Social. Isolation. Sucks. We're not gonna lie, we get it. But we're all geeks, we're all creative, and we've all got our own quirky little ways of hanging in there, so let's have some fun while we're stuck at home. SYFY wants to remind people it's okay sometimes to tune out and tune in to what we love for comfort, so they're putting out an open call for original and wildly entertaining short live-action videos - :10, :15, :20, or :30 - that show the world how you (or your favorite characters) are geeking out and getting through this. 

Did you just spend the last hour practicing spellwork instead of responding to emails... or try to imagine what Batman would do in the Batcave on Day 15 of the quarantine? That's what we wanna see. Embrace your fandom, whether it's science fiction, fantasy, comic book, horror, whatever.

There are three particular themes of videos SYFY's interested in, below, but feel free to interpret these however you want, and know that high production value is definitely not the point here! SYFY is looking for home-made, lo-fi, DIY style videos, like this.

• What are you doing to distract yourself? Bust out the broomsticks, the cardboard boxes, and whatever else you've got lying around to give SYFY a lo-fi parody of your favorite genre movie scene, or show us something else that fits the theme.
• How would your favorite character get through this? What's life like for a quarantined Superhero? What's being a vampire like with social distancing?
• How are you still geeking out at home? Are you are playing Dungeons and Dragons via video chat? Are you finally cleaning out your "lair?" Baking a Spider-Man cake? 

SYFY's looking to select 5 videos in this initial video phase, but since this lock down might go on awhile, don't be surprised if we re-open the video phase or run this project again. 

Now, HANG IN THERE. GEEK OUT. Things will be okay, so keep creating while quarantined. But also, stay the F**K home!

NOTE: Our priority is to make sure everyone is safe, and along with that, we’re working really hard to keep people working during this strange time. Our advice would be to submit only if you feel you can do something within the anticipated timeline that ensures everyone's safety given today's reality.

DELIVERABLES:

• One :10, :15, :20, or :30 video. Your video should be 16x9, but the action should be framed so that it can be cropped for a 1x1 aspect ratio. If you prefer not to have your video cropped, you may deliver a second version in the revisions phase specifically designed for 1x1.

 

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

 

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

TONE: Funny, wild, goofy, clever, badass, scary, magical, mysterious, nostalgic – the sky is the limit. Entertain the rest of us.

 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Your video CANNOT show any visible non-SYFY third-party logos, or merchandise from other IP or franchises, including trademarked or copyrighted materials like toys, books, posters, games, clothing, and shoes. That makes it a little tough, but that's why we're going DIY and lo-fi; you can't wear a Batsuit with a Batman logo, but you could knit a cowl and make a clear parody... if, you know, you like to knit. That said, if you want to incorporate a SYFY property like The Magicians, go ahead!
• You video CANNOT use any dialogue, music, or sound effects from other IP or franchises. Use your mouth to make sound effects if you have to, you're clever like that, or check out the two approved music providers in the Project Requirements section.
• "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, for example, are HUGE categories that include a ton of different styles.
• AVOID graphically violent or sexual  images, or overtly political subject matter.

Submit a short video that is exactly :10, :15, :20, and :30 in length, showing how you geek out on lockdown from home while we all socially distance from each other.

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. 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, 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.
    
    
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.