FAQ: All About the REmix (updated 6.21.10)

FAQ (updated 06.21.2010)

_{Changelog: Clarified what can be submitted for Remix- 6.21}

What is a Remix?
You sign up. Someone else signs up. You put forth two possible art pieces you'd like to see remixed (reinterpreted) by another artist. The person who gets you as an assignment picks one of your two pieces and draws from your original idea.  Even though you have two pieces of art to choose from you only need to pick one to REmix.

How often will REmixes be held?
Because of how incredibly awesome this idea is and the fact that we do not, in any way, want this awesome to diminish, REmixes are slated to be held on a quarterly basis.  An exact schedule will be determined once the current REmix is completed.

What forms of art can my REmix take the shape of?
Remixes can be traditional or digital but they must be in the form of artwork. You cannot take a picture and Remix it into a poem. Only artwork will be accepted as Remix Choices. If your Remix Choice was traditional you can do it digitally and vice versa but it MUST be art. You CANNOT stick this onto an edit base though, folks.

Reiterating, you cannot use bases for the Remix.

What type of art can I choose as my Remix victims?
Any two pieces of artwork you've done. They can be edits, dolls, photo manipulations, traditional, digital... The concept of a REmix is very open to interpretation and thus any form of artwork can be submitted for a REmix.  Literature can ALSO be submitted for REmixing - more on why in a short history section below!

If you submitted pieces to a previous Remix, you CAN submit them again!  You can submit the one that was chosen, the one that wasn't, or both - part of the adventure of a Remix is there are so many people that the chances you'll get the same person again are low.  Plus spreadsheets ensure that it doesn't actually happen. *whistles*

This sounds great, how do I sign up?
When REmix sign-ups are open there will be a group-wide journal and as much cross-community advertising as possible.  Right now sign-ups are CLOSED since we are in the middle of a Remix round!

When sign-ups are open you just need to post a comment on the sign-up journal and follow any rules listed in that journal.

I really like the idea but I'm not comfortable drawing a particular thing - can I still participate?
OF COURSE!  One of the juggled issues is making sure that while people have fun they don't get offended, hurt, or embarassed by what they're drawing.  When signing up for the REmix make sure to comment if there is something you are not willing to be assigned such as nudity, literature, artwork, anthros, or anything else that applies.

I have my assignment!  Do I need to complete it in the same medium as the original?
Heavens no!  That would break one of the fundamentally amazing things about the REmix!  You can take a sketch and make it an etching, a CG piece and make it traditional, write a story about what you think is happening, create a mini-comic - whatever is within your artistic vision of the original.  The concept is to take someone else's vision and reimagine it within your own unique lens - if you were limited to the same medium that would break that ability!  

How long do I have to complete my assignment?
As a general rule it's been one month since assignments are handed out before they're due.  If you have a suggestion on lengthening the time-frame for future rounds please send a Note or comment!

I'm done!
Great!  Especially if you're done on time! ;3 But wait - don't upload your REmix to DA just yet!  Please send a Note (you can upload to someplace outside of DA like PB or a public FB album) letting the group know you're done.  When the deadline rolls around please upload your REmix to DA and send a link (or submit to the group- member submissions to the group will be opened to the gallery) letting us know.

I won't be able to complete my REmix!
Ack!  Let us know as soon as possible if, for any reason, you won't be able to complete your REmix on time!  If you don't complete it but don't let us know trust me, the hounds will be after you!

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Where did the REmix begin?  History time, folks!
I was first introduced to the concept of a REmix in 2002 in an LJ community devoted to fanfiction of the Harry Potter fandom.  The concept of a REmix is much older, though - can't exactly say how old.  REmix began as a literary thing, with me - taking one author's chosen characters, plot, and structure and reworking it within your own writing style.  When I came to DA I realized how easily this can be adapted to artwork and the first DA REmix was born.  

The first REmix was held in July 2007 and was a lot of fun, from what I've been told ever since.  The REmix was much smaller, back then - twenty-one awesome artists got together and swapped artwork, creating some amazing pieces.  It's in this spirit of REmix that I remind folks that all forms of art, be they written or not, are accepted into a REmix.  It's a huge and awesome challenge and a chance for everyone to be able to work on something utterly unique.

If you have any unanswered questions please comment with them so that this FAQ can be updated!