CrazyCarl
08-09-2008, 11:18 PM
The Summer movie season is coming up and I'd like to make some points about how this section runs to make sure we have a nice roller coaster ride this summer at the movies. Most of this will be lifted from the Sports Forum Index for it is the definitive f.a.q. on how to post well and can be applied to any aspect of the forums. Plus I can't write stuff as clearly as some people who can do it a lot better than I could ever imagine.
1. Movie News & Discussion Thread (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=6296) is your Friend.
Before you ever attempt to start a new thread, make sure you check out the last couple of pages in this thread to make sure you aren't making a thread out of a news story already brought up in this thread. While covered ever so slightly, the story could be deemed not worthy of its own thread just yet and probably should stay a single post in that thread. Judging whether a news story could make it as a new thread is your own judgment. But we can also help you in that process also.
2. What constitutes a thread?
You'll probably get flamed if you screw this one up. So either get a feel for the landscape of the forum before you start your own thread, just stick to replying to the conversations started by others, or read what I say below:
Starting a new thread means, obviously, that you're starting a new conversation. If there's a thread that already covers the topic you want to discuss, jump in there rather than start your own. Remember: the search feature is your friend.
If you want to bring up an opinion topic such as "Odd Movie Facts/Legends" (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=5750) or "Funniest Movies Ever," (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=5812) that's cool. Just make sure you outline exactly what you want to discuss, and if it doesn't suck you'll likely get plenty of participation.
Currently we have areas with vague conversation outlines, such as "Snakes on a Plane Thread" (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=20431) and "Spiderman 3 Thread." (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=17868)Those are running threads where members can openly discuss anything that falls under the category.
Occasionally, a breaking story will occur that falls under that category. It used to be that users would get flamed for posting the stories in their own thread because "we already have a thread for that." But it's gotten to the point where 78 stories and news items are now hidden in threads that are dozens if not hundreds of pages long. Because it's now nearly impossible for anyone who doesn't camp out inside those threads to know if a topic has been discussed or not, this needs to stop.
So from now on, here's what constitutes the creation of a new thread: A breaking story that is sure to command interest and create conversation. If something notable happens in the movie world that doesn't happen every day and you want to discuss it, start a thread. Just make sure you label it correctly, and make sure there isn't already a thread dedicated to it.
Continue to use the running threads as you wish... they're still very useful. But to keep things in order, new/notable stories should have their own threads. If the conversation inside them sucks... let them die and a mod will most likely lock it before it gets too bad.
3. Links are Good for your Soul and our Mental State.
Whenever you present a new news story, you should always post a corresponding link to make sure you look credible and not completing making things up for the sake of an argument. When that next movie role for Vince Vaughn appears, make sure you include a link to the post and a source likeso . . .
Source = Comingsoon. . . in order to make sure the original source material is properly credited with the story. Its not much to ask but helps a lot.
4. Spoilers and/or Materials Related to Future Episodes.
There are always pictures released by the company to their upcoming movies and posting them in perfectly fine. But use proper judgment in what is spoilerific and what is not. Anything showing cast photos or mock ups is fine. Once we get into defining certain scenes in the film is when we have a problem. If you don't know whether to post the picture, you can either link the photo rather than just making it a red herring for everyone to see or make sure its cool before posting it.
Anything lifted off a spoiler site (ala summarizations from Aint Cool News of not yet finished work prints or spies at press releases (http://www.aintitcool.com/)) should use the handy spoiler tag to perserve the purity of the movie for people who don't like to know every facet the movie before attending.
5. Summarizations of Films
Happens in the Rate the Last Movie You Saw thread (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=51) and most likely in the movie in question's thread once the film has been wide released. If you haven't seen the film that opening weekend, I suggest you don't enter the thread until you do. I mean it would be unfair for everyone to hold up their thoughts on the movie just because one person decided not to see the movie that weekend and thus wanted everyone to wait until he/she saw it before discussion commenced. Thats selfish and inconsiderate. In most cases and other sections, that would be celebrated. Not here. Avoid until you see if you want all the juicy plot turns not to be spoiled for you.
