Fantasia Contest • How to Join [TO BE UPDATED!]

[streamrunner]

SPOILER: Click to show

Congrats! Maybe next time

[Dominykas]

Congratulations to the winners!

[Callum]

Report on the Applications (December 2017)


This is an important document for anyone that wants to apply, come the next round of applications.
I suggest you read through this very carefully, as this provides insight into how the G16 assesses applications, and what we expect from you. We will continue to use the same format in the next application round.



Country information

For the most part, applicants gave adequate information and background to their proposed country in Fantasia, while some (but not the majority) decided to go more in-depth. Concepts which were developed were unique from other countries, and so everyone's country had an original basis, which is good to see.


However, there were flaws: one predominant flaw which was recurring was the use of real life words to describe Fantasian concepts, especially regarding languages (i.e the use of English where Engju is more appropriate). This is certainly not a make-or-break factor in deciding whose application is better, but the frequency to which this occurred was alarming - although some candidates consistently used Fantasian concepts throughout their application.


Much of the country information provided was historical, which could be elaborated by an insight to the country's ethnicity or national politics etc.. Many candidates, however, did expand on this.


A select few candidates did not provide adequate information and/or background - either they did not write enough or inadvertently refused to provide any information.



Contest history


For the most part, applicants supplied sufficient evidence of contest history. The most ideal applicant would post the following in this section:


• A link to the songs they have sent, either via wiki links, YT links (to videos and/or playlists)
• A list of songs they have sent, either their highest achieving or most 'original'
• Preferred genres, but not only this
• Contests in which they participate, and what country


For those who provided links, they were checked and scrutinised by all members of the G16 who ranked the applications. For the vast majority of applicants, the content inside those links (i.e the originality of entries) was at least satisfactory and did not impact applications in a negative way. For applications in which there was a negative impact, this is due to the sheer lack of research in chosen entries: lack of research is not what we desire in a contest like this.


A number of applicants only described what type/genre of songs they would send. While this is adequate, music is a very fluid thing and so simply stating the type of songs you send isn't really enough. For example, someone may describe their entries purely as alternative and send artists like Lorde and Charli XCX - while the G16 doesn't know this. It is crucial to provide examples.


Many applicants said that their entries are/would be original, but looking at said users' contest histories, those applicants often contradicted themselves. If you, at any point, doubt whether your entries are original enough you could provide examples of ORIGINAL songs that you would like to send to FC.


For people with minimal or no contest history, a good idea would be to participate in other contests and take notes on what results they get in those contests. That way, for future applications, you have more to work with.


Only a few candidates did not provide adequate information regarding contest history. In these cases, applicants simply didn't give us anything to work with.


And of course, none of the G16 made a decision based on one's music taste - that would remove the diversity of the contest. Do not be afraid to show more of your music taste (*cough* give examples *cough*).



Statement


The most poorly answered part of the application, nobody had a perfect statement really - which is good news for basically everyone in a way. Everyone has something to work on.


Often, statements would only be two or three lines long, while the G16 were expecting to look for at least a decent paragraph. Some applicants did write a paragraph or more however, and there was a significant difference in quality between shorter and longer statements - the longer, the better.


What topics the G16 looked for in statements were these:


• Dedication

This could be by saying that you have followed Fantasia for an amount of time, that you have participated in contests like Fantasia before (i.e Maia, Internatia, Spritopia etc..). If you have been a Co-HoD in Fantasia, describe how you have helped. You can then expand on these statements.


• Reliability

This is essential. We need to know if you vote regularly in contests and are committed to being a part of Fantasia. At the bare minimum, you only need to send 3 PM's within stated deadlines. Is there any contest which requires a lot of work that you regularly vote in? Or do you participate in multiple contests at once and vote on time?


• Activity

We aren't going to let an inactive player in. Links in with reliability - we need to know if you will contribute to the contest. Tell us how often you check or post in the forum, or communicate with the members. What other contests do you participate in? Do you participate in other miscellaneous discussions on or with the forum, regarding Eurovision or something else?


• Purpose

Why do you want to participate here? Simple question really, and you could say a lot about it. Do you want to discover new music, for example? Do you want to connect more with the forum, or do you want to develop your commonwealth of imaginary countries you already have? As long as it isn't something hilariously silly, it's still a good answer to this question.


Remember DRAP for next time. If you can't remember DRAP, remember DRAPeau blanc (Lakadamia #10).



Additional information

This was not answered by a significant number of candidates, although that didn't matter. It was how people that did answer this section used it that mattered.


The majority of people that used this section did so wisely. This was either an expansion of their statement that wouldn't be coherent enough in the same section, or used it to explain their country preference (shows good initiative), or as a former participant stated their will to move on from the past, which is very admirable.


What we didn't like seeing in this section was a plea. This also happened in the statement quite a lot. We do not want to be seeing "Please choose me" or something along those lines at all, because the application is our reason for choosing you. It's a waste of time, and only makes you look desperate.


Some candidates put information that would be more relevant in other sections - for example, some candidates put more country information in this section rather than in the section it is meant to be in.



Preferred country


Most people chose no preference, and from those that didn't, there was an equal split between Evämaa and Beklium.


General advice

The G16 was asked if they wanted to add any advice. Here's what they said:

"You shouldn't rush. We received some applications in a matter of minutes."

"Don't use Paint [for your flags]!"

"Try to look at your flags objectively."

"Have common sense."

"Use proper grammar."

"Don't make your country history sound entirely like a medieval fantasy tale."

"Don't go too far back with your history - keep it as recent as possible." 

[Vaggelis]

Ok I see many points that could have improved the quality of my appliacation. I still think I wouldn't make it (oops ) but still it would look better. Anyway I will work very hard on my next application and hope for a better result

[Aglan]

This really helped me.

[♥ ~ 𝓫𝓲𝓻𝓭, 𝓯𝓵𝔂! ~ ♥]

that reminds me of my Lithuanian teacher when she talks about our (my class's) essays and literature essays and points to every single one of us of what we have done wrong with our essays thanks for this one

And if not doing the flags on Paint means we should do them more on flagspot.app thing then I'd still choose to do a Paint flag tbh

[Eke]

Dec 28, 2017 18:54:54 GMT 1 ♥ ~ 𝓫𝓲𝓻𝓭, 𝓯𝓵𝔂! ~ ♥ said:

that reminds me of my Lithianian teacher when she talks about our (my class's) essays and literature essays and points to every dingle one of us of what we have done wrong with our essays thanks for this one

And if not doing the flags on Paint means we should do them more on flagspot.app thing then I'd still choose to do a Paint flag tbh

There's also this website: andrewsarnold.github.io/FlagMaker-Jr/

[Ste]

Good luck to both new members!

I know for sure alexeh will bring something to the contest

[Ealex]

I think I should have talked more about myself and less about my country...
Anyway, congrats to the new members and will try to have a better application next time.

[~Rethnas~]

Jens I hope you’ll take good care of Beklium
I also want to say I enjoyed my time in this contest and that I completely understand the rules of losing my country atm I did not have enough time ;(