Hey guys!

A thought occurred to me in the shower today... What about that marvelous scrapbook we were working on? What happened? Has it fallen into the dark land of forgotten memories? How could we let this happen?!

Being in BEST, believe it or not, made me realize why the project failed (or at least died out)... it was too focused (aka there were little people doing too many things), and also too complicated. Especially the member profiles... as beautiful as they were, they provided SO much work, and just the THOUGHT of making one made me want to cry.

So... lets start again! And this time, lets really make it WORK :D

Here's the basic outline I propose (as in contents I feel should be in it)... *puts on nerdy glasses and gets out scribbled on notepad*:







So... that's the outline I suggest. In my next post (which might take a while because I have to go to school now :P), I'll explain each point in detail in terms of what has to be done, etc. In the meantime, feel free to discuss/add/suggest anything!

To the "new" members: this is your opportunity to get a good feel of our community, so don't be afraid to show interest in helping out :D We'd all appreciate it!

To the "old" members: I'm really going to need your help with this. It's also a great way to look back on our history and remember what brought us together in the first place!



Nikki

I already agreed to do the RP section, so you can put my name next to that.

But I don't think the favorite RP memories will fill 25 pages! When I started collecting people's memories before, each one was 1 to 2 paragraphs. So even if 20 people participate in that, I can't see it being more than 5 pages.

Also, what would "A Note from the RPers" be? After we've done an introduction, summaries, and favorite memories, what's left to say?

Regarding the first section of the scrapbook, the introduction and history of B&S: I think there should be a few pages of people talking about what B&S means to them, their favorite memories of B&S, etc. I think that's really the heart of the thing, you know? (Unless that's already part of the member profiles)

Well...Hmmm, I don't know how to submit pictures or do graphics. But I would LOVE to help with writing the stuff out. Sign me up to help Trudi with the RP section. :)

Thanks, Emily!

Another question: What is "Our Anniversaries"? What anniversaries do we have? (that's given as 6 pages, so I'm wracking my brain to imagine what would fill up that much space)

I wouldnt mind helping out with graphical/illustration stuff where it is necessary. I don't really feel like writing anything, but if theres anything I can make graphically, let me know.

I'd like to help out with the design and layouts for the pages, if you need me. :)

I'd like to help out a bit too :) at least in the graphics/design section ^^

Wow, what a great response! :D I'm EXTRA happy to see people eager to help out with graphics part... especially people who are more talented than me! You can bet I'll be counting on you to help create the best scrapbook ever!

Trudi, you asked a lot of questions which I already had in mind giving an answer to... As I said in the first post, I was in a bit of a hurry, so I kept the detailed description for later =) So, finally, here it goes!


1. Cover (1)
There's not much to say about this... I leave it up to the imagination of the person who decides to assume the task! Of course, in the end it will be discussed by us all, so that we can have a cover that meets everyone's liking. =)


2. Index (2)
Last thing to be done. Not much work.


3. A Message From The Moderating Team (1)
This is something to be discussed between the mods, obviously, so one of us will take the job. I'm wondering if it would be cooler to have 4 different messages from each mod, our just one from the group in general. I vote for the latter... because it's cooler =)

4. Member Profiles (30)
Unlike our first attempts, the member profiles will be MUCH more simple and basic, all following the same template. I choose for it to be this way for various reasons:
a. The way it was being done before was just TOO much work, apart from being really graphic-heavy. Even MY computer couldn't take it... each page alone held like 150 MB or something!
b. You can't really help it, but some pages would always end up cooler than others. I think it's best to have a common template, that way there's no way it can lead to any hard feelings =P
c. Easier to do... and easier to read!
d. With a common template, it's easier to just ask members to fill in questionnaires, and then copy-paste those into the member profile. Anyone with Photoshop can help with this task! =)

I haven't finalized this part, but here are the things I'm thinking a member profile will have:

• Name (use name... real name is optional but recommended)
• Member since...
• Location
• Profession (or area of studies)
• Favorite character(s)
• A movie...
• A song...
• A quote...
• Outside B&S (hobbies, activities, etc)
• Within B&S (what you love/don't love about B&S)

Apart from this, each profile would include maximum two pictures: one preferable of being a face shot, and the other one being up to each member (can be you doing one of your activities, or a drawing you did... whatever).


