PLEASE VOTE for your CATEGORIES!

[slaycandy]

Hey everyone,

It is now almost the end of August which means that two thirds of the year has passed already. So we now have a much better idea as to what people are arting already, and what pieces you have done this year that you can nominate. These categories were originally written up several months ago, but I have a clearer idea of where the art community is heading now. But I would still like everyone to please participate in this poll (if you are an AFA member of course!) to help me narrow down the categories that will have the most nominations!

The BtVS/AtS art seems to have taken a dive, and Twilight art has seriously picked up momentum in the past few months, so I am going to be seriously looking at the results for these categories in case a change needs to be made. I was contemplating doing 2 BtVS/AtS categories as opposed to 3 to save a category, again, it all depends on what the demand from you guys is like!

So... what I would like you to do is to browse through the following categories and to only tick them off IF you have a piece for that category to nominate. For example, if you have done some Twilight character art and have a piece to nominate then tick it, but if you haven't done any Twilight character art YET but think you might do one before nominating comes along, please don't vote as I just want the figures as it stands, unless of course you are currently working on a piece, or you know for a fact you'll have one done by then, but I am looking for facts at the moment.


The categories below will DEFINITELY be categories in the AFA 2008/2009 ceremony, just to clarify that for you. These categories are:


Category Grouping 3: Other Series:
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.)

Category Grouping 6: The Emotions:
Best Dramatic Wallpaper
Best Comedic Wallpaper
Best Depiction of a Love Scene
Best Tearjerker Wallpaper

Category Grouping 7: The Techniques:
Best Use of Stocks
Best Use of Colour
Best Use of Lighting
Best Use of Textures/Brushes
Best Use of Composition
Best Manipulation
Best Use of Text

The Main Event:
Best Artist of 2008 (all artists automatically nominated for this category)
Best Wallpaper of 2008 (all wallpapers automatically nominated for this category)

This gives us 16 categories in total, so, of the categories listed above, I will most likely be using the top 10 as the categories to add in, and, or, merging some of them to create the finally categories.


PLEASE fill in the poll as honestly as possible, and if you miss something out, post and let me know. Also I'm tracking who's filled out the poll so that I can judge if any artists are missing from the list, etc.

Thank you again for all of your help, and I know this is a bit of a pain since I have already started filling in award designers, but there have been some requests for some changes, so I hope that you will bear with me for another week or so before I get these 100% FINALISED!!!

Thanks!!!
*hugs*
SJ
xox


EDIT!
Just remember you are not voting for what categories you would LIKE to be in the final list, but for the categories you have actually done art for between Jnuary 1st 2009 and now!



Thanks again!
SJ
xox

[slaycandy]

Wow you guys are making this incredibly difficult!

[Jenni Lou]

Wow you guys are making this incredibly difficult!

Well, jusdging ny the votes thus far, my suggestion would be to merge E/B and other couple art into simply Twilight Couple Art.

And I think you can merge the female/male celeb art categories too. There is so much more art made of females anyway...everyone will just have to pick which one piece they want to enter.

My two cents.

[slaycandy]

Well, jusdging ny the votes thus far, my suggestion would be to merge E/B and other couple art into simply Twilight Couple Art.

And I think you can merge the female/male celeb art categories too. There is so much more art made of females anyway...everyone will just have to pick which one piece they want to enter.

My two cents.

Lol, it was originally going to be merged (for both) prior to the discussions on the VIP threads last night when a couple of folks asked if the celebs could be split, and if there was a way of doing the Twilight categories without them being swamped with Edward/Bella art... (and I have to agree on the E/B thing, it will kind of over-shadow any other couple art, but hey)

But am just generally going to wait and see how the poll goes for now, and then take it from there.

I did the poll to give me an idea of numbers to expect for each category. That should hopefully help in narrowing down and defining the categories better,

SJ
xox

[little albatross]

My main reason for wanting to split up Twilight categories was that there are MORE than enough fantastic character pieces and group pieces that should be recognized, but I don't want it to get overshadowed by Edward/Bella love (or any other popular couple for that matter.) Also there are group pieces that AREN'T Couples or shippy at all.

