There are few things in this world more wonderful than being a genre fan, and one of them is going behind the scenes on the film & TV franchises you love. Are those two things related? Yeah, totally, but it’s hard to come up with anything much better than being a fan, and lifting the veil on little known pop-culture secrets is like pouring chocolate syrup on your favorite ice cream. Can’t have one without the other!

Since SYFY is the network for genre fans, they’re the ones with the chocolate syrup, in that metaphor, and they’ve been digging around behind the scenes of some beloved franchises, producing an original investigative SYFY WIRE podcast called Untold Story. The podcast finds SYFY WIRE contributing editor Dany Roth unearthing unique and little-known tales about some of the most popular characters, stories, personalities, and mysteries in the genre world.

New episodes of Untold Story have been launching every Friday, exclusively on Amazon Alexa-enabled devices, but now SYFY wants to bring this to everyone as a digital video series. “Isn’t it just a podcast?” Yes, yes it is. We don’t have video of Dany, and we also can’t use clips from any of the film & TV franchises. That’s the challenge here. SYFY needs you to adapt the podcast by creating a new format built around unique and distinctive visuals – whether that means 2D animation, motion graphics, stop-motion, mixed media, or even a limited amount of live-action! 

SYFY WIRE has made five episodes available to you, but you only need to pick ONE, and figure out how to reimagine it as a pilot video for a digital series. Your prospective pilot MUST create a format that can work for any Untold Story episode, and if you succeed, there is a chance you’ll be able to produce additional videos for the series in a separate project. Though the podcast episodes are long – ranging from 8 to 25 minutes – it’s expected that a video adaptation will be shorter, and you’re free to propose cutting dialogue and re-editing the episodes, so long as your final video would run at least 5 minutes.

Pick a favorite from amongst these Untold Story episodes:

• The Nightmare Sisters (#4) – This episode reveals the story behind three of the most famous “scream queens” of the 1980’s – Brinke Stevens, Michelle McClellan, and Linnea Quigley – and it traces the unlikely paths they followed as they became darlings of the direct-to-video horror scene, before ultimately teaming up in the cult classic erotic comedy “The Nightmare Sisters.”
• Scrappy Doo (#5) – Love him or hate him, Scrappy Doo is an unforgettable part of Scooby Doo and the beloved Mystery Inc. gang, and this episodes takes us behind the scenes for a look at the controversial rise – and precipitous fall – of Scrappy Doo, and the lasting impact his character has had on the franchise. 
• Little Shop of Horrors (#20) – How can you go wrong with Frank Oz and a giant flesh-eating planet? This episode touches on the original Roger Corman-directed black comedy, and the off-broadway musical that followed, but it shines it’s light on Frank Oz and his star-studded 1986 film adaptation, with exclusive Frank Oz interview audio and almost a half hour of content. 
• Jamie Lee Curtis & Halloween (#23) – Is it possible that Jamie Lee Curtis could have become who she is today without Michael Myers? That’s the question this episode investigates, taking a look at how she left a lasting impact on Halloween and the horror genre – and how it made it’s mark on her too. 
• Creature from the Black Lagoon (#24) – This explores the lost legacy of the brilliant but largely forgotten special effects artist Millicent Patrick, aka the beauty who created the beast. Dany Roth interviews Mallory O’Meara, author of a new book about Millicent’s story, and how she accomplished what she did without ever getting the credit she deserved.  

Here's what else you need to know:

•  This project involves a Pitch Qualification Phase, and your initial submission should include a 1000-word synopsis of your concept for the final Video, an estimated duration, a budget range, and samples of your previous work. Three filmmakers will be selected to prepare a more complete Pitch in the subsequent Pitch Phase, and the Pitch Qualification is intended to help both you, and SYFY, hone in on what creative direction is going to work best, given that there’s a big difference between a 2 minute video, and a 10 minute one. Scroll down to "Details" below for a full outline of what is expected in the Pitch Phase should you be selected to move forward.
• This is will eventually be an open bid project and you will need to submit your proposed budget along with your treatment in the Pitch Phase. Since the runtime is flexible, and you have the ability to approach this in a number of ways, SYFY is open to Pitches ranging from $4,000 to $16,000 for a single video. You can download the Budget template HERE.
• The actual execution can involve 2D animation, motion-graphics, stop-motion, mixed media, and even a limited degree of live to illustrate the characters and events covered in the stories. You should avoid the use of a host or on-screen talent, however. 
• You would NOT use video clips or music from the movies or TV shows referenced in the episodes. If necessary, you may use promotional materials such as posters or stills, and you may license available photos or stills from a library like Getty, but will be responsible for the cost of licensing.  
• You have flexibility in how you format and structure your video, and while we can tell you that this would play on SYFY WIRE, don't feel bound to the types of content they've made in the past.
• Ultimately, you will create one (1) 5 to 10-minute video in a separate project about a single Untold Story episode, and may choose whichever episode you respond to most. Your proposed video should NOT incorporate audio from multiple episodes. 
• Keep in mind, you will be able to trim, re-order and re-edit the existing audio for the purposes of your proposed video, so the video’s duration is entirely dependent on your approach and how much of the original episode you include. SYFY would also open to having Dany record some new VO for introductions, conclusions, or transitions. You could also use text to support or replace audio, but you obviously would not change the original story that is conveyed in an episode.

