These videos all have similar elements and approaches to what H&R Block is looking for: 

Screen recordings and motion graphics with VO: 

• Canva: Customizing Templates
• H&R Block – Tax Troubleshooting: How to Fix a Mistake on Your Return

Live-action with motion graphics: 

• H&R Block – Tax Basics | How to File an Extension
• H&R Block – Filing Taxes | How to Find the Right Tax Pro
• Canva – Creating Professional Documents
• Apple – Apple Intelligence on iPhone in 5 minutes

H&R Block is filling out its YouTube channel with videos that help taxpayers find the answers to tax questions that they're most frequently searching for, whether it's tax season or not. To do this, we're looking for a filmmaker who can combine live-action and motion graphics skills to create two how-to videos that walk side hustlers and small business owners through some key taxpaying skills in a friendly, approachable, and digestible way. 

The goal of this project is to create two unique how-to videos, each around 3 minutes in length, to help address two different topics. If needed, you can also use stock footage from our partner library, Storyblocks, if that's helpful in visualizing the messaging. We're looking for you to cast a personable 'expert' who can deliver tax advice and filing guidance directly to camera. H&R Block will provide scripts, screen recordings, and graphics templates, so in addition to your motion graphics editing skills, if greenlit, you should be prepared to present talent options that match the affable, helpful vibe that H&R Block's Tax Pros are known for. Your videos should feel like a conversational walk-through with a trustworthy personality in a professional but comfy setting: think a home office or similar.

The topics for this suite include: 

• Tax-Savvy Side Hustlers: How to track income and expenses like a pro
• Small Business Taxes, Simplified: Understanding business deductions

Final videos will need to be delivered in both 16x9 and 9x16, with the 9x16s optimized for YouTube Shorts. With more YouTube content planned through tax season 2026, it's very likely that you might have the opportunity to produce more videos in this same style, so it may be worth considering how your overall approach and specifically your motion graphics style can adapt and expand with more content down the road.

For your pitch, we'd love for you to use general H&R Block branding and put together a short :10-:15 proof of concept demo video using some kind of screen capture, motion graphics, and on-camera/VO commentary, to show us your skills and demonstrate your proposed approach. Maybe this proof of concept is just you walking us through the process as you log into your own H&R Block account online; the subject doesn't matter as much as the format, how you weave together screen capture and commentary, and how you handle branding and graphics. All of that should be able to easily translate to the actual subject matter of the screen recordings when you're provided with them. 

Some similar videos, including one that Tongal produced for H&R Block's tax season 2025, are shared in the Background, and for any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: There are four total video assets.

• Two 3+minute YouTube videos (16x9)
• Two up-to 3-minute versions for YouTube Shorts (9x16)

EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE

RELEVANT ASSETS: 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.

• H&R Block's YouTube channel

TARGET AUDIENCE: Side hustlers and small business owners, Gen Z to Gen X

TONE/FEEL: Clear, concise, helpful, empowering.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your proof-of-concept video should use the fonts, logo, and color hex guides provided, and should demonstrate how you'd incorporate motion graphics/kinetic type/on-screen text in a dynamic but organic way that fits H&R Block's brand.
• Videos must use provided scripts, screen recordings, and graphics templates. 
• Green should be used thematically but not overwhelmingly in your graphics; avoid competitor colors, especially red. H&R Block's style guide will be provided to the greenlit filmmaker.
• Videos for YouTube Shorts must adhere to the YouTube Shorts text safe template, which may mean resizing or even reanimating certain motion graphics. 

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.

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. Unless specifically requested, there's no need to include a budget with your submission.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed 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. Explain what we can expect to see, and how you'll make it. If it's helpful, we've provided a treatment template HERE.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, editor, artist, etc.) but do not include links to your showreel. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• PROOF-OF-CONCEPT VIDEO (Optional): Include a proof-of-concept video in 16x9 up to :15 in length, illustrating how you might approach a product demo/walkthrough-style video, and how you would add motion graphics elements and on-screen text to inspire viewers.

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.