Check out these super fun and satisfying podcast companion ASMR videos produced by Tongal creators earlier this year:

True Crime ASMR

General / Fidget ASMR

Personal Care / Wellness ASMR

Whether you're a die-hard BookTok fanatic or you just love to explore hot topics and trends on your FYP, you've probably come across more than one ASMR-style video that tickled your brain and triggered a sense of calm or satisfaction. Now Spotify is looking to combine the thrill of ASMR content with audiobook excerpts to create short-form, entertaining content that rewards viewers and listeners and encourages them to head over to Spotify to check out audiobooks in their favorite genres. 

In a previous project, three talented Tongal filmmakers created ASMR videos to be paired with excerpts from some of Spotify's top podcasts, and we're looking to recreate that magic for audiobooks. With your help, we'll marry ASMR video content – with all the exaggeratedly satisfying visuals and sound effects – with excerpts from audiobooks. Your ASMR content should appeal to fun-loving mainstreamers looking for short-form entertaining content that's topical and trendy while dovetailing with a particular audiobook genre (e.g. Thriller/Suspense, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, or more general/evergreen audiobook genres like celebrity memoirs). 

We want to avoid leaning too heavily into physical book imagery (after all, this is for audiobooks), but think about how your ASMR content can be super satisfying while also adding value to a specific genre: do we follow the plodding footsteps of a detective as they creep through an abandoned house stalking a killer? If you're a big Fantasy fan, would an ASMR video of a babbling stream, augmented with the slow clomping of horse hooves and accompanied by the sounds of a lute or panpipe transport you to your favorite world? 

Ultimately we're looking for up to three Tongal filmmakers to each create am imaginative, unexpected, themed :60 ASMR video that Spotify can pair, either in whole or in clips, with relevant audiobook clips to create cool, enticing social content. We'd like two of these ASMR videos to each fit one of the specific genres listed above, while a third is more evergreen: think slime, cleaning/organizing, anything oddly satisfying, etc. Spotify is open to pretty much every style and format, so long as you don't use existing IP or copyrighted content. And it should go without saying that your audio needs to be crisp, immersive, and attention-getting to be effective.

What we're not asking for is specific marketing content: no messaging, no logos, no branded color schemes. The ASMR video that you create should simply feel relevant to a particular genre of audiobooks, as ASMR, with compelling visuals and audio. Once you deliver your video, Spotify will do all the work of pairing it with audiobook clips and excerpts. 

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

 

DELIVERABLES: One :60 ASMR video for TikTok (9x16)

 

TIMELINE: HERE.

 

EXPOSURE: We anticipate content will be used on the platforms listed below, but if casting talent, please be sure your talent reviews the required Talent Release, 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 page.

• Spotify's TikTok and other social platforms. 

 

TARGET AUDIENCE: Fun-loving mainstreamers looking for short-form, entertaining content related to mainstream topics and trends. That's pretty broad, so get loose with it!

TONE: Mesmerizing, satisfying, brain-tickling, calming, or exciting (depending on approach).

 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your ASMR video can be designed for a specific audiobook genre (ie.g. Thriller/Suspense, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, etc.) or it can be designed for open-ended use as a companion to more general/evergreen genres like celebrity memoirs.
• Do not bake audiobook excerpts into your ASMR content; Spotify wants to be flexible in how they use your ASMR videos.
• Avoid using any existing IP, including identifiable products. 
• While you may use talent in your videos, we recommend a general approach: hands, filming from behind, silhouettes, etc. will make your ASMR content more available to a variety of audiobooks vs creating specific on-screen characters. 
• We recommend avoiding using music in your ASMR videos, but you can use Tongal's three partner libraries for any sound effects, tones, etc. you can't record yourself. You can find links to Tongal's partner libraries in the Requirements tab.

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects on our platform do move forward, we will 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 the project team.

 

Shooting live action or stop motion? 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.

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 produce the content listed out 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, both in terms of what we can expect to see, and how you’ll make it. 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.
  
  
• STORYBOARDS (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.
  
  
• 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.

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.
   
   
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 filmmaker.
   
   
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.