Challenge FAQs
Everything you wanted to know - and possibly some things you didn't - about spn_cinema. Note: even if you've participated last round, please read this over to refresh your memory and to also learn about a few changes to the claiming system and participation in general.
What is this challenge?
spn_cinema is an SPN/RPF fanwork challenge, where films serve as the basis of fic, art and audio-based fanworks. To find out about important dates, check the profile page.
Who can sign up?
Any author, artist, podficcer or fanmixer can sign up. For the purpose of this FAQ, 'art' in this case refers to all illustrated art, manips, graphics, videos, and etc, and 'audio' refers to both podfic and fanmixes. Otherwise, 'fanworks' is used to cover the spectrum of allowed mediums.
I signed up last round but didn't complete my fanwork. Am I banned from this round?
Nope! Feel free to sign up with the same film, or something entirely new if you wish.
How do I sign up?
A claiming post where you select the film you'd like to recreate was posted. It is now closed to new signups.
Can I collaborate with another person(s)?
Sure thing! Just let us know on the claim post that you're collaborating with somebody else. Only one of you will need to claim your desired film! Please note that if an author/artist/podficcer/fanmixer claim the same film and do not wish to collaborate with each other, that's fine!
How long must my fanwork be?
For authors, your word count minimum is 1000 words, although you can write as much as it takes for the story to be told. For artists, you must create at least one fanwork with a size of at least 400x400px (for all art discluding vids) or a length of one minute (for vids); there's no maximum. For podficcers, you must record a fic with a word count minimum of 1000 words, and there is no maximum. Fanmixers, your fanmix must contain at least 10 songs, but there is no maximum. Your mix must also include cover art with a size of at least 400x400px.
What pairings/ratings are allowed?
Any pairing is allowed, as is gen. The only thing we ask is that at least one of your main character(s) and/or main pairing(s) come from Supernatural canon or are actors who have appeared in at least one episode of Supernatural. (For example: Sam/OFC is great, Sam/OMC is great, OFC/OMC is not; Jared/Jason Momoa is great, Jared/Danneel is great, Danneel/Jason is not. Likewise, a gen fic focusing on the Novaks is great, a fic focusing on Bela is great, but a fic focusing on a babysitter Dean had when he was three is not.) NOTE: Artwork featuring children of the cast is not allowed, and it is preferred that their names not be used in fics.
Are crossovers allowed?
They are!
What film can be claimed?
Any film that's been released (in theaters, straight-to-video or made-for-tv) is up for grabs, as are any upcoming releases with enough of a plot summary/preview to help base your fanwork on. No genre is off-limits!
Can the same film be claimed twice?
No. Each film can only be claimed once per medium (story, art and audio) per round. In addition, only one claim per medium is allowed for a single film and their remake(s). For example, if someone claims "Rear Window," another person may not claim "Disturbia." Films that make up a franchise will be treated as individual films, however, so if somebody claims "Batman," somebody else may claim "The Dark Knight" under the same medium. You may, however, claim films that have been done in prior rounds.
How many films can I claim?
We want everybody to get a chance at claiming the film they'd like to do first, so you are limited to one claim to start. However, once round one of claims ends, we will open a final round where you can claim one more film if you'd like. Any films claimed in the first round cannot be claimed in the second round (unless claimed under an unclaimed medium, of course).
Can somebody claim a film for me?
Yes! Just be sure that they put your name and contact information, and not their own, and that the claim goes in a separate comment than their own (assuming they are also signing up).
I claimed a film that's part of a franchise - am I confined to that one film?
For the most part, yes. You can incorporate aspects from previous films, but the bulk of inspiration should come from your claimed film.
How similar does my fic have to be to my claimed film?
This is up to you. If you want to basically retell the plot with the new characters and new dialogue, that's fine. If you want to take parts of the film and weave them together with your own original scenes to make a story, that's fine as well. You can even take one scene from the film and let that inspire your entire story. All we ask is that you don't do a word-for-word retelling of the film, because that will be quite boring to readers!
I've started a WIP a few weeks ago that's based on a film. Can I claim the same film and finish it for this challenge?
No. Any story that has already been partly posted as a WIP is not allowed in the challenge. However, if your story has not been posted anywhere, feel free to finish it and submit it, providing you manage to claim the proper film.
I want to do audio! What are my options?
Podficcers have two options for participating. First, you may record an already written and posted fic based on your claim. If the fic was not written by you, you must receive permission from the author to record their fic. The other option is to collaborate with an author and record the fic they're writing for this challenge.
For fanmixers, your options are a little wider. You may create a fanmix for an already written and posted fic based on your claim, providing you receive the author's permission to do so. You can also collaborate with an author and create a fanmix based on the fic they're writing for this challenge. Your final option is to work alone and create a fanmix based on your own ideas of your source material (aka, if the movie was actually called "When Jared Met Jensen," what would the soundtrack sound like?).
How long do I have to finish my fanwork?
Posting begins November 6, 2017.
How do I submit my fanwork? How do I post my fanwork?
The last round of cinema did not have fixed posting dates, and we found this actually left people LESS motivated to complete and post their fanworks. This round we are re-implementing assigned posting dates to restore that sense of urgency. A posting schedule will be posted in this comm shortly after both rounds of claims have been completed.
Are drafts required?
Similar to the assigned posting dates, last round had no draft requirement and we found that participation was lacking (we get it, we are procrastinators, too!). There will be a draft due September 5. It does not have to be complete but must show substantial progress to show that you are more likely than not to complete the challenge.
