GE, the world’s preeminent digital industrial company, is transforming industries with its software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. Its inventions help fuel innovation across numerous industries.

Real GE employees are extraordinary and passionate people. Research engineer Dustin Sharber, Consulting Engineer Ajith (AJ) Kumar, and Lead Product Sales Specialist Fabiana Garcia are a testament to the strength and vitality of the company. These are just three of the 300,000 employees at GE who are shaping the wave of the future, and causing a ripple effect of innovation throughout the world.

Dustin Sharber built his first drone (out of WOOD!) when he was still in college and has had a passion for remote-control vehicles ever since. The skills he developed through this hobby equipped him with the ability to influence the development of new cutting-edge technologies at GE. His passion and knowledge for remote-control vehicles were instrumental in the development of the Raven Drone – a drone with some pretty awesome super features! Dustin continues to merge the skills he acquires from his hobbies with the work he does, working alongside scientists and engineers to develop new cutting edge digital and hardware solutions, at GE Global Research. To read more about Dustin’s story click here.

Ajith (AJ) Kumar has been said to be the modern-day Thomas Edison. He holds not one, not two, but 303 patents! His favorite patent revolutionized the freight industry with technology that powers each wheel on a locomotive separately. AJ loves solving problems in a unique way and has melded two worlds by becoming an expert in controlling HUGE machines with tiny circuits. He continues to help GE revolutionize the transportation industry and will soon be celebrating his 40th work anniversary at GE Transportation. To read more about AJ’s story click here.

Fabiana Garcia is a true GE adventurer. She has been helping people in remote places across the world, such as the Amazon, get access to GE technology that allows for better healthcare to be provided. She is part of the Brazilian Health Expeditions, a non-profit group that sends doctors, nurses and other volunteers to provide free medical care to native tribes. More than 30,000 indigenous people from 54 distinct ethnic groups have been cared for by this organization since 2003. Fabiana is helping make a difference for the people in this community. In their latest expeditions, there were 2,863 clinical exams and 239 surgeries performed. Together with GE Healthcare technology, she is making it possible for patients to get immediate help, shaping the new age of patient care. To read more about Fabiana’s story click here.

GE wants YOUR help in bringing these three amazing employee stories to life. Explain how you would showcase their passions and accomplishments in a short, fresh, and unique documentary video that also highlights the value they each have brought to GE in helping them continue to develop and advance industries.

What you need to know:

• GE is open to having the same filmmaker do multiple Stories.  If you take this approach please submit a separate Pitch for each Story and specify in each Pitch treatment how many total Stories you are Pitching on.
• TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION EXPENSES NOTE: Travel and accommodation fees are built into the budget specified on this brief, so plan to cover any and all travel expenses unless otherwise specified below:

- Dustin Sharber is located in Oklahoma City, OK

-  Ajith (AJ) Kumar is located in Erie, PA

-  Fabiana Garcia is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil – an additional $5K will be awarded for travel expenses on this Story only.

• GE team will help coordinate access to GE facilities and other location-related logistics.

To learn more about Dustin, AJ, and Fabiana, please visit the following links:

DUSTIN

• http://www.popsci.com/general-electric-introduces-raven-drone-for-oil-companies
• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-05/ge-drones-are-coming-to-squeeze-more-savings-from-the-oil-patch
• http://www.geglobalresearch.com/news/press-releases/ge-opens-new-oil-gas-rd-center-in-oklahoma-showcases-smart-sensing-drone-advanced-labs-and-emerging-digital-technology

 

FABIANA

• http://newsroom.gehealthcare.com/ultrasound-wild-group-volunteers-delivers-healthcare-amazon/
• https://pt-pt.facebhttp://www.geglobalresearch.com/news/press-releases/ge-opens-new-oil-gas-rd-center-in-oklahoma-showcases-smart-sensing-drone-advanced-labs-and-emerging-digital-technologyook.com/GEHealthcare/videos/960554524001855/
• http://www.gereports.com/post/127662408380/deep-in-the-amazon-doctors-are-saving-lives/

 

AJ

• http://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/ge-indian-american-engineer-recognized-for-over-patents/article_699e11ec-3b8c-11e5-8dd4-1bfc13be98f5.html

The goal of this project is to create a 3-minute Video to help GE celebrate Dustin Sharber, AJ Kumar, and Fabiana Garcia and their contributions to the GE team, the different projects they’ve been involved in, and in shaping different industries around the world.

