SYFY is the network for genre fans, so whom better to create their content than the fans themselves? Two genre classics - Shaun of the Dead and Armageddon – are airing in May on the SYFY Channel and the brand needs some talented fan creators to help with programming. We’re looking for genre fans to film a set of two interstitials, one 27 seconds long, and the other 12 seconds long, which will air during commercial breaks of each movie. 

These fan-generated spots should be quick and entertaining riffs on the movies they’re sandwiched between: either Shaun of the Dead or Armageddon. The sky’s the limit creatively – these riffs can be recreations or reenactments with a novel twist, like the short fan swedes in style of this short that Tongalers created to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of Jurassic Park; or they can be reinterpretations in other mediums, “Fan on the Street” style interviews about the movies, even fan art animations or puppetry, just to give a few examples. Obviously, your videos should clearly connect to the movies they're riffing on, no matter what you do. And yes, you can theoretically use footage from the movies, but it's not really what SYFY's looking for, and if you use any clips, they MUST be used alongside original footage footage that you shoot. 

Here’s a rundown of the project:

• This is an open bid project and you will need to submit your proposed budget along with your treatment. You should target a total cost range of $8,000 to $12,000 for both videos. You can download the Budget template here.
• We’re looking for two videos from each filmmaker – one 27 and one 12-second spot. 
• SYFY will add on a 3-second bumper, and they will also handle any branding and graphics, so you’re just being tasked with the interstitial video itself.
• Your 12-second spot should NOT be a cut-down. It should be creatively different from your other video.
• Videos must be shot in 23.98 FPS.
• When submitting your Pitch, you’ll need to choose either “Shaun of the Dead” or “Armageddon” from the dropdown menu. If you’d like to pitch on both movies, please submit multiple pitches.
• You may use footage from either Shaun of the Dead or Armageddon, but any film clips that you use MUST be used alongside original footage that you create. Additionally, you may not use any clips from the movie that incorporate famous music tracks that aren't part of the film's score. SYFY will provide assets as needed.  
• You will be required to use the SYFY-approved music provider Frequency to source music for your Video submission to this Project. Music from this provider is available only to the Pitch Winners at no charge solely for their incorporation into Submissions to this Project.
• Your Video should not contain graphic violence, nudity, or explicit language.
• First cuts of your interstitials will be due April 16 and final cuts will be due April 30.

What to Submit in Your Pitch:

• Links to Previous Work: Please specify your role for each sample.
• Treatment: Give a detailed description of each proposed interstitial Video. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a Treatment template, which you can find here.
• Proposed Budget: Instead of us dictating your budgets, we’re looking for you to let us know the amount you need in order to execute your video. Please provide explicitly how much you need. Budgets should fall between $8,000 and $12,000 per suite of videos. Your budget proposal is subject to approval if your pitch is selected. Please consider the most economical way to produce your video. You can download the Budget template here.

Check out more details below...

Create a both a 27-second and a 12-second interstitial TV spot to run in between showings of either Shaun of the Dead or Armageddon on the SYFY channel. 

We can’t stress enough that your Video should feel like it’s made for the fans, and the people who watch and love these movies. Get in touch with what you love and crave about your favorite characters and scenes, and offer up what you know fans want based on what you would want. Think about the most memorable moments, the wildest scenes, the craziest shots, weirdest devices, most bad-ass lines, and most watchable characters.  Write to details and specifics that only a nerd would get, and have fun.

--Deliverables Due:

• One 27-second Video 
• One 12-second Video
• Editing Project Files & associated assets
• Audio Splits & Stem Files
• Text & Graphic-free Clean Master Videos

--Target Audience: 

• Fans of Armageddon and Shaun of the Dead! This means action and genre fans in genera too, and when we say fans, we mean both the casual fans, and the people who spent an entire Happy Hour trying to convince their friends that Armageddon was the best disaster movie of all time.

--Tone:

• Smart, edgy, fun, and self-aware. Make it for the fans!
• You should avoid graphic violence, nudity, or explicit language. 

--Exposure: 

• Videos are intended to play as interstitials during SYFY channel TV broadcasts of Armageddon and Shaun of the Dead, but they may also play on SYFY’s owned channels and digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, as well as SYFY’s website.

--Anticipated Timeline: 

• Pitch winners selected by SYFY: March 23
• Pre-Production/Production: March 23 – March 30
• Production Phase: March 30 - April 16
• First Cut Videos Delivered to Tongal: April 16
• Tweaks and Feedback from Tongal due: April 17
• First Cut Videos Delivered to SYFY: April 18
• Filmmakers execute revisions: April 20 – April 24
• Fine Cut Videos delivered: April 24
• Final Tweaks & Feedback from SYFY Due: April 26
• Final Videos Delivered: April 30
• Final Files Delivered: May 1

This is an open bid project and consists of 5 Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, a Revisions Phase, and a Delivery Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

The Sponsor will determine whether it will select a winning submission.

PHASE 1: PITCH – This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the Budget template here. The Sponsor would like each producer to create two videos with a total budget in the range of $8,000 to $12,000 per suite of videos.

Submit your Pitch (What is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the Sponsor why you should be selected to execute a Video based on one of the winning Ideas from the previous Phase using:

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this Video.

• 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.

• 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.

• Budget (REQUIRED): Feel free to download and use the Tongal budget template here.

• Script (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create. 

• 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, animatic, etc. are welcome.   

The 4 most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive a portion of their agreed upon budget to help create the Pilot.  Please note the payment of the Pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor the Pitch winner will receive a final payment. For an example of an effective Pitch, check out The Indie Machines winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGOs” Pitch video. All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the Project is complete.  In this project the Sponsor will determine how many submissions it will select, if any.

PHASE 2: PRE-PRODUCTION – The 4 Pitch Winners from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will need to receive the following Approvals from the brand: 

• SCRIPT – This project requires Script Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand may provide feedback on your Script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a Script is approved by the brand. 
• TREATMENT– This project requires Treatment Approval before filmmakers can move onto the Video Phase. The treatment should describe how you plan to execute the video and how you plan to bring the storytelling to life visually. The sponsor may provide feedback on your Treatment and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a Script is approved by the brand. 
• HEADSHOT – This project requires Headshot Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the brand does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.

No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase before you have received final approval, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense).

PHASE 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winners will each create one 27-second Video and one 12-second Video based upon their winning Pitch. 

--Video Phase Payout: Upon submitting Videos that satisfy the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor the Pitch winner will receive the final portion of your approved budget.

--Music: You will be required to use the SYFY-approved music provider Frequency to source music for your Video submission to this Project. Music from this provider is available only to the Pitch Winners at no charge solely for their incorporation into Submissions to this Project and will not require a separate Music Release Form. Pitch Winners will be provided with a log-in and access by a Tongal producer once they are selected. 

PHASE 4: REVISIONS – Once the Video Phase has closed, the winning submitters will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. 

PHASE 5: ASSETS DELIVERY - You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec in order to submit final payment. You will be responsible for the costs associated the hard drive (if necessary) and shipping.

For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post production please click here.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 27 seconds in length. 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 you win, 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. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

6. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

7. 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.

8. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.

9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

11. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, winning Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their winning 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 prize.

15. 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.