'll likely only need a few setups for each location, and whatever approach you opt for, since this is social-first anyway, we'd anticipate tighter angles and more of a focus on the talent themselves, so production design considerations would be minimized. While H&R Block will provide scripts with specific claims, we've included some sample claims in the Background to give you a sense of what to expect.
By pitching on this project, please note that you may be greenlit for either suite of content. We are also asking for casting options in the Pitch Phase. For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: There are two suites of content, with different deliverable totals. You will be assigned to one OR the other.
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 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:
TONE/FEEL: Engaging, light-hearted, informative, trustworthy, friendly.
EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:
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.
Block Advisors, a part of H&R Block, helps lighten the load for small business owners and the self-employed with expert tax preparation and other relevant services – so you feel confident and at ease.
Tax Resource Articles:
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.
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 three music providers: Jingle Punks, Universal Production Music and Epidemic Sound. 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 choose to 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.