REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – CANADA HISTORY WEEK ANIMATED VIDEO SERIES:
Historica Canada offers programs that you can use to explore, learn, and reflect on our history, and what it means to be Canadian. Historica Canada’s collection includes more than 150 online educational videos for use in classrooms and for the general public. Since 2017, Historica Canada has produced eighteen fully bilingual animated videos for Canada History Week. All media projects produced by Historica Canada are created as free, educational content to help promote learning and historical knowledge.
At Historica Canada, we recognize that the stories we tell matter – and the way that we tell them matters. We are committed to helping build a better Canada that amplifies missing voices, that recognizes multiple perspectives, that acknowledges our failings, and that celebrates our achievements.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Historica Canada is seeking a production company or team to collaboratively develop three illustrated videos (approximately 1 minute each – examples linked below), with French and English versions of each video, for a total of six videos.
For Canada History Week 2023, we will create three 1-minute animated videos in English and French. The overarching theme is the History of Black Excellence in Canada. Video scripts will be provided by Historica Canada. The target audience is the general public, but promotion will also include focused outreach campaigns to elementary and high school students and teachers. The videos will live on Historica Canada’s social media channels (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) and in our digital educational resources. The final product will be suitable for viewing in both classrooms and by the general public.
The chosen production company will have demonstrated involvement in the communities on which this series is focused. The production company or team will have experience with end-to-end animation production processes, including creative direction, audio recording/directing, editing, and final packaging. In consultation with the Historica Canada team, they will work with illustrators/animators to create a visual interpretation of the scripts.
Historica Canada will work with historians and consultants, who will provide expert consultation on script development and production. All aspects of the concept, script, outreach, creative direction, and production will be required to meet with final approval from Historica Canada. This is a collaborative process. Historica Canada will be regularly engaged throughout the production process.
All videos will be made available in English and French.
PROJECT TIMELINE:
17 April 2023 – RFI opens
3 May 2023 – RFI closes
10 May 2023 – Follow up meetings with top teams
17 May 2023 – Contract awarded
May-June 2023 – Research + ideation + scripts for video concepts
June – November 2023 – Production of 3 x videos
November 2023 – Videos are launched
BUDGET:
The maximum budget, including all taxes, is $30,000 CDN for three videos (approximately 1 minute each), each versioned into a second official language (English or French).
Your budget should take into account:
- Creative direction for series (cohesive look and feel for videos based on previous videos in the established series)
- Storyboards for each video
- Casting and hiring 1 English and 1 French narrator per video, as well as 1 English and 1 French end narrator.
- Post-production including audio recording/directing/mix, illustrator/animator fees, video editing, sound design, music, captions, etc.
- Second language versioning (French Producer for voice direction)
- Final deliverables in both official languages (.mp4 in vertical and horizontal)
- Contingency
Historica Canada will cover the following project costs:
- Scripting
- Script Consultant fees
- French/English translation
- Fact checking
- Marketing
Please note, all admin/overhead costs and applicable taxes should also be factored into the budget. The total $30,000 CDN should be inclusive of tax.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Selection will be based on the assessment of three aspects of submission:
Work Samples and References: Quality of your portfolio, such as: your experience with similar projects including client work; your flexibility pertaining to potential shifts in project scope or timelines; integrity; and your process for developing and carrying out the project in a timely manner. Please note that the production team or company should be available during regular working hours.
Budget: Budget must be appropriate and reasonable to the project. Budget lines must be clearly defined in the submission.
Community Relevance: Demonstrated involvement in the communities on which this series is focused.
No original pitch material is necessary for this RFI. Competition is limited to Canadian companies only.
DEADLINE:
An electronic copy of the submission in .pdf format is due MAY 3, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET to productions@historicacanada.ca productions@historicacanada.cawith the subject heading “Canada History Week Video Series 2023 – ‘YOUR COMPANY NAME’”.
Questions may be sent to productions@historicacanada.ca. No extensions will be granted. No phone calls please.
We regret that due to the high volume of applicants we are unable to provide detailed feedback to unsuccessful candidates.
This is an open and competitive process. Submissions will be evaluated immediately thereafter. Historica Canada will select the top 3 submissions for follow-up meetings by phone or video conferencing in early May 2023. Please note that the services performed by the selected production company regarding the project shall be for the exclusive benefit of Historica Canada. All work products generated as well as copyright for the project shall belong to Historica Canada.
