NEW POLL! Don't Hit Me!

[slaycandy]

Okay, counting up the categories in the poll there are 14, plus there are the 16 I had written down as definites. Since the lowest number of entries (from forum members only) is 11 for Moonlight, I am tempted to just go with all 30 categories. Which is a grand total of 6 categories more than last year.

I really don't like making cuts, and I'm sure there's a lot of people who art something that I would need to cut or merge in order to get the number down to something like 26 categories as planned.

So instead, I am asking for you to vote AGAIN, and this time to tell me whether you are happy to vote for a total of 30 categories, or whether you think I should make the cuts! I have put in a few options for you to consider to help me with this decision.

I don't want to make any decisions without first considering what it means for everyone else, so I am not doing this to aggravate all of my members, I am merely doing this to try and figure out what YOU as the fanart community and the members want out of this year's event!

Hope that you understand, sorry for the second poll!!!
SJ
xox

[little albatross]

I know that a lot of categories are off-putting. But, IMO, it's not as frightening as deciding between two or more completely different types of criteria. I mean, obviously all the art entered in one category would be hopefully different. But merging categories is like choosing between apples and cookies. Whereas trying to decide between two or more equally good, but more similar in subject/type of piece is like...cookies and another type of cookies*.

But I know that a lot of people would rather cut back on too many categories, and that's something I could troop through. So.......I voted yes, but with more time. It seemed middle-groundish. :xd

* Sorry, I really like cookies.

[slaycandy]

I know that a lot of categories are off-putting. But, IMO, it's not as frightening as deciding between two or more completely different types of criteria. I mean, obviously all the art entered in one category would be hopefully different. But merging categories is like choosing between apples and cookies. Whereas trying to decide between two or more equally good, but more similar in subject/type of piece is like...cookies and another type of cookies*.

But I know that a lot of people would rather cut back on too many categories, and that's something I could troop through. So.......I voted yes, but with more time. It seemed middle-groundish. :xd

* Sorry, I really like cookies.

Lol, I :heart: cookies, I'm a cookie fiend!!! :P Mwa ha ha!

I just wanted to see what the reaction was from this poll, as I suddenly thought to myself: do people actually MIND having that many categories, or am I just trying to make cuts for no reason? Lol.

I figured that more categories would requite more time though so threw that option in there, :P

SJ
x

[Leloo]

I know that a lot of categories are off-putting. But, IMO, it's not as frightening as deciding between two or more completely different types of criteria. I mean, obviously all the art entered in one category would be hopefully different. But merging categories is like choosing between apples and cookies. Whereas trying to decide between two or more equally good, but more similar in subject/type of piece is like...cookies and another type of cookies*.

But I know that a lot of people would rather cut back on too many categories, and that's something I could troop through. So.......I voted yes, but with more time. It seemed middle-groundish. :xd

* Sorry, I really like cookies. :cookie:

I love cookies too :xd

I agree. I don't mind the extra categories at all. I think it will even be easier to vote for in some cases. I am particularly talking about the lighting/coloring category. Last year it was difficult enough choosing what piece to nominate, but it was even worse when it came to the voting :s And I am sure it is the case with a few other categories as well.

[Jenni Lou]

30 is fine by me!
And FYI, I chose the second option whereas I am more in between option 1 and option 2. I don't need a SUPER long time to fill out my voting form. Last year, I just did a few categories every few hours...you know, taking a break and then coming back to tackle it again.

I mean, it's more fun than daunting, for me. :)

So, basically, I am fine if you don't want to make any cuts. Judging from the poll, it's nearly impossible to do so anyway!! :)

[Heather]

I voted for "Yes! The More the Better!" but I don't want like...40+ categories to vote for. I'm fine with a few more if it's impossible to make cuts or if the people just don't want to make cuts, I really am, but I don't want like...a huge amount of categories. Does that make sense? I don't know if it does... :p

[~M@rie~]

I really don't mind having 30+ categories. I would rather vote for more things than for you to make cuts.

[doppelganger47]

i don't like merging categories, unless the categories merged are related...ie, i don't mind merging Edward/Bella art with Twilight couples art, but i don't think male celebrity art should be merged with mixed-gender art, if female art gets its own category. so don't mind the amount, as long as there's sufficient time. November period is exams as well.

