Frequently Asked Questions
I've seen and gotten a decent handful of questions about this sort of thing. Granted, this place is way too new and barren for them to have come about HERE, but I've been in the game for awhile, and these have mostly come up over that time.
Q: What's a riff/MST?
Fallen: ...first of all, if you're asking that, I have no idea how or why you're here.
The acronym "MST" has its origins with the TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000. The show featured a man and his robot companions sitting in a movie theater and being forced against their will to watch terrible movies, their snarky commentary being their way of keeping themselves sane. Think of it like the TV version of people who talk over the movie and make fun of it in the theater, but much less aggravating. Alternately, think of it as a Let's Play with movies. Or... a Let's Watch? I don't even...
Now think of that, in a text format. Riffing in a written medium typically involves comedic commentary injected directly into the text of the story in question, allowing for jokes to be made in direct context at the story's expense.
Q: Why would anyone do this?
Fallen: Because it's funny. MST3K lasted ten seasons on the airwaves, gained a pretty damn big cult following in the years since, and has been survived by its last main crew members through RiffTrax. There's a market for this, and the contributors here are well versed in the art.
Q: How do I write a riff?
Fallen: ...it's not that hard. Grab a story and stick your own little commentary in there.
Q: How do I write a riff and be funny?
Fallen: Okay, THAT'S the trickier question. Most of the answer is in the Riffer's Guide, though that works on a more general scope. Personally, I'd also have added something about keeping up decent grammar.
Humor's a subjective thing, of course, so what works for some won't for others. It's hard to accurately pinpoint what exactly works for everyone else, so you should focus your jokes on what works for you. You need to be able to laugh at your own work - like, GENUINELY laugh - and chances are that if you can, you'll leave your audience in stitches. Assuming you don't rely on obscure in-jokes or references, I mean.
Gl1m0: Basically, everything that Fallen said. I've also been working on a little guide of my own too, so it's there if you need it.
Q: How do I put comments on F/F/T3K docs?
Fallen: It's really easy. When you're in the doc, just highlight the bit of text you want to comment on, right-click (or press Ctrl+Alt+M), and fire away. Just... be patient with some of the larger, more comment-heavy docs, because those WILL be a bitch to load.
Gl1m0: Heaven only knows that's happened to me; sometimes the docs just outright crash. It's kept me from working on a few of them, actually. Oh, and also, be sure to have read F/F/T3K's Commenting Guidelines before you even think about contributing. It helps to be prepared.
Q: How do I put comments on all the other docs?
Fallen: You're... not really supposed to.
Gl1m0: Some of our riffers do give you the ability to leave comments, but they're not meant to be added to the riff itself. It's mostly for feedback purposes.
Q: Can I request riffs from these people?
Fallen: Of course you can! Just don't be disappointed if it takes a long time for some of them to get around to it; I'm writing this at a time when I have my next three riffs already mapped out.
Q: HOW do I request riffs?
Fallen: Most of these people are based on FIMFiction.net, and you can send them private messages from there. I'd like to think they'll also take into consideration suggestions left on their user pages.
Actually, that gives me an idea of a feature we could implement once the site gets a little bigger...
Gl1m0: Something like this, I presume? You can post a public request for a riff on this list, which will also be visible on the front page. Fan/fic/ Theater 3000 also has a Submission Folder on their FiMFiction group, though I think it's fallen into a bit of disuse.
Q: Why aren't these on FIMFiction.net?
Fallen: When RatherHomely published "Mystery Pinkie Pie Theatre 3000," the admins decided they didn't want a FLOOD of stories like this coming out, since these sorts of things have a history of trending over there. They issued a ban on MST-style stories, which MPPT3K got around because it wouldn't be fair to punish it for violation of a rule that didn't exist yet.
Alas, even MPPT3K eventually got taken down, though right now it's merely UNPUBLISHED. It's password-protected, but you can still go in and read all its chapters as well as those he didn't even get to publish, albeit without all the guest submissions. We've tried to compile all of those here for your benefit, though I might want to think about taking my own off that list, since I have my own subsection...
Q: I submitted a riff using the site submission box... Why hasn't it appeared on the archive yet?!
Gl1m0: Firstly, relax. Secondly, please be aware that we aren't superhuman anomalies that can instantly sense whenever something is submitted and instantly add it to the site. Nor is the site itself quite that intelligent enough. When you submit something, it goes into our submission box and is stored, safe and sound, until we can find it and add it. But since our crew is limited to just me, Fallen, twow, and y2kbrony, it can take some time before we find a chance to get around to it. Just be patient, and you'll see it appear before long.
