The Living Scene Project

1. Project Objective and Licensing

The main goal of "The Living Scene Project" is to create an AI-generated image of a scene from the thriller “Bankrupt” by E. G. Allen, with you assuming the role of a character from the book.

Input Image

You must use a selfie of yourself. You may also add stock photos as input. You may add other real people if you have their permission. You can add other images as “clues” for the AI, such as brickwork, buildings, equipment, places or clothing, but ensure you do not breach any copyright.

Final Image

The final result must be composed by AI software.

Immediate Goal

Selecting suitable images for a Special Collector's Edition of the book.

Licensing

If your image is selected, we will contact you directly to request your explicit, written permission and to discuss a fair licensing fee for the use of your work.

2. Copyright and Image Ownership

What is a Selfie (for this project)?

A selfie is a photograph taken by you (with a camera or smartphone). By taking the photo yourself, you own the copyright.

  • If another person takes the photograph, they own the copyright, and you cannot lawfully use that image without their consent.

  • We can only pay you a license fee if you are the copyright owner of the input image.

Does AI Software have Copyright?

No. The AI software is a tool. Since you supplied the prompt and instructions, the copyright remains yours.

3. Eligibility

The project is free to enter and open to Individuals who are at least 18 years of age and residents of the UK or USA.

Do I Need to Buy the Book?

No, you do not need to buy the book, but will need to have access to a copy.

  • Access is essential: To create a submission with the right atmosphere, tone, and detail, you will need to reference the book's content.

  • Ensure originality: Make it your own work, your effort, and your creativity.

  • Access Options: You can ask a library to get the book for you. They should be able to order it for you if they don not have a copy in stock. The ISBN number is: 978-3-9827514-0-5.

4. How to Participate (Step-by-Step)

1. Create your Selfie (or photograph)

Take a selfie with either your phone or a camera in a standing or sitting position (depending on the scene you are building).

2. Choose AI Platform

Select an AI Image Generation platform of your choice.

For beginners, Google Gemini or ChatGTP might be a good place to start. Many others have a free tier.

3. Generate/Alter /Refine

Upload your selfie to the platform and provide prompts to create the environment.

Example Prompt: “Please alter the uploaded image, dressing the person in a business suit. Place the scene in an office.”

You might need to refine or alter the image with more prompts to get the effect you are looking for.

4. Finalize and Submit

When you are happy with the generated image, rename it and upload it to our website with the associated page number.

Role Requirements

  • Age Match: Your age does not have to exactly match the character's age. A tolerance of plus or minus ten years is acceptable.

  • Identifying the Scene: Images must be submitted with the corresponding page number from the physical book. This tells us exactly which scene and role you are visualizing.

  • Multiple Characters: If there are multiple persons in the image, use the message box to indicate which person is you. You can:

    • Ask the AI to generate other people to complete the scene.

    • Upload more photographs to add another real character (with their explicit permission).

    • Use stock images.

5. Image Generation Guidelines & Tips

Skill Requirements

Do I need to be a graphic artist or an AI Expert? No. You let the AI take care of composition.

  • Post-Processing: You are not allowed to use post-processing software to alter or improve the generated image unless it is AI software. This ensures everyone has a fair and equal chance.

Tips for Better Results

  • Accuracy: Accurate and detailed prompts (instructions) produce better results. Your submission will be judged on effort, drama, content, atmosphere, and accuracy.

  • E-Book Users: If you only have an E-book, you will need to borrow a paperback to get the page number, ask a friend, or borrow the book from a library.

  • Building Your Scene: Some scenes require "detective work." Look at other pages to find details necessary for creating the image correctly. E-Book users may have an advantage here by using the "search" function.

  • AI Workflow: It may be easier to construct your image in steps. You can often ask the AI to revise an image, adding or removing elements, or merging multiple images.

  • Copyright Infringement (Props): If you use any props (e.g., a propane heater, which appears in the book), you must ensure the AI removes any visible logos or manufacturer names. We will be checking for this type of mistake.

Tutorial Suggestion

For a simple tutorial on how to use Google's AI for generating and altering images, you can view the following video:

Kevin Stratvert's YouTube Tutorial

6. Terms and Conditions

Organizer and Eligibility

  • Organizer: AGC Publishing (A. G. Chaplin), Muellenstrasse 121, 33449 Langenberg, Germany.

  • Eligibility: Open to readers of Bankrupt by E. G. Allen, who are at least 18 years of age and residents of the UK and USA.

Submission Rules

  • The entry must be created by you using your selfie and AI Tools.

  • No post-processing/editing of the generated image using non-AI tools is allowed.

  • Other people’s faces may only be used if you have their explicit permission.

  • Content Restrictions: No hateful, illegal, violent, or explicit content. (This will eliminate certain scenes from the book).

  • Ensure your work does not infringe on anyone’s copyright or other rights (e.g. brand names or logos).

  • We reserve the right to remove entries deemed inappropriate or in violation of these rules.

File Format

  • Supported Formats: JPG, PNG, and GIF. (PNG usually has the best quality. Most AI Systems use this.)

  • Ideal Dimensions: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect Ratio) or square.

Usage of Your Artwork

  • Ownership: You retain ownership of your image.

  • License Granted: By entering, you give the Organizer a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display and share your artwork on our website, social media, and promotional materials related to this project (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok).

  • Internal Use: Your Artwork may also be used internally for short test animations, generated using AI, possibly with AI-generated audio. These short videos will not be displayed publicly.

  • Withdrawal: If you wish to withdraw from the project after submission and have your image removed, please use the contact form to inform us. We will endeavour to remove your data and image as quickly as possible.

  • E-Mail Privacy: Email addresses are only used internally to associate submissions and images and will not be posted to other systems or used for marketing or advertising purposes.

Timeline

  • The project ends when the objective of selecting images is achieved.

  • A panel of judges chosen by the Organizer will evaluate entries. Submissions will be reviewed throughout the project.

Data Protection and Privacy

  • An email address is required to identify you for the purpose of running this project (status messages, image association, and contacting you).

  • We do not require your name, address, or any other personal data.

  • We do not use cookies for contact lists, and we do not use our contact list for marketing or advertising.

Liability and Governing Law

  • Liability: The Organizer is not responsible for technical issues, corrupted files, or unauthorized access to submissions. Participants are solely responsible for ensuring their entries follow these rules.

  • Governing Law: Any disputes will be subject to the courts in Germany.