Produce a short animated video that cleverly brings the SYFY logo to life and captures what being home for the holidays looks like this year with a uniquely genre spin.

SYFY is the Alpha and the Omega of genre. They've got everything from cyberpunk sci-fi to futuristic fantasy and the boldest, bloodiest horror film you've ever seen. Raise your freak flag high, SYFY's got you, and then let's talk once again about their logo initiative, where artists, animators, designers, and directors are given the chance to bring the SYFY logo to life in an artistic and incredibly cool TV spot.

This year, everyone's going to celebrate the holidays a little differently. For many, travel plans have been put on hold, get-togethers have been reimagined, and some of us will just be spending this holiday season at home. SYFY wants to acknowledge that reality by showing all the festive ways our favorite genre characters bring holiday cheer into their own castles, underground lairs, and command centers. When we say "holidays," we basically mean anything that goes down in the months of November and December, including Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. 

SYFY wants to see a variety of genres represented in this videos. So you can mash up different genres in one video, OR, consider submitting multiple pitches where you explore a different genre in each. The goal here is to end up with a stylish and highly visual TV spot that will bring the SYFY logo to life in an unexpected way. This is not about a narrative so much as it is about creating a fun way to set up and subvert audience expectations when it comes to the familiar holiday scenes that we all know and love.

DELIVERABLES:

• One :15 (:10 + :05) or :20 (:15 + :05) logo video (16x9)
• One :15 (:10 + :05) or :20 (:15+ :05) logo video (1x1) - You may simply crop your 16x9 videos, but the logo must be safe, and you may deliver a second version specifically designed for 1x1 if you prefer.

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

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

TARGET AUDIENCE: Adult fans of genre content

TONE: 

• Funny, scary, magical, mysterious, nostalgic – the sky is the limit. Any tone can work – as long as you remember this is for adults. What do you want to see? 
• While we may be spending the holidays at home, please make sure your video is warm and uplifting. After all, you can still have a happy holiday season from home!

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• The final five seconds of your video should resolve on a simple, uncluttered frame (with minimal motion) because SYFY needs room to incorporate additional center-frame graphics that will be added after you deliver. So after your video resolves on the SYFY logo, you'll need to remove the logo and clear the frame for the final :05 seconds of your video. The total length of your video should be either :15 (:10 + :05) or :20 (:15 + :05). The "narrative" of your video should resolve at the end of either :10 or :15, and the final five seconds should resolve on a cleaner frame that's related to your video but not necessarily a part of the narrative. Think of it as either a :10 or :15 video with a :05 continuation at the end to make room for center-frame graphics. That last :05 can even be a hard cut from the previous :10 or :15. 
• Your video MUST include the horizontal SYFY logo, and the logo should be on screen for a minimum of 3 seconds. It must be shown in the sizing reference position (which you can review, HERE). The logo must be distinct and 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 SYFY logo itself is open for interpretation though, and SYFY is specifically looking for your unique personal style 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.).
• "Genre" refers to science fiction, fantasy, superheroes, comic books, and horror, but it can be anything that falls under those categories, including something that combines more than one. Think about sub-genres too - science-fiction and horror include a ton of different styles and variations - and how genres have evolved over time and in different mediums. 
• All work MUST be original, and should NOT include or reference existing IP or characters. 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 and any text or type that isn’t related to the S-Y-F-Y of the SYFY logo.
• AVOID graphically violent or sexual  images, or overtly political subject matter.

When an intergalactic empress wants to get in the holiday spirit, does she use her dragon to light the yuletide fire? What happens when all the superheroes do a secret santa holiday Zoom? Do dark wizards manipulate time to make New Year's Eve come faster? The holiday season will look a little different this year - regardless of your species. But no matter what holiday you celebrate, we're all in this together.   

While you ponder, take a look at a few videos from last year's Holiday logo project - and take note that you should avoid anything like these past Holiday videos. See how the SYFY logo is transformed and revealed in different ways? That's the goal here too.

Keep in mind that this isn't a focus on any one franchise or piece of IP either, and in fact, we want to avoid that. Think about archetypes and recognizable character types, visuals, and scenes. SYFY has found the most successful videos are the ones that cleverly integrate the SYFY logo into the scene. The logo shouldn't feel like an afterthought; instead, it should be revealed or transformed in an unexpected way. Check out some of our favorite SYFY logo videos below for inspiration.

Please note: Unlike these videos, which end on the SYFY logo, you'll need to add an additional :05 seconds after the SYFY logo is revealed so your video resolves on a simple, uncluttered frame. 

• Monster Meetup
• Homage to B-Movies
• Post-Apocalyptic Workshop
• Doomsday
• The Restaurant
• Back to SYFY Academy
• Mystery Meat
• Want to Play?
• Monsters Fall in Love

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.

The 6 most compelling pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive payments to help create the Videos. Please note the payment of the pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Please see the full payment schedule in the Assets tab.

PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Prior to shooting filmmakers must receive the below Approvals from the sponsor.

• TREATMENT – This project requires treatment approval before filmmakers can move onto the Video Phase. The treatment should describe in detail how you plan to execute the short narrative (if any) in your video, and how you plan to bring the storytelling to life visually. You should include graphic and tonal references when possible. The sponsor 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 Sponsor.

No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase before you have received final approval, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense).

For your convenience we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a treatment, production budget, storyboards, shot list, call sheet, and a music cue sheet. Additionally, there are templates that will help you clearly present the Sponsor cast, location, and wardrobe options. They can all be accessed here.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS: Once the Video Phase has closed, the filmmakers enter the Revisions Phase. During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback.

MUSIC: You will be required to use the SYFY-approved music provider Frequency to source music for your Video submission to this Project. Music from this provider is available only to the filmmakers that SYFY selects at no charge solely for their incorporation into Submissions to this Project and will not require a separate music release form. Filmmakers will be provided with a log-in and access by a Tongal producer once they are selected. 

If you are selected as a filmmaker and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our music release form. 

FONTS: If you use any actual fonts (as opposed to drawing your own letters) you will be required to use the SYFY-approved font service Monotype to source fonts for your Video submissions to this project. Fonts from this provider are available only to the Pitch Winners at no charge solely for their incorporation into Submissions to this Project and will not require a separate Release. Pitch Winners will be provided with a log-in and access by a Tongal producer once they are selected.

CREW: Tongal supports inclusivity in all of our productions and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your production and post-production departments. To find crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS: You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec in order to submit final payment. You will be responsible for the costs associated the hard drive (if necessary) and shipping.

For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post production please click here.

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.