Q: What do some of those tags you put on the stories even mean? What the hell is "watersports"??
Gl1m0: ...Really? -_- If you've been around the internet a long time, then at least some of those terms should be poking a familiar nerve. If you're a noob however, and are truly clueless, then here's a quick roundup of our commonly-used NSFW tags:
Q: Hey, I got a few riffs on the Archive now, and now I want a subsection!
Gl1m0: ...That's not a question.
Q: Pleeeeease?
Gl1m0: Jeez, alright... First, make sure you have at LEAST five separate riffs. The following items are considered a "separate" riff.
Usually, either me or the other guys (Fallen, twow, y2kbrony) will immediately create a subsection if we notice that you qualify, so, much of the process is handled automatically. However, unless you explicitly state what you want your riff series to be called (inside the riff or outside, perhaps as a title of sorts) then we will simply mark it under "[Your username] Riffs". Banners are often handled by me (TheAuthorGl1m0) and I try to make them reflect the canon of the series as much as possible.
Should you want your riff series' title and "default" banner to be changed with something else that you'd prefer, then feel free to contact me via Gmail or FiMFiction PM. We'll work something out. ;)
That's all for now. If more come up, you'll be seeing this page expand.
-Fallen Prime & TheAuthorGl1m0
Q: What's a riff/MST?
Fallen: ...first of all, if you're asking that, I have no idea how or why you're here.
The acronym "MST" has its origins with the TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000. The show featured a man and his robot companions sitting in a movie theater and being forced against their will to watch terrible movies, their snarky commentary being their way of keeping themselves sane. Think of it like the TV version of people who talk over the movie and make fun of it in the theater, but much less aggravating. Alternately, think of it as a Let's Play with movies. Or... a Let's Watch? I don't even...
Now think of that, in a text format. Riffing in a written medium typically involves comedic commentary injected directly into the text of the story in question, allowing for jokes to be made in direct context at the story's expense.
Q: Why would anyone do this?
Fallen: Because it's funny. MST3K lasted ten seasons on the airwaves, gained a pretty damn big cult following in the years since, and has been survived by its last main crew members through RiffTrax. There's a market for this, and the contributors here are well versed in the art.
Q: How do I write a riff?
Fallen: ...it's not that hard. Grab a story and stick your own little commentary in there.
Q: How do I write a riff and be funny?
Fallen: Okay, THAT'S the trickier question. Most of the answer is in the Riffer's Guide, though that works on a more general scope. Personally, I'd also have added something about keeping up decent grammar.
Humor's a subjective thing, of course, so what works for some won't for others. It's hard to accurately pinpoint what exactly works for everyone else, so you should focus your jokes on what works for you. You need to be able to laugh at your own work - like, GENUINELY laugh - and chances are that if you can, you'll leave your audience in stitches. Assuming you don't rely on obscure in-jokes or references, I mean.
Gl1m0: Basically, everything that Fallen said. I've also been working on a little guide of my own too, so it's there if you need it.
Q: How do I put comments on F/F/T3K docs?
Fallen: It's really easy. When you're in the doc, just highlight the bit of text you want to comment on, right-click (or press Ctrl+Alt+M), and fire away. Just... be patient with some of the larger, more comment-heavy docs, because those WILL be a bitch to load.
Gl1m0: Heaven only knows that's happened to me; sometimes the docs just outright crash. It's kept me from working on a few of them, actually. Oh, and also, be sure to have read F/F/T3K's Commenting Guidelines before you even think about contributing. It helps to be prepared.
Q: How do I put comments on all the other docs?
Fallen: You're... not really supposed to.
Gl1m0: Some of our riffers do give you the ability to leave comments, but they're not meant to be added to the riff itself. It's mostly for feedback purposes.
Q: Can I request riffs from these people?
Fallen: Of course you can! Just don't be disappointed if it takes a long time for some of them to get around to it; I'm writing this at a time when I have my next three riffs already mapped out.
Q: HOW do I request riffs?
Fallen: Most of these people are based on FIMFiction.net, and you can send them private messages from there. I'd like to think they'll also take into consideration suggestions left on their user pages.
Actually, that gives me an idea of a feature we could implement once the site gets a little bigger...