Check out more details below…

 

The goal of this project is to pitch an adaption and reinterpretation of one episode of SYFY WIRE’s investigative podcast Untold Story as a 5 to 10 minute digital video, creating a new format that leans into a distinctive visual style. The video that you would create may serve as a pilot for a future digital series, so it MUST establish a format and style that are repeatable.

You are NOT beholden to existing SYFY or SYFY WIRE styles. If you are selected for the separate Video project, we'll also provide brand assets and style guides for SYFY WIRE, to use as needed.

--Tone: You’re not going to want to stray too far from the tone of the episodes themselves, but we’d say – especially if you’re including any original text – go for smart, fun, edgy, self-aware, provocative and thought-provoking. Humor obviously works too, within that framework. 

 

--Target Audience: Genre fans. Sure, they skew young, diverse, and metropolitan, but this ain’t 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 genre is what they love.

--Executional Mandate: You should create an end-card with a CTA that could drive to other videos in the series. SYFY will help to provide branded assets for this.

--Expected Timeline: 

Filmmaker Selection

Filmmaker Pitch Qualification Phase: 11/15 - 11/29 

Tongal Pitch Qualification Evaluation: 11/29 - 12/03 

Short Listed Submissions to SYFY: 12/03 EOD 

SYFY Selects 3 Pitch Finalists: 12/07

Pitch Phase: 12/07 - 12/17

Pitches Delivered to SYFY: 12/21

SYFY Selects Winning Filmmaker: 01/11

Production Schedule to be determined in 2019 after winner selection

--Exposure: Videos would be distributed on SYFY owned channels and digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, as well as the SYFY website, and potentially on air.

This Project will consist of 2 Phases: A Pitch Qualification Phase, and a Pitch Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

The Sponsor will determine whether it will select a winning submission.

PHASE 1: Pitch Qualification - This project will include a Pitch Qualification which gives filmmakers the opportunity to submit a 1000-word synopsis of their creative and narrative concepts for the final Video, along with an estimated video duration, a budget range, and some samples of previous work. Optionally, you may also include a short treatment. Three (3) Pitch Qualification winners will be selected to move forward into the Pitch Phase and awarded $500 to complete a Script, a more complete budget, and a Visual Treatment (see template in the Assets tab) to further develop their Pitch. 

This will eventually be an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. Though you will only be asked for a rough budget range in your Pitch Qualification Submission, you should know that SYFY would like each producer to create one video within a cost range of $4,000-$16,000 per video.

At the end of the Pitch Phase, Sponsors will select the final Pitch winner from the group of Pitch Qualification winners. Please note that Pitch Qualification winners are not guaranteed to be greenlit into production. If you have any questions about Pitch Qualification, please post to our Forum or reach out to us at info@tongal.com.

Based on one of the three Untold Story episodes, you will be asked to submit:

• Pitch Synopsis (REQUIRED) - In a 1,000 words or less summarize your story and technical approach to the final Video(s) and sell the Sponsor on your creative vision. 
• Estimated Video Duration (REQUIRED) – We do not expect that you’ll be able to give a specific duration at this point, but we would like to know roughly how long of a video you’d proposing to produce. A response like “3 to 4 minutes”  is acceptable.
• Budget Range (REQUIRED) – You will receive some creative direction from SYFY if you are selected in the Pitch Qualification Phase, so it is not expected that you will be able to create a final budget for your initial submission. Nonetheless, please submit a rough budget range for what you want to create. 
• 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.
• Treatment (Optional): If you wish to include example visuals or elaborate beyond the Pitch Synopsis, you may include a short treatment with additional information about what's going to happen in the video. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a Treatment template, which you can find here.

PHASE 2: PITCH – This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your final budget proposal. You can download the Budget template here. As a reminder, SYFY would like each producer to create one video within a cost range of $4,000-$16,000 per video.

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.
• 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.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed visual & narrative description of what's going to happen in the video. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a Treatment template, which you can find here.
• Script (REQUIRED): This should include whatever dialogue from the Untold Story episode you intend to use for your video. It is anticipated that this will still be revised in pre-production, but this will provide SYFY with a better idea of exactly what your video looks like.
• 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 most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive a portion of their budget to help create the Videos.

Please note the payment of the Pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. This payment schedule will include milestones for pre-production, production, and post-production, and payments will be issued based upon reaching these milestones for each Video (or batch of Videos). Final payment will be contingent upon submitting Videos that satisfy the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor.

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.

1. 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.

2. BY SUBMITTING AN 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.

3. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

4. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

5. 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.

6. Limit 5 submissions per member.

7. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or old. 

8. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest at their discretion.

9. Winners must submit the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.

10. 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.