For decades, the American Cancer Society has been dedicated to pursuing better outcomes for every cancer, and every life. Today, more people are surviving cancer then ever before, but there is still work to be done, and that's why the American Cancer Society is working harder than ever to spread the good word about the services that the ACS provides, and how they can really be a help those who have been impacted by cancer. Now, they're looking for you to help produce a live action short YouTube social video that gets their message out there and that in turn helps drive donations. 

The goal of this project is to produce an urgent but hopeful :30 YouTube video for the American Cancer Society that leans into the core messaging that "donations = lives saved." This should be organic, selfie-style content that, while serious, always remains positive in intention, and that ends on an optimistic note that can inspire people to donate to this worthy cause. Since the video will primarily live on YouTube Shorts in a vertical format, the ACS will be looking for visually interesting concepts that feel grounded, simple, and powerful. Beyond that, there is a lot of creative flexibility here, and the ACS is open to a variety of executions, so long as it remains in that organic selfie-style space. 

For casting, the key is authenticity. We are looking to cast someone who has real life experience with cancer, be it directly or indirectly. One thing we do NOT want to do is cast talent to play someone affected by cancer, or a medical professional. In terms of messaging, you'll be creating your video specifically for YouTube as a paid ad, so you should first consider YouTube's ABCDs of creating effective video ads. the American Cancer Society has an established tone and cadence to their online brand, so you should definitely check out the Background to see their current YouTube Shorts output.

For this project, once a filmmaker is selected, they will be put directly in contact with the sponsor. All communication and feedback between both parties will run through the Tongal platform.

For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are 2 total video assets.

• One :30 YouTube hero video (9x16) 
• One :30 alternate version (9x16). This version will only entail using an alternate final call to action and/or end card.

EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE

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 it is NOT limited to these platforms. You should also review our Music providers in the Project Requirements, as well as the platform best practices.

• YouTube Shorts
• The American Cancer Society YouTube Channel

TARGET AUDIENCE: Adults who could be potential donors

TONE/FEEL: Serious, urgent, but hopeful

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• You must adhere to the American Cancer Society brand guidelines, which will be provided upon being awarded the project.
• Your end card must include a CTA, which will be provided to the greenlit filmmaker.
• If you cast talent, you cannot have the script imply that the talent has cancer or has survived cancer, nor can it be implied that they may be a medical professional.

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.

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.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed in the Deliverables.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A more detailed and specific description of how you propose to execute all of the content listed out in the Deliverables. Explain what we can expect to see, and how you'll make it. If it's helpful, we've provided a treatment template HERE.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, editor, artist, etc.) but do not include links to your showreel. Please link to individual videos.

• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show what you're capable of. Consider a video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect, or consider test videos, proof-of-concept edits, animatics, etc. For examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery.

1. 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. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
   
   
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. 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.
   
   
5. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p and formatted for the aspect ratios listed in the Deliverables (e.g. 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.
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. 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.
   
   
8. 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 creator.
   
   
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
   
   
10. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor, nor can Submissions contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
    
    
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.