Whaddya think?

[Morticia]

Do you think this is working so far? Do you think the nominations / poll system works or does it suck? How do you like the guest discussions? Does the addition of discussing the DVD of the Month make sense or does it just clutter stuff up? Are there too many films to discuss or not enough?

I'm looking for what you guys think of all this.
Very important point:

I'm asking for opinions. I expect you to be honest BUT -- if you don't have an opinion on how to make it better it's not going to help me.

So -- saying "I don't like the nomination/poll system, you should stop doing it this way" with no options on what to do instead will NOT get the love that "I don't like the nominations/poll system, I think you should have a raffle and the winner gets to pick the movie" will get. Make sense?

I'm trying to make Film Class a better place, and I need your ideas, so lay em on me!!

[Heckalaska]

I think it's working out just fine. The dates don't seem to really have any function since the threads don't close at the end of the week. I'd think about just using month/year formats or just drop the dates altogether and go with movie titles alone.

More import though, is the fact that this corner of the file is still pretty much universally ignored with a few exceptions. I'm pretty disappointed that "my movie" got all of 3 entries and movies that are more maintstream and controversial (ie: ripe for conversation) still don't get much input. Man, you post a thread on smelling your finger in the Off-Topic area and you'll get 350 looks and 55 posts, but when you want to discuss the films that are the reason dvdfile exists, you get crickets.

I think you're doing a good job Tish, hope you aren't getting too frustrated.

[mlemmond]

I like the film class, I don't post in very many threads but I read almost all of them and find alot of what is posted very interesting. I have found several movies here that I didn't know about and I have gone back and rewatched several films because of what I have read.

The only thing I would suggest is to not always concentrate on one film at a time, maybe feature a discussion on a certain director or actor.

[SilentBob]

Originally Posted by mlemmond

The only thing I would suggest is to not always concentrate on one film at a time, maybe feature a discussion on a certain director or actor.

I was going to say something along those lines as well. It would be a cool new thing for the area and it does open the discussion to many other movies by the actor/actress and director. Plus it just might open up some old threads in which they were involved in.

We could also talk about movie genres/cult followings and how they have evolved/changed over the years. How do they fair up to today's audience compare to the audience of old. (like Freddy Vs. Jason. Old characters but still plenty of life in them after all these years in and out of theaters)

Also i tend to agree that maybe the dates aren't needed. But its kind of cool to see the date beside the topic and see how old it is and to see that users still want to talk about the movie.


I do also like the idea of letting some of our Regular Users to pick a movie for discussion. I admit i have no participated in many of these threads cause i have yet to see most of the movies. But still nice to read users opiniosn and reviews on the movie. Maybe it will force me out to buy and *gasp* rent the movie.

[darthbenbo]

I feel that this particular forum would greatly benefit from tish buying members who make excellent points a movie of their choosing.

On a more serious note, I agree with mlemmond and SilentBob that expanding the discussions to cover broader topics might be a nice change. I know that I have refrained from posting in certain threads here because I hadn't seen the film in question, but had seen other films by that particular director. We could give it a try, see how it goes. Just food for thought.

[Morticia]

This stuff is great, guys -- I really like it and keep it coming!!

darthenbo -- you have a point there with the giveaways but I'd be soooo broke if I did that weekly. Hmm, now quarterly, on the other hand...

Anyway, I'm listening, and I bet you anything that some (if not all) of these will be implemented in the future.

[Heckalaska]

I dig mlemmond's suggestion as well!

[Steps]

I think that everyone that particiaptes in this forum should be commended, with special thanks going to Morticia.

I have tried to find online areas that would help me understand movies better, and this is absolutely the tops. Whether you modify the format doesn't matter to me... just keep the discussions alive!


Rick

[airjosh]

I feel pretty much the same way as Heckalaska. I have always found it funny that the one place on the forum where you are truly supposed to have intellectual discussions about film is practically the least visited place.

I used to post in here pretty regularly but was discouraged by the lack of discussion, so often even I overlook it. That, however, just contributes to the situation so I am going to make an effort to come in here a lot more and post. I figure even if there is only a few of us really participating regularly at least we'll get to benefit from some great conversations about film.

I would like to thank Morticia for keeping things up in here as well.

As for the format, I think that the guided/hosted discussions can be a really cool idea, because you are then getting a viewpoint from which to jump off of. In my hosted discussion I am breaking down the discussion into three areas to talk about the film. I don't know if that is going to work, but it seems to me a nice way to create specific discussions about the film.

