SYFY is looking for animators, creators, and fans of all things genre to create short animated videos to celebrate SYFY's 30th birthday by paying homage to the channel's fantastical, gory, space-y history, and creating excitement for all of the future SYFY adventures to come.

SYFY, the home of heart-stopping, mind-bending, shape-shifting, genre-expanding content and creativity, is turning 30 years old this year! In addition to blowing up spaceships, re-invigorating killer dolls, selling haunted real-estate, and profiling all walks of blood-suckers for their 30th birthday, SYFY also wants to give animators, creators, and genre fans of all stripes an opportunity to create their own homage to the most singular home for science fiction that has ever existed in television. 

We're looking for creators to produce an animated video - exactly 15 seconds long - that will creatively express your own appreciation and fandom of all things SYFY. This could mean anything from an original narrative to a clever homage or an artistic abstraction. Be inspired. Be creative. Set up and then subvert expectations. You're not boxed into any one specific genre or tone here, and you're not making a commercial, so you can have fun! This is about celebrating all of our favorite SYFY shows, past and present, and getting psyched about all the crazy, cool, weird things that lie ahead. 

The SYFY team does have one key request. Your video MUST incorporate "Happy 30th Birthday, SYFY!" in some way. Similar to the SYFY animated logo video projects that we've run in the past, we'll either want the happy birthday phrase revealed at the end of the video that flows organically from the narrative of your video, OR you can weave this theme throughout your story in a creative, unexpected way. SYFY is open to different approaches, so long as this remains the focal point of the video!

You probably have a lot of ideas for how you might want to tackle this, so for your pitch, we'd recommend submitting several different ideas for your video. If SYFY likes where your head's at and you're greenlit, we'll work with you to develop ONE of your ideas during the pre-production process. Keep in mind though, all work MUST be original, and should NOT include or directly reference existing IP or characters. 

While you can't use or name any specific IP, you can still pay homage to shows you love from the past. Confusing? Perhaps, but you could feature something like: "An edgy Millennial magician character enters a battle-scarred spaceship that takes off and then transforms into fireworks for SYFY's 30th birthday party." This celebrates two of SYFY's great shows (see below to guess which ones), while also not using actual characters, designs, or specific plot points. In other words, get inspired by the SYFY shows you know and love, and pay homage to them by creating something entirely your own.

Check out Additional Details for a list of SYFY shows both past and present that are fair game for reference, interpretation, and inspiration in your pitch, and feel free to ask questions in the forum.

DELIVERABLES: 

• One :15 broadcast video (16x9)
• One :15 social video (1x1)

TIMELINE: Click here for the full project timeline.

EXPOSURE:  SYFY channel broadcast and social platforms.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Adult fans of SYFY content.

TONE: Epic, celebratory, mysterious, magical, bad-ass, nostalgic, reverent, hilarious - many different genre tonalities can work, as long as you remain respectful.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• All videos MUST, in some way, incorporate the idea of "Happy 30th Birthday, SYFY!". This means it could end with the phrase on screen or be part of the story throughout; SYFY is interested in seeing creative approaches here, so long as it remains the hero of the video.
• While you are allowed to use the list of shows below as inspiration for your video, you cannot use or say the actual IP of these shows. If a show is not on this list, then steer clear of that IP.
• This project is specifically meant for animators; you can work in 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 will not work.
• The use of voiceover is NOT necessary, and we expect most videos will not need it to tell their story in a compelling way. That said, you MAY use voiceover if you have a compelling narrative reason for it in your video.
• "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 any text or type that isn’t related to the "Happy Birthday, SYFY!" message. 
• AVOID graphically violent or sexual  images, or overtly political subject matter.

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects on our platform do move forward, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.

Shooting stop motion? Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, so please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We’re working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and our advice here is to make sure your submission is executable within the anticipated timeline, while also ensuring everyone's safety.

SYFY LEGACY SHOWS FOR CREATIVE INSPIRATION:

• Being Human
• The Magicians
• Stargate
• Battlestar Galactica
• Haven
• Eureka
• Warehouse 13
• Wynonna Earp
• Sharknado
• Face Off
• Z-Nation
• The Twilight Zone
• Quantum Leap
• Xena: Warrior Princess 
• Ghost Hunters

SYFY CURRENT SHOWS FOR CREATIVE INSPIRATION:

• Chucky
• Resident Alien
• Reginald the Vampire
• Surreal Estate

*Again, please note that SYFY is NOT looking for you to pull footage from any of these shows, but rather you should use these IPs as inspiration and/or part of the celebration of SYFY's 30th birthday.

When you're thinking about the story you want to tell, think about archetypes and recognizable character types, visuals, and scenes. The most successful videos are the ones that cleverly integrate the "Happy 30th Birthday, SYFY!" phrase into the scene. The message 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, and please note: you won't be revealing the SYFY logo in your video.

With that in mind, notice how many of these videos create a fun way to set up and subvert audience expectations with their stories.

• Vote Foot - a simple story with a good twist and a surprise ending with a message.
• Make Your Mark - an overview story that immerses genre characters in the message.
• Homage to B-Movies - a cool tribute to the retro sci-fi subgenre.
• Post-Apocalyptic Workshop - a subversive little horror twist on familiar imagery.
• Mystery Meat - a complete vignette that quickly takes an unexpected turn.
• Monsters Fall in Love - a stylish vignette in an abstracted setting with a great twist.

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 or fewer characters 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, animatics, etc. are welcome. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.

The most compelling pitch will be greenlit, and the responsible creator will then receive an email from Tongal producers detailing next steps. All submitters will also receive an automated email notification that a selection has been announced. To ensure you’re receiving project updates, review your email settings to check that you haven’t unsubscribed.

Creators who’ve been selected will receive funding upon completing the Winner Affidavit and the IP Assignment. Payment of the pitch funds is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Please see the full payment schedule in the Assets section.

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.

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 cast, location, and wardrobe options to the Sponsor. They can all be accessed here.

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Tongal supports inclusivity in all of our productions and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS: Once the Video Phase has closed, the greenlit submitters will enter the Revisions 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 Source Audio 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.

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 are responsible for the costs associated the hard drive 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. You may not contact any employees or members of the Sponsor’s organization, their affiliates, or any of their partners. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification of your entry in the project.
   
   
6. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
7. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
8. 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.
    
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
10. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
     
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. 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.
    
    
14. 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.
    
    
15. 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.
    
    
16. 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.