Gl1m0: Something like this, I presume? You can post a public request for a riff on this list, which will also be visible on the front page. Fan/fic/ Theater 3000 also has a Submission Folder on their FiMFiction group, though I think it's fallen into a bit of disuse.
Q: Why aren't these on FIMFiction.net?
Fallen: When RatherHomely published "Mystery Pinkie Pie Theatre 3000," the admins decided they didn't want a FLOOD of stories like this coming out, since these sorts of things have a history of trending over there. They issued a ban on MST-style stories, which MPPT3K got around because it wouldn't be fair to punish it for violation of a rule that didn't exist yet.
Alas, even MPPT3K eventually got taken down, though right now it's merely UNPUBLISHED. It's password-protected, but you can still go in and read all its chapters as well as those he didn't even get to publish, albeit without all the guest submissions. We've tried to compile all of those here for your benefit, though I might want to think about taking my own off that list, since I have my own subsection...
Q: I submitted a riff using the site submission box... Why hasn't it appeared on the archive yet?!
Gl1m0: Firstly, relax. Secondly, please be aware that we aren't superhuman anomalies that can instantly sense whenever something is submitted and instantly add it to the site. Nor is the site itself quite that intelligent enough. When you submit something, it goes into our submission box and is stored, safe and sound, until we can find it and add it. But since our crew is limited to just me, Fallen, twow, and y2kbrony, it can take some time before we find a chance to get around to it. Just be patient, and you'll see it appear before long.
Q: What do some of those tags you put on the stories even mean? What the hell is "watersports"??
Gl1m0: ...Really? -_- If you've been around the internet a long time, then at least some of those terms should be poking a familiar nerve. If you're a noob however, and are truly clueless, then here's a quick roundup of our commonly-used NSFW tags:
- Gore: Basically, anything involving graphic depictions of dismemberment, disembowelment, grisly injuries, and other yucky stuff of this ilk.
- Clop: Sex. And not just implying it happened, like in most T-rated stories, but actually going to the trouble of describing it in extreme detail. Typically found in sensual/romance fics, meant to excite and arouse the reader.
- Vulgarity: Excessive use of foul language and discussion of NSFW themes, even though it's not actively depicted. For example, if the characters drop F-bombs left and right, make mentions about f**king their girlfriend/a random chick, talk about racism and prejudice, etcetera and so forth.
- Rape: I shouldn't need to explain this, right? One party sexually assaults another often-helpless individual against their will.
- Incest: A romantic relationship occurs between two members of the same family. Often between brother/sister, cousin/cousin, etc. In our categorization, the Incest tag is used when said relationship involves sexual congress. May or may not be one-sided.
- Voraphilia: Shortened as "Vore", it is a fetish that involves a fantasy about being eaten alive. Comes in the "Soft" and "Hard" varieties; the former involves no bloodshed, and it usually harmless, while the latter involves biting and tearing of the flesh.
- Watersports: Sexual activities that involves... urine. Ew.
- Scat: Basically, sex that involves defecation/fecal matter as part of the act. Ewwwww.
- Futanari: Often shortened to just Futa, it's when a female character has... male parts down below. EWWWWWW.
Q: Hey, I got a few riffs on the Archive now, and now I want a subsection!
Gl1m0: ...That's not a question.
Q: Pleeeeease?
Gl1m0: Jeez, alright... First, make sure you have at LEAST five separate riffs. The following items are considered a "separate" riff.
- A full canon riff. [AKA: "Oneshot" Riffs]
- Part X of X for a full canon riff. [Part 1 of 10 for the riff of Living the Dream, for example.]
- A full non-canon riff. [These are riffs that don't contribute or directly affect your story's canon, usually reserved for co-riffs.]
- Part X of X for a full non-canon riff. [Same as canon, just usually reserved for long co-riffs.]
Usually, either me or the other guys (Fallen, twow, y2kbrony) will immediately create a subsection if we notice that you qualify, so, much of the process is handled automatically. However, unless you explicitly state what you want your riff series to be called (inside the riff or outside, perhaps as a title of sorts) then we will simply mark it under "[Your username] Riffs". Banners are often handled by me (TheAuthorGl1m0) and I try to make them reflect the canon of the series as much as possible.
Should you want your riff series' title and "default" banner to be changed with something else that you'd prefer, then feel free to contact me via Gmail or FiMFiction PM. We'll work something out. ;)
That's all for now. If more come up, you'll be seeing this page expand.
-Fallen Prime & TheAuthorGl1m0
The FAQ was last updated on: May 24, 2012