Create a :30 TrueView video introducing Apollo Neuro, a wearable device that uses soothing vibrations to help restore balance to your nervous system.

Everyone in the world experiences the daily impacts of chronic stress, leaving people feeling anxious, under-slept, fatigued, distracted, and irritable. Apollo Neuro is a wellness wearable that improves your body’s resilience to stress, so you can relax, sleep, focus, recover, and feel better. It’s like a wearable hug for your nervous system that helps you be a calmer, more mindful version of yourself. Apollo’s brand purpose is harnessing neuroscience to facilitate a better version of yourself, and anyone who wants to strengthen their resilience to stress and live a healthier life can benefit from the Apollo wearable. 

The goal of this project then is to create a :30 live action video that introduces viewers to the Apollo Neuro brand, highlighting the positive effect that it can have on a person's resilience to stress. The video should end with a soft call-to-action that drives viewers to visit Apollo Neuro's website to read the science and the reviews supporting the product, as well as purchase an Apollo wearable!

Apollo Neuro is only looking for live action executions, as your videos must showcase one of their Apollo wearables, and they would like to cast this with actors in their mid 30s. Alongside the live action, they are open to the inclusion of minimal animation & motion graphics alongside the live action photography.

Find helpful thought starters, key messaging considerations, and other important information about Apollo Neuro, in the Background section, or ask questions in the Project Forum.

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DELIVERABLES: Four total deliverables:

• One :30 video (16x9) with one alternate version :30 (16x9)
• One :15 video (16x9) with one alternate version :15 (16x9). 

Alternate variations will involve the same characters, locations, and script, and will mostly involve small changes that can be handled in post-production, including changes to CTAs, end-card designs, on-screen text copy, and other minor edits. Additionally, depending on where the creative lands, a version may include a slight variation to the script. This will be decided between the selected producer and client during scripting.

TIMELINE: Please find the anticipated timeline HERE, but note that if you are selected, you should consult with your Tongal producer to ensure you are always working off of the most up to date timeline.

EXPOSURE:  YouTube. For YouTube TrueView for action best practices please click here.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• 34-54, both female and male.
• Apollo's core audiences are a mix of needs- and behavioral-based personas - but overall they speak to a group that they call the “Evolvers”:
  • Needs Personas are looking for effective, safe solutions for stress relief and its related benefits - sleep, relaxation, calm, focus, recovery, performance. They want a sense of control in an uncertain, volatile world, and value autonomy and self-regulation. 
  • Beliefs Personas feel that personal growth is important, that people have the capacity to heal, and that technology can enhance the natural power of the human body.

TONE: The Apollo wearable should make neuroscience feel simple and approachable, cutting-edge advancement safe and reliable, and savvy technology human and enjoyable:

• Apollo is a compassionate friend that gives it to you straight, who can go deep without the fluff, and connect from the heart with a sense of humor
• Apollo is scientific, not sterile. While science based results prove the effectiveness of the technology, Apollo is about making it easier to understand.
• Apollo is determined, not domineering.  They're here to help you, not push you.
• Apollo is new, but not really.  While the tech is pioneering, the principle is as old as time - you can’t control the stress in your life, but you can control the way you react to it. Apollo uses modern technology to tap into your sense of touch, one of your most primal and powerful senses, to help you regain control over your reactions, your health, and your happiness.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Use language like: gentle vibrations, silent vibrations, soothing vibrations, touch therapy, waves.
• If discussing acute mental health conditions (eg: depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, insomnia, etc), talk about Apollo’s relief with symptoms of that condition, but do not say that it treats that condition. 
• AVOID language like: fast, quickly, in minutes, instant, in seconds, immediately.
• Do NOT communicate that it works to change your mood/focus/state of being in minutes/fast/at the push of a button.
• Do NOT make it sound like an instant fix or short term solution.
• Do NOT suggest that Apollo tracks your heart rate variability (HRV) or other metrics (like Fitbit, Oura, Whoop, Apple Watch).
• Do not describe Apollo’s sensation as “buzzing.”
  