[Leloo]

I voted for "Yes! The More the Better!" but I don't want like...40+ categories to vote for. I'm fine with a few more if it's impossible to make cuts or if the people just don't want to make cuts, I really am, but I don't want like...a huge amount of categories. Does that make sense? I don't know if it does... :p

At this point we have about 30 categories, did I get that right? I agree with Heather that maybe 40 is a bit tooooo many but as far as I understood it, we were not adding THAT many more.

I almost went for the second option but then I realised that I'm the sort of person who puts things off to last minute, especially if I have LOTS of time to do it :lol:

I don't remember how long we had last year but I do remember doing it little by little over a few days or so. What I'm saying is, I don't think we need that much more time to vote for a few extra categories... it sorta flows anyway once you're doing it :xd

[Leloo]

i don't like merging categories, unless the categories merged are related...ie, i don't mind merging Edward/Bella art with Twilight couples art, but i don't think male celebrity art should be merged with mixed-gender art, if female art gets its own category. so don't mind the amount, as long as there's sufficient time. November period is exams as well.

Comparing 'female celebrity art' with 'male and groups art' Female would STILL kick it's ass, even if the two latter were merged.

I would definitely prefer merging Male and Group if the alternative will be merging all 3. I think the female category is strong enough to hold it's own and it would be a shame to have the female pieces overshine the groups/male art, if it was all combined...

As for the Twilight E/B art, the amount of art being made of this couple is so overwhelming compared to everything else in that fandom, that it would be a shame to merge it with 'other couples'. Both categories could definitely hold their own and get lots of entries, I am sure...

[slaycandy]

As a reminder, these are the dates we used for last year's event, to give you an idea of time-scales!


Nominations Begin: 1st January 2008
Nominations Close: 21st January 2008

Nominations Announced: 22nd January 2008

Voting Forms Mailed: 23rd January
Voting Period: 23rd January - 19th February

Final Polls Close: 19th February 2008

Votes Counted & Verified: 19th - 23rd February


AWARDS CEREMONY FEBRUARY 23RD 2008


It was approximately 4 weeks to do 24 categories, which basically allowed time for 6 categories per week. If I were to increase the categories to 30 and change it to 5 weeks, then that would still give time for 6 per week, so technically you would have the same amount time, if that makes?

I will need to look at next years dates so that I can announce them soon, ;)

SJ
xox

[Jenni Lou]

Sounds good, SJ. :thumbup:

[Ehlwyen]

I say give us the same number of weeks as last year. Leave that extra week as a cushion just to give the procrastinators a few extra days because you know there are always a few that can't get motivated until 24 hours before the deadline. :lol:

[EndersWrath]

I say give us the same number of weeks as last year. Leave that extra week as a cushion just to give the procrastinators a few extra days because you know there are always a few that can't get motivated until 24 hours before the deadline. :lol:

:p It wasn't like I sent in my form at the LAST minute... more like second to last minute :xd

This year I think it will be better because people are gonna know what to expect, so even though I voted to ask for more time, I think that it would be fine if it was the same amount of time because we have experience in this now and it will go more smoothly ... I hope :err:

[Signe]

Well, it's all been said but one more voice in the matter can't be wrong, right? I'm all for 30+ categories, because last year I had so much trouble sorting out which to pick or not because I art lots of different shows (although I'm narrower this year... I think...). And please don't mix male with mixed gender. Women may be the rulers of the world but the men deserves at least a category... (and Jonny Rhys Meyer galore!). Oh, and just a thought... Last year when I judged I saved all pieces to my PC (still have them^^) - mosly to make it easier when judging best artist/piece etc. I was just wishing han hopin' if you'd be able to put out a .zip-file with all the entries and then a .txt doc or something with which pieces are nominated for which (sense I guess you have something similar to sort it out before you put it up on the site?). Well, if it's not too much work that's what I'd really like this year;)

(oh, and I also like cookies...^^)

[slaycandy]