5.1. The History of B&S (2)
Could be done by one of the older members... or maybe even by one of the newer members! Don't be afraid, taking up this task doesn't mean you have to know everything about B&S! You can set up a meeting with me and/or another one of the oldies on MSN, and we can tell you all you need to know to help you write a nice little essay about our forum =) We're only 3.5 years old, but we've been through a LOT!

I've estimated two pages to include screen shots (of our old forum), banners, etc.


5.2. The Guide To Inside Jokes (2)
Isabella did this once already... Basically it's a guide to all the PVT jokes that happen/happened here. Coconuts, bananas, bondage in the library, dolphins... you name it! It's a fun way to go back in time and discover just HOW these silly little things started =)


5.3. Memorable Threads (15)
Here's a task that should preferably be done by a team of members. I saved some of our most memorable threads from the old forum... if you're interested, contact me and I can send the files over to you!

To develop this section, a team of very wonderful people would have to go through our threads and look for the ones they find most memorable. It doesn't have to be just about BatB... Disney threads, B&S threads, wedding threads... you name it!

Write a small description of the thread (what it was about, etc), and, if you want, you can include a couple of posts that you think represent best what made the thread good.

You can also look for quotes, if you want (I'm sure Caitlin would LOVE this job :P).

It's really not hard... and actually quite fun to do! Good for old members to revive joyful moments, and interesting for new members to go through our old stuff and maybe even revive a discussion long forgotten....


5.4. Our Anniversaries (6)
We've had three anniversaries so far, which were usually "celebrated" with threads in which members would reflect over B&S. I know I've already done the pages for the first two anniversaries (and even posted them somewhere here). Remind me to look for the link (or find it yourself =P) so that you have an idea of what I'm referring to.

6.1. NYC 2007
[.]6.1.1. The Planning (Message from the Organizer(s)) (1)
Something to be done by Trudi and Faith. Just a short little text about the planning that was involved. How the idea came up, how the plans unrolled, etc. I have the thread saved from the Old Forum (I think), so remind me to send it to you.


[.]6.1.2. Diary of the Journey (8)
Mene did a report, but, as lovely as it is, it's too long and descriptive to be in the scrapbook :\ Someone (even you, Mene :D) could work with what she already did to create a small "diary" of our trip, which in total lasted for 8 days. We weren't always together, so it would be cool to know what each group did (I don't mind doing my share... but I'd need some things from Jenna, Caitlin... and that's it LOL)

Each day deserves one page. Texts really don't have to be long... Make it short, simple and objective. Pictures will be included on each page to serve as illustrations, but the BEST part comes next...


[.]6.1.3. Best Moments - Pictures, Quotes, Stories... (5)
Yep! I've estimated about 5 pages for people to add in their favourite pictures, stories, quotes (from the video)... You name it! Pictures with captions should be fun to add too!

[.]6.1.4. Testimonials (5)
This is the part where preferably everyone (or whoever wants to) writes a small note about what the Gathering meant to her, what were her favourite moments, etc. Mushy or fun, it's up to you! Note that there were about 10-15 of us at the gathering yet I've only estimated 5 pages. Of course that doesn't mean you're restricted :P Write as much as you want!


6.2. Other Gatherings (6)
Mandy & Meg, Trudi & Faith & Klaske, Trudi & Faith & Sophie, Klaske & Joost, Nikki & Klase, Jessie & Klaske, Klaske & Joost & Mene...

You get the picture, right? What do I want? A small tale of when it happened, what happened, where it happened... and a picture. =)

*IS TIRED OF TYPING*

*BREATHES*

*keeps going*


7. RPG: Heroes Of The Light
7.1. Introduction (1)
What is the RPG about? How did it start? How long did it go on for? Just one page... A sort of "prologue" of what's to come.

7.2. Cast List (2)
Enough said =P

7.3. Summaries (10)
Tiffany is the best, and we all know that. However, summaries still need to be completed... Come on, there are only, like 30-something chapters to go! :P It's fun, really!

No, really really!

7.4. Favourite Scenes (25)
Trudi has already started working on this, and Emily has volunteered to help. However, the more, the merrier!

