The USA Network wants editors and filmmakers to develop formats for promotional movie content by first creating a proof-of-concept video that ties the content to their tagline: We The Bold.

Unapologetic. Brave. Risky. Relevant. Provocative. This is USA. Whether you’ve gone down the rabbit hole with MR. ROBOT’s hackers, or you’re taking parenting advice from the king of tell-it-like-it-is on CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST, you know USA is a network that champions unlikely heroes and authentic storytellers – the kind of characters that take viewers on incredible journeys with high stakes and real consequences. They take a stand, and they take us out of our comfort zone. All of this explains their tagline: We The Bold.We the Bold is an open invitation to face an uncertain future together – as we the network, we the characters, and we the viewers. It’s a promise to tell authentic stories about people who take big risks to pursue their dreams, and it reflects the values that viewers admire: bravery, authenticity, self-reliance, positivity, and resilience. Check out their anthem video here.

So where do you fit in, if you're an editor or a filmmaker? USA often partners with movie studios to create all sorts of promotional video content that promotes some of the most highly anticipated upcoming movie releases. But, since We The Bold is reflected in everything on USA, they’re looking for creative ways to make sure that content ties into their tagline, and into the ideas that their tagline represents. These are a few great examples that illustrate what we mean, using content they’ve done for movies, and content they’ve done for other partnerships:

• First Man
• Glass
• USA Drawing Board / Lay’s
• USA Drawing Board / Toyota

The idea here is that USA wants a promotional movie franchise, which would be a repeatable series of short USA-branded videos that take a look at movies with USA’s unique point-of-view. This is not about just re-branding movie trailers; it’s an opportunity for USA to add value and offer something exclusive to viewers. A single franchise has the same structure, point-of-view, graphics, shooting style, or shot selection, but the promoted movie would be different in every execution. The ultimate goal is driving people to theaters to see the movie, so movie studios get value when viewers say, “Hell yeah! I can’t wait to see this in theaters!”

To create a franchise, we first need a repeatable format, and that’s your task. Since it’s hard just to describe this kind of thing, we’re looking for proof-of-concept videos that illustrate a format. So, ask yourself, what’s a “We the Bold” take on cast interviews? Or behind-the-scenes clips? If you’re using a trailer, do you use the whole trailer, or just a scene that reflects USA’s ethos? Maybe this is about highlighting members of the crew that take bold risks to bring the film’s most memorable scenes to life. There is no single right answer – USA may use different formats for different films, or even different formats for a variety of looks at the same film. 

Here’s what else you need to know:

• This is just an internal proof-of-concept video, so you may use any existing movie footage. Luckily for us, most franchise formats USA uses are clip-based, and the internet is full of clips, so you can use those for your proof-of-concept. This includes trailers, behind-the-scenes clips, interviews, etc.; anything that you can find online that can illustrate your approach to the franchise format. What will then distinguish your submission is a distinctive use of editing, text copy, transitions, graphics, and animations. USA is not looking for polish – just that you communicate your vision clearly. 
• Your Proof-of-Concept video should be either 30, or 60 seconds in length. We won't be totally strict about 30 or 60 for a proof-of-concept video, but these are the two most common durations for their movie promotion franchises and you should be able to fit any format into this amount of time. 
• Franchise Formats are typically driven by Text & Title Cards, and USA tries to stay away from using VO in the body of the vignettes. That said, if VO is included in a clip that's incorporated into your video, that's fine, especially in the title and title card beats. Otherwise, using original VO isn’t a total non-starter, but you should lean away from it. 
• They must feel authentic to the voice and style of USA and resonates We the Bold – Unapologetic. Self-assured. Positive. Distinctive. Real. USA creates value with content that wouldn’t make sense coming from any other media partner. You are NOT required to use the We The Bold tagline, so your format should have language that supports the brand sentiment. 
• All Formats should include the USA logo lower third lock-up with movie title and in-theaters date throughout, except when there are other GFX or titles competing with it. 
• You’ll be able to include a description with additional information on what you might include in a franchise format. If your idea involves USA shooting new footage, tell us so, but using existing clips to demonstrate what that’d look like. If there’s an animation style that you can’t fully execute at the proof-of-concept stage, feel free to elaborate.
• The intent is that the best proof-of-concept video will lead to a franchise engagement. If you succeed, you’d have the opportunity to apply your format to actual upcoming movie releases. 

Check out more details below…

The goal of this project is to help USA develop a franchise format for promotional movie content by first creating a proof-of-concept video that ties everything into their tagline: We The Bold. Your proof-of-concept video can be up to 60 seconds in length, and you may make use of any video footage that you can find online, with the understanding that your video will not be publicly distributed. 

Three (3) proof-of-concept video submissions will be selected by USA, and USA will use those submissions to determine whether and how it will move forward with the promotional movie franchise format. They will also use the proof-of-concept videos to determine if one of the two winning Filmmakers will be selected to work with USA on the video franchise. In order to be considered for the franchise, you must first submit a proof-of-concept video in this project. 

--Assets: The USA logo graphic is included in the assets as a static image, and as a short video. As a reminder, you aren't required to use We The Bold text in your video, given that your call-to-action is about the movie you're promoting. Also, as you will NOT be delivering a video for public deployment, you may use any existing video that you find online, and if you any stock assets, you will not be required to purchase those assets, and you may instead deliver watermarked footage with your proof-of-concept video submission.

--Tone:

• This should speak with a voice that reflects USA and “We the Bold,” and that is: unapologetic, self-assured, positive, distinctive, and inspiring.
• For some additional guidance, check out these network teases. They leverage USA shows, so they’re not stylistically what you’ll want to do, but they capture the tone;
  • DRAMA
  • COMEDY 

--Exposure:

• Videos would be distributed on USA owned channels and digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, as well as the USA website, and potentially on air.

This Project will be worth a total of $2,250 and consists of 1 Phase: a Proof-of-Concept Video Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: PROOF-OF-CONCEPT VIDEO – All Editors & Creators are invited to submit a proof-of-concept video. Submissions should include:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing your approach to executing a franchise format, and elaborating on anything that you can’t capture directly in your proof-of-concept video.
• Proof-of-Concept Video (REQUIRED): This is your actual proof-of-concept video submission, and may be up to 60-seconds in length, with any existing or watermarked stock video and image assets included, as well as music and SFX. You will not have revisions on this submission before USA makes a selection. 
• 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 (Optional): If you wish to include example visuals or elaborate beyond the Proof-of-Concept Video and text field, you may include a short treatment with additional information about what's going to happen in the franchise format. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a Treatment template, which you can find here.

Three (3) of the most compelling Proof-of-Concept Videos will be selected by USA, and each will receive $750. 

All Proof-of-Concept Videos will remain private. 

USA will determine whether to move forward with a franchise format based on the proof-of-concept video, and ultimately if that filmmaker will be selected to create the videos.  

--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.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 90 seconds in length. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p 16x9. Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should you be selected as winner, you will also be required to provide a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec.

2. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.

3. In the event you utilize any third party materials, such as music provided by a third-party music provider not provided by Tongal, you must obtain full written license and consent from the owner of such third party materials and provide such license and consent forms to Tongal.

4. BY SUBMITTING A VIDEO ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.

5. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

6. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

7. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.

8. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.

9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

11. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.

12. In addition to the judging criteria stated in the OFFICIAL RULES, Pitches will also be evaluated on that member's ability to execute the final Video based on their prior work and experience as a filmmaker.

13. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Videos without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.

14. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, winning Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their winning Videos, as well as a photograph/headshot OR copy of a photo ID for all On-camera Talent releases. You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec to claim your award.

15. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.