But if the votes show that there isn't enough to populate JUST an E/B category, I totally understand. I'm not here to push my shipping preferences

Also, is there any way we can take this to people who AREN'T active on the forum, but are part of the AFAs? (such as Katie, Kate...)

[slaycandy]

My main reason for wanting to split up Twilight categories was that there are MORE than enough fantastic character pieces and group pieces that should be recognized, but I don't want it to get overshadowed by Edward/Bella love (or any other popular couple for that matter.) Also there are group pieces that AREN'T Couples or shippy at all.

But if the votes show that there isn't enough to populate JUST an E/B category, I totally understand. I'm not here to push my shipping preferences

Also, is there any way we can take this to people who AREN'T active on the forum, but are part of the AFAs? (such as Katie, Kate...)

I was going to lurk around their sites and see what pieces they had done this year and add them into the tally too, Stephanie too doesn't tend to come on the forums, (as far as I am aware) and she has a fair few Twilight pieces, at least one for each of the categories listed above anyway. But am trying to get everyone on the forums first and then take it from there really

I think that Twilight has been one of the most arted fandoms this year to be honest and think that it should get some sub-categories, I know a lot of artists who have done such fantastic pieces for Twilight and it would be a shame for them not to get equal recognition. I split EB & other couples up as a way of judging if an E/B category could stand alone, but at the end of the day if I merge the two I still have a pretty good idea of numbers from the poll!

SJ
xox

[slaycandy]

I just wanted to post some figures for people to compare last year to this year... this is the number of nominations for each category:

Supernatural
Best Episodic - 16
Best Character - 16
Best Group - 15

BtVS/Angel
Best AtS Episodic - 15
Best BtVS Episodic - 24
Best Character - 28
Best Group - 25

And... Best Celeb got 29 nominations which was the highest number of nominations, perhaps if I had split it last year it would have still had a high number of nominations?

Anyway, I'm going to watch the poll and compare the nmbers to how last year's categories did in terms of nominations, and then have a little think about how to work this!!

SJ
xox

[Heather]

And... Best Celeb got 29 nominations which was the highest number of nominations, perhaps if I had split it last year it would have still had a high number of nominations?

I doubt it. Like Jenni Lou said, more people tend to make female celebrity fanart. HOWEVER, I think that that's a good thing. It'll make voting for both categories easier. I'd prefer splitting the celebrity fanart category into two parts, honestly.

As far as Twilight is concerned, I almost think that the movie/book category should be removed. Basically, you're either making couple art (of any couple) or character art. Though the movie will have been released by the time the nominations begin, yeah, but I think that that category could simply be merged into the others.

AND I just want a character category for Twilight. That's what I make. Eventually, I'll be making couple art (in the next few months), though.

[slaycandy]

I doubt it. Like Jenni Lou said, more people tend to make female celebrity fanart. HOWEVER, I think that that's a good thing. It'll make voting for both categories easier. I'd prefer splitting the celebrity fanart category into two parts, honestly.

At the moment the Male & Female categories are even, so it looks as though they could remain that way, and they have the highest figures of all of the categories so far. Which is what I'll be looking at when determining which of the categories stay and which go.

As far as Twilight is concerned, I almost think that the movie/book category should be removed. Basically, you're either making couple art (of any couple) or character art. Though the movie will have been released by the time the nominations begin, yeah, but I think that that category could simply be merged into the others.

AND I just want a character category for Twilight. That's what I make. Eventually, I'll be making couple art (in the next few months), though.

I have to disagree, I have seen sooo many wallpapers of scenes that are are not 'couple art' nor are they 'character art'. The ballet scene has been done a lot, and in so many ways by a lot of people. Similarly there have been wallpapers done that are of specific scenes and while they may feature a couple in them, they aren't what I would classify as being 'couple' art, they are scene art. Much like Supernatural has episodic art that features both Sam & Dean I wouldn't lump that in with the 'pairings/groups' art because the art is about scenes from the episodes ad what the characters are feeling in those scenes, and not about the brothers as a pairing (and not in the shippy way) and the way are overall as a pairing.