Some of the our scenes were considered memorable, and it would be nice to look back on them when we're old people =P

I estimated 25 pages and feared it actually wouldn't be enough... I wasn't thinking of just making a summary of the scene (if that's what you had in mind). It would be something like this (for example):



7.5. Illustrations (5)
Nikki, Mandy, Caitlin, Jessie, Joost... all these people have done illustrations for the RP. This task involves looking them up, collecting them, and then choosing the best ones to go into the scrapbook. =)


7.6. A Note From The RP'ers (4)
To answer Trudi's question... This is where RP'ers can write a small note about their experience in the RP. What they enjoyed most/least about it, their favourite world, etc. I've only estimated 4 pages, but, once again, write as much as you want!

8. Closing & Credits (1)
If you help do our scrapbook, not only will you have your own member profile, but you'll be credited for it too :)



A FEW NOTES:
* For anyone taking on an RP task, this will help you greatly! You can do two things at once ;)
* Don't be afraid of volunteering to do something... we're all here to help you out with anything you need! Also, if someone has already offered to do a task you're interested in, form a team! It helps a lot and makes it even MORE fun!
* You're more than welcome to do more than one task, LOL.

IMPORTANT "RULE":

Here's something that didn't happen last time, and we mods have agreed on this time round...

If you want to have your own member file, it's necessary that you participate in at least one task in the making of our scrapbook. This is meant to be a team effort, and also a way to acknowledge those that have helped develop the team spirit :)


RIGHT... I think that's all I wanted to say in this post. Start volunteering and in the meantime I'll start a new thread with the task divisions (cause, you know, I'm highly organized =P).

Any questions? Shoot! (but not me)


Nikki

I think I'll volunteer and do the summaries for the RP like I've been doing. There are a lot, but I think I can get them done. I already have a few chapters started, so I'll try and finish them soon. :)

I thought we weren't allowed have direct stuff from the RP, because the characters are copyrighted? Wasn't that why we originally made the decision to just talk generally about the RP - how it began etc. - and have people give their fave memories of it?

I mean, maybe we can, I don't know! We're not selling it, so maybe it IS allowed. I just remember that being a concern when we first talked about it. We had also decided we couldn't have any drawings of Disney characters in the scrapbook at all, because of copyright concerns.

Something else I'm wondering, and maybe this is just me, but...it seems to me that a lot of the RP scrapbook stuff will be repetitive. The list includes the RP summaries...AND direct transcriptions of memorable scenes...AND then people talking about their favorite memories/scenes...isn't it going to be a lot of the same thing repeated over and over? Maybe we should streamline or consolidate some of the sections?

Likewise, with the Gathering, you list both "5 pages for people to add in their favourite pictures, stories, quotes" from the Gathering" AND a separate five pages of testimonials in which "everyone writes a small note about what the Gathering meant to her, what were her favourite moments, etc." I think we really only need one section for this, not two (IMO).

I mean, I personally can write a small essay about my favorite moments from the Gathering and what it meant to me...but I can't write TWO essays like that, I'd just be saying the same thing twice. Same with the RP.

I'll volunteer for drawings :) [which... could be expected?]

Do you already have something like a deadline in mind? Because I have an idea for a B&S-related drawing for which I may or may not have time in December. Don't know if it'll be fit to go into the scrapbook, but... you'll see ;)

@Copyright: I really don't see that being an issue... I think we discussed it before somewhere. We're not making any profit out of this, and it's strictly for private use. As long as we put credit where it is needed, I honestly don't see a problem... there's nothing anyone can use against us. Isn't that so, Isabella? (or anyone who's more aware of the law?)

Maybe the copyright issue is something you all want to see discussed? All fine by me... I've formed my opinion :P

@RP: I think a summary and a scene transcription are two totally different things. For example, if you read the summary of the chapter where Aurora and Phillip first started bonding, it's probably something like "Aurora and Phillip spent some time alone in the forest to get to know each other better". However, that was one of my favorite scenes because, apart from the bonding, there was the berry fight, the teasing, the lust... It's a relatively short scene, but nothing in the summary indicates what happened... Do you get what I mean? Same for the mud wrestling scene, for example.

What people want to write (IF people want to write) is entirely up to them. I simply set those topics as guidelines... I, for example, wouldn't write about scenes in particular, but mainly what the plotting experience was like, and what the actual RP experience was like (RPing with people, those obsessive lunch hours... :P).

