Working from provided scripts, create a suite of three :15 videos that demonstrate the expertise that H&R Block Tax Pros bring to a variety of tax prep needs with clarity and relatability.
There are some things you can trust to the internet, like what time will the sun set tonight?, or who is Taylor Swift marrying? But some questions just need an expert to weigh in with facts and advice. Like, can you get your tax refund early? Or what forms do you need to file if you made money in the stock market or invested in crypto this year? And maybe most of all for this upcoming tax season, how will the new changes to the tax code – also known as OB3 – impact your taxes?
These are some of the hottest topics H&R Block expects taxpayers – i.e., all of us – to be curious about this year, so they're looking for a Tongal filmmaker to produce a suite of three :15 videos (with :06 cutdowns) that cover these exact questions. Using scripts provided by H&R Block, your videos should be friendly and approachable; the goal is to give viewers confidence that filing with an H&R Block Tax Pro, online or in-person, is the best way to correctly file their taxes to get their maximum refund.
Your videos should be structured around casting a friendly neighborhood tax pro persona in a home office/podcast-like setup, giving advice directly to camera. You should be prepared to present talent options that match the affable, helpful vibe that these Tax Pros are known for, and you should plan to incorporate lightweight text graphics and potentially some tax product cutaways to drive home key information. Along with providing scripts H&R Block can provide UI elements and assets if needed.
Full scripts will be provided upon greenlight, but the topics for this suite include:
Some similar videos, including a couple that Tongal produced for H&R Block's tax season 2025, are shared in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: There are 12 total video assets.
EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE (and HERE as a PDF, if GDrive isn't working for you at the moment). Please note this project has an expedited timeline, with final delivery needed by 12/15.
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: Broad taxpaying audiences; Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z, newlyweds, and new investors.
TONE/FEEL: Helpful, approachable, knowledgeable; not condescending or insider-y.
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.
While these videos served more of an SEO purpose for YouTube audiences, and utilized more screen inserts than this suite will require, they serve as a good reference for tone, style, and overall approach for your content:
Small Business Taxes – Filing Quarterly
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. 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.