I think it would be easier to judge having them as separate categories as well, because the scene art is all about in that specific moment, while couple art is a lot broader.

Well, that's my opinion anyway. Obviously others may see it differently, but at the moment, I am tempted to do Twilight as three categories, scene art, character and couple. I'll wait and see how the poll winds up though!!

SJ
xox

[slaycandy]

Also, just to point out, on the whole, Twilight Couple Art has a total of 12 different artists that have voted, so when viewing the list remember that it's not really just 9 or 8, it's actually a little higher!

SJ
xox

[Heather]

I have to disagree, I have seen sooo many wallpapers of scenes that are are not 'couple art' nor are they 'character art'. The ballet scene has been done a lot, and in so many ways by a lot of people. Similarly there have been wallpapers done that are of specific scenes and while they may feature a couple in them, they aren't what I would classify as being 'couple' art, they are scene art. Much like Supernatural has episodic art that features both Sam & Dean I wouldn't lump that in with the 'pairings/groups' art because the art is about scenes from the episodes ad what the characters are feeling in those scenes, and not about the brothers as a pairing (and not in the shippy way) and the way are overall as a pairing.

I think it would be easier to judge having them as separate categories as well, because the scene art is all about in that specific moment, while couple art is a lot broader.

Well, that's my opinion anyway. Obviously others may see it differently, but at the moment, I am tempted to do Twilight as three categories, scene art, character and couple. I'll wait and see how the poll winds up though!!

SJ
xox

I totally forgot about the ballet studio scene. My bad. But I guess you're right. I was just saying that like...almost every scene in the movie (that has screencaps, at least) seems to be about Bella and Edward as a couple. It's about the romance, about their bond. If most of the movie fanart is going to feature those scenes, then, to me, that's more like couple art than movie art. Movie art, to me, would be a Jenni Lou-style collage of various scenes or art of the ballet studio scene or art of...something else.

I dunno.

I'm a freak, so I wouldn't take my opinion too seriously when it comes to this topic.

[slaycandy]

I totally forgot about the ballet studio scene. My bad. But I guess you're right. I was just saying that like...almost every scene in the movie (that has screencaps, at least) seems to be about Bella and Edward as a couple. It's about the romance, about their bond. If most of the movie fanart is going to feature those scenes, then, to me, that's more like couple art than movie art. Movie art, to me, would be a Jenni Lou-style collage of various scenes or art of the ballet studio scene or art of...something else.

I dunno.

I'm a freak, so I wouldn't take my opinion too seriously when it comes to this topic.

Lol, I would just find it really difficult to judge a kick ass piece featuring an scene with Edward and Bella, and one of JJ, Line, or Joe's Kate/Garret pieces that have been kicking around lately, because, they look kick ass, but if the scene has been done really well, it would confuse me! Lol. I'd find it easier juding all couple-style-art together (which lets face it is going to be a lot of E/B in there too!) and then judging all scene-type-art together (which, lets face it, is going to be all E/B there as well! lol!!)

I haven't arted anything Edward/Bella related yet... I just really don't feel the need to, because everyone has already arted them to death,

*huggles*
SJ
xox

[Heather]

Lol, I would just find it really difficult to judge a kick ass piece featuring an scene with Edward and Bella, and one of JJ, Line, or Joe's Kate/Garret pieces that have been kicking around lately, because, they look kick ass, but if the scene has been done really well, it would confuse me! Lol. I'd find it easier juding all couple-style-art together (which lets face it is going to be a lot of E/B in there too!) and then judging all scene-type-art together (which, lets face it, is going to be all E/B there as well! lol!!)

I haven't arted anything Edward/Bella related yet... I just really don't feel the need to, because everyone has already arted them to death,

*huggles*
SJ
xox

Oh right, totally! But my lack of Edward/Bella art and the amount of E/B art just means, to me, that they need their own category and that there should be another couple category for every other couple BUT E/B. I totally think that. It's the most fair for everybody.