Well, it's all been said but one more voice in the matter can't be wrong, right? I'm all for 30+ categories, because last year I had so much trouble sorting out which to pick or not because I art lots of different shows (although I'm narrower this year... I think...). And please don't mix male with mixed gender. Women may be the rulers of the world but the men deserves at least a category... (and Jonny Rhys Meyer galore!). Oh, and just a thought... Last year when I judged I saved all pieces to my PC (still have them^^) - mosly to make it easier when judging best artist/piece etc. I was just wishing han hopin' if you'd be able to put out a .zip-file with all the entries and then a .txt doc or something with which pieces are nominated for which (sense I guess you have something similar to sort it out before you put it up on the site?). Well, if it's not too much work that's what I'd really like this year;)

(oh, and I also like cookies...^^)


Hey hun,

I never really thought of doing that tbh! I guess it would be easy to organise and get online for people, so will write that down as something to do for the voting period, :D

I had all the nominations organised on my computer last year into folders, one for each category - so could probably zip (or rar) them like that so that they are all organised into folders inside the zip. And make that available to dowlnload if people want them in that form. :)

Thanks for the suggestion!
SJ
xox

[Zugma]

Oh, and just a thought... Last year when I judged I saved all pieces to my PC (still have them^^) - mosly to make it easier when judging best artist/piece etc. I was just wishing han hopin' if you'd be able to put out a .zip-file with all the entries and then a .txt doc or something with which pieces are nominated for which (sense I guess you have something similar to sort it out before you put it up on the site?).

Oh, I second this! Really good idea :)

As for the number of categories, I don't mind having 30 of them, but I do think a little more time to decide and vote would be good. (Although if that is impossible to arrange for some reason, the four weeks term isn't going to be a huge problem for me, either.)

[slaycandy]

Okay since no one has voted against this, I think the general consensus is just to go ahead with all 30 categories!

I'll arrange a little bit more time for the voting as well, it's only fair since we are doing a slight increase, :)

Anyway... this means..... that the award designs are going to change too!!!
IF you signed up for a Twilight award to design, this now means there's subcategories for you to choose from, heh! I'll be in touch, ;)

*hugs*
SJ
xox

[little albatross]

I don't know if this is the place, or if I should take this back to the previous thread. But I wanted to explain why I even brought up merging male with groupings for the celebrity categories.

Obviously, female celebrity art is a lot more popular, so that would more than fill its own category. So I what I was shooting for is:

Female Celebrity Art (which could probably include female groupings, if there are any) and Other Celebrity Art - which would include male art (which yes, would populate a category, but not is not as big as Female art) and groupings (of males or of mixed genders.) I'm not asking for that to take away from the guys. I REALLY LOVE HOT MEN.

But the only other choices, it seems to me, is to merge the celebrities into one category altogether (chicks, dudes, and groups) or to have a third category specifically for groupings, because separate gender categories would exclude certain celebrity art, such as, IDK a Rilo Kiley piece (:p) There is not enough "group" art to fill a whole category. So that third category isn't really...an option, imo. But it wouldn't be fair to leave out group/band pieces altogether. I also want to keep the female art separate because there's so much anyway, and because it gives the Jensens, JRMs, the Shias and the Rilo frickin' Kileys a chance to shine.

[little albatross]

Also, I really like Signe's suggestion about the zip file ;)

[Jenni Lou]

I'll jump on board for the zip file too. I mean, if you do that for yourself already, SJ....:angelnot:

[Heather]

I'm gonna have to vote AGAINST the idea of merging Male Celebrity fanart with Group Celebrity fanart. I don't think that's fair to the sexxxy men or to the people who have fanart of actors or other male celebrities. Not to mention, I'll have more difficulties choosing between a male celebrity piece and a band piece because they're both so different.

I say, since the majority of people don't care about having more categories, we just have:

Female Celebrity Fanart
Male Celebrity Fanart
Group Celebrity Fanart

So what if the group one is small! That makes it easier to judge. ;) :p

We can just try it this year and, if it doesn't work, then we'll know better for next year. :D

[slaycandy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just went through the Celebrity thread and checked out all the pieces posted this year and I haven't seen ANY celebrity pieces featuring groups, let alone enough to sustain a category on its own. Last year Bones had 6 or 7 entries if I remember rightly and we did a 1st-3rd place for that and that was it, no runners up obviously. And it just felt really quite a small category... I was hoping for the minimum number of entries for a category this year to be about 10.

