It’s one thing to create; it’s another to revolutionize – but if we’re being honest, there are very few personalities in the history of comic books that can claim the mantle of a revolutionary. Among those very few, this visionary creator stands out as one of the most stylish, distinctive, and controversial, and their transformative impact over the last few decades in comics is unforgettable. Even if you’re not a fan of comics, you’ll know their name... but we can’t tell you who it is yet.

Ahead of another big milestone in a storied career, SYFY is going to produce a multi-part documentary video that takes a comprehensive look at this creator and their signature franchise – similar in content (if not style) to this Image Comics documentary. The comic book creator has signed on to participate, so you’ll have the opportunity to spend time with them personally, and they’ll also open up their archives and private collections. Combined with interviews from other collaborators and luminaries, and behind-the-scenes access to the on-going developments around them, you’ll be able to touch on every facet of their story, including publishing, film & TV, toys, and their long list of awards.

SYFY is looking for documentary filmmakers who can put together a slick treatment that can apply to any potential creator. Bring a unique style, reference some of the best documentary comps you can think of, and prove you’re up to this task. SYFY will select 3 filmmakers to share more info with (including the creator's identity), and then give them an opportunity to put together a complete pitch for the documentary.  

Check out specifics below…

The goal is to shoot and produce a 4 or 5-part long-form documentary for SYFY about a famous, revolutionary comic-book creator. You’ll need to combine elements of a follow doc with one-on-one interviews, event coverage, and an exclusive look at the creator’s archives and personal collections.

Here's what you need to know:

• The creator will be identified to three filmmakers after the Pitch Qualification Phase. Three filmmakers will be selected from the Pitch Qualification phase and will be provided with the creator’s identity and additional information in order to prepare a more complete Pitch. 
  • For the Pitch Qualification phase, you will be able to submit a 1000-word synopsis, provide samples of your previous work, and include a treatment with a general creative and narrative concept for the documentary, along with other links to and imagery from other documentary references and comps. Scroll down to "Details" section for a full breakdown of what is expected.
• This is an open bid project and if you are selected for the Pitch Phase you will need to submit a proposed budget along with your final Pitch. No budget is required for the initial Pitch Qualification Phase. The budget range should be between $80,000-$120,000 for the full documentary video series. You can download the Budget template HERE.
• The documentary will be split into a 4 or 5 part video series. Each video should run about 8 to 14 minutes in length, and neatly divide the documentary into chapters. The actual chapter breakdown will be determined in pre-production, but production will proceed as a single shoot.  
• There will be 5 domestic locations, some with unique production demands. We’ve provided an estimate below for crew needs and time spent at each location. Your budget will need to account for travel. The timing of these shoots is still TBD but will be discussed in pre-production.
  
  • Los Angeles - Main crew, 5-10 days of interviews & coverage
  • New York City - Smaller crew, 2-3 days of interviews
  • Creator’s Home City - Smaller crew, 2-4 days of interviews
  • San Diego (Comic-Con) – Larger crew, 2-3 days, event coverage & interviews
  • Upstate New York – Small crew, 1 day
• Shoot days will be scattered through May, June, July, and August. Delivery would be sometime this fall (2019). The total number of days is TBD depending on the number of interviewees and the logistics of scheduling. Per the breakdown above, you’re looking at somewhere between 12 and 21 days of shooting.
  • SYFY may also provide, or may capture, additional footage or B-roll to supplement your needs, and there is a possibility SYFY may absorb one of the location shoots if it makes sense logistically. This will be determined in pre-production.
  • Final delivery date and post-production timeline is TBD based on the production schedule that comes together. Expect delivery in September or October.
• Motion graphics, animation & transitions should be considered to elevate the style. This comic book creator has a distinctive aesthetic and you’d be wise to incorporate elements that do justice to it. This may involve some actual animation or motion graphics. You will also have access to SYFY’s style guide, fonts, and logos, and the SYFY brand should still feel present.
• You should expect to incorporate a significant amount of archival clips & photos, as the comic book creator’s career spans several decades. You will also have access to an extensive collection of merchandise. 
• SYFY will handle clip licensing, and you should expect that some clips and photography may also need to be licensed to capture the full scope of the creator’s story.
• All music will be sourced through SYFY's extensive music library, so you will not need to account for music in your budget.
  
• Post-Production will require a detailed Outline & Script before editing. You should also budget for interview transcription services and ensure that you have an experienced editorial team in place to handle the large volume of material.  

Please Note: By participating in this Open Bid project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to select a winning Bid. Though most Open Bid projects on our platform do move forward with a selected Bid, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to award any Bids via the Project Forum. Regardless of the result, all Open Bid submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the Project Team. 

Once a filmmaker is selected and green lit, a new project page with a full timeline and approved budget will be created.

--Tone: 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.

--Exposure: Videos will be distributed on SYFY’s owned channels and digital platforms, including TV and VOD.

This Project will consist of 2 Phases: a Pitch Qualification Phase, and a Pitch Phase. This Project is also an Open Bid project, so you’ll get to set your final budget proposal. You can download the Budget template here, and should keep in mind that SYFY would like to produce this documentary within a budget range of $80,000-$120,000.

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 Phase which gives filmmakers the opportunity to submit a 1000-word synopsis, provide samples of your previous work, and include a treatment with a general creative and narrative concept for the documentary, along other links to and imagery from other documentary references and comps. Three (3) Pitch Qualification winners will be selected to move forward into the Pitch Phase, where the comic book creator will be revealed, and they will be awarded $500 to further develop their Pitch, complete a full treatment, include a Pitch Video.

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 upon on the info provided, you will be asked to submit:

• Text (REQUIRED) - 1000 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this Video.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): Provide SYFY with your creative and technical approach to the documentary and sell SYFY on a creative vision that can be applied to any comic book creator. You may include example visuals, stylistic references, documentary comps, or just 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.
• 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.

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 to create this documentary within a cost range of $80,000-$120,000 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. 
• Budget (REQUIRED): Feel free to download and use the Tongal budget template here. 
• Pitch Video (REQUIRED) – in 2-3 minutes tell the Sponsor what they can expect should they select your Pitch. Test videos, animatics, references, etc. are welcome. Here are some great examples of winning Pitch Videos! Please make sure to cover the following topics in your Pitch Video:
  • Structure and narrative concept
  • Creative, visual, and technical approach
  • Your background and experience, plus your project team
• Treatment (REQUIRED): A refined description of what's going to happen in the video, based upon the additional information provided to you after the Pitch Qualification Phase. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a Treatment template, which you can find here.
• Storyboards (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.

The single 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 that if SYFY approves your budget and green lights your pitch, a payment schedule will be determined by Tongal. This payment schedule will include milestones for pre-production, production, and post-production, and delivery, and payments will be issued based upon reaching these milestones. 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.

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.