If they feel their favorite scenes have already been mentioned, they don't need to mention them AGAIN.

Another option is to have each favorite scene be "favorited" by someone, unless it's EVERYONE's favorite scene, in which case I don't see the point of writing everyone's name :P

EDIT: Mene... The deadline for the scrapbook itself is July 1st (as in when I want it to be ready and set to print). As for materials, it depends on which section you're working on, and if it's influenced by any other section ;)

Adding a section for B&S drawings is actually a good idea! (I forgot about that thread Joost made). I can't wait to see your drawing :)

Okay...if people want to PM me their favorite RP memories/scenes/etc., I'll start compiling them again!

With the Gathering, I have a suggestion: if people don't feel like writing something brand new, they can look back at the Gathering threads (there were at least two, the planning thread and the picture thread) and see what they wrote at the time, and submit that for the Scrapbook. I know for a fact that I wrote a lot there about what the Gathering meant to me, right after it happened, and I think for me, those excited heartfelt outpourings right at the moment will recreate the "feel" of the Gathering better than if I write about my memories of it now, a year and a half later.

Yep, good suggestion! :)

May I suggest you create a new thread for it? :) (with the tag [Scrapbook] so that we know what it's about). It's so that it's easier for you and for us too, so that we all have an idea of what's going on (people might have favorite scenes in common and stuff).

I'd like to help, though not sure about what. I guess I can be a runner(the guy that does the random little jobs here and there)?

Oh, good idea! Should it be here, in West Wing?

@Trudi: Yeah :) If the need comes for us to create a subdivision, I can just move all the threads into one place. May I suggest you place a link in the RP Discussion Thread too? :P

@Fuji: At the end of the day, the "runners" are the most crucial of all people :P

OOO! Important positions! Sign me UP!!

I'd be happy to help out with the member profiles and maybe also with the memorable threads stuff.

Hey! you found my glasses!
I'm willing to help out anyway i can but just to warn you, some things have to be spelled out for me. im not a computer genius.

Eehhhh.... it's kind of fanfiction and publishing that is legally questionable to say the least. On the other hand, it's just like the old-school fanzines where fanfic started. It depends how we're going to distribute it, whether any money will change hands, whether we want it printed etc.

I'll comment more on the rest of the thread after school, but great job, Nikki!

Well, as for printing, I think getting it done professionally is... out of the question. At least for me... I really don't see the point :P I have a place right outside my university which can print out a .PDF in good quality paper and turn it into a professional-looking booklet. That's how BEST prints their Annual Reports, and I swear to you it looks GREAT! I can show it to you (on video) if I have to :P

I think the distribution should be strictly between members. It makes no sense to distribute it outside B&S and, besides... who would want it? :P

As for the money issue, you'd be paying solely for the printing that's involved. No one's making any profit whatsoever (except, well, the printing companies :P), and you're not exactly "publishing" anything...

Those are my thoughts :) Anyone else? :P

@Toboe_okami: Any category you're most interested in?

I can help out with the NY Gathering stuff. Just tell me what ya need done.

Huzzah!

Well, lets see... You have a lot to choose from, so do whatever inspires you the most at whatever time :)

That includes... Looking for the best pictures, going through videos to collect the best quotes, and if you want you can pick out your favorite story to tell. As for the diary, we can split the days, seeing we spent all our time together :) If you want to write a small summary of what happened on whatever day, let me know which days you're doing so that I don't repeat the work :P

Finally, what I was REALLY hoping you could do - maybe along with Trudi? - is come up with a small introduction for the NYC category (what led to the gathering, what did the planning involve, what kind of complications there were during the planning, etc. It doesn't have to be anything long... I think I've only estimated one page anyway :)

And... that's it :D I've added your name to the list: http://z6.invisionfree.com/bittersweet_str...?showtopic=1768

ETA: Going through videos might even be something that Emily will enjoy too? I know she's been going through B&S videos lately, so maybe she can help ;) (Right, Emily? :P)

I heard my name...:P

Could you please explain what you'd like me to DO with the videos? I can't make anyhting, and I don't know how to do graphics or anything...

