Reverse Big Bang Frequently Asked Questions
WE'RE BACK! We hope you've had a nice break since the Mentalist Big Bang and are all ready for another round, this time of REVERSE BIG BANG!
As with our regular Big Bang, we'll be keeping the mentalistbbvent community nice and busy, so please feel free to go check in on there to see what's happening!
In the mean time, I guess we'd better get on with posting some FAQs, so you're all up to speed with what will happen now the order of everything has been switched around to make it all that little bit different.... it's time for the artists to have some of the power!
I've never taken part in a normal Big Bang, never mind a reverse. What's it all about?
A Big Bang is where authors sign up to write long stories (for The Mentalist Big Bang, we request 10,000 words +) and artists claim the stories to make beautiful artwork to accompany it. We also have sign ups for lower levels, for authors who aren't ready to commit to such a long word count.
What is different about the reverse Big Bang?
Just what it says on the tin! This time, the artists get to go first, creating a piece of artwork for the authors to claim to write accompanying stories. Then, the artists can choose to make even more artwork to go with it.
What's the schedule this time around?
Reverse Big Bang 2012 schedule:
2nd April 2012: signups open for artists, authors, betas and cheerleaders.
23rd April 2012: signups close for artists
7th May 2012: first check in for the artists
14th May 2012: artists first pieces of artwork due
21st May 2012: art claims open
28th May 2012: art claims close//sign ups close for authors
29th May 2012: artist/author match ups revealed
18th June 2012: 2nd artist check in/1st author check in
25th June 2012: posting selection dates go up
30th June 2012: posting schedule goes up
2nd July 2012: posting begins
Artists
I would like to create art for the Reverse Big Bang. What do I need to know?
Once the sign ups close, artists will have an additional 3 weeks to complete a draft of their artwork. If you sign up earlier than that, naturally, you'll have longer to make your art. You'll have a maximum of 6 weeks to be making art, so... yes. During the whole Big Bang process, we'll be having a lot of activity on the Vent community - and there will be important information posted on the main comm by the mods. Please keep an eye on both to get the most out of your Big Bang experience!
My art only has to be a draft?
Initially, yes. However, by the time posting comes around, we expect it to be the finished article, naturally. If you want to make minor changes to it after the selection process, please do so, however we expect the inherent feel of the piece to remain the same. We request/suggest that you make additional artwork to accompany the fic after you've been put in contact with your author.
Can I make more than one piece to go up for claims?
Of course! But please remember your time restraints - we're not going to set a limit on how many pieces you put up for selection by authors. However, each piece of artwork will have a fic to be read and, quite possibly, more artwork needed to go with it. Please keep each piece different, too!
Can I use a work in progress?
If it hasn't been posted anywhere prior to Big Bang, then yes. If it has been, then we're going to have to say no.
Can my art be a crossover with another fandom?
No, we're sorry about that. Whilst we’re happy to accommodate crossovers in the regular Big Bang, it’s easier to create art for a fandom you’re unfamiliar with; it’s a lot harder to have to write for a fandom you may not have even heard of before. That being said, if you are paired with an author who happens to like the same fandoms as you and you come to a mutual agreement about it being a crossover, then that would be totally fine.
What are the minimum requirements for my artwork?
You must create at least one piece of art; this can include but is not restricted to a drawing, banner, wallpaper, fanvid and fanmix. Below are the minimum requirements you are expected to turn in when you are asked to submit your rough drafts of artwork.
Fanvideos must be at least 45 seconds long.
Fanmixes must include at least 5 songs, plus a piece of artwork.
Most other art must be at least 400 by 600 pixels in size, or something similar (e.g. 500 x 500).
If you would like to create a piece of art not mentioned here and need to know the requirements, please comment and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
I’d like to create more art for the story once it’s complete, can I do this?
Whilst the art you create before the claims process should remain as a piece of art for this challenge we encourage artists to continue working on this piece of art once you have been paired up with an author. As touched upon before, If you’d like to create additional artwork once you’ve made contact with your author and/or read what they’ve written and you have the time to do so, you are more than welcome to.
Can I find my own author?
Whilst we won’t refuse anyone willing to take part in the Reverse Big Bang it is preferred that all authors and artists sign up and go through the Reverse Big Bang process. If you are an artist who really wants to make art for their friend’s fic, then please send us a message and we will take this into account. We ask that anyone wanting to do this considers taking on a second piece of art to write for.
Authors
I would like to write for the Reverse Big Bang, what do I need to know?
