QUESTIONS FROM YOU - NEW Section!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Hi there Junior mangakas! Since JMC08 was first announced, we (at least one of us =_=) received a lot of questions from all you eager wannabe creators about the competition!

Don't worry because we are here to help you of course. So us here at JMC08 decided to compile them together and included the special Questions from You section featuring the most common questions that were asked.

The questions are group accordingly;

• Registration - For those wondering if they got in free or not...
• Digitally Related Questions - For those planning to scan and go fully digital.
• Manga Content - What's acceptable and what's NOT. READ if you fear disqualification!
• About the Submission - What the BLAZES am I suppose to submit at the end of the day, SIMPLIFIED!
• Life After JMC08 - What's next?

The more questions we receive from you, the more frequent this section will be updated.

So, stay tune!

JMC08 Rei

QUESTIONS FROM YOU - Registration (NEW)

Here are some common questions related to Registration from you.

1) How do I register? (NEW!)

You can register yourself into the competition by logging on to http://juniormangachallenge.blogspot.com/ and downloading the JMC08 REGISTRATION FORM.

Fill in the form and send it back to us by FAX,EMAIL or SNAIL MAIL before the 31st of August 2008.

You can also scan your form into JPEG format and email it to rei@transtel.com.my

2) Is it true that for the first 100 to register is FREE? (NEW!)

YES, the first 100 to register with us is FREE! This is on a first come first serve basis, so HURRY!

3) How do I know if I am entitled to a FREE registration? (NEW!)
Do I have to proceed with the payment of RM10 first then?

You can call us directly to enquire but once all 100 places are filled, we will promptly remove the notice from our blog first.

The moment we receive your Registration forms by fax, email or snailmail, we will number them accordingly and assign you with a unique JMC08REG ID Number.

You will also receive an official JMC08 Registration Confirmation letter by email. It is stated on the letter, that you are entitled to a free registration should you be the first 100.

4) If we do qualify for the free registration but already proceeded with the payment, do we get a refund? (NEW!)

Yes, we will refund your money. You can collect your refund at our company (refer to Contact Us for the address) and collect you refund anytime during working hours.

5) How much is the Registration Fee for the competition? (NEW!)

The Registration Fee is RM10 and is non-refundable. You only need to register once. Then, you can submit as many mangas as you want at no additional charge.

6) So you're telling me that there's no charge per additional manga anymore?

YES! You can submit as many mangas as you like.

7) How to pay?

You can pay by enclosing a cheque with the correct amount, and addressed to TRANSTEL TECHNOLOGY (M) SDN. BHD.

Click on Payment Methods to read more.

8) If I come all the way from East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) how am I suppose to get back my refund if I don't have friends or relatives in the peninsular? (NEW!)

For those who do not live in the Klang Valley area and have issues coming to our office to collect your refund, we can arrange to send the refund to you by post, in the form of a cheque. Alternatively, there is always the JMC08 Awards Ceremony next year where we can all meet and refund you there and then. Do let us know if the matter is urgent and we will act immediately! Don't worry as we do take note of those who are entitled to a refund.

9) I am legally 12 years old and I haven't got my MyKad yet. But I'm studying in secondary school. So, which category do I fall in? I'm HOME SCHOOLED, so I have no school to fall back on! Am I disqualified from joining this competition? (NEW!)

If you are 12 years old according to your birth certificate and haven't got your MyKad yet, then you are in the Primary Category. People like me will be so envious that you can reverse your age by a year.

If you are home schooled and have no school to fall back on, we don't see that as a problem at all. You are still entitled to join JMC08. We still advise you not to skip "school" to work on your manga though.

10) I checked the dictionary for EXPATRIATES and it says, EXILED people. Your rules and regulations stated that children of expatriates are welcome to join this competition. Does it mean that children of EXILED people are allowed to participate? (Award winning question)

The term expatriates that we use refers to skilled people from abroad and not Malaysian citizens but currently stationed to work in Malaysia on a temporary basis. NOT the exiled..
If your parents belong in this group and are currently residing in Malaysia for work purposes, then you are entitled to join JMC08.

