Bank of America prides itself on being an advocate, partner, and financier of minority-owned small businesses across the country. Whether they’re just starting out or have already established themselves, small businesses need a trusted partner to help them sustain and grow to their full potential. Please refer to Bank of America's past video projects, such as Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital, Yes She May, Montez Group, 28 to Brush, Mikko Sushi and Cheeky Monkey Home, for an understanding of how they prefer to spotlight small business owners.

Tiffany Sorya is a first-generation Cambodian-American who grew up on Portland, Oregon. She founded Novel Education Group in 2014 and is widely recognized in her field for spearheading a fundamental change in the way young people engage with education in the digital age. Her educational philosophies are rooted in flexible teaching methods that focus on students’ passions and individualized learning styles, rather than on the traditional curriculum and standardized pace seen in conventional school settings.

Tiffany discovered her passion for teaching in college, and upon graduating, created her own successful teaching philosophy that transformed homeschooling and tutoring programs throughout Southern California. Her non-traditional teaching styles quickly gained attention as she was hired to be the personal educator for many high-profile clients, including Kendall and Kylie Jenner. With Tiffany’s educational philosophy, her students are able to spend more time exploring their passions and reach career success at a young age.

Novel Education Group's alumni include actors, influencers, international business leaders, tech moguls, professional athletes, and renowned artists. The business continues to grow its list of clientele globally, successfully advancing Ms. Sorya's uniquely innovative education philosophies.

Tiffany Sorya lives in New York City,  but production will take place in Los Angeles. Please do not contact her as part of your Pitch.

***Please Note that only U.S. Residents are eligible to submit for this project.***

The goal of this project is to create a 1-2 minute video following Tiffany Sorya and her business, the Novel Education Group, which provides customized homeschooling and private tutoring to students all over the world. Tiffany is a first-generation American and the daughter of Cambodian refugees. She grew up in Oregon and moved to Los Angeles after graduating from college, where she began working as a full-time teacher and tutor. In 2014, she founded Novel Education Group, an elite homeschooling and academic agency, and is a renowned thought leader and influencer in the education industry. Tiffany lives in New York City, but her business is based out of Los Angeles, so that is where production will take place. 

This video will initially be used in support of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month next May, so we want to have plenty of interview content of Tiffany speaking to how her culture has influenced her educational and entrepreneurial journey. We are looking to to highlight Ms. Sorya's experience as an Asian-American and female entrepreneur, the launch of her business, and the success that came with it. Through it all, Bank of America was there to support her business as it evolved and changed. Today, not only is Tiffany an innovative and passionate educator, but she is also committed to mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs. 

Starting your own business is no easy feat, and this story should clearly capture Ms. Sorya's drive, personal perspective, and professional goals. She is an entrepreneur who has always followed her own path, and we are looking to highlight that aspect of her journey in this video. We want to put Tiffany and her business at the forefront of this story and position Bank of America as a supporting role in the narrative. This will involve filming both an engaging on-camera video interview and B-roll footage that showcases both her business and personal life. By the end of the video, audiences should feel inspired by Ms. Sorya and her business while also understanding some of the services Bank of America has provided along the way.

We want this video to be uplifting, optimistic, and sincere. Bank of America would like visuals to be cinematic and elevated but still communicate the sincerity of an authentic story. We are looking for that perfect blend between polished commercial images and raw documentary coverage. We want audiences to see themselves in the video and know that Ms. Sorya's story is truly her own. Bank of America would like to highlight Tiffany rather than themselves in this balance, and any additional messaging details will be discussed upon greenlighting a filmmaker.

To get a better idea of how Bank of America aims to tell Ms. Sorya's story, check out past small business profiles like Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital, Yes She May, Montez Group, Mikko Sushi, and 28 to Brush. You can find out more information about Tiffany Sorya in the Background. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask them in the project forum.

 

DELIVERABLES: There are 7 total video assets.

• One 1-2 minute “Hero” video (16x9)
• One :15-:30 cutdown (16x9, 1x1, 9x16)
• One :06 cutdown (16x9, 1x1, 9x16)
• Closed Caption Files (SRT and VTT)
• Ten Thumbnail images sourced from video footage
• ADA Transcript (using bank Word script template)

 

TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.

 

EXPOSURE:

• Bank of America's Website
• Social Media
• Adhere to Facebook and Instagram best practices which can be found here.

 

TARGET AUDIENCE: Small business owners and current Bank of America clients

 

TONE: Inspirational and authentic

 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Please do NOT contact Tiffany Sorya or her business as part of your pitch process. Any filmmakers infringing on this will be removed from consideration. 
• In working with Tiffany during the pre-production process, all communications should be limited, focused, and extremely courteous. The greenlit filmmaker MUST be highly organized and have strong communication skills. Remember, Tiffany Sorya is a client of Bank of America's, and we want to ensure her experience is smooth and positive.
• You should be prepared to provide your own location for interviewing and filming. 
• You are required to provide a secure option for remote viewing during production. For more information about Bank of America's expectations, please refer to this document.
• You are required to present robust COVID-19 protocols during pre-production, as well as contingency plans for key crew members, since the shoot dates are firm and there is little chance of rescheduling. You MUST have a dedicated COVID Compliance Officer on set.
• Production will take place in Los Angeles. You will be responsible for travel if necessary.
• For the on-camera interview, you will be required to have a two-camera set-up.
• You are required to ask all interviewees this question: "What would you like the power to do?" Please have them frame their answer as: "I would like the power to _____."
• You will be responsible for providing a hair and make-up person for Tiffany Sorya.
• Following picture lock, be prepared to blur logos for brands appearing in the final edit that we don’t have permission to use.

 

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a bid. Though most projects on our platform do move forward with a greenlit bid, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any bids via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.

Shooting live action or stop motion? Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, and we're now requiring a COVID safety protocol plan for all relevant productions. Please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We're working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and you should ensure your submission is executable within the anticipated timeline and budget, while also ensuring everyone's safety.

In order to be considered for this project, you must include the below materials in your pitch submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery.

 

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed out 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, both in terms of what we can expect to see, and how you’ll make it. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, cinematography, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• COVID PROTOCOL (REQUIRED): Please let us know your team’s COVID safety protocols for production. If you’re doing everything yourself, or your team will be working 100% remotely, let us know that this won’t apply. Otherwise, at the very minimum, your safety plan must include information about:
  • What city and state you plan to film in
  • Whether you are filming interiors or exteriors
  • Approximately how many people you plan to have on set
  • How you’ll account for testing, PPE, and distancing on set
  • How you’ll handle talent and backup talent, including any hair, make-up, and wardrobe needs
  • Whether you’ll have a dedicated compliance officer on set
    
    
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show them what you're capable of. Consider submitting a pitch video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect should they choose your pitch. Also, test videos, animatics, etc. are welcome. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.
  
  
• APPRENTICESHIP ADVISOR (Optional): The Tongal On-Set Apprenticeship Program is an opportunity to support new & emerging talent in production positions with hands-on on-set experience. Please indicate on the pitch submission form if you would be interested in overseeing an apprentice on your production; your answer will neither increase nor decrease the likelihood of your pitch being greenlit. Tongal will cover the apprentice's day rate outside of your project budget, and if you are matched with an apprentice, your Tongal producer will reach out with more information. To learn more about the On-Set Apprenticeship Program and the responsibilities of an advisor, please click HERE.

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 your submission be greenlit, 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. 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.
   
   
6. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
7. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
8. 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.
    
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
10. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
     
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.
    
    
14. 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.
    
    
15. 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.
    
    
16. 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.