Once the sign up process is over, your role does not officially begin until May 21st, when you can claim art. During this time, please keep an eye on the community as anything we post may be relevant to you as well as the artists. There will also be plenty of activities to participate in on the Vent community, so please keep an eye on that as well!
Can I write for more than one piece of art?
Yes. Authors can sign up for as many fics as you believe you have time to write. However, whether you get as many pieces as you sign up for depends on the number of artists who sign up and whether they’re willing to work with more than one author. Every author that signs up will get at least one piece of art but we cannot guarantee more. Also, please bear in mind the time constraints. If you request 5 different pieces of artwork and get 5, you'll have to write 5 separate stories in a much shorter time than the usual Big Bang.
Can I use a work in progress?
Generally Big Bangs allow fics to be works in progress but due to the nature of the Reverse Big Bang we ask that you do not use works in progress. Your fic must relate to the piece of art you claim.
Can I write a crossover?
Yes, but only provided that your author is willing to work with it being a crossover. Please don't pick artwork and base your hopes on wanting it to be one -- the artist may not want it that way. Remember, if all else fails, you can save your crossover idea for the next normal Big Bang!
Just over a month isn’t very long to write 10,000 words!
Don’t worry! Unlike the regular Big Bang, we’re not expecting you to write 10,000 words for a story! Instead, you must write a minimum of 3,000 words for the art which you have claimed. However, if you want to write more than this and have the time to do so, then please do. Let your plot bunnies run wild!
Do I need a beta?
We highly recommend that fics have betas, but the decision is ultimately yours. We will be creating a beta pool at some point if you need help finding someone to beta your fic.
Can I pair myself up with my own artist?
Whilst we won’t refuse anyone willing to take part in the Reverse Big Bang, it is preferred that all authors and artists sign up and go through the Reverse Big Bang process. If you are an author who really wants to write a fic for their friend’s art then please send us a message and we will take this into account. We ask that anyone wanting to do this considers taking on a second piece of art to write for.
Artists & Authors
I’ve finished creating my art/fic, what do I do now?
Please hold onto it! As part of the Big Bang rules you must not post your art/fic on any websites before the official posting dates. We will let you know when it’s time to post your work, keep your eye on the community.
I’m creating art, can I sign up to write a fic as well?
Yes, of course! We recognise that lots of people are authors as well as artists. If you’re signing up for both, please bear in mind your own restrictions. We recommend signing up for no more than FOUR positions. Please consider your personal commitments (i.e. school, college, work) when signing up. This challenge, by default, gets difficult if people drop out and we do not want to be put into a compromised position by this.
I’ve signed up for too much and want to change my mind, can I?
Yes. However, please take into account the fact that if you pull out at the last minute then this could impact others, so let us know as early as possible. Thank you!
What do you mean when you talk about claims?
We will post up a preview of the artwork for authors to choose from, Each author will be allowed to select as many pieces of art they would be willing to work with and we will match artists and authors accordingly. There will be additional information closer to the time.
Betas & Cheerleaders
What is the difference between a beta and a cheerleader?
A cheerleader is there to encourage the artist/author in any way possible. This can be anything from supplying prompts/screencaps, offering a hand to hold, thrashing out plots, having a read through to offer support and so on. A beta gets more involved with an author in the nitty gritty of writing - checking for typos, punctuation, characterisation, whether the plot makes sense and so on.
How do I contact an author/artist?
Authors will be asked to contact betas via the Beta Pool.
Authors and artists are invited to post in the Cheerleader Pool, requesting cheerleaders. Here, potential cheerleaders can pick out somebody who they want to support.
I didn't get picked to beta! What do I do?
Don't worry! You can still stay involved by offering general support to everyone on the Vent community, which is open for anyone to post on. Alternatively, you can post there stating what you want to do and what you can offer various authors/artists.
There's no one left in the cheerleader pool! What do I do?
Like the betas, if you don't have anyone to pick from, you're more than welcome to offer general support to everyone in the Vent community. If you really want to work one-on-one with somebody, you can also post their, stating what you do and what you can offer somebody as their cheerleader.
Everyone
Where do I sign up?
Artists can sign up HERE.
Authors can sign up HERE.
Betas can sign up HERE
Cheerleaders can sign up HERE
Wait, you haven’t answered my question!
Please leave a comment or contact a mod and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
If you wish to participate in the Reverse Big Bang, please join and watch the community so that you don’t miss any important deadlines of updates.