11) What if I'm currently studying in a Malaysian international school but a citizen of the Czech Republic, yet my dad is Malaysian and my mom a Hungarian mixed Polish? Can I still take part in JMC08?

Under the rules and regulations of JMC08, yes you are entitled to take part in JMC08.

QUESTIONS FROM YOU - Digitally Related Questions(NEW!)

You have got your scanner and know how it works, and all set to go digital.
Here are some common questions for those who are creating their mangas digitally.

1) If I do want to print out my manga, what is the recommended resolution setting?

We recommend that you set the resolution to 200 dpi or 300 dpi.

2) Can I draw direct to computer or must I do it traditionally with a pencil and scan it in? (NEW!)

By all means go ahead and draw directly into the computer if you have the means to do so.

3) What file format should I use to print out the manga?

We recommend TIF / PDF /PSD /JPG/BMP
Generally we do not encourage you to use JPG unless you have no other way. If you have to use JPG, set the resolution to the highest.

4) What file format should I save inside the CD-ROM?

The same file formats recommended in Question 22.

5) What's a softcopy?

A softcopy is a digital, electronic version of your file that is created, stored and edited in the computer.

For example:
When you write a letter using Microsoft Words, you save it as a word document. The saved copy is known as a softcopy. When you print out your letter, it becomes a hardcopy.

QUESTIONS FROM YOU -About your Manga Content (NEW)

Daily, our mailbox...or at least one of our mailboxes are flooded with some eye-opening questions about what content is appropriate for your manga and other questions such as,

How many pages should I submit??
Can I include fighting or death scenes? Or themes like WAR and nuclear holocaust?? Will I be disqualified?
Can I do doujinshi?? Is that the same as fan fiction??
Are dark and angsty themes allowed?
Can I collaborate with another friend for this?
Can I have references to Yaoi or Yuri??
Can I use the original Japanese terms since they can't be translated into English or Bahasa Malaysia?
Must I submit the whole story?
Right to left or left to right??

1) How many pages must I submit? I'm confused!

A minimum of 1 page and no maximum pages.
Our previous flyers and rules stated that the maximum was 6 pages, but THIS RULE HAS BEEN WAIVED.

2) What if I have a really long story that come in multiple chapters? Must I submit everything?

IF possible, we strongly encourage you to send in a complete story. If you are working on a story with multiple chapters and cannot finish it in time, then send us the completed chapters only and leave a good cliffhanger (aka TO BE CONTINUE) at the end.

3) Can I use the original Japanese terms in the story?

Yes, you can use the original terms in its native language, if there's no way that you can translate the terms in its native language to English or Bahasa Malaysia. We advise you to provide a translation guide for the judges.

4) Can I include any violent themes/scenes/elements like war or death?

It is stated in the Rules and Regulations that no violence or graphic and disturbing imagery is allowed in your manga.
We discourage you not to include reference to violence on an explicit and excessive level (to the point where its graphically disturbing).
Do not include too much blood, gore or detailed visual imagery of violent scenes in your manga. No disembodiment, no disembowelment, decapitation or even happytreefriends references.
You were warned...

5) What about dark or angsty themed stories?

You are allowed to include such themes but not at an excessive or explicit level that is disturbing to the general audience.

6) Can I make references to Yaoi or Yuri?

Yaoi and Yuri contain elements that are sensitive to the general public in this country. Even though we at JMC08 are open to all themes and genres, we strongly advised you NOT to include too much of it. Just like violence, dark themes etc keep it at a minimal level.


7) Full colour or black and white?

Both full coloured and black and white manga are accepted in the competition.

8) Must I only write in English and Bahasa Malaysia? What if I am not confident in either languages?

The official language to be used in your manga is English or Bahasa Malaysia only. If you are not confident in the language, try to get assistance from your teacher or friend that is good in the language. Take this opportunity to learn how to improve your language skills too.

9) Can I collaborate with another friend for the competition?

The rule states that it is one creator per manga submission. You are allowed to work in teams but only one person gets the prize at the end of the day. We will leave to you on how you wish to split the prizes...
There is no need to fill in additional forms for your team members. Only the key creator of the manga is required.