Any mod reserves the right to change this at any time.
1. Movie News & Discussion Thread (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=6296) is your Friend.
Before you ever attempt to start a new thread, make sure you check out the last couple of pages in this thread to make sure you aren't making a thread out of a news story already brought up in this thread. While covered ever so slightly, the story could be deemed not worthy of its own thread just yet and probably should stay a single post in that thread. Judging whether a news story could make it as a new thread is your own judgment. But we can also help you in that process also.
2. What constitutes a thread?
You'll probably get flamed if you screw this one up. So either get a feel for the landscape of the forum before you start your own thread, just stick to replying to the conversations started by others, or read what I say below:
Starting a new thread means, obviously, that you're starting a new conversation. If there's a thread that already covers the topic you want to discuss, jump in there rather than start your own. Remember: the search feature is your friend.
If you want to bring up an opinion topic such as "Odd Movie Facts/Legends" (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=5750) or "Funniest Movies Ever," (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=5812) that's cool. Just make sure you outline exactly what you want to discuss, and if it doesn't suck you'll likely get plenty of participation.
Currently we have areas with vague conversation outlines, such as "Snakes on a Plane Thread" (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=20431) and "Spiderman 3 Thread." (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=17868)Those are running threads where members can openly discuss anything that falls under the category.
Occasionally, a breaking story will occur that falls under that category. It used to be that users would get flamed for posting the stories in their own thread because "we already have a thread for that." But it's gotten to the point where 78 stories and news items are now hidden in threads that are dozens if not hundreds of pages long. Because it's now nearly impossible for anyone who doesn't camp out inside those threads to know if a topic has been discussed or not, this needs to stop.
So from now on, here's what constitutes the creation of a new thread: A breaking story that is sure to command interest and create conversation. If something notable happens in the movie world that doesn't happen every day and you want to discuss it, start a thread. Just make sure you label it correctly, and make sure there isn't already a thread dedicated to it.
Continue to use the running threads as you wish... they're still very useful. But to keep things in order, new/notable stories should have their own threads. If the conversation inside them sucks... let them die and a mod will most likely lock it before it gets too bad.
3. Links are Good for your Soul and our Mental State.
Whenever you present a new news story, you should always post a corresponding link to make sure you look credible and not completing making things up for the sake of an argument. When that next movie role for Vince Vaughn appears, make sure you include a link to the post and a source likeso . . .
Source = Comingsoon. . . in order to make sure the original source material is properly credited with the story. Its not much to ask but helps a lot.
4. Spoilers and/or Materials Related to Future Episodes.
There are always pictures released by the company to their upcoming movies and posting them in perfectly fine. But use proper judgment in what is spoilerific and what is not. Anything showing cast photos or mock ups is fine. Once we get into defining certain scenes in the film is when we have a problem. If you don't know whether to post the picture, you can either link the photo rather than just making it a red herring for everyone to see or make sure its cool before posting it.
Anything lifted off a spoiler site (ala summarizations from Aint Cool News of not yet finished work prints or spies at press releases (http://www.aintitcool.com/)) should use the handy spoiler tag to perserve the purity of the movie for people who don't like to know every facet the movie before attending.
5. Summarizations of Films
Happens in the Rate the Last Movie You Saw thread (http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=51) and most likely in the movie in question's thread once the film has been wide released. If you haven't seen the film that opening weekend, I suggest you don't enter the thread until you do. I mean it would be unfair for everyone to hold up their thoughts on the movie just because one person decided not to see the movie that weekend and thus wanted everyone to wait until he/she saw it before discussion commenced. Thats selfish and inconsiderate. In most cases and other sections, that would be celebrated. Not here. Avoid until you see if you want all the juicy plot turns not to be spoiled for you.
Any mod reserves the right to change this at any time.