So if you know of 10 artists who have done group pieces that they would enter then let me know! I just wasn't aware of any group art having been done, hence why I was going to do male & female categories and leave out groups... I just hadn't taken it into consideration as I didn't think that any had been done!!!

I don't really do celeb art or check it out much, so obviously you guys will know better than me!

*huggles to all!*
SJ
xox

[little albatross]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just went through the Celebrity thread and checked out all the pieces posted this year and I haven't seen ANY celebrity pieces featuring groups, let alone enough to sustain a category on its own. Last year Bones had 6 or 7 entries if I remember rightly and we did a 1st-3rd place for that and that was it, no runners up obviously. And it just felt really quite a small category... I was hoping for the minimum number of entries for a category this year to be about 10.

So if you know of 10 artists who have done group pieces that they would enter then let me know! I just wasn't aware of any group art having been done, hence why I was going to do male & female categories and leave out groups... I just hadn't taken it into consideration as I didn't think that any had been done!!!

I don't really do celeb art or check it out much, so obviously you guys will know better than me!

*huggles to all!*
SJ
xox

Again, this goes back to the whole "not everybody posts in the feedback threads" issue. I have some band art from this year (and an unfinished Shia/Megan...but I guess that doesn't count right now.) I'm almost sure that Joe does too. And I remember seeing one from Loraine (ciderdrinker, who does participate in AFA, if I remember correctly). I don't know that the amount of group art justifies a whole category. Even if you DID merge the categories, the majority would be of solo male celebrities and MAYBE one or two group pieces. But I don't think it's fair for any group pieces to be excluded from the celebrity categories altogether. :/ It IS still celebrity art.

[Jenni Lou]

well, you could always just make a group category and if it doesn't get enough entries (which I suspect it might not) then it can just be scrapped from the voting/ceremony. At least that way no one feels like their art is being excluded.

OR...we can just do another category for group or crossover art. Like when people merge the SPN/BTVS fandoms and the like. There's actually quite a few folks who do that. Even I have a mash-up multi-fandom piece that fits that category (the one I used for my layout awhile back.)

I don't see too much group art either. There is the odd piece here and there but...yeah.

And oh! Just the other night I made another male celeb piece that is not Shia! :laughbounce: Go me.

[Heather]

I like Jenni Lou's idea of the Group/Crossover one. I think merging those would be far more appropriate and fair than merging Male Celebs/Groups. I mean, the piece that Jenni Lou mentioned (the one she made), could be construed as a group celebrity piece (if you don't pay attention to the text...but, even still... :p :lol: ).

I think that's a fair solution to the problem at hand.

This way, people can still enter their group celebrity fanart and get judge with other group fanart, meanwhile people's male celebrity fanart and female celebrity fanart won't mix, nor will they be excluded.

Everyone can be happy then. :p

[little albatross]

I like that idea too. :xd It works for me if everyone else agrees with it!

[Heather]

While we're discussing categories, might I just say how nervous I am about the genre categories? I mean...I feel like it's gonna be really difficult to pick just one piece for summarizes almost all of my fandoms that I fanart (most of which are supernatural/sci-fi).

And, random, but what about a Mystery/Action category? For "Veronica Mars" and procedural shows and "24" and "Alias" (though "Alias" could be a sci-fi show, technically, I'd say that a majority of the series is just action). I would also move "Lost" over into that category since that entire show is a mystery...and action-packed.

I dunno. Just a suggestion because procedurals and other action shows don't seem to have a place in the categories since they're certainly not just drama/comedy.

[BlasterBoy]

While we're discussing categories, might I just say how nervous I am about the genre categories? I mean...I feel like it's gonna be really difficult to pick just one piece for summarizes almost all of my fandoms that I fanart (most of which are supernatural/sci-fi).

And, random, but what about a Mystery/Action category? For "Veronica Mars" and procedural shows and "24" and "Alias" (though "Alias" could be a sci-fi show, technically, I'd say that a majority of the series is just action). I would also move "Lost" over into that category since that entire show is a mystery...and action-packed.

I dunno. Just a suggestion because procedurals and other action shows don't seem to have a place in the categories since they're certainly not just drama/comedy.

Yep, this is my biggest concern :s

I don't think things like "Chuck" is just drama/comedy (which it is, but it is an action show, too), and like Heather said above, "Bones", "Alias", "24", "Lost", etc.

