Background

Block Advisors, a part of H&R Block, helps lighten the load for small business owners and the self-employed with expert tax preparation and other relevant services – so you feel confident and at ease.


Tax Resource Articles:

Objectives

Running a small business, being your own boss, or holding down a side hustle is a complex endeavor, and that's before tax season descends with its own myriad complications, piling even more work onto already-overflowing plates. Block Advisors from H&R Block are small business certified tax pros with an average of 15 years of experience, and they guarantee accurate tax returns, helping clients find every credit and every deduction they deserve. Not only that, they do it all for up to 30% less, on average, than a typical CPA would. So whether filing online, in person, or by dropping documents off at the local H&R Block office, filing with Block Advisors makes running a small business just a little bit easier. 


To help create awareness around some of the incredible services and benefits that come in filing with Block Advisors, we're looking for two different filmmakers who can each create a separate suite of :06-:15 social videos (for YouTube, Meta, and TikTok), speaking to different types of small business audiences about the Block Advisors benefits. There are two suites involved here, and one will go to each filmmaker. Suite 1 will involve side hustlers, handy pros, contractors, landscapers, and realtors, while Suite 2 will involve general small business owners and caregivers. Suite 1 has a few less deliverables and requires less cast than Suite 2, so each suite has a different budget associated with it to reflect the scope. While H&R Block will provide scripts with specific claims for each suite, we've included some sample claims in the Background to give you a sense of what to expect.


This is a fast-moving project, so H&R Block will be providing scripts with key talking points for the different videos, and that should help streamline pre-production. That said, it's important that we nail the casting here, and with such a quick timeline, we'll need you to get ahead of things and include options in the Pitch Phase. The types of roles are indicated by the intended audiences (e.g. "caregiver," or "realtor"), and we're looking for a diverse range of talent between ages 25 and 50 for those roles. You shouldn't need more than 1 person for each role. Beyond that, the creative ask is about bringing the talking points in the provided scripts to life in snappy, digestible, and memorable ways. Scripts won't be available until AFTER the Pitch Phase closes (~01/17), so we're not expecting fleshed out creative pitches here. Instead, what we'll be looking for in pitches is a proven ability to create compelling, attention-holding social content that incorporates clear brand messaging, while featuring relatable, engaging talent. 


In terms of location and production design, it's hard to provide exact details without scripts or additional context, but you can expect to show talent in either a nondescript location, a "home" location (where they might be doing their own taxes), or something representative of their business (e.g. a coffee shop, photography studio, etc.). You will NOT be able to film at H&R Block locations, so don't consider that option. You'll likely only need a few setups for each location, and whatever approach you opt for, since this is social-first anyway, we'd anticipate tighter angles and more of a focus on the talent themselves, so production design considerations would be minimized. While H&R Block will provide scripts with specific claims, we've included some sample claims in the Background to give you a sense of what to expect.


By pitching on this project, please note that you may be greenlit for either suite of content. We are also asking for casting options in the Pitch Phase. For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.


DELIVERABLES: There are two suites of content, with different deliverable totals. You will be assigned to one OR the other.



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: 


TONE/FEEL: Engaging, light-hearted, informative, trustworthy, friendly.


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.