We are relaunching this project with some adjustments to the brief so be sure to read the information below thoroughly and submit your budget of up to $40,000 with your Pitch!
This is an emergency, and we need your help to sound the alarm.
As many as 2.5 million people in the US, and millions more globally, suffer from a brutal and debilitating disease called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also commonly referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Despite its prevalence though, the cause of the disease and its treatment are still unknown, which in turn results in misinformation and incorrect assumptions being made at every level (doctors, medical institutions, government, etc.).
What we do know though is that people with this disease can experience a lifetime of extreme exhaustion, severe pain, central nervous system issues, and neurological abnormalities. Up to 80% of sufferers regularly miss school or work. Up to 25% of people diagnosed are house-bound or bed-ridden for years. Yes, the symptoms of ME/CFS are that intense, that severe, and that debilitating.
While ME/CFS can happen to anyone, it tends to strike active, highly functioning people in the prime of their lives. In fact, because it is 4x more likely to occur in woman than in men, ME/CFS has often been swept under the rug as a “women’s issue,” adding to the difficulties of securing government funding. Patients often go misdiagnosed for years, resulting in medication and treatment that actually makes their condition worse. The issue even permeates in medical school, as students are rarely trained to diagnose or treat ME/CFS leaving them vastly unaware and unprepared to deal with the disease in the real world.
There are hundreds of staggering facts about ME/CFS, but here is the scariest one: There are people in positions of power that could do something to advance our knowledge of this disease, uncover the cause, and work towards a cure. Yet they choose to turn their backs on this problem.
Despite ME/CFS being twice as common as Multiple Sclerosis and costing U.S. tax payers an estimated $17 - $24 billion dollars each year, MS receives $98 million dollars a year in funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH), while ME/CFS receives $7 million. Let that sink in… $7 million.
There are literally dozens of doctors ready to test compelling theories about this disease, but they are repeatedly denied funding by the NIH. It has led advocates to categorize this situation as “murder by neglect.” No other disease has been treated with this level of dismissal and disregard. Insurance rarely covers a fraction of the cost of care, and people have gone bankrupt seeking help with medical and caregiver bills.
History tells us that social and grassroots movements can save lives – just look at what communities were able to accomplish for the AIDS movement, breast cancer awareness, ALS and broad recognition for autism. It’s time to throw our full support behind patients of ME/CFS that desperately need our help. Get educated, get MAD, and let’s do something about it.
Create a 4-5 minute video and an accompanying 30-second cut-down that educates viewers about the facts and faces of ME/CFS, and illustrates the severe disconnect between the pain this disease causes the neglect it receives on a national level. Blow this issue wide open, create an informed audience, shine a light on the negligence that got us to this point, and shock people into action!
In other words, we’re looking to the Tongal community to create a powerful exposé that educates, motivates, and inspires viewers to help. But we’re not looking for a dry, run-of-the-mill documentary; while it’s important that your video is informative, you must also grab peoples’ attention, which will require sensitivity, creativity, and even anger about the neglect this disease, and its sufferers, have faced for so long.
We envision this exposé being a multifaceted tool that captures the attention of mainstream media outlets (think 60 Minutes, local & national news, etc.) enticing them to run their own investigative stories about ME/CFS, having the film be pushed across social platforms to be shared organically and raise awareness on an individual level, and most importantly to serve as a factual guide to understanding the primary issues of ME/CFS.
In your pitch think about and include a compelling call to action that will inspire people to ACT!
The pitch-winner will work closely with Tongal, and the Sponsor in the refinement, creation and implementation of this film. You will have access to leading voices in the movement, including doctors and patients, as needed.
For your Pitch:
You will need to submit a Budget Proposal with your Pitch. Check out the Budget template in the Assets Tab at the bottom of the page. Your budget should be within the $20,000–$40,000 range.
Please take traveling within the US into account when submitting your Budget Proposal. We encourage you to think broadly about your pitch, and seek out ME/CFS specialists and patients with unique stories/perspective to incorporate into your pitch.
Your Pitch should not only outline your approach to the 4-5 minute film, but also the 30-second cut-down that will act as a trailer for your main video. The :30 cut-down should compel viewers to check out the full video and learn more about ME/CFS.
WHAT TO SUBMIT:
--Target Audience: People everywhere that are not aware of this health crisis.
--Tone: Challenging, Edgy, Questioning, Provocative
NOTE: This project does include a Pre-Production Phase. You will be required to submit and receive approval on a script and headshots. See the Details section below for further information. 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.
This Project consists of four 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:
The most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive production budget 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 an additional prize in the subsequent Video Phase. 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, the Pitch winner will need to receive the following Approvals from the brand:
No filmmaker 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 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner will create a 4-5 minute video and 30 second cut-down trailer based upon their winning Pitch.
NOTE: The 4-5 minute video and 30-second cut-down trailer are both due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.
After revisions are completed (see the Revisions Phase details for more information), the Judges will score the Pitch winner’s Video submitted to determine the standings for the Video Phase. Remember, only the one (1) Pitch winner will receive prizes.
--Video Phase Payout: The winner of the Video Phase will receive prizing.
--Music: Tongal has partnered with two premiere music providers: Jingle Punks 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 referral fee equal to 5% of the amount won. That’s a potential the sum total of (5% of each Video amount, up to $500 per place) in bonus cash just for telling all of your talented friends about this Project! Check out more about our Referral Program in FAQ.
PHASE 4: 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 4-5 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 variable number 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 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.