CALLING ALL FMA FANS!! DEARHEART NEEDS YOUR HELP!

[dearheart]

I'm gearing up for FMA Day with something REALLY awesome. BUT I NEED YOUR HELP TO DO IT!! It's called "Project Don't Forget" and it's going to be AMAZING, but I need all my fellow FMA fans to join in for it to work! AND YES, THAT INCLUDES YOU WONDERFULLY CRAZY PEOPLE.

What is Project Don't Forget?

A well-told and well-loved story can be one of the most powerful things in the world, and Fullmetal Alchemist is no exception. This is a chance for you to tell the world YOUR Fullmetal story - why you love FMA, what it means to you and how it's impacted your life. Every fan has a story, and the goal of Project Don't Forget is to bring those stories together.

So here's what I need YOU to do.

CLICK ON THIS LINK: www.fullmetal-alchemist.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15549

There you can see what the outline for your entry should be and read the rules for entering. Then, using the outline I've provided for you, share what Fullmetal Alchemist means to you and record it on video. Post it as a video response to this "starter video" I've created...



Be sure to post your response before the deadline - September 24th. (If you don't have a webcam or video camera, an audio recording is acceptable.)

If you don't have a microphone either, or don't feel comfortable being in a video at all, you can still be a part of the project. Join the forums on fullmetal-alchemist.com and share your testimonial on Our Fullmetal Stories thread: www.fullmetal-alchemist.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15557

Or, we could start a testimonial thread here, too. Whatever you guys are more comfortable with.

After the deadline, I will download all of your videos and edit them together in one trailer/documentary-style video. The finished product will be unveiled on FMA Day, October 3rd!! AND IT WILL BE GLORIOUS! ;D ;D

So please please PLEASE join in! I want to get as many fans on board as possible! Also, just as an incentive...there will possibly be an extra surprise thrown in for everyone. A really BIG, really MIND-BLOWING surprise. So don't miss out!!

[taranova]

....I tend to avoid that board, but maybe if I have time I'll totally participate!! WOOT.

[dearheart]

Thanks, Tara!! And you don't HAVE to post on that board if you really don't want to. That's just where all the project info happens to be, lol.

[Artemis Day]

I would love to do this.

[PuzzleChick]

I'm tempted...I just don't really know what I could say! My FMA story is not very exciting or inspirational the way my Yugioh one is. And, embarrassingly, the main reason I got involved in fandom and wasn't just a closet fan forever is because I really wanted an excuse to talk to Crow on the old /TS/ forums. xDDDD She seemed so cool to talk to and always made awesome posts but I was too shy to be like HELLO CROW THE REAPER, YOU'RE SO COOL, WILL YOU TALK TO ME? So I may or may not have used FMA as my crutch to break the ice. True story. I'm not sure that would translate well to video. |D

In the meantime, I added a link to this thread in our news fader. x3 It's a cool project, I hope you generate a lot of interest.

[dearheart]

Artemis - THANK YOU FOR ENTERING! IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! =DDD

Puzzle - If it's any comfort, you don't have to come up with everything from scratch. As long as you follow the outline I've provided in that link, you should be alright. It tells you how to start, what to talk about, gives examples, etc. (And who CARES if it's not exciting? As long as it's heartfelt, it'll be great!) But if you really don't feel comfortable doing this, you don't have to.

Honestly, that's ADORABLE! I think it's awesome that FMA is what helped you break the ice and brought this beautiful Puzzle/Crow friendship together and blah blah blah thisprojectisputtingmeinsuchasappymood... XD

Anyway...whatever you decide, thanks for the support! You're wonderful! <3

[PuzzleChick]

^ I kind of want to despite being super shy when it comes to talking, because I like being part of projects. I'll think about it. xD I have to see if I can find a time when I have the house to myself to film it. Is it okay if we write down the outline and our answers and refer to it on camera? Because I'm not sure I could memorize it all. ^^;

Also, is there an overall video time limit? I notice the current responses bounce between 4-8 minutes. Is that a good range? I want to make sure I allocate enough time to the questions I know I'll be giving longer answers for.

[dearheart]

Lol, alright. =) And sure, you can write it down, print it up...whatever works for you! I don't care how people go through the outline as long as they really GO through it. (It's kind of important that people do, because there's a specific structure I have in mind for the final video, and it won't work unless people pay attention to it...'cause I'm a perfectionist...)

The rules ask that you TRY and keep it under 7 minutes, but it's not a big deal if you push it to 8. I just don't want to wade through piles of 10 or 15-minute videos, ya know? xD

Just so you guys don't have to go back and forth, I'll go ahead and copy/paste the rules and outline right here:

SPOILER: Click to show

***What should I say in the video?***
Right below is the outline I’d like you to follow. Please say aloud everything that’s bolded, and then use your own words to fill in the rest. The stuff in italics explains what to do and gives examples of what I’m looking for, so read it carefully! I recommend you take some time to look this over and put together your thoughts and what you’d like to say. Feel free to read through and practice a few times, if you want. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it’s still good to be prepared! And remember, the most important thing is that it's YOUR story and that it comes from your heart! Make it your own!

*****OUTLINE*****
There is no such thing as a perfect story...but Fullmetal Alchemist comes close. Action, adventure, fantasy, philosophy, drama, romance, comedy, tragedy...FMA’s got something in it for everyone, and it has a message for every heart. It’s not just another anime. It’s a journey.

