We don’t have to tell you Halloween’s coming. You know. You’ve probably already got a costume lined up. Not because you’re looking for candy, but because you’re a fan. Horror fan? Genre fan? Try both. To you, Halloween is not a day; it’s a state of mind – an opportunity to unleash the super fan inside and pay tribute to the characters and stories that you love.

Enter SYFY, the network that knows a little something about paying tribute. Hence the 31 Days of Halloween, a month-long celebration of all things Halloween and horror. As part of this year’s celebration, SYFY wants you to pay tribute to one of your favorite films in the wide world of the horror genre with a 15-second recreation of a famous scene, shot, moment, or line from the film or series.

SYFY isn’t looking for artful shot-for-shot remakes here. We’ve all seen the originals. This is different. They’re looking for labors of love, by fans, for fans. So think more Be Kind, Rewind swedes than the IT reboot. Does that mean it’s a little playful? Does that mean it’s a knowing wink from one Jigsaw fan to another? Yeah, maybe. We’re not looking for fidelity – just passion. Check out a few videos from SYFY’s “It’s a Fan Thing” series and you’ll see a similar format they’ve used:

• Batting Practice
• Claiming Your Kingdom

Like these, your Video’s going to be used as a network identifier for SYFY, on digital platforms, and maybe even on TV. We’ll provide SYFY brand assets and graphics – you just need to provide the fan service.  

Here is a rundown of the project: 

• This project will consistent of two main Phases: the Pitch Phase, and the Video Phase.
• For the Pitch Phase, you should tell us the fan-favorite movie or series that you’re going to use for your video, and what element you’re going to focus on and recreate in that Video (scene, shot, moment, line?). Your Treatment should then show us how you’re going to do it.
• The Halloween or horror genre film or series that you select should be well-known and a true fan-favorite; we’re not looking for indie flicks or obscure B-listers. It does not need to be modern though, and you’re not limited to any particular type of horror, like survival, slasher, or sci-fi horror.
• Your Video should not contain graphic violence, nudity, or explicit language. 
• Your Video doesn’t have to be a shot-for-shot remake; instead, it should be more of a reimagining and a tribute, by fans, for fans.
• Five Pitches will be selected, and if your Pitch is selected, you will move into pre-production, where you’ll need approval on your Treatment before getting the greenlight to production.
• The timeline is QUICK and the deadlines are TIGHT, so be ready to move. The full timeline can be found in the Objectives section.

What is Required to Submit your initial Pitch:

• The Film You’re Paying Tribute To: In 60 characters or less, give us the title of the film or series you’re paying tribute to.  
• Text: 500 characters or less telling SYFY what element of the movie you’re going to recreate, and how.
• Links to Previous Work: Please specify your role for each sample.
• Treatment: Please provide a document with a detailed narrative description of what’s going to happen in the video, along with any visual and tonal references, and mood boards.

The goal is to produce a 15-second Video for SYFY that recreates a famous moment from one of your fan-favorite horror genre films or series, and can be used as a network identifier, incorporating the SYFY branding and graphics. Your video should be accompanied by a social-optimized GIF in 1:1 aspect ratio. 

 

We can’t stress enough that your Video should feel like it’s made for the fans, and the people who watch and love horror stories, so it’s got to feel authentic. Get in touch with what you love and crave about your favorite characters and stories, then offer up what you know fans want based on what you would want. Think about the most memorable moments, the scariest scenes, the craziest shots, weirdest devices, most bad-ass lines, and the most watchable characters.  Write to details and specifics that only a nerd would get, and go for it. And remember, horror is a wide genre, and it includes categories like sci-fi horror and action horror, so don’t limit yourself to the obvious.

--Deliverables Due:

• One 15-second Video (16:9)
• One social-optimized GIF (1:1)
• Video Project Files
• Text & Graphic-free Clean Master Video
• Audio Splits & Stem Files

--Target Audience:

Horror & genre fans. Sure, they skew young, diverse, and metropolitan, but this ain’t about about demographics. The 50 million people who geek out over a genre show every week are all ages; all backgrounds; all shapes, sizes, and species. They are defined not by who they are, but by what they love, and this is what they love.