[Leloo]

I'm gonna have to vote AGAINST the idea of merging Male Celebrity fanart with Group Celebrity fanart. I don't think that's fair to the sexxxy men or to the people who have fanart of actors or other male celebrities. Not to mention, I'll have more difficulties choosing between a male celebrity piece and a band piece because they're both so different.

I say, since the majority of people don't care about having more categories, we just have:

Female Celebrity Fanart
Male Celebrity Fanart
Group Celebrity Fanart

So what if the group one is small! That makes it easier to judge. ;) :p

We can just try it this year and, if it doesn't work, then we'll know better for next year. :D I think I agree with Heather on this. I know I said I was for merging the male celeb with group celeb but I think it makes sense to split it up. Since nobody seems to mind having more categories, it WOULD make both nominating and judging easier. The less different types of art in one category, the easier I think :lol:

Now, obviously just cos we agreed to split some categories and get some extra ones, we shouldn't go overboard... I do still believe that the Celeb category is ok to split up into 3 sub categories. Couples and groups could go into the same category, so that as long as you have more than one person in the piece, it goes in that category?

well, you could always just make a group category and if it doesn't get enough entries (which I suspect it might not) then it can just be scrapped from the voting/ceremony. At least that way no one feels like their art is being excluded.

I agree. We could test it out. If there aren't enough entries just leave it out. I know it might be disappointing to have nominated a piece in a category just to have it be taken out, but on the other hand if we DO have so many more categories, it won't make that much of a difference in the long run, to scrap one of them before voting. I'm saying this because I am quite convinced that we could fill the category with at least 10 nominated pieces :lol:


And oh! Just the other night I made another male celeb piece that is not Shia! :laughbounce: Go me. No, shame on you! All male art should be Shia art! It should be a universal rule of fanart :roll: obviously I am only kidding. But if there was a rule like that, I totally wouldn't hate it :xd

[Ehlwyen]

I REALLY like the idea of a zip file. I don't have internet at my house so being able to download them and therefore be able take them home to view would extremely help me in voting.

[LRae12]

And, random, but what about a Mystery/Action category? For "Veronica Mars" and procedural shows and "24" and "Alias" (though "Alias" could be a sci-fi show, technically, I'd say that a majority of the series is just action). I would also move "Lost" over into that category since that entire show is a mystery...and action-packed.

I dunno. Just a suggestion because procedurals and other action shows don't seem to have a place in the categories since they're certainly not just drama/comedy.

It does seem that it's difficult to choose a peice to nominate in the 'other drama/comedy' category, because that is such a huge variety of shows. I too like the idea of a mystery/action category. *BUT* how do you decide which show goes where? I'd personally classify a show like Chuck as a comedy, but Ben seems to classify it as action. Where a show like Smallville I would probably classify as action, but someone else could make a case for it being sci-fi or even supernatural.

[Heather]

It does seem that it's difficult to choose a peice to nominate in the 'other drama/comedy' category, because that is such a huge variety of shows. I too like the idea of a mystery/action category. *BUT* how do you decide which show goes where? I'd personally classify a show like Chuck as a comedy, but Ben seems to classify it as action. Where a show like Smallville I would probably classify as action, but someone else could make a case for it being sci-fi or even supernatural.

Mystery/Action/Procedurals would be...

"Law & Order"
"CSI"
"Alias"
"Chuck" (I guess?)
"Veronica Mars"
"24"
"House"
"Bones"
"Lost" (??? Opinions? It's gotten very sci-fi recently but it's always been a mystery and an action show...)

Sci-Fi would definitely be where "Smallville" would fall.

The one that's up in the air would be "Chuck." I don't watch the show but it seems to be a perfect mix between action and comedy? So that causes problems.

My concern is just that I don't know where to place some of the shows I make art for and I don't like having to pick just ONE piece for one category since most of my art falls under the sci-fi and supernatural categories (maybe a few pieces I make are for the drama section...). I think that, as long as we narrow down what shows are "Mystery/Action/Procedurals," that category wouldn't hurt anyone. It'd actually allow more people a chance to win an award. *Shrugs*

[slaycandy]

Okay... I'm gunna be annoying again, but to keep it at 30... how about:

Action/Sci-Fi instead of just sci-fi? That could incorporate the likes of Alias, 24, etc... being done alongside some sci-fi shows that have some action in them as well, like Dark Angel, Battlestar, etc...

