The Wizarding World is rich and expansive, and SYFY wants you to play with all of the elements it has beyond the characters, logos, and insignias that people default to when they think of Harry Potter. Be creative and embrace the look and feel of the Wizarding World - but don't go off and create new canon. 

While your tribute video will NOT resolve on the SYFY logo (it should resolve on a cleared frame so that SYFY can overlay their broadcasting promotional text), we wanted to share an example of a previous Harry Potter-themed SYFY ident video that adheres to the rules laid out in the Executional Mandatories, but is still a clear homage to the Wizarding World that fans of the franchise will immediately recognize. 

SYFY Herbology Class Ident Video

Notice how the music and set decoration cleverly evoke the look and feel of the Wizarding World. There is no direct recreation of the Mandrake plant from the Harry Potter series, but the earmuffs, high-pitched squeal, and tangled roots reference the idea of a Mandrake without being overtly literal. In addition, the hands seen in the video are clearly NOT meant to depict a character from the series.

It's almost fall, which means it's almost back-to-school season - not only for us muggles, but also for the lucky witches and wizards that attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To celebrate the start of the next school year on September 1st, SYFY will be airing a "Back to Hogwarts" Harry Potter marathon, and to get people excited for that, they're looking for four filmmaking teams to create either a :15 or a :30 Harry Potter tribute video that revolves around the theme of going "Back to Hogwarts." We say either/or, because they'll be looking for two people to create a :15 video for $3,500, and two people to create a :30 video for $4,500. 

This is about tapping into the imaginative and magical world-building that's always made the Wizarding World so memorable, and it's a chance for you to develop creative ways to pay homage to beloved moments, settings, themes, and items. Importantly, though, are the words "tribute" and "homage," as you cannot directly recreate or reinterpret anything from the Wizarding World films. Fans are passionate and quite familiar with the characters and events of the franchise, and fiercely protective, so you'll need to be equally creative, and careful, in how you approach this. There are number of key guidelines that you should review in the Executional Mandatories before submitting a pitch. With those guidelines in mind, what you'll need to do is to find a clever new way to surprise and delight fellow fans of Harry Potter, and tap into that special feeling that witches and wizards get when they board Platform 9 3/4 to return to their home-away-from-home, Hogwarts. 

In terms of execution, you can submit either live-action or animation concepts, or a mix of the two. Given the sensitivity around those creative guidelines, we encourage you to submit multiple video concepts in your pitch treatment so that you have the best chance of getting greenlit, should one of your concepts not work. Since we're only producing two :15 videos and two :30 videos, please also include both a :15 and a :30 concept for SYFY to consider. If greenlit, a Tongal producer will let you know which concept and which runtime SYFY would like to move forward with.

And don't worry - as Professor Dumbledore once said, "Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who deserve it." Since we know the content guidelines can be a bit tricky to navigate, we may reach out and ask you to make some tweaks to your pitch before we share a shortlist with SYFY. Make sure to check out the Executional Mandatories section below for further rules and regulations, and feel free to ask any questions in the Project Forum.

 

DELIVERABLES: Each greenlit creator will be responsible for one total video asset:

• One :15 or :30 tribute video (16x9)

 

TIMELINE: HERE

 

EXPOSURE: We anticipate content will be used on the platforms listed below, but if casting talent, please be sure your talent reviews the required Talent Release, 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 page.

• Videos will air on SYFY and also be posted on SYFY.com, as well on SYFY’s digital and social platforms.

 

TARGET AUDIENCE: SYFY viewers, and fans of Harry Potter...which is basically everyone!

 

TONE: Clever, fun, surprising, whimsical, awe-inspiring, exciting, empowering – you could go in many different directions with this. One thing to avoid: no parodies. 

 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your videos MUST end on a clean frame, so that SYFY can overlay their broadcasting promotional text.
• You CANNOT use any character likenesses, insignia, or logos. Instead, focus on creative interpretations of themes, settings, and items from the Wizarding World (e.g. potions, wands, classrooms, spells, etc.).
• You CANNOT create new characters, creatures, spells, situations, locations, or give the characters new dialogue, histories, or sentiments. 
• The use of magic can be portrayed in your video so long as it is clear that it is a fan-made homage to the Wizarding World. You should NOT attempt to make or recreate an in-world scene. Any use of magic must reflect the portrayal of magic in the films and is subject to approval by Warner Brothers. Practical effects (e.g. subtle smoke/fog, optical illusions, forced perspective, flares/glares on lenses) are encouraged to connote magic without trying to replicate it. REFRAIN from depictions of magic if animation on par with the films cannot be achieved. 
• You CANNOT use any footage, music, or dialogue from the films.
• Be evocative rather than literal. Rather than direct recreations, think about ways to incorporate clever nods to the Wizarding World in your video. 
• If greenlit for a live-action execution, casting is encouraged to be diverse and inclusive.
• All work MUST be original, and should NOT include or reference existing IP beyond the Wizard World. Any persons, places or things rendered should be of the artist’s own creation and should not be referential of any existing properties.
• AVOID voiceover, unless it’s absolutely integral to the perspective of the storytelling in your video. 

 

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects on our platform do move forward, we will 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 the project team.

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): We encourage you to submit multiple video concepts in your pitch treatment. Since SYFY is ultimately looking for two :30 videos and two :15 videos from four different creators, please include :15 and :30 options for each of your video concepts for SYFY to consider. If greenlit, a Tongal producer will let you know which concept and which runtime SYFY would like to move forward with. Your treatment should be 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.
  
  
• STORYBOARDS (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.
  
  
• HEADSHOTS/CASTING BOARDS (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.
  
  
• 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.

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.
   
   
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 filmmaker.
   
   
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.