Background

Every few months it feels like there’s some new revolutionary thing that you can do with a smartphone – from real-time language translation to 3D image scanning. But smartphones are just one small part of the unprecedented advancements in our lives, and when you combine things like augmented reality displays with the vast amounts of information we’re collecting about our world, it’s hard not to be amazed by the transformative potential that communications technology can have on every aspect of our lives, including something as critical as our safety. However, “potential” is the key word - we still have work to do before we can begin to fully realize it.


The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and their Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) program is focused on doing that very work. Through their Open Innovation Accelerator, they are spearheading the R&D of next-generation communications technologies that can be used to improve public safety communications technology and help first responders save citizen lives. One of the ways they’re hoping to accomplish their goals and bring cutting-edge advancements to public safety quickly is by turning to the American people, and launching five years of crowdsourcing challenges that will be open to the public: the #PSprizes. Any person – any team, entrepreneur, inventor, or company – will be able to contribute their ideas and help NIST solve public safety technology challenges.


These challenges will revolve around a diverse array of futuristic technologies and uses, ranging from advanced 3D indoor mapping to interconnected first responder communications networks, and cutting-edge sci-fi technologies like immersive virtual reality testing environments. It’s anything and everything you can imagine that could help make critical, life-saving decisions in emergency situations.


At Tongal, we’re strong believers in the wisdom of the crowd, and we’re honored to work with NIST in creating a series of Videos that will explain Open Innovation, #PSprizes and their objectives, and inspire the American public to literally help make the world a safer place.


Check out more details in the Objectives below…


NOTE: THIS PROJECT IS ONLY OPEN TO U.S. CITIZENS OR RESIDENTS.

Objectives

Your challenge with this project is to create a series of seven (7) Videos, with corresponding social cut-downs (detailed below), that will explain Open Innovation and NIST’s Public Safety Communications Research Open Innovation Accelerator to the public, while covering each of the key public safety technology programs that are a part of it. On top of that, and, most importantly, your Videos should invite people and companies across America to participate in the crowdsourcing competitions.


*NOTE: FOR PITCHES. PLEASE REVIEW THE SPONSOR NOTES WITH EACH WINNING CONCEPT.


Your driving motivation should be “excite and inform!” with the key guidelines of creating content that feels aspirational, futuristic, and inclusive. The visual look and feel is going to be a big part of this, and we’ll be looking for bright and engaging cinematography with a high-tech and polished vibe. Creative use of on-screen CG graphics and text is strongly encouraged.


The NIST team is open to any creative approach - live-action, animated, CGI, or a mix thereof - so long as it can effectively engage the audience and communicate the message within the guidelines listed above. Use that openness to think outside the box and do something really unique. It’s also important to note that each individual Video may require slightly different approach, so pay close attention to their respective requirements.


For your Concepts and Pitches, think about the method that will be used to communicate this information, and the inspirational theme or creative presentation of information that might make it unique and engaging. Think about how the Videos might be structured, and how or who might deliver the message. Will you challenge people, or try to pique their curiosity? Will you be flashy, or minimalistic and focused? Answer the questions, “What makes this relevant? What inspires action?”


NOTE: THIS PROJECT IS ONLY OPEN TO U.S. CITIZENS OR RESIDENTS.


--Deliverables Due: 13 Total Videos


-- Video Breakdown – Additional documentation is included in the Assets section, if available for a particular Key Area. You will be briefed thoroughly on specific technologies and areas of focus within each Video after the Pitch Phase.