10) Am I just limited to the Manga Style of drawing?

You can draw in any style you want. We are open.

11) Must I only write in English and Bahasa Malaysia? What if I am not confident in either languages?

The official language to be used in your manga is English or Bahasa Malaysia only. If you are not confident in the language, try to get assistance from your teacher or friend that is good in the language. Take this opportunity to learn how to improve your language skills and have fun while at it!

12) What is the size ot the manga that I should create?

No larger than A4 size, landscape OR portrait.

13) What tools should I use to create my manga?

You can create your manga manually using pencils, crayons, pastels, ink, paint etc or digitally with the computer and special graphic software such as Flash, Manga Studio, Tab Manga, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Paintshop etc. We are an open based software competition, so feel free to use any of them.

14) Can I do a doujinshi?

Yes, feel free to submit a doujinshi or fan fiction based manga. Just remember to state down clearly the name of the original creator and animation studio.

Example:

Title of Fan Fiction: Ichigo's Pants of Fire
Title of Original Manga: BLEACH
Original Creator: Tite Kubo
Studio: Studio Pierrot

15) Am I suppose to draw my manga from right to left or left to right?

Left to right, or Western-style. I understand that most Manga readers like you and me are perfectly adaptable and comfortable with the original Japanese format of reading right to left. However, as your manga will most likely be read by people who are not accustom to such arrangement, we strongly advise you to do it Left to Right...the conventional way.

If you have already done it from Right to Left, BEFORE this question was raised (moshiwakearimasen~!!!) then just continue what you're doing.

17) Can I include a cover for my manga? Must it be coloured? (NEW!)

If you want to include a nice illustrated cover for your manga, please go ahead! It is up to you if you want to have it coloured or in plain black and white.


18) How do I write a story synopsis? What do I have to write about my character? (NEW!)

A story synopsis is like a summary of what your story is all about. In a way, a synopsis is your manga's selling point that what will entice the judges to want to read your manga.

Go to a bookstore and pick up your favourite graphic novel aka manga. If you look at the back of any graphic novel, you will noticed a brief description about the manga contents. That my friends, is a synopsis!

Writing a story synopsis takes as much time and practice as drawing a manga. A good tip is to pin point all the important points of your story. Introduce the hero character, the goals he/she will have to achieve, the main events that moves the story forward and the obstacles he/she will have to face throughout the series.

If you are still stuck, try referring to story synopsis on existing animes and mangas that you find tons online! Wikipedia, is a good start.

As for the character description, we would like to know who are the main characters, villains, side characters etc that are involved in your story. We would like to know their personalities, backgrounds, temperament etc.

Let's take our favourite, oh-so-popular, anime character NARUTO UZUMAKI. (Taken from Wikipedia btw... ^_^;)

Naruto Uzumaki
In the series, Naruto is a ninja affiliated with the village of Konohagakure, and has ambitions of becoming Hokage, or the leader of the village. Due to being the host for the nine-tailed demon fox, a malevolent creature that attacked Konohagakure, he is ostracized by the other villagers. He makes up for this with his cheerful and boisterous personality. He has established an especially close relationship with Sasuke Uchiha, one of his fellow ninja in Team 7, and treats him as his brother

QUESTIONS FROM YOU - About the Submission (NEW!)

Stumped about what to submit like everyone else? We hope this will help!

1) What do I have to submit? In simple words please!! (NEW!)

1) Your original manga pages, numbered, in A4 size. (in its original form OR printed form)
2) Completed Submission Form and Creator Details Form, attached to each manga
3) *Any related attachments. (Example: Story synopsis, character profile, artwork, photos of you working in progress etc)

*OPTIONAL and NOT compulsary

2) So do I submit my original manga OR digital manga? (NEW!)

Either one! If you have created your manga with manual tools (colour pencils, paint, ink, etc) and have no way of scanning them in, then just send us the original manga.

If you are working on your manga digitally, remember to print a copy out for our judges AND save the softcopies inside a CD-ROM and send that to us too.

