SYFY is looking to create different weird, relaxing, and hilarious short animated ASMR videos for TZGZ.

Do yourself a favor and imagine that everything you're about to read is being whispered softly in your ear by a naked little stoned gremlin. Ready?

TZGZ is SYFY's late night animated comedy block - hilarious, weird, twisted, trippy, irreverent, self-aware, and very adult. ASMR, or as the science officer might say, autonomous sensory meridian response, is the tingly euphoric feeling you get at the back of your neck when you listen to certain audio stimuli. If you don't know it, go down this rabbit hole on YouTube and come back to us. SYFY is looking for 3 short animated videos that'll bring the weird and satisfying of ASMR to the weird and hilarious of TZGZ.

You have permission to go wild - the topics, the script, the visuals, the stimuli. The more unexpected the topic the better, and abstract visuals can work just as well as anything else. Plus, your animation doesn't even need to be that sophisticated, and the use of stock video or photography (with animation!) can work too. Just know that scripting and dialogue are important, so think: is this a description of the most soothing alien aural probing you can imagine? Or a manticore's meditation on man meat? Only you have the answers. 

Whatever you do, know that there's a chance SYFY will want to take your video and loop it with the SFX, so incorporate some ASMR-style sound effects and sound design underneath the dialogue that lends itself to that, for an extended relaxation experience. Check out more abut TZGZ in the Background/Additional Details. 

NOTE: SYFY's looking for three videos, but they're open to an individual filmmaker making more than one, so if you have more than one good idea (or even a repeatable idea), feel free to submit multiple pitches.

DELIVERABLES:

• One :20 or :30 video (16x9)
• One :20 or :30 video (1x1) - You may simply crop your 16x9 videos, or deliver a second version specifically designed for 1x1 if you prefer. 

TIMELINE: 

• For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.
• This is a super fast timeline, so keep that in mind when planning our your animation approach.

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: Relaxing, soothing, weird, hilarious, provocative, mind-bending, absurdist, playful, a little off-kilter.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• You must pitch with an ASMR audio sample to prove you've got the microphone to do this. You can certainly use temp VO (unless you happen to have a silky voice yourself...) but audio and recording quality is an important element of ASMR, so we're just looking for that capability.
• Be funny. Or else! Not sure what to say to "or else what?" but maybe we'll send that little gremlin after you.
• 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. 
• Your video MUST open with "TZGZ ASMRRR" as the title card, and it should probably be whispered too. 
• Your Video MUST include some dialogue. If it's driven by sound effects, that's fine, but it should still have some dialogue to frame what's happening.
• Your video MUST end with the TZGZ logo; you may use this SYFY sizing reference for the final position of the relevant logo.
• 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.

The TZGZ team put together some example topics & dialogue as a reference. DO NOT USE THESE FOR YOUR PITCH. They're simply reflections of the directions you *might* take with your pitch. 

The TZGZ block itself consists of old favorites like Futurama, acquired web series like Purgatony, and some original content. The night is wrapped with interstitials that focus on truly strange WTF characters, concepts, and animation to give TZGZ a unique and comedic tone throughout the night. It's a little trippy, indulges in being irreverent, and always very funny. 

TZGZ INTERSTITIAL CONTENT FOR REFERENCE:

• High Wizard
• Gary and His Demons
• Science!
• TZGZ Bedtime Stories
• Magical Mythical Creature Features
• The Lioness

ASSETS: 

• TZGZ Logo Renders
• TZGZ Reference Logo

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.
  
  
• AUDIO SAMPLE (REQUIRED): You can't really do ASMR without a good microphone setup, so let's hear what you've got. Feel free to use any talent that you may wish to cast.
  
  
• SCRIPT (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create.
  
  
• 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. 

The most compelling pitches will be greenlit, and upon completing the Winner Affidavit and the IP Assignment, the responsible creator will receive funding. Please note: the 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.
  
  
• CASTING (If applicable): This project requires VO casting approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. You must submit at least two actor options per role. If the Sponsor does not approve either of your options for a role, you may be asked to submit two new actor options.
  
  
• SCRIPT (If applicable): This project requires script approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The Sponsor may provide feedback on your script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback.

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.

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 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.

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. 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.