Also along the lines the earlier suggestions of topic by actor or director, you could start an overall discussion of films with a particular theme or subject matter. Similarly you could do MEGA Film Class where you are discussing the merits and comparing a part of the evolution of the genre. Modern science fiction/cyber-punk for example, from Blade Runner to The Matrix. Blade Runner is still the sci-fi/cyber-punk film everyone looks back to and there is influence there but also a basis to look at the evolution of the genre since it was made

[Morticia]

Ooooh, I like the 'themes' idea, airjosh!

And I'd like to thank everyone for the support. I think there's lots of room for improvement, even if it's just for the 8 of us.

I am definitely going to expand the discussions into 'director discussions' and 'actor discussions' and 'genre discussions' and let the polls lapse for a while. I think I can look around and see some good jumping-off points (Kubrick, Spielberg, Soderbergh, Fellini, Resnais, etc.). For the time being I will keep the "DVD of the Month" threads - they're working fairly well, and it *might* bring in more people for the more popular disks. Nothing wrong with that.

And I like the Guest Discussions as well. I'm keeping those...Thanks all!

Keep the suggestions coming, like I said before, this is all good stuff and I'm implementing all of it. (well, I'm still pondering the giveaways, darthenbo!)

[darthbenbo]

Originally Posted by Morticia

(well, I'm still pondering the giveaways, darthenbo!)

I was just kidding when I brought it up, but if you really want to, then go right ahead.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Morticia

I'm trying to make Film Class a better place, and I need your ideas, so lay em on me!!

What if you wore a bikini in here? That would make this a VERY cool place to hang out...

I think this forum is a great forum, even though I don't spend much time here. I think people here prefer more "casual" discussion of movies and/or DVDs rather than more "in depth" discussion about a movie unless they really like the movie.

Peace...

[Morticia]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

What if you wore a bikini in here? That would make this a VERY cool place to hang out...

I think this forum is a great forum, even though I don't spend much time here. I think people here prefer more "casual" discussion of movies and/or DVDs rather than more "in depth" discussion about a movie unless they really like the movie.

Peace...

Tom, you're just a silver-tongued devil, aren't you?

I think you're right. On both counts.

(I do, in all seriousness, think there are some people who DO enjoy the occasional indepth discussion -- and I'll take it one further, I think others like to read them more than contribute. That's not bad, though.)

[Darksim]

Here's something I'll throw out. Maybe no one likes to post in here, because maybe it's a little too intellectual? Like when there's a post about a movie, it goes on for like five paragraphs. And then, someon that would want to post their opinion will feel discouraged, becuase their post won't be as long or as thought-provoking or whatever. It's hard not to think of your post as inferior when following up someone who just posted an essay on the movie. I'm not saying that's bad, because the long posts in this forum make the thread so much better. But it's just nature to not post your five-sentence opinion right after someone's five paragraph-er. Maybe we can openly encourage those who make short posts to still state their opinion? Although, still enforce the "this movie sucks" rule.

[C Roberts]

I think this forum is a great resource for people who do blind-buys and don't mind spoilers first. I don't come here that often, but that's mostly because I'm just not good at putting into words my thoughts on the various details of the movies (design, cinematography, soundtrack, etc) other than "I like it" or "It didn't work for me". And I know you don't want those kinds of posts here. So I don't post unless I have something substantial to contribute.
I think the guest hosting is a good idea as its always good if someone specifically asks others to elaborate on different things. And the DVD of the month inclusion is good because people are more likely to have watched that movie recently so it'll be fresh in their minds to talk about. Sometimes I don't post because I haven't watched the movie in a while and want to wait until I watch it again so I can make sure I mention everything I'd want to comment on.

One thing I was just thinking of. How about threads that are actually more "film class" like. Like a thread talking about cinematography or editing in-depth with people giving movie examples and what was done right and what was done wrong. This may actually teach people like me a thing or two and then I'd be able to comment on stuff like that better. Just a thought. Probably should do a search to see if its already been done I guess, but I'm lazy today. :p

[Notoriousaurus]

I like the ideas of threads that involve more then one film. Wether it be directors, or composers, of even themed threads such as say..."cop films" or something like that.

It's a catch 22 this forum, I would post here more often if there were some more compare/contrast type of things going on. Or a sort of "deconstruct a scene" bit. Narrowing down everything from the lighting to the hairstyles (im into fashion, sue me :p ) of a specific scene.