The introduction - explaining how the Gathering came about - will be very fun, I think! (I can help if you want, Faith.) First there was the shock, sorrow and mourning of hearing that BATB was closing on Broadway...then, in that mourning thread, Whitney (I think it was her - not 100% positive) said she wanted to see it again before it closed, and did anyone else want to go? And then I said "Maybe we could get a small group of B&Sers to see it together - if anyone wants to see it, let's coordinate and go see it the same day."

And then Faith volunteered to organize it and be in charge of tickets...and then the next thing we knew, it snowballed and people were talking about coming in from out of town, and suddenly what had been a sorrowful thing turned into something positive and joyful. It was great. :)

And then of course there were the HUGE bumps in the road, like Disney changing the rules and deadlines and PRICES on us without warning. :P

Oh, no, no, no, you don't have to do graphics or anything :P

While I was doing the outline of the scrapbook, it occurred to me that it would be really fun to have a page related to the Gathering just with a brief collection of the funniest things that were done/said. I personally LOVE quotes, and just by remembering what someone said, I can go back and recall the whole situation then laugh about it.

Basically, instead of just having a bunch of pages with our favorite pictures, I thought it would be cool to have some quotes scattered about. That's why the videos are cool... we can remember exactly what some people said :P If you WANT to, Em, you can look through our videos like you were doing (to get to know us better, I hope ;)), and just type out any quotes that you think would be cool to add into the scrapbook. :) Just an idea!

Oh, sure! I can totally do that!

Cool! :D When you're done collecting them (or when you've started), let me know and I'll help you start a thread to start discussing that part of the scrapbook :)

Oh no, obviously we won't be distributing it outside of B&S! I only meant in terms of getting a hard copy to everyone who wants one - most copy/printing places won't do copyrighted material (since it's illegal :P). If we wanna just send them over the internet and give members the option of printing or not, that's fine, no one can stop us and it's not illegal. It's just that originally we were talking about an actual BOOK, possibly through something like lulu.com.

I'll do the in-jokes again :)

I thought the idea of it actually being a BOOK eventually died out because, IMO, it's expensive, complicated (I mean, did you see all the formats and restrictions Lulu imposed? :P It was scary!), and, well, really not worth it considering the dimension of the project :)

Also, I'd rather deprive myself from having a XPTO hardcover fancy expensive book, and have something that's probably just as good, AND with actual drawings, screen caps and "fanfic excerpts" without worrying if someone's going to sue me :P

What does everyone else think?

I liked the idea of a "yearbook"-style thing, and to be honest I probably wouldn't bother to print it if it were just a computer document because it would just be a load of pages and my mum would probably throw a hissy fit about her printer ink :P

But I do take your point and I'm happy enough to go with that :)

As far as I know about copyright, anything you do with anyone else's characters is illegal, regardless of how.
What the question becomes is whether the company who actually owns the characters is likely to care that there has technically been a violation of copyright. All fanfic is illegal, but since it's harmless, no one will really prosecute.
I think this is harmless and uninfringing on disney enough that it won't matter what we do unless we started selling copies of the RP.

Yeah, I can't really see a problem with it unless we were selling them. Just printing out copies for ourselves, without anyone making a profit, should be fine IMO.

If Disney didn't want anyone writing fanfic, they would have notified FF.net not to allow Disney fanfic, and FF.net would comply with that. Others have done that before: Anne Rice notified them that she doesn't allow fanfic, so there's no fanfic of her books on FF.net. Likewise, there used to be a section for Archie Comics, but then that company told FF.net to take it down, so it's gone now.

Same with DeviantArt - Disney could notify them that fan art of Disney characters is not allowed.

Disney has never bothered to do that, even though FF.net and DA have a LOT of viewers. So I think we're okay.

The other important thing to remember is that if a company DOES think you're violating their copyright, the first step is NOT a lawsuit. Instead, the company will send a cease-and-desist letter saying "You're doing such-and-such. It's violating our copyright. Stop doing it now. If you don't stop, THEN we will sue." I can't really picture them going to all that trouble over a members-only scrapbook booklet about a fansite...but if they did, we'd simply turn over to them all the copies of the scrapbook, and we'd be in the clear.

Exactly!

No one will go to jail because of this, I promise :P

Yeah, Trudi's right, I doubt they'd actually care! The first step would be FF.net and DA, not a fairly small forum where people who happily fork out for Disney merchandise are happily chatting away :P