Gauging Interest: Fanworks Contest

[Jason Tandro]

So I was considering about sometime in September starting a Fanworks Contest. There would be two categories: Fan Fiction and Fan Art (if there are enough people interested in music / video then I could add those categories as well).

There would be a deadline to complete the fan fiction and fan art based on a certain prompt and then after the deadline was up we would all vote for the winner in each category.

The Prize: The winners would be featured in a front page article detailing their work. All participants would also receive a brief mention.


So does this seem like something you'd all be interested in?

 

[Flintlock]

Interested in taking part? Not really, I have no talent for anything. Sure, I know my way around GIMP, but I use it to manipulate existing images, not really to create anything original.

Interested in seeing it? Sure! I think we could come up with a better prize, though.

 

[Jason Tandro]

Hey I'm all ears for a better prize, I just offered what was in my power to give!

 

[Flintlock]

How about one of those TLS t-shirts everyone keeps talking about in the shop thread? Would we have a budget for it? I've always said I could chuck a few Euros/Dollars in for a contest prize at some point.

 

[RedFFWolf]

This is a nice idea. I would consider participating in it if I wasn't so busy with my current piece of FanFiction (it's not strictly FFVII, and I can almost guarantee will be beyond a proposed word limit ) - but certainly I would enjoy following this and viewing the end results etc., so I hope this goes ahead

(Haha, I sort of realise my response is all take and no give )


EDIT: And what Flintlock says, I could throw in some money too

 

[Jason Tandro]

Well shoot I could drop some of that sweet sweet paypal cash into a pool, though I'm worried that others might feel alienated if a pool were imposed. A T-shirt would be awesome though.

 

[Kionae]

I'd participate, assuming my schedule/inspiration allows. My fanfictioning tends to be a little sporadic.

 

[Starling]

Love the idea, but I have no idea how I'd contribute. I doubt I'd be able to meet the deadline with fanfiction and I can't really do more than send a picture of a pencil drawing at the moment in regards to fanart.

 

[Flare]

It sounds like a great idea, and I'd love to participate, but only if I have the time to. I think you should go ahead with it though!

 

[Octo]

I'd like to participate, but I don't know if I'd be able- I don't have Photoshop on this comp....or a decent scanner. Or much time

But I think it's a great idea!

 

[RedFFWolf]

Well shoot I could drop some of that sweet sweet paypal cash into a pool, though I'm worried that others might feel alienated if a pool were imposed.

Agreed.
Indeed, those participating shouldn't put in anything on the basis that they are already contributing (in virtue of what is produced).
And, no one viewing should feel inclined - not in the slightest!

If it's your job, Jason, to get a prize, then allow me to show you a way/something available - PM me if you wish!

With that, enough of this blather

 

[Channy]

I said yes because I'm easy like that

I like doodling and scrabbling writing. And I'm sure we could come up with prizes. But we're still relatively small and surely everyone would have a prize within a month or something.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

I won't have any free time for fun stuff like that.

 

[trash panda]

I'm interested / would probably participate. :]

 

[Team_Wingless]

Honestly, and I'll just throw my lot in, I don't think this is a good idea at all. I foresee this only getting ppl upset especially if money is being thrown around. I think your heart is in the right place, but I just don't think this is the best way to get people enthused or what not.

 

[trash panda]

I think Jason had the right idea with a front page spotlight for the winners. ^.^


EDIT: But a shirt would be p-r-e-t-t-y sweet.

 

[RedFFWolf]

Honestly, and I'll just throw my lot in, I don't think this is a good idea at all. I foresee this only getting ppl upset especially if money is being thrown around. I think your heart is in the right place, but I just don't think this is the best way to get people enthused or what not.

The suggestion of money was a comment from myself and another - the two of us having already said we won't be participating. Indeed, I said I'd throw it in just as a mere supplement to whatever the prize turns out to be (and suggested not allowing those participating to put in anything towards a prize - and tried to divert the topic away from it subsequently ).
I appreciate that such a thing would have been better mentioned via PM, but it was never, by any means, intended as something that others should do (and I'm sure the other who suggested it feels the same).