Shooting live action? Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, so please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We're working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and you should ensure your submission is executable within the anticipated timeline and budget, while also ensuring everyone's safety.

COPYWRITING THOUGHT-STARTERS: Below you'll find ideas for how Apollo has approached copywriting in the past. These are not mandatory, but could be used to drive the messaging in your video.

• Possible Intros:
  • "The Apollo wearable helps your body recover from stress..."
  • "The Apollo wearable trains your nervous system to deal with stress better..."
  • "The Apollo wearable rebalances your nervous system, helping you sleep better..."
  • "The Apollo wearable calms your body and clears your mind...."
  • "Start stressing less and sleeping more..."
• Brand Headers & Taglines:
  • "A wearable hug for your not-so-nervous system"
  • "Get to know a calmer, more mindful you"
  • "Take control of how you want to feel"
  • "Scientifically validated, naturally powerful"
  • "Balance your body and calm your mind"

HOW DOES THE APOLLO WORK?

Worn on the wrist, or ankle, or clipped anywhere on your body, the Apollo device works by engaging with your sense of touch, delivering silent, soothing vibrations that help you feel safe and in control. Apollo Neuro’s scientifically validated technology trains your nervous system to bounce back from stress more quickly, going from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest”. 

Use the Apollo Neuro app to transition through your day, scheduling modes to help you relax, fall asleep, clear your mind, focus, and stay present. Like a workout for your nervous system, consistency is key. The more you use it, the better it works. 

KEY PRODUCT DETAILS:

Developed by neuroscientists and physicians, the Apollo wearable has been tested in multiple clinical trials and real-world studies, and is proven to improve heart rate variability (HRV), a key biometric of stress resilience. It’s a safe, non-invasive stress relief tool for adults and children, without drugs or side effects. 

Rather than tracking your health, the Apollo wearable is proven to actively improve it. As it strengthens and rebalances your autonomic nervous system, your heart rate variability (HRV) improves – which means you’re building your resilience to stress. So you spend less time in fight-or-flight mode and get more time to rest and digest. Over time, your body learns to recover from stress more quickly, so you can relax, sleep better, and find deep, meaningful focus – anytime and anywhere. 

In order to be considered for this project, you must include the below materials in your pitch submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this video.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• 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.

• SCRIPT (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create.
  
  
• 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, animatics, etc. are welcome. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.

The most compelling pitch will be greenlit, 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. Please see the full payment schedule in the Assets section. 

PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Prior to shooting, filmmakers must receive the below approvals from the Sponsor.

• SCRIPT: This project requires script approval before the Video Phase. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your script(s) and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a script is approved by the Sponsor. 
• HEADSHOT: This project requires headshot approval before the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the Sponsor does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options. Tongal advocates for inclusivity in on-screen representation and diversity in casting. As a best practice, please submit three to four options per role with at least one of those options being a person of color.
• 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 location. The Sponsor 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 Sponsor does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new wardrobe options.

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. Additionally, there are templates that will help you clearly present cast, location, and wardrobe options to the Sponsor. They can all be accessed here.

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Tongal supports inclusivity in all of our productions and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS: Once the Video Phase has closed, the greenlit submitters will enter the Revisions Phase. Filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback.

MUSIC: For any music that you use from a library, it is MANDATORY that you use one of Tongal's three music providers: Jingle Punks, Universal Production Music 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 Music Release Form. To learn more about using each of these music providers, click on any of the providers’ names above. 

If you choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. 

ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS: 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 the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.

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

1. 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 your submission be greenlit, 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. You may not contact any employees or members of the Sponsor’s organization, their affiliates, or any of their partners. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification of your entry in the project.
   
   
6. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
7. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
8. 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.
    
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
10. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
     
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.
    
    
14. 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.
    
    
15. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, greenlit Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their 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 earnings.
    
    
16. 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.