We are looking for 2 filmmaking teams to capture social-forward testimonial content for Meow Wolf and its immersive art exhibits at Meow Wolf's locations in Las Vegas, NV, and Houston, TX, during the week of January 19th. You will be responsible for all aspects of production, but will hand all raw assets off to a campaign editor, who will then handle all post-production for an upcoming video campaign.
Meow Wolf is an arts production company that creates immersive, multimedia experiences that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms, inspiring creativity in people’s lives through art, exploration, and play. A dynamic combination of maximalist art, interactive exploration, and non-linear storytelling, Meow Wolf has unique exhibits in Las Vegas, Grapevine, Houston, Santa Fe, and Denver. As we head into the new year, Meow Wolf wants to explore the idea that “we can’t explain it, you just have to experience it,” and they want to do it with a campaign of localized content driven by guest testimonials that provide a clear invitation to explore, while inspiring FOMO and giving viewers a sense of the experience. In this content, they want to use their indescribability as a feature, and not a bug.
In this project, Meow Wolf is looking for two different local teams—one in Las Vegas and one in Houston—to shoot authentic, guest-driven testimonial footage that captures the wonder, emotional resonance, and expansive epicness of Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart and Radio Tave experiences. We need teams that are small and agile, with roaming camera operators and a mobile sound kit, 3-4 people max, who know how to elicit genuine reactions from real guests, of all types. We'll be bringing on a singular campaign editor to help coordinate the overall campaign (if you're interested in that role, be sure to check out the What is Meow Wolf? Testimonial Campaign Editor Project on Tongal), but if selected here, you'll just handle the physical production at one of the two locations. Raw footage from your shoot will then be provided to the editor, who will handle ALL post-production and delivery.
You'll need to capture the wonder, emotional resonance, and expansive epicness of the Meow Wolf experience, but with a lo-fi and authentic social feel, à la THIS successful 2016 video, which is a great reference. We want fresh, social-native footage that turns Meow Wolf guests into their most compelling advocates and we want to deliver the message that “Meow Wolf is that cool place your friend told you about.” Let the voices of real guests build a mythos around Meow Wolf: it’s not just a visit, it’s a portal. The footage should feel breezy, casual, up-close-and-personal, with a strong focus on authentic reactions and real passion. The tone should embrace humor, awkward descriptions, and real human moments that bring the brand down to earth.
For physical production & timing, you must be available to shoot on either Tuesday, January 20th or Thursday, January 22nd. There will be an in-person pre-production planning meeting at 5pm the night before the shoot, and you must also be available for a scout prior to the shoot, which you'll be able to conduct when convenient, and which you'll be provided tickets for. You'll need to shoot in 4K and 16x9, and even though footage might not be shot on an iPhone, it should almost feel like iPhone content shot by a friend; medium and wide shots that always reveal some of the location behind the talent, with no static cameras, deep depth of field, and always keeping the vertical 9x16 frame in mind by framing up your subject in the center. You'll want to try to frame shots with the understanding that in-video captions will be added in post. Audio should feel conversational, keeping in awkward pauses and moments for authenticity.
In terms of the locations, the actual Meow Wolf exhibits present a number of challenges that you'll need to navigate, including the dynamic lighting and sound, but also tight quarters, and since most of production will need to happen during operating hours, you'll also need to be careful not to disturb guest experiences. We'll want testimonial interviews to occur against a variety of backgrounds at the exhibition, but you will not be able to alter show lighting or sound. You and your team will need to problem-solve and think about what equipment sets you up for success here.
In terms of the interview questions and testimonials, you can find more information and some sample questions in the Background, but at a high level, these testimonials should capture:
Testimonials should be sourced from actual guests, and not professional actors, although it may still be helpful to try and incentivize people to attend Meow Wolf during the day of your shoot, and Meow Wolf can provide a limited number of free admissions and/or some swag that you can offer (in advance, or day of) to supplement the number of guests you're able to capture. You'll want to keep things casual and try to interview and follow a wide variety of people, taking into consideration that your footage should reflect a broad swath of people that reflect your respective location's typical demographics. You'll be provided with talent releases that we'll need signed for any on-screen talent, and you should keep in mind that no recognizable apparel brands should be visible on clothing or shoes, so think about how you can conceal logos if they're present (e.g. a different angle, a piece of tape, a handbag strap, a jacket) so we can avoid having to blur in post.
Importantly, you are NOT being asked to pitch a creative take here, as the goal is to align seamlessly with format established by the campaign editor; we are instead looking for a team who can digest an established creative approach and execute against it without deviation. The campaign editor or their team will provide creative & technical pre-production guides for you to follow when shooting. After the shoot, you will be asked to send proxy files digitally, as well as ship a hard drive with all raw footage. You will not be responsible for any video post-production services.
Please note you do NOT need to be based In one of these markets to pitch on this project, but there is no additional travel budget available, and any crew travel or lodging should be covered under your production budget. For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
FOR YOUR PITCH: Your pitch should primarily highlight:
DELIVERABLES: Each filmmaker will deliver a hard drive containing the following content:
EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE *This project has a fast-moving timeline*
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.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
TONE/FEEL:
EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:
AI USAGE: You may not use AI generated visual or audio assets in your final content. However, for the purposes of your pitch and pre-production materials, you are welcome to use generative AI to create visuals, storyboards, animatics, proofs-of-concept, etc. that might help the Sponsor understand your vision for creating the final content. Additionally, assistive AI tools (e.g. object removal, compositing, color grading, sound mixing, subtitling, etc.) may be used in post-production to supplement your workflow. Please keep record of any AI usage deployed in your submissions in the event that the Sponsor requests AI disclosures. If you have questions about any specific usage or tool, please ask your Tongal producer.
MEOW WOLF LOCATIONS: Below are the details on both Meow Wolf locations your team can choose from for this project..
WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING TO CAPTURE & SHOW:
PROMPTS TO CONSIDER:
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 work with the Campaign Editor and any provide pre-production materials to prepare their own, 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.
ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: You must also provide all raw footage and signed releases for talent, location and artwork (if needed) to the Campaign Editor in order to receive final payment. You are responsible for the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.