*NOTE: The Pitch Phase has been extended to Thursday, 10/25 @ 12:00pm PDT / 3:00pm EDT.*

Pour yourself a drink and saddle up – it’s time for a magical nerdgasm. SYFY and Tongal are teaming up to create a series of fan-made SYFY logo videos for The Magicians, and since we mean “fan-made” literally, we’re inviting you to the party. 

Oh, wait, The Magicians?!? Need a refresher? How’s this: The Magicians revolves around Brakebills University, a secret school for magic, and it is there amidst a very unorthodox education in spellcasting that a group of fine-looking millennials discover that a fantasy world they read about as children is *quite* real— and also happens to threaten humanity as we know it. If it sounds familiar, it’s supposed to. The Magicians takes all the fantasy tropes we’re used to and completely deconstructs them. It’s dark, it’s wild, it’s f**ked up and satirical, self-aware, and unflinchingly pop-savvy. And that’s why we love it. 

But if you’re still a little foggy on what’s going on, or you’ve taken a mind-wiping potion recently, check out this season 1 & 2 recap, this season 3 recap, and this season 4 sneak peak…

…and then let’s get back to how you fit in. Since SYFY is the network for fans, they’ve been working with fan creators in an on-going initiative that gives artists, animators, designers, directors, and makers the chance to bring the SYFY logo to life in a series of artistic and incredibly stylish short videos. If you’ve been watching SYFY recently, you might have seen this beauty, which is a great example of what they’re doing.

With Season 4 of The Magicians on the horizon, SYFY wants to see their logo done in a style that uniquely celebrates what fans love about the show. They’re asking for 10 or 15-second videos: creative interpretations, highly visual, and each revolving around the SYFY logo itself, transforming it, revealing it, or interpreting it through the lens of The Magicians. Any medium can work – it can involve stop-motion, 2D or 3D animation, motion graphics, live-action, you name it – and we’ve thrown a few suggestions in the details that might inspire you.

So, with that said, we have to ask: Will you play with me? 

Check out more details below…

The goal of this project is to create an artistic, stylish and highly visual 10 or 15-second video that brings the SYFY logo to life in a style that uniquely celebrates The Magicians and its characters, its magic, its lore, or any part of its universe. The assignment is wide open to artistic interpretation, and SYFY is specifically looking for your unique personal style and choice of medium to come through. This isn’t really about a narrative – the focus should really be on the art and design, and developing some clever or unique way of expressing it.

Obviously, the creative ask lends itself to artists, animators, designers, editors, and makers, so any medium can work (stop-motion, claymation, 2D or 3D animation, etc.) although if you choose to pitch something live-action, your video should be driven by visuals, and not by a straight narrative or any dialogue. You can use characters’ likeness, but note that should any characters be featured, likeness approval will be required and that may create extra revision steps. 

The Videos will be used to simultaneously promote the upcoming fourth season of The Magicians, as well as drive SYFY brand awareness and bring attention to SYFY’s focus on the fan creator community. They’ll be used across every brand platform, including as on-air interstitials. 

Below is a collection of promotional assets for Season 4 that might be helpful as inspiration. 

Iconography:

• Magicians Logo Link
• The Flow/Source of Magic (i.e. the Wellspring, water-like liquid)
• The Library/Books
• Brakebills University
• Fillory
• Castle Whitespire
• Hedgewitch Tattoos
• Any imagery that Suggests Repression or Rebellion
• Finger tutting!!!

Characters:

• Quentin Coldwater (Witness Protection Identity: Brian, a professor)
• Julia Wicker (Witness Protection Identity: Kim, an architect)
• Alice Quinn 
• Eliot Waugh (Currently possessed by the monster)
• William “Penny” Adiyodi (Witness Protection Identity: Hansel, a DJ)
• Margo Hanson (Witness Protection Identity: Janet, a fashion editor)
• Dean Henry Fogg 
• Kady Orloff-Diaz (Witness Protection Identity: Sam, a narcotics officer)
• Josh Hoberman (Witness Protection Identity: Isaac, an Uber driver)
• Fen
• Marina Andrieski
• Zelda, the Librarian

--Executional Mandatories & Considerations:

• The original portion of your video MUST end with the SYFY logo. The logo should be on screen for a minimum of 2.5 seconds (for the :10) or 3 seconds (for the :15).
• The actual design of the SYFY logo is open to artist interpretation, but its final form MUST reflect the network’s existing stacked or horizontal logos (i.e. they aren’t looking for a new logo design, but the style the logo is rendered in is open to interpretation).
• The SYFY logo MUST be 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). 
• All work MUST be original, and related to The Magicians. It should not include or make reference to any other existing IP. Any persons, places or things rendered should be of the artist’s own creation and should not be referential of any existing properties.
• AVOID typography that isn’t related to the S-Y-F-Y of the SYFY logo.
• AVOID graphically violent or sexual images.
• AVOID overtly political subject matter.
• The Video should not contain voiceover unless it’s integral to the perspective of the storytelling in the spot (i.e. no marketing-style narration).
• The “walls” of the logo can be broken if the artist so chooses (i.e. a character stepping through the logo; a vine growing beyond the edges of the logo, etc.).

--Target Audience: Fans of The Magicians and genre content in general. SYFY and The Magicians team are shining a spotlight on creators across all mediums who love everything in the genre universe.

--Exposure: Videos will air on SYFY and also be posted on SYFY.com, as well on SYFY’s branded digital and social platforms, and The Magicians branded digital and social platforms.

--End Card:  Each video will incorporate a small “Fan Made by” artist’s signature stamp, which will be an on-screen graphic with each filmmaker’s name (or handle) and signature. SYFY & Tongal will create and apply the graphic stamp itself from an existing template, for inclusion in your video. For the stamp, you will be asked to provide the name you’d like to use, as well as a full signature, and initials, in transparent PNG format.

--Anticipated Timeline: 

• Pitch winners selected by SYFY: 10/29
• Pre-Production & Approvals: 10/29 - 11/07
• Video Phase: 11/19 - 12/03
• First Cut Videos Delivered to SYFY: 12/04
• Editorial Feedback from SYFY due: 12/07
• Filmmakers execute revisions: 12/07 - 12/14
• Revised Cut Videos Delivered to SYFY: 12/14
• Final Tweaks & Edits: 12/14-12/21
• Final Revised Videos Delivered: 12/21

This Project will be worth a total of $7,500 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.

PHASE 1: PITCH – 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.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of the visuals and what's going to happen in the video. You should include graphic and tonal references when possible. 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.   

The 5 most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive $750 to help create their Videos.  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 of $750.

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. 

PHASE 2: PRE-PRODUCTION – The 5 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: 

• TREATMENT – This project requires Treatment Approval before filmmakers can move onto the Video Phase. The treatment should describe in detail how you plan to execute the short narrative (if any) in your video, and how you plan to bring the storytelling to life visually. You should include graphic and tonal references when possible. 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 Treatment is approved by the brand. 
• *LIKENESS APPROVAL – If you’re Treatment involves the Likeness of any talent from the show, there will be an additional level of approval required. The talent’s Likeness must be included in your Treatment, and the talent may provide feedback on their Likeness and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until Likeness is approved.

No filmmakers may begin making 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).

For your convenience we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a Treatment, Production Budget, Storyboards, Shot List, Call Sheet, and a Music Cue Sheet.  They can all be accessed here.

PHASE 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winners will each create a 10 second Video based upon their winning Pitch. 

--Video Phase Payout: 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 of $750.

--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. 

If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. 

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 15 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 Video 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.