Camelot Remix

So, what exactly is a remix? This post has some more details about what remixing usually means, as well as some suggestions and guidelines for what we expect in this challenge.

What is a remix?

The biggest remix challenge that people may be familiar with is Remix Redux, an annual multifandom challenge that was run by musesfool and co-mods on Livejournal from 2003-2015. Here are a couple excerpts from their explanation of what a remix is:

Ever read a story and think, wow, what a fascinating story, but if I had written it, I would have…? Well, now here's your chance to do just that. Rewrite someone else's story, tell somebody else's tale. Take the work of another person and wrap it up in your vision and style, just like a remixer does to songs.

...You can do whatever you like to the story — change POV, dialogue, mood, characterization, make it longer or shorter, whatever — except for two things: pairing(s) and the basic plotline.

At Camelot Remix, we like to think of remixing as creating a new fanwork that is a complement to the original; a story or piece of art that will stand on its own, but which will also be interesting to someone who's already viewed or read the original work.

Often, a good remix will give the reader a new way of appreciating the original by filling out the background, giving another character's perspective, or explaining the characters' motivations in a different way. Alternatively, it might remix the original work in a completely different medium, such as turning a fic into fanart or podfic.

How do I remix a fanwork?

There are many ways to remix. Some of the most popular methods include:

• changing the POV. For instance, if the original work is a fic from Merlin’s POV, you might remix it from the POV of another character—or even the POV of a potted plant in Merlin’s office, as in mk_emrys’s remix It Started with A Cream Bun of polomonkey’s Twice as Sweet As Sugar.
  




• writing a sequel/prequel or adding a ‘missing scene’ from an existing fic.
  




• changing a fanfic’s tense, genre, or structure. Perhaps you could tell the story in a different order; as a series of drabbles, letters, or texts; or use a 5 Things format.
  




• changing the medium. For instance, you might create a podfic of someone’s written work, or write fanfic for a piece of fanart. Similarly, you might consider making fanart (or even a fan-comic) based on a fanfic.
  




• changing the composition or colour palette, or otherwise reworking a piece of art in your own style. If your remixee does hyper-realistic art, for example, you might choose to make a Chibi version.

Other ways to remix include:

• changing the time period (e.g. from canon to modern or vice versa, or to some kind of futuristic or historical AU).




• changing the focus (e.g. highlighting a minor event or character).




• changing the AU or trope (e.g. ABO, fairytale AU, non-magic AU, etc.).

What should I NOT do for a remix?

Please do not:

• change the pairing (or lack thereof). It’s okay to bring a background pairing into the foreground or focus on different parts of the fanwork to make your remix more gen, but if a work features Gwen and Morgana together, don’t replace one of them with Morgause. Similarly, don’t turn an M/F pairing into an M/M pairing, or vice versa.
  




• alter the ‘feel’ of the work. If Arthur is a nice guy in the original, don’t turn him into a cheating asshole; similarly, don’t turn a piece of fluffy, lighthearted fanart into something dark and gory.
  




• change the basic plotline of a fanfic. Details can be changed, but the essential action should stay the same. If the original is about Bradley and Colin going on a road trip together, you can give them some different adventures along the way, but don’t turn it into a story about them sharing a house.
  




• remix an off-limits fanwork. As stated in the FAQ, you may not remix a fanwork that is unfinished, a collaborative work, or a remix itself. You also may not remix your remixee’s designated “safe work” (if they have one).

Expectations and fest etiquette

1. Please be respectful of other challenge participants. In particular, while you are obviously not required to remix a particular work if it contains something that is a squick/trigger for you, we expect you to keep an open mind and refrain from mocking or criticising the fanworks of your remixee, regardless of your personal preferences. This is a challenge to remix a work your own way, so getting assigned to someone whose taste is different from yours gives you more room to be creative, not less.
   




2. This is an anonymous challenge. Please keep the details of your assignment and what you’re creating a secret until after the reveals have been posted.
   




3. Remember to thank your remixer! A remix is different from a gift exchange, in that the goal isn’t to create something the recipient/remixee will like but to refashion the original work in the remixer’s own style. That being said, as a remixee you’re the person who knows the original fanwork best and who has the best perspective to appreciate the remix. Most creators would love to hear what you think of their creation, and it’s common courtesy to stop by and leave a comment/kudos etc. on their work as part of the fest. If you can’t think of anything to say, you might consider starting with something simple: “Thank you for remixing my fanwork!”

Further reading

Want to read more about remixing? Check out Fanlore's Remix page for additional ideas!

Many people find the easiest way to understand remixing is to look at a few examples, so check out our Camelot Remix collection on AO3 to see what others have done previously.

Discuss!

What about you? What are your questions, your worries and doubts?

If you've done this before, what did you find especially awesome or especially challenging? What advice would you give someone remixing for the first time, or someone still deciding whether to sign up? You’re also welcome to link us to your favourite remixes or remix meta posts.

Your first time remixing? Check out our very first Remix discussion thread to see how people felt and how they approached the challenge here!

Updated February 2021

musesfool

Ever read a story and think, wow, what a fascinating story, but if I had written it, I would have... Well, now here's your chance to do just that. Rewrite someone else's story, tell somebody else's tale. Take the work of another person and wrap it up in your vision and style, just like a remixer does to songs.

...You can do whatever you like to the story - change POV, dialogue, mood, characterization, make it longer or shorter, whatever - except for two things: pairing(s) and the basic plotline.

mk_emrys

polomonkey

clea2011

aeris444