If you've still got a question that hasn't been answered, ask here and we'll help you out!
What is this challenge?
spn_cinema is an SPN/RPF fanwork challenge, where films serve as the basis of fic, art and audio-based fanworks. To find out about important dates, check the profile page.
Who can sign up?
Any author, artist, podficcer or fanmixer can sign up. For the purpose of this FAQ, 'art' in this case refers to all illustrated art, manips, graphics, videos, and etc, and 'audio' refers to both podfic and fanmixes. Otherwise, 'fanworks' is used to cover the spectrum of allowed mediums.
I signed up last round but didn't complete my fanwork. Am I banned from this round?
Nope! Feel free to sign up with the same film, or something entirely new if you wish.
How do I sign up?
A claiming post where you select the film you'd like to recreate was posted. It is now closed to new signups.
Can I collaborate with another person(s)?
Sure thing! Just let us know on the claim post that you're collaborating with somebody else. Only one of you will need to claim your desired film! Please note that if an author/artist/podficcer/fanmixer claim the same film and do not wish to collaborate with each other, that's fine!
How long must my fanwork be?
For authors, your word count minimum is 1000 words, although you can write as much as it takes for the story to be told. For artists, you must create at least one fanwork with a size of at least 400x400px (for all art discluding vids) or a length of one minute (for vids); there's no maximum. For podficcers, you must record a fic with a word count minimum of 1000 words, and there is no maximum. Fanmixers, your fanmix must contain at least 10 songs, but there is no maximum. Your mix must also include cover art with a size of at least 400x400px.
What pairings/ratings are allowed?
Any pairing is allowed, as is gen. The only thing we ask is that at least one of your main character(s) and/or main pairing(s) come from Supernatural canon or are actors who have appeared in at least one episode of Supernatural. (For example: Sam/OFC is great, Sam/OMC is great, OFC/OMC is not; Jared/Jason Momoa is great, Jared/Danneel is great, Danneel/Jason is not. Likewise, a gen fic focusing on the Novaks is great, a fic focusing on Bela is great, but a fic focusing on a babysitter Dean had when he was three is not.) NOTE: Artwork featuring children of the cast is not allowed, and it is preferred that their names not be used in fics.
Are crossovers allowed?
They are!
What film can be claimed?
Any film that's been released (in theaters, straight-to-video or made-for-tv) is up for grabs, as are any upcoming releases with enough of a plot summary/preview to help base your fanwork on. No genre is off-limits!
Can the same film be claimed twice?
No. Each film can only be claimed once per medium (story, art and audio) per round. In addition, only one claim per medium is allowed for a single film and their remake(s). For example, if someone claims "Rear Window," another person may not claim "Disturbia." Films that make up a franchise will be treated as individual films, however, so if somebody claims "Batman," somebody else may claim "The Dark Knight" under the same medium. You may, however, claim films that have been done in prior rounds.
How many films can I claim?
We want everybody to get a chance at claiming the film they'd like to do first, so you are limited to one claim to start. However, once round one of claims ends, we will open a final round where you can claim one more film if you'd like. Any films claimed in the first round cannot be claimed in the second round (unless claimed under an unclaimed medium, of course).
Can somebody claim a film for me?
Yes! Just be sure that they put your name and contact information, and not their own, and that the claim goes in a separate comment than their own (assuming they are also signing up).
I claimed a film that's part of a franchise - am I confined to that one film?
For the most part, yes. You can incorporate aspects from previous films, but the bulk of inspiration should come from your claimed film.
How similar does my fic have to be to my claimed film?
This is up to you. If you want to basically retell the plot with the new characters and new dialogue, that's fine. If you want to take parts of the film and weave them together with your own original scenes to make a story, that's fine as well. You can even take one scene from the film and let that inspire your entire story. All we ask is that you don't do a word-for-word retelling of the film, because that will be quite boring to readers!
I've started a WIP a few weeks ago that's based on a film. Can I claim the same film and finish it for this challenge?
No. Any story that has already been partly posted as a WIP is not allowed in the challenge. However, if your story has not been posted anywhere, feel free to finish it and submit it, providing you manage to claim the proper film.
I want to do audio! What are my options?
Podficcers have two options for participating. First, you may record an already written and posted fic based on your claim. If the fic was not written by you, you must receive permission from the author to record their fic. The other option is to collaborate with an author and record the fic they're writing for this challenge.
For fanmixers, your options are a little wider. You may create a fanmix for an already written and posted fic based on your claim, providing you receive the author's permission to do so. You can also collaborate with an author and create a fanmix based on the fic they're writing for this challenge. Your final option is to work alone and create a fanmix based on your own ideas of your source material (aka, if the movie was actually called "When Jared Met Jensen," what would the soundtrack sound like?).
How long do I have to finish my fanwork?
Posting begins November 6, 2017.
How do I submit my fanwork? How do I post my fanwork?
The last round of cinema did not have fixed posting dates, and we found this actually left people LESS motivated to complete and post their fanworks. This round we are re-implementing assigned posting dates to restore that sense of urgency. A posting schedule will be posted in this comm shortly after both rounds of claims have been completed.
Are drafts required?
Similar to the assigned posting dates, last round had no draft requirement and we found that participation was lacking (we get it, we are procrastinators, too!). There will be a draft due September 5. It does not have to be complete but must show substantial progress to show that you are more likely than not to complete the challenge.
If you've still got a question that hasn't been answered, ask here and we'll help you out!