There are few things in this world more wonderful than being a genre fan, and you know it. It’s raw, it’s cathartic, it’s unique, and it can be incredibly empowering. No matter what genre it is – science fiction, fantasy, horror, or some awesome mash-up of the three – we are all united by our shared passions, and the only thing it takes to be a fan is that you love what you love, and you fly your fan flag high.
Since SYFY is the network for genre fans, they put their heart and soul into championing fandom, and now they’re looking to take that a step further and shine a spotlight on one particular growing community: the fan creators.
(That’s you!)
SYFY wants to celebrate the imagination and artistry that you bring to your favorite fictions, so they’re looking to team up with different creators in an on-going initiative that will allow a ton of artists, animators, designers, directors, and makers the chance to bring the SYFY logo to life in a series of wholly original and incredibly stylish short videos. These videos will be 5, 10, or 15-second creative interpretations, highly visual, and each will revolve around the SYFY logo itself. This is not a play on any one franchise, and in fact, we want to avoid that. Instead, it’s open call for you to express your fandom and love of genre - science fiction, fantasy, or horror.
This will be an on-going project, constantly refreshed, and always with the same ask: bring the SYFY logo to life. Whether you pitch now, or next month, there will be a lot of opportunities, and the videos you create will live across all of the brand’s platforms, including on air. SYFY is THE home for the fan creator community, and you’ll help prove it.
Check out more in the details below…
The goal of this project is to create a stylish and highly visual 5, 10, or 15-second video that brings the SYFY logo to life in a way that reflects your love of genre. 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 about a narrative, and while they are open to some kind of micro story, the focus should really be on the art and design, and developing some clever or unique way of expressing it.
Obviously, the creative asks lends itself to artists, animators, designers, editors, and makers, so any medium can work, 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.
The Videos will be used to drive SYFY brand awareness and to call attention to SYFY’s focus on the fan creator community, so they’ll be used across every brand platform, including as on-air interstitials. They are open to any genre or sub-genre, and there is a vast array of content that falls under the umbrella of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, but you should avoid actual franchises and brands. This is about your genrefied vision. Given the wide range of content, they’re also open to many different tones, so don’t let that hold you back.
--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 :03.
The actual design of the 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 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 should not include or make reference to any 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.
"Genre" refers to science fiction, fantasy, and horror, as well as anything that falls under those umbrellas, or combines them. You should not pitch a video that only references action, comedy, or romance, for example.
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 genre content – beyond SYFY’s programming – and anyone in the creator community. SYFY is shining a spotlight on creators across all mediums who love everything in the genre universe.
--Tone: This can vary from video to video, since there’s such a wide range of tonality in genre content. SYFY wants you to feel empowered to interpret this creative ask based on your own personal connection to the genre of your choosing. The executions can be funny, scary, magical, mysterious, nostalgic – the sky is the limit.
--Exposure: Videos will air on SYFY and also be posted on SYFY.com, as well on SYFY’s 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:
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.
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).
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 5, 10, or 15 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 10 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.
