Produce a hilarious and strange :20 animated video ident that brings SYFY's late-night "TZGZ" logo to life visually, and sound it out too.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
The 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.
No animators may begin working on their Video until all approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin animating your Video during the Pre-Production Phase before you have received final approval, there is a chance you will need to re-animate (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.
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.