NOTE: GE is open to having the same filmmaker do multiple stories.  If you take this approach, please submit a separate Pitch for each Story and specify in each Pitch treatment how many total Stories you are Pitching on.

--Deliverables per Story:

• One (1) 3-minute Video
• One (1) Facebook optimized version of the video
• Five (5) still images
• All raw footage and project files on a hard drive upon completion of the project

 

In your Pitch, please make sure to highlight how you’ll bring Dustin’s, AJ’s and/or Fabiana’s story to life in a fresh and unique way. The sponsor wants to move away from a typical documentary-style approach. Your video should communicate the story and the take-away for each outlined under “Key Marketing Message” below. They are very interested in Pitches that incorporate a distinct visual approach toward documentary style filmmaking such as integrating animation, CGI, motion graphics, or other types of mediums that could help tell these incredible stories. If you are submitting a Pitch for each of the three stories, keep in mind that each video MUST have its own unique style, look & feel, and creative approach.

**Feel free to step outside of the box and think about the filmmaking styles/creative approaches that will help communicate the essence of the story you choose to pitch on.

 

PRE-PRODUCTION NOTE: This project includes a Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). This means a pre-production call will be schedule with winning filmmaker and the Sponsor to discuss project, and filmmaker will be required to submit certain items for Approval before moving onto the Video Phase. The Approval items for this project are:

TREATMENT – This project requires Treatment Approval before filmmaker can move onto the Video Phase. The treatment should describe how you plan to execute the video and how you plan to bring the storytelling to life visually. The sponsor may provide feedback on your Treatment and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until an Outline is approved by the sponsor.

SHOOTING OUTLINE  – This project requires Shooting Outline Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The sponsor may provide feedback on your Outline and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until an Outline is approved by the sponsor. You can find a sample Outline to reference in the Assets Tab of this project.

LOCATION - This project requires Location Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. This means you will need to submit multiple images of your primary filming location. The sponsor may provide feedback on your location and ask you to submit additional photos or to find a new location and submit images for that. 

IMPORTANT: No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.

If you’re selected as a Pitch Winner, a Tongal producer will email you to help walk you through the Pre-Production and Approvals process.

--Key Marketing Messages: 

The sponsor wants the viewer to walk away with the following take-away…

• GE employees are remarkable, passionate people.
• Specific to Dustin’s story: GE scientists and engineers are collaborating with the Oil & Gas industry on cutting-edge digital and hardware solutions to advance the industry.
• Specific to AJ’s story: GE is revolutionizing the transportation industry with patented technology.
• Specific to Fabiana’s story: GE provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care.

 

--Target Audience: GE employees, recruits, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Enthusiasts.

--Executional Mandatories:

• DO NOT show any third-party logos or IP
• Never say “General Electric”, always refer to the company as “GE”
• Depending on shooting location, may need to keep in mind competitive machinery.
• MUST end on GE Monogram
• If Pitching on all stories, the treatment for each video should be distinctive and the filmmaking style should embody the story itself.
• Your final video should be in English and will need to be subtitled in English.

--Tone: GE is innovative, inventive, accessible as well as smart, easy to understand with a touch of quirkiness. Never slick, corporate or chest beating. Each video should reflect this, work to inform and inspire viewers, and be told in a highly personal, passionate, non-corporate way.  

 

--Exposure: Internal GE channels and external GE social media channels (Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn).

--Inspiration/Reference:

The following video is a great example of fresh and unique filmmaking style and creative approach to storytelling. Think about how you can step outside of the box to create a visually interesting and engaging video to tell these employee’s stories. Keep in mind that the stylistic choices should help to communicate the context of the story. 

