Welcome to the
Xena: Warrior Princess Virtual Season FAQ

In keeping with the concept presented by the original PTB and the series itself, the VS-PTB have strived to preserve the air, quality and style of the television series.

We aired our last virtual episode on July 28th. However, all our episodes - 44 in total - (season 7 and season 8) can be read by any and all fans of Xena: Warrior Princess and her battling bard by clicking on the link to our Episode List (below).

Although we have opted not to go with a virtual season 9, we will be presenting at least two full length, two hour specials during the course of the year, and our illustrators are working on a special project for the xwpvs.

Below we have put together a faq for our fans. Please review them.
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
What IS a Virtual Season?

A virtual season is a continuation of a television series, by it's fans, once the show has either come to an end or has been cancelled. Virtual seasons are fan fiction projects. This is a non-profit fan effort. The episodes are written by the fans and are then posted online. They are not filmed and will not air on your television. No actors are involved. Scripts for this virtual season are published online and can be read at this website.

The Xena: Warrior Princess Virtual Season is a continuation of the popular television series Xena: Warrior Princess which ended it's run in June of 2001. The X:WP Virtual Season picked up where the series finale left off.

How Can I View the Virtual Season?

As the Virtual Season aired its last episode of the series on July 28th, 2003 - we have placed a link at the bottom or top of each page for our Episode List. You can view both season 7 and season 8 by clicking on that link.

We will be presenting the fans with, we hope, at least three specials during the year. We may have an episode ready by the Christmas holidays of 2003. If not it will premiere in January of 2004. We will place an announcement both on our main page and on the Forum, under ANNOUCEMENTS.

If I have a script idea, what should I do?

As the xwpvs is no longer producing 22 episodes for the season, and are only able to produce specials, please write to us first before submitting anything. A brief description of your plot idea to see if we would consider it as one of our specials.

If we reply in the affirmative, then you should create an outline. The outline should consist of a cover page, describing your plot idea and the next page should consist of your outline. The outline should consist of five (5) paragraphs. One paragraph for the teaser, and one for each of the four acts.

Submit the outline to the: xwpvs_team-owner and in the Subject box, place "Script Outline".

The team will review the script and discuss its possibilities. Someone from the team, more than likely, the Beta-Reader Coordinator, will get back to you.

If you are an AOL user, you may want to add the xwpvs to your acceptable emails.

What are the script guidelines?

Your submitted manuscript should be no more than 60 pages in length (46 minimum) for a one hour presentation. All writers should keep in mind that we do not have the luxury of a final 'filmed' product. Our end product is a manuscript interspersed with illustrations provided by the illustrators; therefore the writing should invoke both the reader's imagination and inspire the illustrators.

Include character descriptions (clothing etc.) and provide enough detailed background description of any particular setting.

Manuscripts are to be submitted properly formatted. Please do not use:

  • tab keys to adjust the script contents
  • any manuscript format programs

Please do use:

  • the margins of your program for body text, dialogue, and scene description
  • the Center command in your menu to center character's name and action
  • Microsoft Word if at all possible
  • the insert Page Number option of your program to number the pages

It is also important for you to include the title of your script and your name or handle (whichever you prefer) on your script (one line, using the "Header" option of your program).

Also be certain that the Character's names are capitalized and the action or stage direction is centered directly below character's name, in lower case letters. The dialogue should be margined 1/2 inch in from both outside margins (do not use indent or tab).

What about format and type fonts?

We prefer the manuscript be written in either Courier or Courier New and the point size should be: 12pt.

The teaser should be no more than five (5) pages in length. Each subsequent act should be of equal length. For example, if act one is 10 pages, then subsequent acts should be ten pages (a page over is acceptable).

Pages should be numbered using the "insert page number" of your program's menu. And the manuscript should be saved as either: .txt, .rtf or .doc and be IBM compatible documents.

Note: Scripts that do not conform to these guidelines will be returned to writer for proper adjustments.

This is a sample of what your manuscript teaser should look like:

TEASER

1. EXT. SMALL VILLAGE MARKETPLACE - LATE MORNING

The calls of vendors echo through the square.

POTTERY VENDOR
(loudly)

Pots, jugs, jars, cups! None finer in all of Greece!
LEATHER WORKER
(over the pottery vendor)
Pouches and purses, belts and gloves, great prices!
FRUIT PEDDLER
(waving an apple in front of potential customer)
Come buy my fresh apples, sweet and juicy!
Xena and Gabrielle look at each other and give a sigh. Each has a faraway look in her eyes.

I'm an illustrator, what can I do to help?

Illustrators/artists/amateur fashion-costume designers are always welcome and needed. If you would like to be considered for a position of illustrator on any of our future endeavors, please send and email to the xwpvs and in the Subject box, put ATTN Art Director. Include a sample of your artwork, approximately 500 pixels wide. Our Art Director and the team will review your submission, and someone will get back to you.

The artists and illustrators volunteering their time and talents will be incorporated into the Virtual Season's "Art Department" and will receive their assignments from the Art Director.

In most cases, the illustrator has free rein, unless otherwise directed by either the Producer, the art director, or the writer if they have a specific set-up in their mind.

Artwork/illustrations are in story board format and should depict the action and/or scene, utilizing the costume designs provided if any).

Animated .gifs will only be used where they work well.

All .jpg's and .gifs should contain the episode number and coded description. i.e.: 810-a1s3.jpg (episode 810, Scene 1. If there are two illustrations, in the first scene, the second would be marked 810-a1s3a - the a1" representing the act and the s3, representing scene 3, and 'a' representing the second picture of the specific scene).

You can also include this information in a cover letter/email for the art director's information on where the image should be placed.

Illustrations can be simple black and white sketches and/or finished works, complete with appropriate shading, etc.

Color is also welcome, but only if the illustrator has the time (in other words, it's not mandatory and at their own discretion).

The size should be in the range of 400  to 450 pixels in width. We prefer width rather than length whenever possible.

How long do the artists have to get their artwork together?

One of the reasons why we require scripts to be on time is so that we can provide the illustrators ample time to create their masterpieces. We provide the illustrators with the draft script so that they can begin their preliminary sketches. They are kept abreast of any major changes to the script. We like to give them at least one month to a month and a half to prepare their artwork.

What is the turn around time by the writer when revisions are necessary?

The turn around time is dependant on a number of factors. If the script was initially late upon its arrival to the team, the turn around time is within two days. If the manuscript is on time, the bard has approximately one week to provide us with the revisions. The script will go out to another beta reader for a final review.

What are the Beta Reader Responsibilities?

We rely heavily on our beta readers. Particularly when a script is received late. They are our extra pair of eyes. We need them to check spelling, punctuation, grammar,  and tense usage. They are also relied on to:

  • Insure an even flow
  • Insure there is continuity, adherence to characterization, etc.
  • Insure there are no YAXI's (for example, if in the scene above a character is knocked unconscious, in the next line he/she isn't punching someone)
  • Upon finding any, they are to make comments/suggestions and email the Beta Reader Coordinator with their findings, noting the Scene number, Page number and Text

The Beta Reader Coordinator will in turn contact the bard for revision.

The Beta Reader, under normal circumstances (script arrives when due) has a week in which to have the script beta read and notations made for the writer.

Special Note: If past episodes are mentioned (either the televised series or the VS) insure they are accurate.

As far as the scripts and artwork are concerned... Who owns them?

It is important for any and all illustrators and writers to understand that any and all artwork/stories submitted to the xwpvs, are in fact, the property of the xwpvs. However, the artwork and/or script is copyrighted to the artist or the writer. No reproduction of either should be done without the illustrator or the writer's permission.