The following recommended formats for your digital mangas are, PDF, TIF, PSD, JPEG or BMP set at the highest resolution.

3) Hmm...lets say that I drew and inked my manga using manual means and plan to scan it into the computer and colour it using Photoshop. Which one do I submit now? The original inked copy or the finished-printed-out version? (NEW!)

Submit the finished and printed out version if that is the case. Save the softcopy of this version inside a CD-ROM and send that to us too, as a backup. Keep your original inked and draft version as well and we may have plans for them should you win. . .


4) If I want to submit more than one manga story, which do I do or need? (NEW)

Firstly, you need to attach a SEPARATE Submission Form for every manga story that you intend to submit. You need only submit ONE Creator's Form. Click on Submission Requirements to read more. Photocopied Submission Forms are allowed.

5) Where can I get those forms?

You can get them in our blog in the Downloads.Pdf link
All forms are in PDF format.

6) I am experiencing a technical error and unable to download the forms! Help!

Don't worry, you can always email/contact us, rei@transtel.com.my an request for the forms. We will send it by email or fax it to you directly if required.

7) What am I suppose to do if I want to submit it through my school?

You will have to find out who your teacher-in-charge is. He/she will act as the main contact between the organisers and the school. Get your teacher to fill in an additional form called the SCHOOL INFORMATION FORM.

This teacher will be responsible for compiling all the entries and submitting them on your behalf.
Click on Submission Guidelines to read more.

8) Where do I send in my entries? Can I send in by email?

JUNIOR MANGA CHALLENGE 2008
TRANSTEL TECHNOLOGY (M) SDN. BHD.
No. 4A-D, Jalan SS25/35,
Taman Mayang, 47301,
Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
West Malaysia

Sorry, but you cannot send your entries by email. Send in your entries before the 1st of December 2008.
The official deadline for submission is 1st December 2008, no later than 6pm.

9) How many mangas can I submit? Is there an additional charge? (NEW!)

As many as time permits you and as much as your creative juices can flow!
NO, there is no more charge for every additional manga that you submit.

10) Erm...submit ON the 1st of December 2008? What do you mean by that? (NEW!)

It's not on but BY 1st of December 2008. Your mangas have gotta arrive right here on our doorstep by the 1st of December 2008, no later than 6pm. If it comes after 6pm, you will be disqualified!

However, we might consider if we see a nice little anime souvenir/merchandise inside the package and...wait, pretend that you didn't hear that from me... OO;

11) How do I arrange my forms and manga? (NEW!)

Before sending in your manga, you can arrange your forms in this way,

Submission Form
Creator Detail’s Form
Story Synopsis (if any)
Manga Cover
Manga Pages
Appendix containing notes, sketches, photographs etc.

12) What sort of photos can I include? Photos of the manga in progress or me working on it? (NEW!)

You can include any photo of yourself that is related to the Junior Manga Challenge. These can be photos of you working on your manga in progress or photos of your unfinished manga such as drafts, sketches and yes, even doodles on toilet paper. Feel free to add a sense of humour like a photo of you reading manga while you soak away in the bath tub.

The photos are not compulsory. However, they are there to prove to the judges that you were the original creator of the manga and not anyone else. Besides, behind-the-scene photos are fun (kinda like DVD extras) and it delights the judges to learn more about you, as the creator and the pains you went through to create your manga.

13) How do I fax in my manga? (NEW!)

Do NOT fax in your manga! Faxing is evil! The pages will be jumbled up and it will greatly deteriorate and downgrade the quality.
Please send in your manga to us by snail mail in an envelop that is slightly bigger than your manga pages. We appreciate if your manga pages arrived safely, in one piece, UNBEND to us!


14) Must I print OUT the manga? Can I just submit it in softcopy form and send it in a CD to you? (NEW!)

The answer to this is YES, you absolutely MUST print out your manga! Our judges will not entertain any manga that have to be read off the computer screens.

If you have no access to a printer, you have to motto motto GANBATTE to find a way of printing your manga out.

