Bust out that dope DJ controller you've got and prepare to vibe. T-Mobile's looking for two filmmakers to each produce a chill and visually captivating one-hour long live-action DJ set, which they'll throw up on their YouTube channel to offer people a bit of a sonic escape as they get through their day.
The goal of this project is to film a 1 hour live-action DJ set with some kind of interesting visual concept and a great playlist. T-Mobile is also looking for you to incorporate Magenta Status benefits without breaking the "rules" of lo-fi videos. For instance, maybe it's set on a plane set where the DJ's using T-Mobile's inflight WiFi to coordinate their setlist and lighting display, or maybe they're jamming out with friends at home when they place a DoorDash order using their T-Mobile Dashpass. Whatever benefits you choose to highlight, you should look for subtle ways to incorporate the benefits into your videos so it feels natural to your DJ, to any additional talent, and to the overall setting. You should really look to capitalize on how T-Mobile's benefits seamlessly fit into and help elevate their customers' everyday lifestyles, while making sure the video does not feel like a T-Mobile ad that is in your face with benefits and branding.
Importantly, in terms of the actual music, you can pull tracks from either one of Tongal's stock music libraries (Slipstream Music, PrimalHouse, or Universal Production Music), or create wholly original musical compositions. We'd encourage that some of your tracks include lyrics, if you can find stuff that works well within the libraries. There's also no additional budget to negotiate for music rights on new tracks. All this means you cannot include any major published artists, so Khruangbin's out, and you can't use your friend's band either (...unless they're willing to sign the Tongal release).
We will also be looking to have two YouTube Shorts videos, up to 3 minutes each, that will ultimately be pulled from your one-hour-long video, but knowing that these will be in vertical form for Shorts, we would suggest you include how you plan to make these separate videos unique and engaging for the intended shorter form social format. You will also want this asset to serve as a teaser that would engage viewers to watch the full-length video on YouTube.
Visually, we'd check out the examples of past T-Mobile DJ sets in the Background section, where you'll see a few examples of what other lo-fi videos they have been liking and some of the DJ sets we have created in the past. While the latest sets were more summer focused, these sets should be more evergreen so that the can be used any time of the year, as long as they incorporate Magenta Status benefits in a creative and unique way. We are planning to greenlight two filmmakers. One will handle a more upbeat set (like the warehouse DJ set linked below) and the other will handle a more chill version (like the plant shop video). Please make it clear in your pitch which set you'd like to take on, but feel free to pitch on both.
Production should be relatively simple, and it's totally reasonable for this to be a 1 or 2-person setup, though we would love to see some additional talent in the background or interacting with our DJ throughout the video. You could certainly just set up a single tripod and record yourself DJ-ing for an hour, but you'll note that many of the example videos use multiple cameras, so you could also consider using 2 or 3 GoPros and cutting back and forth between them. We want dynamic visual interest here, and while we don't want to constantly cut back and forth between each camera for an hour straight, having multiple angles does help you create visual interest and freshen things up. You might also dance a bit, move around, or find something else to do so that you're part of the visual interest. Either way, you'll also note in the examples that production design feels particularly curated and thoughtful, and whatever approach you decide to take, it probably helps to think of some ways to incorporate a bit of T-Mobile branding - without making the video too brand-focused.
Ultimately, we're looking for unique approaches and creative ways to make this feel unexpected and fresh, and T-Mobile has a distinct voice that is vibrant and playful, celebratory and quirky, confident and tech-forward, so your video should evoke those same vibes. The color magenta (#E20074) is key too and should be incorporated in subtle, not overly-branded ways.
For your pitch, if you - or whomever you're partnering with - has DJ experience and/or a musical background, please highlight it. Once you decide on your approach, we also encourage you to create an awesome title to go along with your video. To see some of the recent videos T-Mobile has shared, check out more information in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: There is three total video assets and three static assets, per filmmaker.
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, e 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 Millennial active social users in the US, with a focus on those ages 18-34
TONE/FEEL: Energetic, soothing, vibrant, modern, quirky
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.
HELPFUL REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION/TONE:
PAST T-MOBILE DJ SET VIDEOS:
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 Jingle Punks. 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.