Produce three short TV spots that bring the SYFY logo to life in very different ways.

There are few things in this world more wonderful than being a genre fan, and you know it. It’s raw, it’s cathartic, and it can be incredibly empowering. It doesn't matter what corner of the genre world we're talking about either. Maybe you're into retrofuturistic space westerns, superpowered time-travel fantasies, or a good old fashioned haunted house story - it's all awesome. Genre is a big tent, and the only thing it takes to be a fan is that you love what you love, and you fly your fan flag high.

Since SYFY is the network for fans, they pretty much live and breathe everything fandom, and they've been working with fan creators in an on-going initiative where artists, animators, designers, directors, and makers are given the chance to bring the SYFY logo to life in a series of artistic and incredibly stylish TV spots. If you’ve been watching SYFY recently, you may have seen a few of the spots that SYFY's already produced, like these:

• SY-FLY / A Genre Transformation
• The Crazy Lab / Bringing Genre to Life
• The Guest / Halloween Fan-Made Logo

See how "SYFY" is transformed and revealed in different ways? This new batch of videos will be just like those: all 10 or 15-second creative interpretations; highly visual, either transforming the SYFY logo, or revealing it in a surprising way. This isn't a focus on any one franchise or piece of IP, and in fact, we want to avoid that. Instead, it’s open call for you to express your love of genre.

Check out more details below...

The goal of this project is to create a stylish and highly visual 10 or 15-second TV spot that brings the SYFY logo to life in a way that reflects your love of genre, transforming it or revealing it in the process.  This is not about a narrative, and while they are certainly open to some kind of "micro story," the focus is more about the art and design, and developing a clever or unique way of expressing it in your video. 

Here's what you need to know:

• The design of the SYFY logo is open for interpretation, and SYFY is specifically looking for your unique personal style and choice of medium to come through. HOWEVER, its final form MUST reflect the network’s existing Horizontal logo  (I.e. They aren’t looking for a new logo design, but the style the logo is rendered is what you can play with.) In the assets is a sizing reference of how the logo must resolve along with the horizontal logo.
• This is intended 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 is possible too, but must still feel stylistic and artful, which means we're not looking at lo-fi or amateur executions, and it's difficult (though not impossible) to pull off given the timeframe and budget. 
• "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 horror, for example, are HUGE categories that include a ton of different styles, so avoid generic and overly broad approaches and feel free to explore genres from any age. 
• Your video MUST end with the horizontal SYFY logo, and the logo should be on screen for a minimum of 3 seconds. It must end in the attached sizing reference position. 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.)
• 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.
• Any tone can work. Since there’s such a wide range of tonality in genre content, SYFY wants you to feel empowered to interpret this creative ask based on your own personal connection to the genre of your choosing. The executions can be funny, scary, magical, mysterious, nostalgic, etc.
• You will be asked to deliver your spot for both a 16x9 and a 1x1 aspect ratio, so you will need to ensure that most of the action is in the center of the frame.
• 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.).
• 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 S-Y-F-Y of the SYFY logo.
• AVOID graphically violent or sexual  images, or overtly political subject matter.

--Target Audience: Fans of genre content – beyond SYFY’s programming – and anyone in the creator community. SYFY is shining a spotlight on creators across all mediums who love everything in the genre universe.

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

--End Card:  Each video will incorporate a small “Fan Made by” artist’s signature stamp, which will be an on-screen graphic with each filmmaker’s name (or handle) and signature. SYFY & Tongal will create and apply the graphic stamp itself from an existing template, for inclusion in your video. For the stamp, you will be asked to provide the name you’d like to use, as well as a full signature, and initials, in transparent PNG format.

--Anticipated Timeline: 

• Submission Phase 03/18-03/24
• Evaluation 03/25-03/27
• Pitch winners commenced by SYFY: 03/27
• Pre-Production Phase: 03/27 - 04/03 
• Video Phase: 04/03 - 04/17 
• Tongal Internal Review: 04/18
• First Cut Videos Delivered to SYFY: 04/19
• Editorial Feedback from SYFY due: 04/23
• Revised Cut Videos Delivered to SYFY: 04/27
• Final Tweaks & Edits: 04/27-05/02
• Final Revised Videos Delivered: 05/03

This Project will be worth a total of $4,500 and consists of 5 Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, a Revisions Phase, and a Delivery Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: PITCH – 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.
• Treatment (REQUIRED): A detailed narrative description of the visuals and what's going to happen in the video. You should include graphic and tonal references when possible. 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.  

--Pre-Production Commencement Payment: The 3 most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive an initial payment of $750 for the commencement of pre-production on the Videos.

For an example of an effective Pitch, check out the Pitch Gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the Project is complete.

PHASE 2: PRE-PRODUCTION – The 5 Pitch Winners from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase (What is a Pre-Production Phase?). During this phase, filmmakers will need to receive the following Approvals from the brand: 

• 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 brand.

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.  They can all be accessed here.

PHASE 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winners will each create a 10 or 15-second Video based upon their winning Pitch. 

--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 Pitch Winners at no charge solely for their incorporation into Submissions to this Project and will not require a separate Music Release Form. Pitch Winners will be provided with a log-in and access by a Tongal producer once they are selected. 

If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. 

PHASE 4: REVISIONS – Once the Video Phase has closed, the winning submitters will enter the Revisions Phase (What is a Revisions Phase?).During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. 

PHASE 5: ASSETS DELIVERY -  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.

--Final Delivery Payment: Upon submitting final 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, each Pitch winner will receive a final payment of $750.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 15 seconds in length. 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 you win, 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 10 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 Video 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, winning Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their winning 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 prize.

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.