Real Figures Don't F.O.L.D – Contest Rules

An overview of the major terms used throughout this site:

Act

A musical artist or group officially signed with CATAWOL Records.

Contest

The overall event organised by CATAWOL Records, involving the submission of Songs to raise awareness of bullying in adult and hobby spaces.

Song

A musical submission created by an Act. The first version of the Song is submitted for Stage 1, with an updated version submitted for Stage 2.

Stage

A major phase of the Contest, involving one or more Rounds, where winning and runner-up Acts are determined through voting.

Round

A voting bracket within a Stage.

Visitor

Someone visiting this site who is eligible to cast votes, whether or not they take part in the voting process.

Create an original song using lyrics written by SilentMode.

The goal is raising awareness of bullying in adult and hobby environments through music.

Participation in the Contest is available to all Acts currently signed with CATAWOL Records.

From the submissions received before the entry deadline, 32 Acts will be shortlisted by an independent panel.

Each Act participating in the Contest must submit an original Song, using the lyrics provided by SilentMode.

• Songs must respect and follow the original lyrics (with minor adjustments allowed for flow or grammar).
• Songs must feature vocals by their respective Act.
• Each Act must submit one Song.

This Stage will divide the 32 participating Acts into eight Rounds, each with four Acts competing head-to-head.

Submissions

• Each Act submits a draft version of their Song, according to the Song Criteria.
• For this Stage, the Song length must not exceed 2 minutes and 10 seconds (2:10).

Voting

After the Stage officially begins, each Round runs consecutively for a limited length of time.

During each Round, Visitors can vote for their top three favourite Songs.

Voting is open to all Visitors, except for:

• members of the F.O.L.D.;
• relatives or affiliates of competing Acts;
• Contest administrators;
• employees of CATAWOL Records.

Only votes cast through this site, and while a Round is open, will be counted.

Advancement

At the end of the Stage, when all Rounds have been completed, ten Acts will advance to Stage 2:

• the winners of each Round (for a total of eight);
• The two highest-scoring runners-up across all Rounds.

The winning Acts will be revealed to the public at the beginning of Stage 2.

Bonus for advancing Acts

Each Act's entry on the Acts page will be updated with a new picture and a profile.

This second and final Stage will have just one Round, where all qualifying Acts go head-to-head to determine which Song will become the official anthem of the Contest.

Resubmission

• All qualifying Acts will be asked to submit an updated and final version of their Song.
• The new version of each Act's Song must now include a previously undisclosed second verse from SilentMode's lyrics.
• The new version of the Song must retain the original submission's style and essence, while allowing for creative reinterpretation.
• There is no maximum duration for the new version of the Song.

Voting

Voting conditions are exactly the same as for Stage 1, except Visitors will be asked to vote for their top 3 favourites from all entries.

Only votes cast through this site, and while the Round is open, will be counted.

Winning Songs

At the end of the Stage, one Grand Winner and three Runners-Up will be crowned.

The winning Acts will be revealed to the public after the votes have been counted and confirmed.

Prizes

The Grand Winner and Runners-Up will be recreated as 3D-printed figures in SilentMode's style.

The Grand Winner will also be honoured by being created as a custom LEGO minifigure.

Finally, the Grand Winner's Song will become the official anthem of the Contest.

Visitors will be asked to vote for their top three favourite Songs in each Round, in order of preference.

Scoring

Songs will be awarded points based on votes in each Round:

1st choice	4 points
2nd choice	2 points
3rd choice	1 point

Ranking

At the end of each Round, winning Songs will be determined by:

• total points based on votes;
• number of 1st choice votes;
• number of 2nd choice votes;
• number of 3rd choice votes.

NOTE: Golden Buzzers have no effect on scores, they are for supporting Acts regardless of winning.

Along with voting for their favourite Songs, Visitors also have the option of supporting their favourite Acts by awarding them with a Golden Buzzer!

Even if your favourite Act or Song doesn't make it through, awarding them a Golden Buzzer will give them the same bonuses as for the runners-up in the current Stage.

Golden Buzzers are awarded by making a donation, wherever you see the star symbol () next to an Act's Song.

Awarding Golden Buzzers

Golden Buzzers can only be awarded to Acts in the current Stage.

During Stage 1 (Knockouts): Acts will be given a profile and an updated picture on the Acts page. They might also be asked to submit a final version of their Song, at the discretion of the Contest organisers.

During Stage 2 (Final): Acts will be immortalised as a 3D-printed figure in SilentMode's style.

Golden Buzzers have no effect on scores — they're a way for Visitors to support their favourite Acts and Songs, whether they win or not.

Tied votes

In the unlikely event of a tie at the end of each Stage:

Stage 1 (Knockouts): more than ten Acts may advance to Stage 2 as a result.

Stage 2 (Final): while more than three Runners-Up may be declared, it is our intention to announce just one Grand Winner. The final decision will be determined by an independent panel.

No votes

If no votes are cast in a single Round, the winning Act(s) will be determined by an independent panel.

• Vote for the Songs you love the most, not just the ones you think will win.
• Support your favourite Songs and Acts with a Golden Buzzer, or by making a donation to help the Contest grow.
• Spread the word! Share your favourite Songs and encourage friends to vote.

Let's make music history!