I was just saying that scenes from the movie that have E/B and focus on their romance and relationship, to me, drift more towards E/B Couple Fanart as opposed to Movie Fanart.

I think the fact that this is a book series first and a movie second (to most of us) is really what's tripping me up. I agree with your idea of "SN art with Sam and Dean isn't couple fanart" and I get your point, but my point is that Twilight fanart about Edward and Bella's relationship, even though they used screencaps from the scenes already on the internet, isn't really movie fanart because they're scenes that (for the most part) were in the BOOK and so the caps are like...the equivalent of a manip of Kristen Stewart's and Robert Pattinson's heads onto other bodies UNLESSS the art is focusing on an aspect other than their romance (like the ballet studio scene or even the van-crash scene. However, the scene in the car when they both reach for the radio, to me, is a couple piece because that's all that there is to the scene).

I don't think I'm making sense.

I just want this, where Twilight is concerned, at least:

Twilight: Character Fanart
Twilight: Edward/Bella Fanart
Twilight: Other Couple Fanartt (Non-E/B)

[little albatross]

Twilight: Character Fanart
Twilight: Edward/Bella Fanart
Twilight: Other Couple Fanartt (Non-E/B)

That's what I'm shooting for. Although, just wondering, would "other couple" include groups? Because there are quite a few people who art groups, like the Cullens or the Denali, for example (although Line only used Tanya and Kate and not ALL of the coven.)

I'm wouldn't really go for the movie category, in part because there are people who are staying away from movie footage and whatnot because the actual visuals from the movie are pretty much the only surprise left for them. And I'm veering off topic. ANYWAY, except for a couple of stills, all of the movie stuff released so far is focused on E/B....so I'm getting to my point and agreeing with Heather.

[Leloo]

Also there are group pieces that AREN'T Couples or shippy at all.

This was what I was thinking about yesterday as well, a lot of artists have made pieces that are amazing, but are not 'shippy'. We could have the category be "Twilight - Other Couple/Group Art" - so that these can include Bella and Edward, but not only them together and only if they're part of a group or if it's (for example) Edward/Tanya etc...

I do think there are more than enough pieces to populate a pure Edward/Bella category as well as a pure 'other couple' category to be honest.

I think that Twilight has been one of the most arted fandoms this year to be honest and think that it should get some sub-categories, I know a lot of artists who have done such fantastic pieces for Twilight and it would be a shame for them not to get equal recognition. I split EB & other couples up as a way of judging if an E/B category could stand alone, but at the end of the day if I merge the two I still have a pretty good idea of numbers from the poll!

I think you are right. I looked at the poll and I actually couldn't believe that Btvs/Ats categories has got that many votes. It's a total surprise to me that these shows are still arted a lot. Maybe I just haven't been paying attention?

I do think we could merge some of the subcategories. Maybe do an overall 'episodic'? So that you can choose if you want to submit an AtS or a BtvS piece? Most people don't art both equally... do they? I could be totally wrong.

I wouldn't want to merge anything in the SN category. Maybe 'couple' art (I realise I voted for 'couple' art but in reality I meant to vote for 'character' art lol. I blame being lurky at work for my mistake). How much couple art is there, besides 'Sam/Dean'? And I think if it's a Sam/Dean piece it could fall under 'character' art?
I don't know if I am making much sense right now

I do think this is the most arted fandom next to Twilight, so maybe keeping 4 sub-categories is ok... I just thought is we HAD to save one, it could be the 'couple' one....

I doubt it. Like Jenni Lou said, more people tend to make female celebrity fanart. HOWEVER, I think that that's a good thing. It'll make voting for both categories easier. I'd prefer splitting the celebrity fanart category into two parts, honestly.

As far as Twilight is concerned, I almost think that the movie/book category should be removed. Basically, you're either making couple art (of any couple) or character art. Though the movie will have been released by the time the nominations begin, yeah, but I think that that category could simply be merged into the others.