  1. Overview Video of the Open Innovation Program and the Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Open Innovation Accelerator Program.
    • Up to 90-seconds, with corresponding 30-second cut-down optimized for social.
    • This will be the first Video that many people see, so it should be especially engaging and focus on Open Innovation, the broader mission of the Open Innovation program and address how it will accomplish its objectives through crowd-sourcing initiatives. This content should showcase the goals of future development, and again, most importantly, invite people to participate in this exciting program and crowdsourcing competitions. You can read the summary PDF in the assets, or check out more info here.
  2. Key Area Summary: Location-Based Services
    • 60-seconds, with corresponding 6-second Video Teaser optimized for social platforms.
    • This should address technology that assists Public Safety officials primarily with indoor localization and tracking, like 3D geolocation and indoor mapping. For example, even if you know someone’s in a building, how can you determine what floor they’re on, or what room they’re in? Two one-page documents are included in the assets for this video.
  3. Key Area Summary: Public Safety Mission Critical Voice
    • 60-seconds, with corresponding 6-second Video Teaser optimized for social platforms.
    • This should address communications technology for management of radio and network interoperability, covering topics like Direct Mode Communication, Push-to-talk, and Group Communications. Direct Mode, for example, allows two devices to connect to each other directly, without the need of a wireless network; such as in the case where two responders are in a parking garage with no service, or where a tower has gone down. For that to happen, you need communications standards. For group communications, think about how a handheld radio on a legacy system has open channels and everyone can communicate, but cell phones generally only connect two people. For first responders, it’s important to connect on a public channel, but it’s also critical to have the ability to speak with one specific individual, or connect with a small team – and if it can happen at the push of a single button, that’s Push-to-talk.
  4. Key Area Summary: Public Safety Enhanced User Interface (UI/UX):
    • 60-seconds, with corresponding 6-second Video Teaser optimized for social platforms.
    • This should address topics like device usability, and new ways to meet operational needs that take into account the user experience. This is about new ways of providing information, notifications, and feedback, beyond the traditional smartphone interactions. This is a sweet spot for futuristic developments; little beeps and flashing icons can only take you so far, so it’s about envisioning new ways of communicating mission-critical moments, like  having a device tap your body when you’re not in a position to hear anything or when your visual field is chaotic. It’s also about how first responders can quickly and easily interact with their devices and their precious time isn’t spent trying to unlock a device or find the right app.
    • This should also address augmented and virtual reality systems, immersive environments, and how they can specifically be used for testing and developing new measurements and standards for User Interfaces and User Experience for first responders.
  5. Key Area Summary: Public Safety Data Analytics:
    • 60-seconds, w/ corresponding 6-second Video Teaser optimized for social platforms.
    • This should address topics like data collection and data overload, processing algorithms, network resiliency, and data exchange standards. First responders don’t often have access to the best information, nor can they share data with other agencies or organizations due to different formats or standards, hampering their efforts – how can this be improved? Similarly, once public safety officials have access to large amounts of (valuable) information, it can be difficult to understand, analyze, or find exactly what’s needed.
  6. Key Area Summary: Public Safety Network and Device Security:
    • 60-seconds, with corresponding 6-second Video Teaser optimized for social platforms.
    • This should address topics like network and device vulnerabilities, broadband cybersecurity, mobile application security, and identity management security, as they relate to public safety. We live in a world where devices and networks are vulnerable to both active and passive attacks that could affect essential tools used and relied on by our first responders… while in an emergency situation. How can we best address these issues?
  7. Highlights Video to include the 5 key areas:
    • This Video will be a quick highlight reel and summary of the 5 Key Areas.

 

PRE-PRODUCTION: This project includes a Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). In this case, you will be required to submit Script, Storyboard and Headshots for Approval before moving onto the Video Phase.


IMPORTANT: You may not begin shooting your Videos until you receive a greenlight from the NIST team. If you begin shooting your Videos 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.


NOTE ON RELEASES: Once you are in Production, you will be required to use the specific Talent, Location, and Music Releases provided in Asset Section at the bottom of this page for this project. Tongal’s standard release forms will not be accepted.  

 

--Key Marketing Messages: This is an exciting and important program that I might be able to participate in to help improve public safety.


--Executional Mandatories:


--Target Audience: This should speak to Americans from all age groups, backgrounds, educations, communities, etc., with a particular appeal to citizen scientists, creative thinkers, academics, and those in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields.

 

--Tone: Videos should be aspirational, futuristic, engaging, and especially inclusive – inviting people from everywhere, all backgrounds, education, communities, etc., to contribute to future technologies that will change the world we live in and how our first responders operate. You must avoid being flat, dense, process-oriented, or for insiders only, while still reflecting the gravity and importance of the subject matter. Additionally, you should avoid anything overly edgy or off-color.

 

--Exposure & Format:


FACEBOOK OPTIMIZATION: The SIX (6) 6-second Social Cut-Downs should be optimized for Facebook, and should be shareable and teaser-like; as such, you should look to create something that is visually captivating. Consider the following best practices:


--Anticipated Production Timeline: Note that this is only a tentative timeline, and is subject to change.


--End Card: NIST would like a uniform endcard and call-to-action across the whole series of Videos, referencing the #PSprizes hashtag and directing to their website bit.ly/PSprizes


Details

This Project will be worth a total of $100,000 and consists of four (4) Phases: a Concept Phase, a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, and a Video Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules for this Project.