Let me tell you about it: (in your own words, briefly summarize the basic premise of the story. Make sure to keep it SPOILER FREE! Don't say anything about parallel worlds or Amestris being a giant soul-sucking transmutation circle, haha.)

I found FMA... (briefly describe when and how you discovered FMA, and how you first reacted to it.)

And I fell in love with it because... (tell us what things drew you into the story and why, and how it affected you. Feel free to tie in personal experiences and ways you related to FMA, if you feel comfortable doing so.)

Sure, the alchemy and adventure is cool, but what FMA is REALLY about is... ("Sacrifice." "Love." "Brotherhood." "Humanity." "Overcoming pain." Etc. State some of the themes you saw in FMA. You may use up to ten words, whether it's one sentence or lots of separate words. The point is to keep it short, sweet and to-the-point.)

Fullmetal Alchemist is the kind of story that... (describe a few ways how you think it impacts the viewers and readers. "Makes you laugh", "makes you cry", "makes you think about life", "touches you", "stays with you", etc.)

FMA taught me... (state a couple of lessons from FMA that really stuck with you. "You have to give if you want to gain." "Family is precious." "Pain doesn't define you; it's what you do with it that counts." "True love can't be bound by the laws of equivalent exchange." Etc. Doesn't matter how cheesy or stupid it sounds, as long as it's meaningful to you!)

This is what Fullmetal Alchemist means to me. This is how it touched my heart. This is how it touched the hearts of millions of fans, just like me, all across the world.

Fullmetal Alchemist, I will never forget you.

*****FIN*****


What are the rules?

1. The deadline is September 24th, Saturday.
2. Try to keep your video/audio under 7 minutes, and make sure there is no music or noise in the background. All I want to hear is your voice. If there are large pauses, edit them out before you post it.
3. Your entry MUST be posted as a video response to my starter video, and please put your YouTube username in the video title, so it'll be easier for me to keep track of whose entry is whose. I'd also appreciate it if you post the link to your video on this thread, or message it to me, so I have a “backup” place where I can find it.
4. You MUST follow the outline I’ve provided above. This will help give structure to everyone’s videos and make it easier for me to work with them. It will also help the flow and vision I have in mind for the final product.
5. Keep it spoiler-free. Don’t say anything like “OMG HUGHES DIED AND I FLOODED THE WORLD WITH MY TEARS BLAH BLAH BLAH…” Alright?*
6. THIS IS NOT A SOAPBOX FOR YOU TO RANT ABOUT WHICH ANIME VERSION IS SUPERIOR OR HOW YOUR ONE TRUE PAIRING IS THE “BEST EVAR!!!1” Just. Don’t. Go there.** This project is to celebrate EVERYTHING Fullmetal Alchemist related, because that’s how awesome it is, and that’s what it deserves. So keep it positive. Or else. If I see ANY negativity in your entry, about ANY FMA version, I’ll DQ it faster than you can say “milk”.
7. Have fun! THAT’S AN ORDER! If you're not enjoying it, you're missing the whole spirit of the project!


*It’s alright to mention how a character death or some other story event affected you; just don’t give away who dies or who kills who. Keep it general. The final “Don’t Forget” video will be aimed both at fans AND people who haven’t seen FMA, so we don’t want to ruin anything.

**Likewise, it’s fine to mention how the romantic relationships in FMA affected you; but again, keep it general and spoiler-free. I’d also appreciate it if you kept it to official canon couples (or semi-canon, like AlMei, LingFan, etc). I don’t have anything against yaoi/non-canon couples or the people who ship them, but since we’re talking about the real FMA story and not fanfiction, I think it’s better if we just stick to the author-approved stuff. No offense meant, I assure you!

[acedia]

This sounds like a great idea. I'll watch the videos and I might post on the fullmetal-alchemist board even though I usually...stay away from there, but I'd like to do it. But I would feel weird if it got too personal. Well, maybe!

[dearheart]

acedia, I'd love to see you enter! And you don't have to get too personal if you don't want to. Do whatever you're comfortable with.

Here's my FMA testimonial! Don't know if it'll inspire you to share yours, but I thought I'd share it anyway. Just in case. =P



I know, I look like a dork lol... The deadline is just one week away, so if you want to enter, don't wait too long!! I need moar entries! I want at least three more before the deadline hits!

[PuzzleChick]

I have a script written out for mine, I just haven't had a chance to film it yet. My family is always lurking around. >.<

[amythista]

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THIS YEAR'S FMA DAY IS THE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF WHEN ED AND AL BURNED THEIR HOUSE DOWN.

*confetti*

[bespecledcow]

Just filmed mine. Have to put it on the computer and take out some of my babbling.

[PuzzleChick]

I filmed mine and am converting it to video right now...it's so terrible and I look awful and I feel like I mumble and babble a lot, (And the audio might be kind of quiet...if you can't make it louder I'll understand if you don't want to use it.) but I hope maybe you can get a couple seconds of usefulness from it for your project? xDD

ETA: All right, it's uploaded and should be on there as a video response! Here's a link just in case: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOBgFZwFHeM

[dearheart]

IT'S FINISHED!!! HAPPY FMA DAY!!!!! CAPSLOCK CANNOT FULLY EXPRESS MY FANGIRLY JOY!!!! WATCHITWATCHITWATCHIT -shot-



WARNING: Watching this video may result in being flooded by lots of FEELINGS.