If you know how to turn live-streamed educational presentations into genuinely engaging creator content (e.g. balancing pacing, personality, humor, and clean visual storytelling without losing the heart of the conversation) then we’d love to see your work and hear your approach to help shape the next wave of Tongal Talks.
Tongal is looking for an editor to help shape and elevate a growing series of creator education and community-focused videos featuring creators, filmmakers, artists, producers, and industry experts sharing their experience, skills, workflows, and creative insights with the Tongal community.
These presentations are will be primarily recorded over Zoom and typically run between 30-60 minutes in length, with an expected volume of approximately 1-2 videos per month, with 12 videos in total over a roughly 6 month period. In other words: we're here for a lot more than simply hitting “export” on a webinar recording. We’re looking for someone who can creatively enhance and “spice up” the viewing experience with thoughtful pacing, dynamic visual presentation, very light motion graphics, cutaways, sound design, on-screen visuals & text, subtle humor where appropriate, or really any other editorial techniques that help maintain audience engagement, while preserving the authenticity and educational value of the conversations. Some videos may also include live Q&A segments, either in full, or with selected moments incorporated into the final edit, depending on the topic and flow of the discussion.
While we've had plenty of Tongal Talks in the past, we've never recorded them before, so the ideal editor should understand internet-native storytelling and know how to make educational or presentation-based content feel visually engaging without overwhelming the speaker or distracting from the information being shared. Experience editing podcasts, video essays, educational content, livestreams, creator content, or presentation-driven media is highly encouraged. Strong instincts for pacing, graphics, audience retention, and knowing exactly when to punch in for comedic effect are all major pluses.
If selected, we'd expect to first develop a templatized video format that could work for any and all Tongal Talks, and then we'd apply that format on an ongoing basis, with the idea that it'd make the work quick, efficient, and standardized.
Check out more information 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:
EXPOSURE: We expect content will be used on the platforms below, but you should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Creators and Artists; both working professionals, and hobbyists.
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.
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.
We're open all methods on whatever happens to help us "level up" our zooms. Below are just a couple style references to take into consideration.
HELPFUL REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION/TONE:
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.
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 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.