SYFY's looking for videos that make it clear what the TZGZ letters are, and that take advantage of how weird it is to say "T-Z-G-Z." So... think about how you can creatively reveal it, transform it, transport it, obscure it, fill it in, smoke it out, anthropomorphize it, destroy it, electrify it, or subvert it. Then, think about how you can sound it out, spell it out, sing it out, shout it out, or mumble, whisper, and meow it.

If you've got a clever mnemonic to help audiences remember T-Z-G-Z, try that. Your videos can be musical in nature, heavily sound designed, and even include VO.

Don’t force the audio element if you can't make it work - but think about it.

PREVIOUS LOGO VIDEOS FOR REFERENCE:

ASSETS:

GENERAL TZGZ CONTENT FOR REFERENCE:

NOTE: You can still pitch on this even if you've been selected to produce other TZGZ logo video idents.

Objectives

So, picture an army full of giant magic crickets with the head of Ben Franklin invading Chicago from space, and then you're probably in the right headspace for this. See, TZGZ gets weird. Funny as hell, but definitely weird. TZGZ is SYFY's late night animated comedy block, and basically what happens when SYFY stays up past its bedtime. We're talking hilarious, twisted, trippy, irreverent, self-aware, and very adult - but still geared towards fans of genre content (...which is obviously why those crickets were from space).

Since TZGZ comes on after SYFY's regular programming wraps up each night, SYFY needs some funny and wild logo videos for TZGZ, and if you're an animator who loves sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and genre content, we're giving you free rein to create some. 2D, 3D, stop-motion, claymation, papercraft, whatever. These are short, animated :20 videos, and with that, you can weave a short and comedic little narrative, but you've also got to do something fun with TZGZ itself. That means visuals, AND audio too. SYFY would love to have you come up with a mnemonic audio element that creatively sounds out T-Z-G-Z. Bonus points for anything that incorporates the premise of the block (i.e. late night adult animation that comes on after SYFY’s original programming).

There's more info and some examples in the Background/Additional Details, but just think outside the box, and then think outside the box you put that box in, take one more hit, and give your idea a funny genre spin.

DELIVERABLES:

One :20 video ident (16x9, 1x1)
You can simply crop your 16x9 video to fit 1x1, but the SYFY logo must be safe. If you'd prefer, you can alternatively create a version specifically designed for 1x1.

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 comedy, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and genre content

TONE: Hilarious, weird, provocative, mind-bending, absurdist, playful, a little off-kilter. If we watch and laugh and go "WTF?!" then you did your job.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:

Be funny. Seriously. But not like, literally seriously; we just mean we're serious about being funny. You get it. You're smart. That's what we like about you. And also that you're funny.
You videos must have some sort of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or genre element. Feel free to interpret that broadly and combine genres, use sub-genres, or bring a retro spin on genres from another era. Be specific though, and avoid all boring and generic elements that people have seen before. For example: UFO abductions - we've seen dozens. You can do better.
This is for artists, animators, designers, editors, and makers; any medium can work, but animated approaches tend to work best, which means there's a preference for 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. Live-action should be avoided.
Your video MUST end with the TZGZ logo; you may use this SYFY sizing reference for the final position of the relevant logo. The logos must be horizontal, 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 the logo is open for interpretation, 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 graphically violent or sexual images, or overtly political subject matter.

NOTE: You should submit a separate pitch for each individual video that you'd like to produce. SYFY may select multiple pitches from a single creator. If you are selected to produce multiple videos, you will receive the same budget for each video. All videos must be produced on the same timeline.

Details

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. Consider checking out our Pitch Video Gallery to see examples of effective pitch videos.

Requirements

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.
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.
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.
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.
Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
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.
Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
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.
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.
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.
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.