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SmartStyle All Seasons Video Project
Past
0 Days, 00:00:00
Ended November 1st, 2018
Project Specifics
  • Worldwide
Ended 2881 Days Ago
SmartStyle
SmartStyle All Seasons Video Project
Pitch
09/14/18 - 09/18/18
Pre-Production
09/21/18 - 10/25/18
Video
10/25/18 - 11/01/18


Working with Tongal, SmartStyle is looking to create short digital videos to promote its in-salon services and drive brand awareness.



SmartStyle is a full-service hair salon owned by Regis, but located inside Walmart. They serve busy modern families who look for services that provide a good value to help them connect the dots and live better. The stylists are friendly and professionally trained to give customers the look they want at an affordable price.


Working with Tongal, SmartStyle is looking to create short digital videos (6 and 15-second) to promote its in-salon services and drive brand awareness.


Interested? Please read below for additional information:

  • Using this video as inspiration (as well as other videos on the SmartStyle YouTube channel), SmartStyle is looking for a different take on the concept of “Look Good, Feel Good, No Matter the Season with SmartStyle.”
  • While the video should be appropriate for all seasons, the focus should be more on reasons to visit SmartStyle.
  • In your treatment please outline how you will bring the concept to life and how you could create at least one other edit of the videos (6 and 15-second) using the same/ similar footage.
  • We’re looking for an evergreen video that could be used any time of the year. 
  •  The client prefers the stop-motion style of this video as well as their back-to-school video. 
  • The timeline is TIGHT with no room for delays. We will need rough cuts by October 9 and finals by October 17.



The goal of this project is to create short digital videos (6 and 15-second) to promote SmartStyle’s in-salon services and drive brand awareness.



You will need to create ONE (1) 15-second video with a 6-second cut-down. However, the client would like to see at least one other edit of the 15-second video and 6-second cut-down to maximize the footage.


You will need to optimize each 15-second video for Facebook and YouTube. The 6-second video will only need to be optimized for YouTube. See Facebook and YouTube best practices here.


See the breakdown below:

  • :15 Optimized for Facebook (Edit 1)
  • :15 Optimized for Facebook (Edit 2)
  • :15 Optimized for YouTube (Edit 1)
  • :15 Optimized for YouTube (Edit 2)
  • :6 Optimized for YouTube (Edit 1)
  • :6 Optimized for YouTube (Edit 2)


Casting Notes:

  • We’re looking for a multi-ethnic cast.
  • Cast must be willing to get their haircut.


--Key Marketing Messages: 

  • Engage potential SmartStyle customers to draw them into the salon to get easy, affordable haircuts for their whole family.
  • Position SmartStyle as a professional, quality haircare salon (and help dispel the thought that it’s a Walmart salon with Walmart employee cutting hair).
  • Create interest and awareness in the SmartStyle brand.


--Target Audience:

  • Women under 45 who shop at Walmart and seek to efficiently get through her to-do list and wants to stretch her dollar in every way possible.
  • Walmart Shoppers who didn’t know they could get a haircut at Walmart.


--Executional Mandatories:

  • SmartStyle Hair Salons Logo 
  • Title card with URL
  • You must also provide closed captioning with your video in WebVTT format.
  • Must follow the digital color and viewability standards set by SmartStyle (guide to be provided to the pitch winner).


--Tone: Energetic, Upbeat


--Brand Values: Friendly, Warm, Welcoming, Confident, A Good Listener, Helpful, as convenient as but distinctively different from Walmart.


--Exposure: Customer emails, in-store Digital displays, SmartStyle social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube as well as the SmartStyle website.


Facebook Best Practices


  • Design tight stories that answer the questions: “What is it?” “Why would the audience care?” and “Why would the audience share?”  Usually these are the three answers…
  • “Oh that’s so me” – the video is relatable.
  • This video made the viewer feel something, and they want to share the emotional gift.
  • Resonates with a belief of the viewer. This video explains it better than they could.


  • The first few seconds are the most important so consider leading with a hook, or telling your story in a non-linear manner.The introduction to the video is critical, and slow builds do not work in the Facebook platform. You might also consider using a "Trailer" approach with 2-3 lines of copy up front to frame/present the video.


  • Don’t Bury the Lead. Introduce the brand in the first 3 seconds, however, the brand should be introduced cleverly and NOT via a standard product beauty shot.


