Description
Content Production of New Series Amreeka 102 Embassy of the United States of America Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Solicitation Number 19SA7023Q0014 Questions and Answers Q1: What is the estimated length/duration of each episode? A1: 2.5-3 minutes for each episode Q2: Can you provide a brief description of the story? A2: The series will not be based one storyline and sequence of events but would feature a few key characters for each episode. The general theme of the series is promoting U.S.-Saudi educational and cultural ties. Each episode will have a couple of specific themes, with higher Education in the U.S. being a common theme in each episode. Q3: Will the series primarily be narrated in Arabic, or English? A3: Arabic, Saudi Dialect with English subtitles. Q4: What is the proposed budget for this project? A4: New project. Q5: Can you please clarify the payment schedule? Will payment be made upon completion of the entire project? or upon completion of each episode? A5: The payment schedule is by each episode. Q6: Are these 10 episodes a continuous narrative story, or purely informational? A6: Informational, but through main characters and each episode will target a specific theme in the context of U.S. higher education. Q7: Are the characters continuous across all episodes? Or will there be new characters for each episode? A7: The main characters (2-3 main characters) will be used in all episodes with the introduction of new characters based on episode content. Q8: Can you provide similar animations or examples as a reference for style? A8: Please refer to Amreeka 101 on YouTube. Q9: What is the desired duration for each episode? A9: 2.5-3 minutes for each episode. Q10: Who is the intended audience for the show? A10: In general, Saudis are the target audience for this series. Target audience varies depending on episode themes. Q11: Are there specific demographics or age groups we should cater to? A11: Target age group varies depending on theme of each episode – but are basically Saudis considering their higher education options and their parents. Q12: Which spoken and written languages are required for the show's production and distribution? A12: Saudi dialect with English subtitles Q13: Could you provide insight into the overarching purpose or message that the government wants the show "Amreeka 102" to convey? A13: Highlighting and promoting U.S.-Saudi education ties and educational and cultural opportunities in the U.S. Q14: Are there any previous government-sponsored shows, or other similar shows/awards, that we should refer to as examples to better understand the style and content expectations? A14: Please refer to Amreeka 101 on YouTube Q15: Will the government be supplying a comprehensive outline or storyboards for each episode, or would you prefer our team to develop the storyline based on a general theme? A15: We will provide general themes and guidelines for each episode. Production company is expected to provide storyboard and creative content for each episode. Q16: Are there any specific characters or archetypes that the show should include to resonate with the intended audience? A16: No specific character, but we do want male and female Saudis as lead characters - these are expected to be further developed by the production company. Q17: Are there any cultural or sensitive topics that should be handled with care or avoided altogether in the show's content? A17: Specific guidelines on content will be discussed in detail. Q18: Are there specific broadcast platforms or channels in mind for airing the show, or will it be distributed through various channels? A18: Various channels: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Specific posting plan is expected to be recommended by our media team. Q19: Can the production deadline be extended from six weeks to nine weeks? A19: No Q20: Will the government provide us with the full story of each episode? A20: We will provide theme. Production company is expected to have or work with a creative writing team for the content. Q21: Is Amreeka 102 a second season for Amreeka 101? A21: No. The show will reference Amreeka 101 in some themes, but new characters and episode content is expected. Q22: Does it have the same message of "Studying in the US"? A22: Amreeka 102 will have that as a primary theme but broader approaches that will include more sub-themes. Q23: Should we use the same main characters? A23: No Q24: Are you satisfied with the same animation style of season 1? A24: Yes Q25: Should we assume the same duration per episode of 5 minutes each? Should we assume the same number of characters and locations? A25: No, we want Amreeka 102 episodes to be 2.5-3 minutes maximum. There is no specific requirement for number of characters and locations. Q26: Do season 2 events need to be built on season 1? A26: No Q27: We understood that the timeline for producing an episode is 6 weeks, so we assume that the timeline for the whole project is 60 weeks. Are we flexible to give the preproduction more time and overlap the production of the episodes in order to maintain the highest quality possible? A27: Yes Q28: It's mentioned in clause 52.217-9 that the contract should not exceed 1-year although it's calculated to be 60 weeks. Can you please clarify? A28: The contract’s period of performance will start from the official “Notice to Proceed” sent to the contractor not from the date of the award, once the contract is signed, most probably the COR and CO will conduct meetings and discussions with the contractor to discuss the specifics of the Scope of Work and the timeline (Within a year of the NTP), the agreed schedule will most likely include all aspects of production processes, time lines ..etc. and the timeline will not necessarily be exclusive to one episode at a time, but comprehensively to be worked out to include all episodes within the one year of performance. Q29: What kind of marketing activities are needed? A29: Online promotion for each episode as recommended and managed by production company. Q30: What's the YouTube/Instagram channel that the series will be published on? A30: USAinKSA- The U.S. Embassy official online accounts Q31: What are the marketing campaign objectives? A31: To promote each episode and maximize reach and viewership. Q32: Should we include the marketing buying budget in the proposal or only the marketing planning fees? If so, what is the marketing buying budget you would like to include? A32: Please include the marketing planning fees in the budget and provide adequate details on specific marketing plan. Q33: We can upgrade the style and get it more developed, but this will raise the rate per minute. Examples of the development should follow a series like Yaarob. It could be more developed so we can aim for higher quality like what we achieved in our latest productions in Disney's Kizazi Moto (We have produced Stardust (3D) and First Totem Problems (2D))? · Brief about the project? A 10-episode animated series that has a different theme per episode. The general theme of the show is to highlight and promote educational, cultural, commercial, and other areas of collaboration between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Specific themes and guidelines on content will be provided to the production company. · Target audience? Saudi audience is the target audience for this series. Specific audience varies per episode (students, mid-career professionals, parents, etc…) · Do they have a ready script? No · Do they have ready characters? NO · If not, please ask them to share bullet points about the 10 messages they wish to deliver in the 10 episodes. Content and themes will be discussed after final selection of implementing partner. · How many characters and how many locations for each episode? 2-3 main characters. Locations depend on episode content. · Is it only for social media? or is cinema quality required? Social media · Assuming all above will be 3d format: 2D or 3D format will be considered. How long do you want each episode to be? 2D is obviously going to be cheaper/easier than 3D. Is this LPTA or best value? Episodes are expected to be 2.5-3 minutes long. Please provide cost estimate for 2D and 3D if possible. The Public Affairs Office will review proposals and costs based on quality and value of animation and experience of creative writing team in preparing needed content for episodes.