Keep in mind, 5 seconds is not a lot of time, but SYFY would prefer the transitions to be clever and creative. Check out these two examples - they're perfect examples of SYFY is looking for.

• SYFY to TZGZ
• TZGZ to SYFY

And then as you dive in, here are the assets you'll need to play around:

• TZGZ Renders
• Reference 1
• Reference 2

NOTE: You can still pitch on this even if you've been selected to produce other TZGZ logo video idents, and SYFY is open to filmmakers producing more than one Intro & Outro pair for this project. 

What's TZGZ you ask? It's quite simple really: TZGZ is a magical place where lettuce sings, where the undead text, and where wizards get high. Yup, you just read that right - we said where wizards get high. TZGZ is SYFY's late-night adult animation block: wild, playful, hilarious, and psychedelic genre content. 

TZGZ comes on after SYFY's regular programming wraps up each night (TZGZ are the letters after SYFY - get it?). So to let viewers know it's time to party with some high wizards, SYFY is looking for pairs of weird, wild, mind-bending video idents that advertise the transition - transforming the SYFY logo into TZGZ in one video, and back again in the other. So, get excited, and if you're an artist, animator, designer, or director, let's make it happen.

These idents are short animated :05 spots, and they're all about a quick, clever transition. Think about how you can creatively morph the SYFY letters into their TZGZ counterparts - and then back again, with a little bit of a genre spin. 

DELIVERABLES:

• TWO :05 Videos; one transitioning from SYFZ to TZGZ, and one back from TZGZ to SYFY. 
• Your video should be 16x9, but the action and TZGZ logo should be framed so that it can be cropped for a 1x1 aspect ratio. If you prefer not to have your video cropped, you may deliver a second version specifically designed for the 1x1 aspect ratio.

 

TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets tab. 

 

EXPOSURE: Videos will air on SYFY during TZGZ programming, and also be posted on SYFY.com, as well on SYFY’s digital and social platforms.

 

TARGET AUDIENCE:  Adult fans of late-night genre content 

TONE: Weird, wild, provocative, psychedelic, mind-bending, absurdist, playful, hilarious, and/or a little off-kilter. It's SYFY after you puff puff pass. And on that note, SYFY content is already pretty smart, edgy, provocative, and self-aware, so you should have a lot of fun here.  

 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Remember that there should be a genre element to this. "Genre" refers to science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and horror, as well as anything that falls under those umbrellas, or combines them. Think about specific sub-genres too - science-fiction and fantasy are HUGE categories that include a ton of different styles, so avoid generic and overly broad approaches and explore genres from any era.
• This is for artists, animators, designers, editors, and makers - NOT live-action filmmakers. Any medium can work, including traditional 2D animation, stop-motion animation, claymation, creative motion graphics, mixed media, etc. 3D animation is acceptable, but hyperrealistic VFX work is difficult given the timeline and budget, so you must show that you can execute within these parameters. You *may* use real-life photography or video to supplement your animation, but it must still feel stylistic and artful. 
• Your pair of videos must be related to each other, that is, however you decide to transition from SYFY to TZGZ, you should essentially "undo" or "reverse" that transition when we go from TZGZ back to SYFY.
• Your video MUST end with the horizontal logo (either TZGZ, or SYFY). You may use this SYFY sizing reference for the final position of the relevant logo. 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.
  • The design of either logo is open for interpretation though, and SYFY is specifically looking for your unique personal style and choice of medium to come through.
  • The “walls” of the logo can be broken if you choose (i.e. a character stepping through the logo; a vine growing beyond the edges of the logo, etc.).
• All work MUST be original, and should NOT include or reference 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.
• AVOID voiceover, unless it’s absolutely integral to the perspective of the storytelling in your video. 
• AVOID text or type that isn’t related to the T-Z-G-Z of the TZGZ logo.
• AVOID graphically violent or sexual  images, or overtly political subject matter.

In order to be considered for this project you must include the below materials in your pitch submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery. 

 

• 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. 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. 

1. 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 your submission be greenlit, 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. 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 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, greenlit Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their 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 earnings.
    
    
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.