 

--Tone:

• You should approach it from the direction of creating something smart, edgy, provocative, maybe a little fun and self-aware. Fans take passion seriously, and sometimes, it can be a little funny. 
• Authentic. Your audience knows their shit, and they’ve been down this road before. 
• You should avoid graphic violence, nudity, and explicit language. 

--Exposure:

Videos will be distributed on SYFY’s owned channels and digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, as well as SYFY’s website, and potentially on TV.

 

PRE-PRODUCTION – The Pitch Winner from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?), which means you will be required to submit a detailed Treatment for Approval before moving onto the Video Phase. 

• TREATMENT  – You must submit a detailed treatment for your video, incorporating a description of the action, story, or narrative, as well as the tone, and prominent cinematic or production design elements that might distinguish it. If your video incorporates on-screen text or dialogue, it should also be addressed. The brand 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.

IMPORTANT: You may not begin shooting your Video until you receive a greenlight from SYFY. If you begin shooting your Video during Pre-Production, there is a chance you will need to re-do work (at your own expense), so please don’t jump the gun.

Expected Timeline: 

Note that this is a *very* aggressive timeline, and all filmmakers will be held to strict deadlines for delivery, barring any adjustments made by SYFY after pitches have been selected.

• Pitches Selected by SYFY: September 28
• Pre-Production Phase: September 28 - October 3
• Video Phase: October 3 – October 13
• First Cut Videos Delivered to Sponsor: October 13
• Editorial Feedback from Sponsor due: October 14
• Filmmakers execute revisions: October 14 - 17
• Revised Videos Delivered to Sponsor: October 17
• Final Revised Videos Delivered: October 18 EOD

This Project will consist of 4 Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, and a Revisions 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 the creative ask laid out above:

• The Film You’re Paying Tribute To (REQUIRED): In 60 characters or less, give us the title of the film or series you’re paying tribute to.  

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this Video.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of what’s going to happen in the video, which may also include visual and tonal references, or mood boards. 
• 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.
• 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.
• Pitch Video (Optional): This is your opportunity to show us 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, animatics, etc. are welcome.

The FIVE (5) most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive $3,000 to help create their Videos. Additionally, upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Pitch winners will also be GUARANTEED an additional $3,000. 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 Pitch Winner from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?), which means you will be required to submit a detailed Treatment for Approval before moving onto the Video Phase.

• TREATMENT – You must submit a detailed treatment for your video, incorporating a description of the action, story, or narrative, as well as the tone, and prominent cinematic or production design elements that might distinguish it. If your video incorporates on-screen text or dialogue, it should also be addressed. The brand 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 Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense) so please don’t jump the gun.

PHASE 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, all FIVE (5) Pitch Winners will create a 15-second Video, and a social-optimized GIF, based upon their winning Pitches.

NOTE: The 15-second Video, and social-optimized GIF, are both due at the close of the Video Phase. Please upload them as separate videos when submitting your Videos.

--Video Phase Payout: The Winners of the Video Phase will earn $3,000. There are no residuals on this project.

--Music: Tongal has partnered with the music provider Jingle Punks for this project, which can be used to source music for your Video submission. Music from Jingle Punks is available to registered Tongal members at no charge solely for their incorporation into Submissions to this Project and will not require a separate Music Release Form. To learn more about using Jingle Punks, click the name above.

Tongal members interested in a custom music solution for your project are invited to connect with SCORE A SCORE. They specialize in the creation of custom music, on-demand. Their business model is based on a "name your price" system, so you can tell them what your budget is, and they will work with you to create a deal configuration that will work within the discussed parameters. Check out the FAQ for more information and how to contact SCORE A SCORE.

If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. If you obtain music from other catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with our Music Release Form when you turn in your Video paperwork.

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. Once the Videos are finalized, the Sponsor will rank the Videos and winners will be announced.

1. The Videos 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. In the event that fewer than 50 Pitches are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

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.