To help prepare first-time PAs in our On-Set Apprenticeship Program (and for other first-time PAs too!), we're commissioning this comedic instructional video that covers all the essential topics that you'd need to understand to ensure a successful and safe on-set experience. Here are a few resources for other information we will be providing to these apprentices: 

• The PA's (Sort Of) Ultimate Survival Guide
• Production Speak: Words and Phrases You Need to Know for Film Production
• "Setiquette" Primer

 

REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION OR TONE: 

• British Airways Safety Video 
• Omega Mart Employee Training Video 
• Aimee's Film Crew Parody #1
• Aimee's Film Crew Parody #2

Quiet on set! Tongal's calling all comedic filmmakers to pitch us their execution for a genuinely funny and surprising instructional video that covers on-set etiquette for first-time Production Assistants (PAs). The video that you will be create should be 5 to 7 minutes in length, and will cover topics such as walkie-talkie protocol, punctuality, dress code, set lingo, understanding a call sheet, fighting the urge to casually drop your latest film script on the Director's chair, and more. 

Using the provided script as inspiration, show us how you would create an outlandish and decidedly amusing educational video that conveys what it is like being on a set for the first time, while communicating all the important information you can learn. You will be essentially shooting as though this is "behind the scenes" of another shoot (or shoots), so we want it to feel authentic, and that means you don't have to worry about camera or lighting equipment being in the shots, and you can even film talent walking around a cyclorama or a sound stage. Heck, if you've got some other real shoot scheduled and want to take advantage of that and tack this on, go ahead, as long you're still able to create something really interesting within those confines, and as long as you make sure it's still informative. 

That said, we know the script is ambitious, so we encourage you to think about what might be the best way to bring this to life. While we would love to have all the money in the world to make this video, we are on a limited budget so it's time to get creative and make some organic content. Maybe you go in the other direction, and find someone with a knack for comedy timing, and throw them against a green screen, and use their delivery and some clever editing and post work to really bring the script to life. We're primarily looking for live-action executions here, but if you think you can wow us with some animation, or if you think an on-set sock puppet's gonna knock our... well... our socks off... then feel free to run with it. If you have fun, people will retain this information better, and when you later hire that person as a PA, you won't regret it.

 

Check out more about what this video will be used for and references videos of the tone we are looking for in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

 

DELIVERABLES: There is 1 total asset:

• One 5-7 minute video (16x9)

 

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.

• Tongal's YouTube Channel 
• Tonga's Creator Tutorials Hub 

 

TARGET AUDIENCE: First-time production assistants and other aspiring filmmakers and crew members.

 

TONE: Comedic, Informative, Relatable 

 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your video should not include anything inappropriate or hurtful. Any profanity used must be bleeped out in post.

 

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.
  
  
• 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.