Background

HELPFUL REFERENCE VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION/TONE:

Objectives

If you're not already familiar, here's another YouTube rabbit hole you should go down: long-form live-action super-chill DJ sets. They're all about vibes. Good vibes. Laid-back, relaxed, almost meditative vibes. They've got that Lo-fi beats thing going on, but with a real DJ mixing tracks, they've got a little more energy and a lot more character. It's a popular format, and it's perfect if you want to zone out and relax, without falling asleep, while you're working, studying, or just generally de-stressing. The video production is stripped back and simple, but it's still hand-crafted and visually interesting, even if the music takes lead. T-Mobile would love to have one of these videos for their YouTube channel, so they have something to park alongside their Lo-fi Beats series, so that's what we're here for.


The goal of this project is to film a 1 hour live-action DJ set video, with some kind of interesting visual concept, and a great playlist. Importantly, in terms of the actual music, you should pull tracks from either one of Tongal's stock music libraries (Jingle Punks or Universal Production Music), or create wholly original musical compositions. We'd encourage that some of your tracks include lyrics, if you can find stuff that works well within the libraries. There's also no additional budget to negotiate for music rights. All this means you cannot include any major published artists, so Khruangbin's out, and you can't use your friend's band either (unless they're willing to sign the Tongal release). 


Visually, we'd check out the examples of past T-Mobile DJ sets in the Background section, where you'll see a few examples of what we're looking for. We are planning to greenlight two filmmakers. One will handle a more upbeat set (like the warehouse DJ set linked below) and the other will handle a more chill version (like the plant shop video). Please make it clear in your pitch which set you'd like to take on, and feel free to pitch on both. 


Production should be relatively simple, and it's totally reasonable for this to be a 1 or 2 person setup. You could certainly just set up a single tripod and record yourself DJ-ing for an hour, but you'll note that many of the example videos use multiple cameras, so you could also consider using 2 or 3 GoPros and cutting back and forth between them. We want dynamic visual interest here, and while we don't want to constantly cut back and forth between each camera for an hour straight, having multiple angles does help you create visual interest and freshen things up. You might also dance a bit, move around, or find something else to do so that you're part of the visual interest. Either way, you'll also note in the examples that production design feels particularly curated and thoughtful, and whatever approach you decide to take, it probably helps to think of some ways to incorporate a bit of T-Mobile branding - without making the video too brand-focused. 


Ultimately, we're looking for unique approaches and creative ways to make this feel unexpected and fresh, and T-Mobile has a distinct voice that is vibrant and playful, celebratory and quirky, confident and tech-forward, so your video should evoke those same vibes. The color magenta (#E20074) is key too and should be incorporated in subtle, not overly-branded ways. 


For your pitch, if you - or whomever you're partnering with - has DJ experience and/or a musical background, please highlight it. Once you decide on your approach, we also encourage you to create an awesome title to go along with your video. To see some of the recent videos T-Mobile has shared, check out more information in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.


DELIVERABLES: There is two total video asset, per filmmaker. 


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.


TARGET AUDIENCE: Gen Z and Millennial active social users in the US, with a focus on those ages 18-34.


TONE/FEEL: Energetic, soothing, vibrant, modern, quirky


EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 


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.

Details

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.


Requirements

  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.