Dr. Cote: http://qlnk.io/ql/592ec862e4b03cb99790da10

The following videos are show for reference on tone only. These are videos GE has previously produced to highlight other employees. DO NOT replicate the styles of these films. While you may use similar elements in your video, each employee story video should feel unique, while achieving this level of emotional pull.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxRhTjvLlyoLvSs6pgVWwO6trs2Os3rbN

Facebook Best Practices for Optimization:

• The first 10 seconds are the most important. The introduction to the video is critical. You need to capture viewers’ attention in the first 3 seconds. Slow builds do not work in the Facebook platform. The intention or hook should be revealed in the first 5 seconds of the piece.
• Consider using a "Trailer" approach or using 2-3 lines of copy to frame/present the video.
• Tell visually engaging stories – The video should have a constant rhythm. Use text graphics, new frames, characters and settings to move the story forward. It is recommended that something visually happens every 3-5 seconds.
• Storytelling needs to be driven by visuals. The audience should pick up on what the video is about without having to turn on audio.
• Frame your shots in a way that it works for square ratio as well as wide (Center Frame)
• Review your edits on a mobile device.

This Project will be worth a total of $67,500 and consists of four (4) Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase and a Revisions Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

 

PHASE 1: PITCH - Submit your Pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute a Video based on one of the winning Ideas from the previous Phase using:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this Video.
• 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.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what’s going to happen in the video.
• 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.
• Headshots/Casting Boards (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.
• Pitch Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to show us 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.

 

The most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive $10,000 to help create the Video. Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winner will also be GUARANTEED a winning place in the subsequent Video Phase.  So, if your Pitch is selected and you execute your Pitch effectively in your Video submission, you will win an additional $12,500. For an example of an effective Pitch, check out The Indie Machines winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGOs” Pitch video. All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the Project is complete.  

 

PHASE 2: PRE-PRODUCTION – The Pitch Winner from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will need to receive the following Approvals from the brand:

TREATMENT – This project requires Treatment Approval before filmmaker can move onto the Video Phase. The treatment should describe how you plan to execute the video and how you plan to bring the storytelling to life visually. The sponsor may provide feedback on your Treatment and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until an Outline is approved by the sponsor.

SHOOTING OUTLINE  – This project requires Shooting Outline Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The sponsor may provide feedback on your Outline and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until an Outline is approved by the sponsor. You can find a sample Outline to reference in the Assets Tab of this project.

LOCATION - This project requires Location Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. This means you will need to submit multiple images of your primary filming. The sponsor may provide feedback on your location and ask you to submit additional photos or to find a new location and submit images for that. 

No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.

 

PHASE 4: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner(s) will each create a preferred length in seconds 3-minute Video based upon their winning Pitch.

--Video Phase Payout: Winners of the Video Phase will earn $12,500 upon completing the video and the revisions, and submitting all necessary documentation.

 

--Music: Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Killer Tracks and Epidemic Sound. Any of which can be used to source music for your Video submission to this Project. 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 separate Music Release Form. To learn more about using each of these music providers, click on any of the provider’s names above.

Tongal members interested in a custom music solution for your project are invited to connect with SCORE A SCORE. They specialize in the creation of custom music, on-demand.

Their business model is based on a "name your price" system, so you can tell them what your budget is, and they will work with you to create a deal configuration that will work within the discussed parameters. Check out the FAQ for more information and how to contact SCORE A SCORE.

If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. If you obtain music from other catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with our Music Release Form when you turn in your Video paperwork.

--Referral: Any Tongal member who refers one of the winning Video creators in this Project using the Tongal “Invite Friends” functionality will receive a potential $500 in bonus cash just for telling all of your talented friends about this Project! Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.

PHASE 5: REVISIONS – Once the Video Phase has closed, the winning submitters will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. Once the Videos are finalized, the Sponsor will rank the Videos and winners will be announced.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 3 minutes in length. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p 16x9. Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should you win, you will also be required to provide a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec

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. 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.

5. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

6. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

7. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.

8. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.

9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

11. In the event that fewer than 20 Pitches are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

12. 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.

13. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Video(s) without providing additional compensation. Remember it’s easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.

14. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, winning Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their winning 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 prize.

15. 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.