I don't see Lost as an action series at all tbh, I always thought of it as more of a 'supernatural/fantasy' series what with the island, and what not... (then again I havent watched S4 yet so things may have changed) but have honestly never considered it an 'action' series.

VM I would still class under drama/comedy, and House too... I thought it was a medical comedy thing like Greys, I didn't think it was actiony??? Or have I just completely misinterpreted that show? Lol. I an't say I've seen any CSI orLaw & Order art, but IF there was any couldn't it just fall under 'drama'? Chuck, to me, is a comedy series, I don't look at it as an 'action' series at all... yes occasionally there is some fighting, but the series itself is based around a comedic aspect IMO.

I'm just trying to keep the categories at 30, as the minute I start adding on 'just one more' someone else will come up with another, and I really, REALLY don't want this getting out of hand. I'd prefer to have less categories with lots of entries to make the categories worth having, than lots of categories with fewer entries... if that makes sense?

Obviously I am open to opinions, but... would a Sci-Fi/Action not suffice?

Rar. I'm tired and have a major migraine from working at the computer ALL day, so if I'm sounding crabby, I'm soweeeeee!!!!

*huggles to all!!!*
SJ
xox

[Heather]

My issue is just that...Most of my art falls under one category. I've made one Buffyverse wallpaper all year and I've got Twilight art I can enter but, outside of that, there are very limited categories I can enter. I just feel like my chances are being legitmately cut back. *Shrugs*

Granted, I don't have it as bad as other people who only make Buffyverse fanart or something.

I'm just concerned that it's going to be extremely difficult to nominate pieces since most of mine fall under one or two categories.

[slaycandy]

That's why we have the emotions & techniques categories... there are 7 and 4, so combined 11 categories that artists of ANY fandom can enter...

Then there's the main event categories, which everyone is automatically nominated for, so that's up to 13.

Plus the three extra tv categories are there to give people the option of another 3 shows not already represented. Making it 16, more than half the categories, are pretty much up for grabs for anyone who doesn't art the main fandoms.

I myself don't do any celeb art, or any film art, or jossverse, so there are a whole PILE of categories that I can't enter. (I haven't done any Edward/Bella art at all, and have no plans to, and have barely arted SPN at all this year). In terms of the additional categories for the extra tv series, I reckon I'll enter a Dark Angel piece and nothing in the other two as I don't really art anything else.

I'm sure there were a lot of categories last year that not everyone entered as well.

I know there are some artists who art loads of things so have more choice, but then there are some artists who produce a lot more art a year than others as well, and so have more pieces to pick from.

I just don't want to keep adding on categories, where the entry numbers will fall for those categories as we are further narrowing down what falls into those categories. The point of these ones were to be as broad as possible to include all other tv series, but to split them up a little bit, so we don't have the 'Other TV Series' category that we had last year that had everything from Greys Anatomy, to Dr. Who, to Dark Angel.

SJ
xox

[Ehlwyen]

I just wanted to say that I think these categories seem fair and distinct and I would be happy with them.

Best Supernatural/Fantasy Series Wallpaper (Charmed, Ghost Whisperer, Heroes, Point Pleasant, Moonlight, Lost etc)
Best Sci-Fi Series Wallpaper (Dr. Who, Battlestar, Torchwood, Dark Angel, Roswell, etc)
Best Comedy/Drama Series Wallpaper (Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy, Chuck, etc.)

I think including Action in with Sci-Fi makes sense.

Comedy/Drama are shows that are everyday life or a historical past life. Sci Fi/Action are shows that require some suspension of disbelief and often include technology or science to aid that. Supernatural/Fantasy are shows that require accepting a world that is not our own and has its own rules of nature.

What category Chuck falls into is a tossup. I say just pick one and announce it. I don't believe there is that many artists who have done art for it. I do lean towards the comedy/drama for it.

I really don't have much more art than SN, Moonlight, and Twilight this year. However there are 4 more months of this year. So who knows what categories I'll end up making art for. ;)