When you're thinking about your creature and the story you want to tell, keep in mind that you shouldn't focus on any one franchise or piece of IP. Think about archetypes and recognizable character types, visuals, and scenes.

SYFY has found the most successful videos are the ones that cleverly integrate the SYFY logo into the scene. The logo shouldn't feel like an afterthought; instead, it should be revealed or transformed in an unexpected way. Check out some of our favorite SYFY logo videos below for inspiration.

Here are some past SYFY ident videos that resolve on the uncluttered frame for the final five seconds. We're including these examples in "pairs" so you can see how the first version resolves on the SYFY logo and the second resolves on the uncluttered frame. 

• Full Moon Holiday
• Sweet Holidays

And here you can see some of our favorite SYFY logo videos of all time. Please note: Unlike these videos, which end on the SYFY logo, you'll need to add an additional :05 seconds after the SYFY logo is revealed. 

• Monster Meetup
• Homage to B-Movies
• Post-Apocalyptic Workshop
• Doomsday
• The Restaurant
• Back to SYFY Academy
• Mystery Meat
• Want to Play?
• Monsters Fall in Love

SYFY is the Alpha and the Omega of genre. They've got everything from cyberpunk sci-fi to futuristic fantasy and the boldest, bloodiest horror films you've ever seen. Raise your freak flag high, SYFY's got you, and then let's talk once again about their logo initiative, where artists, animators, designers, and directors are given the chance to bring the SYFY logo to life in an artistic and incredibly cool TV spot.

So this month, let's talk about one of our favorite things in all the genre content out there: CREATURES. They're awesome, destructive, mysterious, and wild - sometimes adorable, sometimes creepy - but whether they're heroes, sidekicks, villains, or just fluffy eye-candy, they're always incredible examples of creativity and imagination, and we can't get enough. SYFY wants you to put a spotlight on creatures in genre, so use your own creativity and imagination, and dream up the beasts of your wildest dreams. Think about monsters, demons, mutants, critters, furballs, ghouls, aliens, dinos, space worms, insectoids, and dragons. And the key thing here: we want to see these creatures in action. What does your creepy crawly do in its natural habitat? Perhaps your vampire needs to go to the grocery store for some bloodthirsty snacks. Creatures aren't just awesome because of how they look - but because of what they do. 

SYFY wants to see a variety of genres represented (though not necessarily all in one video) so don't just default to horror. The goal here is to end up with a stylish and highly visual TV spot that will bring the SYFY logo to life in an unexpected way. This is not about a narrative so much as it is about creating a fun way to set up and subvert audience expectations.

DELIVERABLES:

• One :15 (:10 + :05 end frame) or :20 (:15 + :05 end frame) logo video (16x9, 1x1)
• For the 1x1 versions, you may simply crop your 16x9 videos, but the logo must be title safe, and you may deliver a second version specifically designed for 1x1 if you prefer.

 

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

 

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

 

TARGET AUDIENCE: Adult fans of genre content

TONE: Funny, scary, magical, mysterious, nostalgic – the sky is the limit. Any tone can work – as long as you remember this is for adults. What would you want to see?

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• The final five seconds of your video should resolve on a simple, uncluttered frame (with minimal motion) because SYFY needs room to incorporate additional center-frame graphics that will be added after you deliver. So after your video resolves on the SYFY logo, you'll need to remove the logo and clear the frame for those final seconds. The total length of your video should be either :15 (:10 + :05) or :20 (:15 + :05). This also means the "narrative" of your video should resolve at the end of either :10 or :15, and the final five seconds should resolve on a cleaner frame that's related to your video but not necessarily a part of the narrative.  
• Your video MUST include the horizontal SYFY logo, and the logo should be on screen for a minimum of 3 seconds. It must be shown in the sizing reference position (which you can review, HERE). The logo must be distinct and readable and visually distinct from the background (i.e. the logo should not completely blend into the environment—it’s an essential part of the spot). 
  • The design of the SYFY logo itself is open for interpretation though, and SYFY is specifically looking for your unique personal style to come through.
  • The “walls” of the logo can be broken if you choose (i.e. a character stepping through the logo; a vine growing beyond the edges of the logo, etc.).
• "Genre" refers to science fiction, fantasy, superheroes, comic books, and horror, but it can be anything that falls under those categories, including something that combines more than one. Think about sub-genres too - science-fiction and horror include a ton of different styles and variations - and how genres have evolved over time and in different mediums. 
• All work MUST be original, and should NOT include or reference existing IP or characters. 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 and any text or type that isn’t related to the S-Y-F-Y of the SYFY logo.
• AVOID graphically violent or sexual  images, or overtly political subject matter.

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): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this video.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. 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.
  
  
• 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, animatic, etc. are welcome.

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.