AND I just want a character category for Twilight. That's what I make. Eventually, I'll be making couple art (in the next few months), though.

Personally, if it comes down to it, I would prefer an extra Twilight category than a seperate male/female celeb category. But I do get your point and I do agree, that it would be great if the celeb category was split into two but it's mostly to make voting easier and funner (plus, then everyone get to submit 2 pieces I love my celeb art )

I do agree, Twilight needs a 'character' category aswell as 'couples' category. It's two very different subjects (to me) AND I think each is being arted equally much.
As for the movie being released before the AFA nominations... that's actually not true. Only for the US. But some of us have to wait until January/February for the movie... so even if there will be movie art, I don't think a seperate category for movie will be needed. I DO think though, that we need the book/movie category as a lot of people do art 'scenes' from the book.

yes you WILL be making couple art soon

Oh right, totally! But my lack of Edward/Bella art and the amount of E/B art just means, to me, that they need their own category and that there should be another couple category for every other couple BUT E/B. I totally think that. It's the most fair for everybody.

I was just saying that scenes from the movie that have E/B and focus on their romance and relationship, to me, drift more towards E/B Couple Fanart as opposed to Movie Fanart.

I think the fact that this is a book series first and a movie second (to most of us) is really what's tripping me up. I agree with your idea of "SN art with Sam and Dean isn't couple fanart" and I get your point, but my point is that Twilight fanart about Edward and Bella's relationship, even though they used screencaps from the scenes already on the internet, isn't really movie fanart because they're scenes that (for the most part) were in the BOOK and so the caps are like...the equivalent of a manip of Kristen Stewart's and Robert Pattinson's heads onto other bodies UNLESSS the art is focusing on an aspect other than their romance (like the ballet studio scene or even the van-crash scene. However, the scene in the car when they both reach for the radio, to me, is a couple piece because that's all that there is to the scene).

I don't think I'm making sense.

I just want this, where Twilight is concerned, at least:

Twilight: Character Fanart
Twilight: Edward/Bella Fanart
Twilight: Other Couple Fanartt (Non-E/B)

I actually do see your point regarding E/B 'romantic' art... I don't know. Now I'm torn

Maybe, if we break it down, the overwhelming amount of E/B art is not as overwhelming if we split it into book/movie art and E/B art.. maybe most of the book/movie art IS E/B related. Then again, some of it isn't. But as you say, it's then only 'book' related. But whether we call is 'book art' or 'book/movie art' doesn't really make a difference, does it?
I've seen lots of pieces that were 'scene' art, from the book - but wasn't E/B related.
I would say it does call for 4 categories:

Twilight: Character Fanart
Twilight: Edward/Bella Fanart
Twilight: Other Couple/Group Fanart (Non-E/B)
Twilight: Book/Movie art - I'm willing to leave this one out if we HAVE to leave one out. But I'd like to keep it.

[Leloo]

That's what I'm shooting for. Although, just wondering, would "other couple" include groups? Because there are quite a few people who art groups, like the Cullens or the Denali, for example (although Line only used Tanya and Kate and not ALL of the coven.)

I'm wouldn't really go for the movie category, in part because there are people who are staying away from movie footage and whatnot because the actual visuals from the movie are pretty much the only surprise left for them. And I'm veering off topic. ANYWAY, except for a couple of stills, all of the movie stuff released so far is focused on E/B....so I'm getting to my point and agreeing with Heather.

Yeah, I'd say (as I already said lol) that it should be 'other couples/groups'.

Personally, I don't make 'scene' art... not saying I never will but I haven't yet. So for me, personally the 'book/movie' category could be taken away and I wouldn't have a problem. BUT I've seen a lot of amazing 'scene' art around so I know that for some people, it would be a big deal.

And I didn't really think of it.. but you're right. Most of the promos/screencaps/stills are E/B focused. Some people (I'm thinking of Amber in particular) are really good at coming up with 'scenes' that aren't from the movie trailer/stills but actually from New Moon/Eclipse... but I don't know if she's in the minority....?