Ya know, keep the good stuff, but mix it up a little.

Also, I think that Film Class would be the ultimate for live chat discussions. Everyone meets at a certain time to have a breakdown of a movie. Alas, I think that's a bit far off yet.

[DoubleDeuce]

I must have missed this thread during my little sabatical.

I love coming here to check on discussions. I'm no film student but I do like to watch movies and more importantly I'm curious how and why they have a profound impact on me or others. Or in some cases why they don't .


When I can I try to chip in my comments but oftentimes I haven't seen a particular movie. I wanted to participate in a lot of the Guest discussions but I simply haven't seen most of those movies. So once Morticia provides me a full-time salary so I can leisurely peruse all the films out there then I'll be a complete blabbermouth .

I like the set-up of the forum. I like the idea of discussing specific actors or genres. But simply put, the most important thing here is generating enough traffic to spur discussion. It is hard to get a good conversation going if the replies are days apart. I don't know how but if we could just get a few more net denizens aware of this little gem of cyberspace then maybe we could have a more organic and conversational discussion on the featured films. Honestly I'm surprised that a big blockbuster with passionate fans such as Two Towers hasn't generated more discussion.

Anyways I love this board and whenever I do catch an older movie I also try to come back here and check on the discussion.

[Morticia]

Originally Posted by DoubleDeuce

So once Morticia provides me a full-time salary so I can leisurely peruse all the films out there then I'll be a complete blabbermouth .

Yeah, once I get paid to be a Moderator I'll be sure to funnel some cash over to the users of the forum. :p

It's a given that traffic needs to be 'upped' -- I'm just trying to see the best way to do it. If everyone who visits posts even once every other day traffic would increase. So how do we get them to post?

[DoubleDeuce]

Well since you shot down the financial recompensation idea (sigh), and since you expertly skirted the titillating thought of parading around in a bikini (bigger sigh) then that leaves us with either a shock-jock strategy or a mega spam-bomb to generate interest. The shock-jock strategy is just being controversial for the sake of pissing someone off enough to generate a response. The spam-bomb is just getting enough people in the door and hope that some "chemistry" happens. I suggest a ladies night where they get in free. Wait it's already free. Hmmmm...


If you want to get the current people talking more maybe if we could kickstart a few more discussions. Maybe look up user comments in IMDB and pick out an interesting point to restart a movie discussion.

[C Roberts]

What about my idea of having more discussions about specific aspects of film? Like a thread just on lighting or a thread just on editing, etc.

[Morticia]

Originally Posted by C Roberts

What about my idea of having more discussions about specific aspects of film? Like a thread just on lighting or a thread just on editing, etc.

Didn't mean to skirt your ideas (or Notoriousaurus's) to expertly shoot down DoubleDeuce's financial renumeration idea.

I think we have had some great ideas presented here. If you check out the Film Class Prior/Future Discussions thread (it's sticky, you can't miss it!) you'll see what I have cooking for upcoming weeks. The un-dated ideas are just that: Undated and Ideas. You'll see more pop up as I get to them, including genre films, composers, the art of cinematography, lighting, etc.

So -- keep the ideas coming guys, these are good. But don't forget -- they're YOUR ideas, so don't forget to participate!!

[Notoriousaurus]

Originally Posted by Morticia

Didn't mean to skirt your ideas (or Notoriousaurus's) to expertly shoot down DoubleDeuce's financial renumeration idea.

Wow, you "skirted" my idea so well I didn't even get a chance to look up it!

For the record though, I didn't think that I was being ignored. I look forward to future updates on this board and participating and starting some ruckus.

"What ruckus sir? Could you describe the ruckus?"

[reapersaurus]

Originally Posted by Darksim

Here's something I'll throw out. Maybe no one likes to post in here, because maybe it's a little too intellectual? Like when there's a post about a movie, it goes on for like five paragraphs. And then, someon that would want to post their opinion will feel discouraged, becuase their post won't be as long or as thought-provoking or whatever. It's hard not to think of your post as inferior when following up someone who just posted an essay on the movie. I'm not saying that's bad, because the long posts in this forum make the thread so much better. But it's just nature to not post your five-sentence opinion right after someone's five paragraph-er. Maybe we can openly encourage those who make short posts to still state their opinion? Although, still enforce the "this movie sucks" rule.

This is pretty close to why I don't post.

Would you want less-involved posts to be posted anyway?

And for what it's worth, I love that this Forum exists, even if I don't participate or read that many of them.