Thoughts on the new Webtoon Contest?

[seru]

That's in every fine print in any user-published platform. Even Tapas/Smackjeeves have it. From my understanding, if you do win and get featured, you get a separate publishing contract specifying pay and royalties for your work.

[eristeine]

That's my concern too, the legal aspects that is. hey @Jenny-Toons would it be possible to share your (collective) finds, please? I'm not very good at legal things, despite trying to make sense of it all XD

It's tempting to join, but I do want to check out what they're really planning to do all of this before going ahead and trying for it just cause.

Ah, yes, the downvoting and hatecomments hell. It had gotten kinda-sorta-maybe better lately, but with the return of the contest, it means that, too, will return with a vengeance.

[x4ever]

I'm not sure why everyone hates webtoons so much? I actually think the company is quite safe in their practices and a lot of webtoon artists praise the platform.

@erinsteine The author of Spaceboy, who won one of the webtoon contests and is featured has a one hour informative video on the platform if you want to check it out. EDIT: the video also includes two other webtoon creators (Jackie Rose and Adamsville). One of them is also planning to commercialize their book after the webtoons contract is over. It's very good to check out.

[SedateCanopy]

Best time to showcase my fantasy/action Webtoon. Too bad I already have my hands full with my current comic... rip. Well it's still up until September so I think I can spare some time for it.

[OliviaMerteli]

EACH POTENTIAL FINALIST PRIZE WINNER AND ANY TEAM MEMBER ELIGIBLE FOR THE TRIP MUST SIGN A CONSENT FOR SPONSOR TO PERFORM A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER VERIFICATION (U.S. ONLY) AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK (U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL).

...

Except where prohibited by law, each winner's entry and acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for the Contest Entities to use said winner's and his/her Eligible Team Member's (if any) name, entry, photograph, likeness, statements, biographical information, voice, and city/state/country for promotional or advertising purposes in connection with this Contest on a worldwide basis, and in all forms of media, now or hereafter known, in perpetuity, without review, permission or further compensation. All entries are subject to verification prior to awarding of prize. Eligibility, age, and claims made by a Prize Winner also are subject to verification prior to awarding of prizes.

I'm... appalled.

[z3rohedgehog]

This? This is not a contest. This is a job interview.
(I bet it's a pretty biased one too)

[BlackRose108]

I don't really see what the problem is??? I mean, I'm not legally smart at all but, like, if they're going to send you on a trip why wouldn't they do a background and SSN check? As long as you have and SSN and you're not a criminal then what's the problem?

And of course they're gonna get permission to use your likeness for promotional and advertisement purposes. If they want to announce winners and use your picture, that's using your likeness, isn't it? And just advertisement in general, "meet the artists" videos, etc. Isn't that all standard for being a part of a publishing company? Or maybe I'm just stupid....?

[seru]

Okay, if you're a webcomic creator, you create comic as usual. From my understanding, the contest doesn't really affect you if your sole purpose is to build an audience and not get featured. Webtoons is a great platform to reach new audience and build your fan base. You have the option to opt out and decline the prize, if you do win.

@OliviaMerteli - That is standard practice in any US company. They want to make sure you are legitimate and you are who you say you are. Plus, cash money must be reported to the IRS.

Just like the Tapas Incubator program, if you don't like their terms, don't apply and don't join.

[Teowi]

What has me worried is this line in the contest fine print:

"The entrant or team of entrants will have thirty (30) days to formally accept LINE Webtoon’s offer to become a Featured series as a condition to accepting the Genre Winner Prize and Grand Prize."

So if we win the contest, they hold the prize hostage until we agree to sign a contract with them? Am I reading this right?

[darthkrievos]

You're reading it right, when i first read the competition details i thought that being a Featured artist was conditional. This is why people should always read the fine print...

[Harmony-S-S]

Pretty hard when it's so fine, you can't read it

[SedateCanopy]

So does this implement the fact that they couldn't pick any more deserving-to-be-featured titles anymore and needs a constest to pick some titles to feature...? I hope that isn't the case. But even so, that 'feature' condition is kinda forced imo...

[bear1]

Makes sense, why would they throw money at you without getting a product in return.
Of course, assuming you even get that far (which is a really, really slim chance) you’d get 80k plus get paid drawing your comic. If you want to upgrade from hobby cartoonist to full time cartoonist, this sounds pretty nice to me.

But, as I said, the chance to get that contract is sooooooo slim, at this moment it feels like a waste of time even contemplating it to me.
I hope more to grow my audience this way. I think they’ll advertise that contest heavily and I think lotsa people will brows through the entries (or Discovery in general). So I see it more as a chance to attract new readers rather than winning the jackpot and becoming the next big thing on Webtoons

[Zugaikotsu]

Maybe is their way to emulate tapas incubator program? Its happening almost at the same time. Maybe they want to grab some of those applicants and draw more attention to themselves?

[PervertOldMan]

IT'S TIME FOR CONSPIRACY THEORY !!!

You kids should stop watching American TV series, Japanese Antivirus Video will give you a more bright shine and beautiful life. A sexy webtoon's staff come to your house, saying they are holding a contest, if you want the money and the contract, then invite them in, lock the door, and do the thing. If you don't want the money and the contract, or they looks too ugly, or their armpit smells bad, then chase them out, lock the door, forget about them and do the thing yourself. End of story.

[Luminosophy]

My main point of concern is that people may have to be changing their script when it's a job (companies want to maximize profit and may request changes according to what they know sells.) I think you really need to sit down with yourself and think about if you're the type of person to enjoy this. It definitely works for some, but others may be really invested in their stories and have really specific ideas/ intentions for it and remaining an indie artist would be the better choice.

[hades]

Webtoons has actually been holding these style of contests for years. Before, tapas' program existed. I'm not sure it's a grab since...they are both very very different programs. Webtoons is still a contest. Tapas' program is a pitching event.

[bear1]

True.
Sadly, many indie artists can’t live from their work. I bet an opportunity like this would bring many in a pinch (me included). Stay true to yourself and your work (and need a fulltime job on top) or do your cartooning for money and budge down to the demands of an editor.

Although I doubt the editor’s changes are that severe. But still, I understand the concern behind it

[ghostmaya]

I'm still confuse about this:
5. Can I submit a series that was previously published on Discover?

You cannot submit an existing title on Discover as a contest submission. You can create a new series based on your existing Discover series as long as it meets the requirements.

So, Is reboot of an existing title is okay?

[fleohr]

I've read The Devil is a Handsome Man since it was on discovery.
They made lots of changes in the story and how it started. If you look at the first chapter, a newcomer would think it was a R-rated comic (maybe even think it was like 50 shades of grey), but actually it almost doesn't have sex scenes, since there are lots of terms on LN you have to follow. Then as new episodes comes, any fan of romance comic would think the story is confusing, since they are expecting to see some sex scenes, kisses, etc, but what they get are lots of small talks, like real life, then at the end a cliffhanger that is related to the story itself.

TL;DR I believe, if your comic is R-rated, there will be changes that fits PG-13 rated, it can insinuate something, but don't show any parts, at least it's what makes me think when I read the featured comics. And I think they don't add other genres, like crime/mystery which is what The Devil's Handsome Man is about... So they stick with the "Romance" genre, since it's very popular and can attract more viewers/readers