In short, it was little more than people saying "I'll do it", and myself and another spectator (neither of us participators) then stating "We'll throw in something to supplement the prize for y'all"


Of course, if you mean that people will only get upset because of the nature of contest and the potential of a neat prize, then my apologies, I have misunderstood you
That being said, I can't imagine participants feeling competitive about it - but perhaps that's just my optimistic nature

Nonetheless, fair point!

 

[Jason Tandro]

I appreciate the feedback from all fronts and have already come to the conclusion that a "pool" of money is problematic. I am working behind the scenes to try and secure a more tangible reward (as well as the front-page spotlight) but I will say that unless things greatly change I am probably not going to want outside funds. I want people to be able to join in without feeling guilty about not contributing.

As far as the time restraint, I'm looking at a time frame of 9/1/15-10/15/15 to complete the project. Roughly 45 days. Voting would end on the day before Halloween. Nothing is set in stone yet, this is just currently how I am shaping the contest based on your feedback.

It's even possible that the prompting may have a spooky theme

 

[RedFFWolf]

I appreciate the feedback from all fronts and have already come to the conclusion that a "pool" of money is problematic. I am working behind the scenes to try and secure a more tangible reward (as well as the front-page spotlight) but I will say that unless things greatly change I am probably not going to want outside funds. I want people to be able to join in without feeling guilty about not contributing.

A fair point most appreciated.

I guess the best way I can help out in some way is to just try find the time to participate myself. Consider my vote cast for option 1

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

I appreciate the feedback from all fronts and have already come to the conclusion that a "pool" of money is problematic. I am working behind the scenes to try and secure a more tangible reward (as well as the front-page spotlight) but I will say that unless things greatly change I am probably not going to want outside funds. I want people to be able to join in without feeling guilty about not contributing.

As far as the time restraint, I'm looking at a time frame of 9/1/15-10/15/15 to complete the project. Roughly 45 days. Voting would end on the day before Halloween. Nothing is set in stone yet, this is just currently how I am shaping the contest based on your feedback.

It's even possible that the prompting may have a spooky theme

I think the prize should be Rufus's cup.

 

[Flintlock]

I guess the conversation has moved on now, but just for the sake of clarity, I wasn't suggesting an entry fee. I'm a little confused by the "pool" terminology, especially because of the "quotation marks" around the word "pool". All I meant was that some TLS people (who aren't participating) could help to fund a prize to make the contest more attractive to potential entrants. More entrants, more interest, more publicity, isn't that what we want?

 

[OneThousandCuts]

If we're talking about something based on a prompt, I'm willing to give it a try. No need to give me anything for it either. I take payments in shits, giggles, and ego boosts.

 

[Jason Tandro]

I guess the conversation has moved on now, but just for the sake of clarity, I wasn't suggesting an entry fee. I'm a little confused by the "pool" terminology, especially because of the "quotation marks" around the word "pool". All I meant was that some TLS people (who aren't participating) could help to fund a prize to make the contest more attractive to potential entrants. More entrants, more interest, more publicity, isn't that what we want?

Nor was I taking it that you suggested an entry fee. I'm just worried that if some people are providing funds and others aren't that could make some people uncomfortable. Also if we limit this to only people who aren't participating to avoid concerns of favoritism, we may also be forcing people to choose between contributing to the prize and not.

Again, there's nothing set in stone, but I will say if we do allow monetary contributions it should be strictly private.

 

[Cthulhu]

I could just send monies from the donation pool; it's not directly being used for paying for server bills (that's coming from my account), just for the odd splurge when I need paypal / my shit credit card doesn't work.

 

[Jason Tandro]

I could just send monies from the donation pool; it's not directly being used for paying for server bills (that's coming from my account), just for the odd splurge when I need paypal / my shit credit card doesn't work.

Well that settles it then. If anybody wants to chip in for a prize, simply Donate to The Lifestream!

Does that sound reasonable to everybody?

Thanks for the assistance and input Yop!