There are places that offer printing facilities such as the following,

- Your school library
- Internet Cafe (for those under 18 and primary schoolers, make sure you have your parents with you or at least a supervisor.)
-Public library
-Friends and neighbours

15) Can I just submit the original manga pages without going through all that digital c%&# hassle? Not all of us kids have access to printers, scanners and computers you know! Have a heart, Rei! (NEW!)

Yes my dears, if you really do not have access to the facilities to go digital, then just submit your original manga pages already. It's ok with us. We won't become beserkers and come rushing to eat you if you can't go digital but we discourage you from testing us all the same...

For those who are submitting your manga in its original form, make sure that your drawings are fully INKED or the lines DARKENED. Don't say we didn't warn you!

QUESTIONS FROM YOU - Life after JMC08 & Miscellaneous Questions

Monday, June 23, 2008

After the hard work and mad rush to submit, is that it???
How soon can I know the results, what's gonna happen to my precious manga and who are the judges and who is the egghead responsible for answering all these questions anyway...

Get the answers for that here!

1) What happens after I submit my manga?

The organisers will proceed with the official judging session with our selected panel of judges. The judges decision are final.

2) What will happen to the manga I submitted? Can I get them back?

Sorry, the answer is no. We cannot return you your manga as stated in the terms and conditions. But don't worry as it is good hands with us and will be put to good use that will benefit all participants of the competition!

3) When can I expect the announcement of winners to be made?

You will be notified sometime by the end of December or if all things go well. Winners will be notified by all means of communication including an official letter mailed to you by email, snail mail, a phone call and even text message. We will use a pigeon if we need to!

All entrants will be invited to the Junior Manga Challenge 2008 Awards Ceremony in mid January 2009, and that's next year! We believe in you deserving a good rest during the holidays before the excitement really begins!

4) What if the manga gets damaged on the way to the organiser's place?

Well, if any of you even think of such a thing happening to your mangas, we will hurt you.

Just kidding. We are aware of such hazards that can come to your precious manga in the process of travelling to our doorstep.

This is precisely why we prefer a digital copy of your manga stored in a CD-ROM as a backup copy for us. But if you are unable to manage the whole scanning thing due to unforeseen circumstances, then we (that's you too!) will just have to take a risk.

What's life without some risk? If you want to attach a lucky rabbit's foot on your manga and pray to the heavens that it will arrive safely at our place. The organisers will not be held responsible for any damage or loss of manga.

5) Can I get back my stuff after submission and if I didn't win?

Firstly, throw that negative attitude out. You're in to win! >_<
But sorry, once you have submitted your manga, we cannot return it to you as stated in the terms and conditions. But fear not, your precious manga is in good hands with us.


6) What are you organisers going to do with my manga baby?!!

Relax, no harm will come to your precious bundle of ideas. Don't worry, we value and respect your art and stories as much as you do. We believe that mangas are meant to be shared and enjoyed by everyone.

Our mission is to encourage young budding creators like yourself to let the world discover your talents. We do that by assisting you to show off to the world what you are really capable off!
Before that, we humbly request for your permission first! You can allow us to do that by signing on the Submission Form.

7) Who are the judges anyway?

The judges are experienced creative artists and creators from the content industry who loves stories, manga and comics just like you do. Many have won awards, competitions and have been through many hardships to become what they are today.

Information on our blog about the judges will be posted soon, so stay tune!


8) How do I know if there will be changes in the dates of events and things like that?

That's why this blog was created. It is to keep you updated with the current developments and latest news related to JMC08.

9) Who are those 2 goons in the cheesy video under the Questions From You section?

You really need me to answer that...? =_=;;

10) Rei, are you Japanese?

Doesn't every otaku (or retired ones) wish that they were? ^^;
The answer is...no. I'm true blue Malaysian, KL-person but I learned Japanese since I was 14 years old.
I find myself sporadically practising it every odd occasion or so when I LEAST expect it and when I'm most likely to embarass myself. (lol)
I lived in Japan for about a month and off to Japan again in September 2008 for business.
My Japanese profiency at best is, half-baked or to put it simply, not so good. ^^;;
At least I'm able to order POTETO (ポテト) from a Japanese Makudonarudo (マクドナルドMcDonalds)