[little albatross]

Yeah, I'd say (as I already said lol) that it should be 'other couples/groups'.

Personally, I don't make 'scene' art... not saying I never will but I haven't yet. So for me, personally the 'book/movie' category could be taken away and I wouldn't have a problem. BUT I've seen a lot of amazing 'scene' art around so I know that for some people, it would be a big deal.

And I didn't really think of it.. but you're right. Most of the promos/screencaps/stills are E/B focused. Some people (I'm thinking of Amber in particular) are really good at coming up with 'scenes' that aren't from the movie trailer/stills but actually from New Moon/Eclipse... but I don't know if she's in the minority....?

Well, Bre and Marie's whole battle was comprised of them creating scenes (from images, trailer screencaps or even caps from other movies.) Or you could count situation pieces, like some of Signe's for example...but there's a point where you think "Is this an actual scene art, or is it a character piece that uses a quote from the book?" :/ IDK. I think it would be neat if there's enough situation/scene art to fill a category, but that's the one I'd be most willing to let go of.

As for the other categories, I think it seems to me that there would be more than enough noms to split up the male/female celebs. (LOL. Thanks in part to Line, I'm guessing.) And obviously, I don't make much SN or BTVS/ATS art anymore, so I'm not really going to weigh in on those categories. Except that if you're looking to only have TWO BtVS/AtS categories, what would they be? Genuine curiosity, as it doesn't really affect me either way

[Jenni Lou]

To be honest, I am a little surprised that the Moonlight category doesn't have as many votes as the others. When we discussed it before people were really excited about its having its won category, even if it was only for this one year...since the show was canceled and all.

[Leloo]

Well, Bre and Marie's whole battle was comprised of them creating scenes (from images, trailer screencaps or even caps from other movies.) Or you could count situation pieces, like some of Signe's for example...but there's a point where you think "Is this an actual scene art, or is it a character piece that uses a quote from the book?" :/ IDK. I think it would be neat if there's enough situation/scene art to fill a category, but that's the one I'd be most willing to let go of.

As for the other categories, I think it seems to me that there would be more than enough noms to split up the male/female celebs. (LOL. Thanks in part to Line, I'm guessing.) And obviously, I don't make much SN or BTVS/ATS art anymore, so I'm not really going to weigh in on those categories. Except that if you're looking to only have TWO BtVS/AtS categories, what would they be? Genuine curiosity, as it doesn't really affect me either way

You have a valid point. Since the Twilight fandom is (mostly) based on the books, can it really be called 'scene' art in the first place?

And I do think it is a minority group who actually creates situation art.. Bre, Marie, Amber, Signe in particular and maybe a couple more... but mostly it CAN be categorised as 'character' or 'couple' art.

I think that category could easily be left out and the pieces fit under the other categories.

Regarding Btvs/Ats and SN categories... I don't think I've made one piece to either of these this year (or ever, for SN actually), so personally I don't really care if they are there or not. But seen as a whole, I do think the SN category needs to still be there. As for BtvS and AtS, I have no idea. I'm surprised there were votes for those categories in this poll. Some people must still feel strongly about arting these shows... but I very rarely see art for these shows when I browse people's fanart sites anymore...
I think, if we ARE going to keep BtvS/Ats, and only have two sub-categories... I guess.. actually I have no clue how to split them. Maybe character/couples and then general (as in situation/scene art)?

No clue actually

[Leloo]

To be honest, I am a little surprised that the Moonlight category doesn't have as many votes as the others. When we discussed it before people were really excited about its having its won category, even if it was only for this one year...since the show was canceled and all.

Maybe everyone has already come to terms with the fact that the show is cancelled and have moved on? I didn't vote for it because personally I haven't made any art, so it doesn't matter to me either way. But there is a lot of amazing moonlight art floating around, so it would be a good category to keep, for this one year only. BUT it could easily fall into the 'other shows' category IMO.