The Universal Classic Monsters include the most legendary film monsters from the great horror, fantasy, thriller and science fiction franchises - going all the way back to the 1920s. We're talking about the original Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, Phantom of the Opera, The Invisible Man, and many more.

The Universal Monsters are the original outsiders - the misfits, the misunderstood - and it's that aspect that helps define their identities and stories. Their sagas shine a light on how humans can be the real monsters, and as their tales unwind, we discover unexpectedly nuanced, dynamic, and multidimensional narratives. This is not just light and dark - not just good and evil - and your artwork itself should be able to tell a story that reflects that distinction and gives these creatures real character.

Check out the Assets tab for a complete list of Monster films from the Universal Monster Library.

Get ready! We're announcing on Wednesday, March 31st @ 12pm PT / 3pm ET

Check the official Universal Monsters Instagram for the first announcement; we'll follow here moments later!

Emerging from the shadows, the swamps, and the science labs, these iconic figures are the terrifying misfits and fiends that have inspired generations of moviegoers. They are the hallowed icons of horror - the original Monsters - who've given shape and meaning to that word, as much as to humanity's dark fears and frailties. Yet, whether they be accurst, misguided, or misunderstood, monsters are also undeniably captivating, and when you watch the classic Universal Pictures films like Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, and Creature from the Black Lagoon, you see that it‘s not only their incomparable stories, but their unforgettable images, that have made them such powerful symbols. It’s with that in mind that we turn to you.

Monster fans, if you're an artist, an illustrator, or a designer, Universal Monsters: Out of the Shadows art initiative is offering you the chance to create the next generation of horror icons, with a call to design a dynamic and original new monster.

It doesn't matter who you are and what you've done before. As the original home of the monsters, Universal Pictures understands that part of what’s always made monsters so beloved is how all of us can see ourselves in their stories. We all know what it’s like to feel like an outsider or a pariah at times – to feel invisible or doomed. That quality gives monsters a universality that anyone can tap into, and Universal is committed to spotlighting undiscovered and emerging talent, so they're open to anyone with an incredible imagination and a unique perspective.

Look to the legendary monsters for inspiration, but bring something brand new to the table, and ultimately, use your artwork to tell an unexpected story. After all, monsters are nothing without the story behind them, and while it may be lines, shapes, and colors that define the look of your creation, it is movement, action, and setting that can express a story and truly make your creation into a memorable character.

This is an opportunity for you to be seen by a judges' panel of esteemed artists, filmmakers, executives, and Hollywood industry creatives, including director, writer, and producer Andy Muschietti, writer and producer Barbara Muschietti, writer and producer Robert Kirkman, and artist Crash McCreery. Additional judges’ include iconic contemporary artists Tristan Eaton, Afua Richardson, Yuko Shimizu and Matt Taylor.

Check out more details below, and then get ready your pencils, pens, paints, and digital tablets. 

Three winning artists will receive the following:

• One $10,000 grand prize, and two $1,000 runner-up prizes 
• Work featured on the official Universal Pictures, and Universal Monsters social channels
• A 1-on-1 video call with Crash McCreery (Creature Designer and Art Director for the Universal Monsters)

To enter your art submission, you must:

1. Be 18 years or older, and a US resident
2. Log-in to, or create a Tongal Account
3. Upload your art submission ("Artwork") to Tongal through the "Submit" tab of the project page (above)
4. Fill out the required information on the Submission Form and click "Submit Artwork" button
   
   

CREATIVE GUIDANCE:

• Use your artwork to tell a story. Capture your creature or character in a moment that's dynamic, and that reveals multiple dimensions of their story. This is not about a traditional profile; this is about something fresh that tests the limits of imagination. It is emotional, thought-provoking, sensual, and layered.

• Remember that "monster" is an umbrella term that can include any and all manner of creatures, mutants, robots, beasts, aliens, phantoms, hybrids, undead and mythological figures. They may be humanoid, or anything but, and walk, fly, swim, or transverse the spectral plane. Seek inspiration in the past, the present, and the future for your horrors.
• This is about innovation and imagination, but also contextualization and examination. Monsters are so often a reflection of their creators and what’s happening in the world, so as you weave together the wicked strands of story to shape your character, ask yourself, how will time, place, status, background, gender, geography, context, and culture shape this design?
• Artwork will be judged by the panel based on these general considerations:
  • Design Originality (33%)
  • Artistic Execution (33%)
  • Narrative of the art (33%)

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:

• Your Artwork must be submitted as a PDF, PNG, JPG, or GIFs (if a cinemagraph/moving image). If you are selected, and working in a digital medium, you will also be required to provide a high-resolution 300 DPI layered PSD of your Artwork.
• ALL design mediums are welcome, whether it's traditional drawing or painting, digital 2D or 3D design and rendering, moving imagery, transmedia, or even sculpture. Both color and grayscale are fine, and you may use any aspect ratio.
• Your Artwork should be suitable for a general audience.
• Your Artwork must be wholly original and not previously published, licensed, sold, used, released, distributed, or otherwise exploited in any form. Your Artwork must not have previously won any award.
• Your Artwork may NOT include third party materials (e.g., artwork, logos, photographs, etc.).
• Your Artwork may NOT include the name or likeness of any recognizable individual.
• You may NOT submit any script or treatment with your Artwork. Any notes that you include should be limited to explaining and elaborating upon your Artwork of the character.

The Universal Monsters: Out of the Shadows Art Contest is open for submissions from 6:00 AM PT on Thursday, February 11th, 2021, to 12:00 PM PT on Monday, March 8th, 2021 [Updated date, as of March 2nd]. Submissions not received within this time period will be disqualified. See Official Rules and requirements for eligibility and other requirements.

If you have questions about Rights, or anything else related to the project, check out our recent Forum update.

In order to be eligible for this contest, you must include the below materials in your Artwork submission. You may submit up to five times.

 

• ARTWORK (REQUIRED): Upload an image of your Artwork in either PDF, PNG, JPG, or GIFs (if a cinemagraph/moving image). Note that if you are selected, and working in a digital medium, you will be required to provide a high-resolution 300 DPI layered PSD of your Artwork.
  
  
• SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES (REQUIRED): Please provide any relevant social media handles you have for Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc. so Universal Pictures can tag you if you're selected as a runner-up or as the grand prize winner.
  
  
• ADDITIONAL CONTEXT (OPTIONAL): If you want, you may also use up to 1000 characters to include a short explanation or additional context for your original Artwork and the character.

1. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is .pdf, .png, .jpg, or .gif.  Should your submission be greenlit, you will also be required to provide a high-resolution final image and layered design files
   
   
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. Your Artwork may NOT include any third-party materials.
   
   
4. BY SUBMITTING AN ARTWORK 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, TWITTER, 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 Universal Pictures.
   
   
6. Submissions must not portray Universal Pictures in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Universal Pictures.
    
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 Universal Pictures determine the final rank order.
    
8. Submissions must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
    
10. You must be at least eighteen (18) years or older and a US resident to enter.
    
    
11. Universal Pictures reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
12. Universal Pictures will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished artwork without providing additional compensation.
    
    
13. In order to process payment, you must submit the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.
    
    
14. 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.

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