PHASE 1: CONCEPT – Submit your Concept for a series of Videos that will inspire Americans to help develop the public safety technology of tomorrow in 250 characters or less. Remember, a Concept is not a detailed script; it is a spark of inspiration, or a distillation of what will happen in the Videos. As always, Concepts should be clever and engaging. The winning Concept creators will receive $500 each.

The winners will be paid prizes directly from NIST. Prior to payment, winners will be required to submit a Winner’s Affidavit and the IP License, as well as verify their eligibility. Verification with NIST includes providing the full legal name, tax identification number or social security number, and a routing number and banking account to which the prize money can be directly deposited. The banking and routing number that Winners provide must direct to a U.S.-based bank.


PHASE 2: PITCH – Submit your Pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute the suite of Videos. Please be sure to provide your vision for the whole series AND address how the Overview Video would differ from the Key Area Videos.



The single most compelling Pitch will be selected and will receive $43,000 to help create the Video Series.


NOTE: THIS PROJECT IS ONLY OPEN TO U.S. CITIZENS OR RESIDENTS.


The winners will be paid prizes directly from NIST. Prior to payment, winners will be required to submit a Winner’s Affidavit and IP License, as well as verify their eligibility. Verification with NIST includes providing the full legal name, tax identification number or social security number, and a routing number and banking account to which the prize money can be directly deposited.


Additionally, upon submitting a Video Series that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winners will also be GUARANTEED a winning place in the subsequent Pilot Phase. So, if your Pitch is selected and you execute your Pitch effectively in your Video submission, you will win an additional $55,000.


For an example of an effective Pitch, check out Erik Beck’s 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 3: PRE-PRODUCTION – This project includes a Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). In this case, you will be required to submit Script, Storyboard and Headshots for Approval before moving onto the Video Phase.


You may NOT begin shooting your Videos until all Approvals are complete 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 PHASE – Once the Pre-Production Phase has finished, the winner of the Pitch Phase will create all 13 Videos for the Video series based on their winning Pitch and the approved Script and Storyboards.


NOTE: All 13 Videos are due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting.


--Video Phase Payout: The Winner of the Video Phase will earn $55,000. There are no residuals on this project.


--Music: Tongal has partnered with premiere music providers: JinglePunks, Killer Tracks and Epidemic Sound. Any of these music providers can be used to source music for your Video submission. Music from these providers for this Project are available to registered Tongal members at no charge for incorporation into Videos for this submission and will not require a separate Music Release Form. To learn more about using each of these music providers, click on the provider’s names above.


Tongal members interested in a custom music solution for your project may contact a music creation company such as SCORE A SCORE.  There are several companies that specialize in the creation of custom music on demand that will work with you to create a deal configuration that will work within your parameters.


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.


Requirements

CONTEST REQUIREMENTS AND RULES

In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of the official rules and disclosures or other statements contained in any Competition materials, including but not limited to the Competition submission form, Competition website and use terms, Tongal terms of participation, advertising (including but not limited to television, print, radio or online ads), the terms and conditions of the NIST Official Rules on Challenge.gov [link to PSCR video Challenge URL, available at launch date] shall control.


1.) 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.) The winners will be paid prizes directly from NIST. Prior to payment, winners will be required to submit a Winner’s Affidavit and the IP License, as well as verify their eligibility. Verification with NIST includes providing the full legal name, tax identification number or social security number, and a routing number and banking account to which the prize money can be directly deposited. The banking and routing number that Winners provide must direct to a U.S.-based bank.


3.) 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.


4.) 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.


5.) The following language will control in the event of any inconsistency with the Official Rules: Any applicable intellectual property rights to an Entry will remain with the Participant. By participating in the prize competition, the Participant is not granting any rights in any patents, pending patent applications, or copyrights related to the technology described in the Entry. However, by submitting an Entry, the Participant is granting NIST, and any third parties acting on their behalf, certain limited rights to be set forth in the IP License if they are selected as the winner.


6.) PRIOR TO THE DECLARATION OF THE WINNER, 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.) Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.


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


9.) 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.


10.) Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.


11.) Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.


12.) You must be a U.S. Citizen or resident and at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.


13.) In the event that fewer than 25 Pitches are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.


14.) 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.


15.) 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.


16.) In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and the IP License, 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.


17.) Privacy Advisory: The Tongal.com website is hosted by a private entity and is not a service of NIST. The solicitation and collection of your personal or individually identifiable information is subject to the host’s privacy and security policies and will not be shared with NIST unless you win the Challenge. Challenge winners’ personally identifiable information must be made available to NIST in order to collect an award.


18.) 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.