  • Storytelling needs to be driven by visuals so you should be able to convey the important parts of the story without relying on sound at all. Tell visually engaging stories, and try to give your video a constant rhythm. Use text graphics, new frames, characters and settings to move the story forward. It is recommended that something visual happens every 3-5 seconds.


  • Shoot your Video with a 1:1 square aspect ratio in mind. Don’t put yourself in a position where you’re cropping out important visuals in post-production because you shot in 16:9 or widescreen. Embrace the format.


  • Use a Call-to-Action to invite people to a website or follow a hashtag.


  • Review your edits on a mobile device. You really need to do this because 90% or more of the audience will be viewing your video on their phone.



This project will be worth a total of $25,000 and consists of a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, and a Revisions Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.


PHASE 1: PITCH - Submit your pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the sponsor why you should be selected to execute a SmartStyle video using:


  • Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute these suites of videos.


  • Links (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, cinematography, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.


  • Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in your suite of videos. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.


  • Script (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create. 


  • Storyboards (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.


  • Headshots/Casting Boards (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc. 


  • Pitch Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the sponsor and show them what you're capable of. Consider submitting a pitch video in which you tell the sponsor what they can expect should they choose your pitch. Also, test videos, animatic, etc. are welcome.   


The most compelling pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive a production advance subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Additionally, upon submitting a suite of videos that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning pitch, completing sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor the pitch winner will then receive a final payment.


For an example of an effective pitch, check out The Indie Machines winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGO Bricks” pitch video. All pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the project is complete. 


PHASE 2: PRE-PRODUCTION - The winner from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will need to receive the following approvals from the brand: 


  • SCRIPT - This project requires script approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand may provide feedback on your script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback.
  • HEADSHOT - This project requires headshot approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.
  • STORYBOARD - This project requires storyboard approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand may provide feedback on your storyboard and ask you to submit a new version of the storyboard. 
  • LOCATION - This project requires location approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. This means you will need to submit multiple images of your primary filming. The brand may provide feedback on your location and ask you to submit additional photos or to find a new location and submit images for that. 
  • WARDROBE - This project requires wardrobe approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You will need to submit descriptions and/or pictures of your cast’s wardrobe. You must submit at least two wardrobe options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new wardrobe options.


No filmmakers may begin shooting their video until all approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your video during the Pre-Production Phase before you have received final approval, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense).


For your convenience, we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a Treatment, Production Budget, Storyboards, Shot List, Call Sheet, and a Music Cue Sheet. They can all be accessed here.


PHASE 3: VIDEO - Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the pitch winner will create ONE (1) 15-second video with a 6-second cut-down. However, the client would like to see at least one other edit of the 15-second video and 6-second cut-down to maximize the footage.

You will need to optimize each 15-second video for Facebook and YouTube. The 6-second video will only need to be optimized for YouTube. See Facebook and YouTube best practices here.


See the breakdown below:

  • :15 Optimized for Facebook (Edit 1)
  • :15 Optimized for Facebook (Edit 2)
  • :15 Optimized for YouTube (Edit 1)
  • :15 Optimized for YouTube (Edit 2)
  • :6 Optimized for YouTube (Edit 1)
  • :6 Optimized for YouTube (Edit 2)


--Music: Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Killer Tracks, and Epidemic Sound, any of which can be used to source music for your video submission to this project. 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 separate Music Release Form. To learn more about using each of these music providers, click on any of the provider’s names above. 


Tongal members interested in a more customized music solution for your project are invited to connect with our partner Score A Score. Email a brief description of your project (timing, creative, budget, etc.), along with any specific music direction and/or references to their creative team at music@scoreascore.com and include “Tongal Project - Your Name” in the subject line. Their creative team will be in touch within a few minutes to discuss the simple process and options with you. Please note that you will be responsible for the fees associated with using Score A Score. 


If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. If you obtain music from third-party catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with your license purchase receipt when you turn in your video paperwork.


PHASE 4: REVISIONS - Once the Video Phase has closed, the winning submitters will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?) During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the sponsor’s feedback. 


PHASE 5: ASSETS DELIVERY - 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 will be responsible for the costs associated with the hard drive (if necessary) and shipping.


For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post-production please click here.