Re: Review Panel Reform
I Wrote:
Head on over to Brick Help
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I Wrote:
Head on over to Brick Help
This post is outdated. 'Nuff said.
Last edited by Onion (June 22, 2011 (04:33am))
It's time to change! YES WE CAN!
All in favor of a new review panel say 'I'! Also, please list 3 people other then yourself you'd like to see on it.
Mine:
1. LGFB
2. Brickyman
3. MaxButcherOh, and if a fourth then justkidden.
I'm not a good reviewer.
Mine:
1: LegOpinions
2: MaxButcher
3: KinzCove (Because he's sexy).
I applied a while ago.
I'd still like to join up, if there are spaces to fill.
I mean, a while ago, I waited AGES for one of my films to get reviewed. I knew it wouldn't get reccommended so I checked it out and no one even bothered to put ANY SCORES WHATSOEVER.
Sorry, just want people to see this.
Also, a film doesn't have to be "Pixar standard" to get in the directory, it just has to be fun to watch. Remember Taco Trouble? That had AWFUL animation but it was incredibles joyful to watch, and that got into the directory.
The films don't have to be perfect, just enjoyable.
I agree. I'd like to be a reviewer, but I'm not that good (I've not really ever shown you any of my reviewing skills). I could probably do quite a few on a regular basis. Hopefully everything will be back to normal tomorrow, but I definitely think some new reviewers are needed.
My 3:
LegOpininions
Realbrick
Max Butcher
I could probably think of more, just not now.
I agree. I'd like to be a reviewer, but I'm not that good (I've not really ever shown you any of my reviewing skills).
Same 
There could be some reviewers for the unrecommended films. Or they could simply give a rating.
There could be some reviewers for the unrecommended films. Or they could simply give a rating.
What do you think about my idea?
In all seriousness, I am not totally satisfied with the way reviewing in the directory is going right now, and it's something we've been discussing at some length for months. There have been behind-the-scenes changes already that I think will hopefully show improvements once I have some time to sit down, look at who needs to be removed from the panel due to inactivity, and hopefully add some new people.
I do think this site needs to keep its "niche" status, though. It is what separates us from YouTube. A high level of quality to be recommended is a positive thing.
On a side note, I have been extremely busy with school for the last couple of months. Sometime this summer I'd like to take some time to seriously re-tool the reviewing process, though as I said I don't intend to just open the floodgates for reviewers and lower the recommendation standards. I'm really trying to be open to feedback on this stuff.
I do think this site needs to keep its "niche" status, though. It is what separates us from YouTube. A high level of quality to be recommended is a positive thing.
I agree with you. I'm hoping that there will be more improvements. If you need my help, just call me. Thanks.
[Promotion] I belive that we could make some outstanding reviewers. We have reviewed many films and have used exquisite grammar and language. I believe that we have enough experience to deliver solid reviews week in and week out. We asked time and time again to be on the review panel but are often overlooked. Please take 'Juggernaut Pictures' into consideration the next time that you think about adding a new review member. [/promotion] That was our SLIGHTLY SARCASTIC mini rant 
. Now for our list of possible future review members:
LegOpinions (Uses propper grammar, has experience, and is honest.)
Filmifire96 (Though often overlooked, he delivers expert feedback on films.)
Realbrick (Reliable, chooses strong and unique words, and is honest.)
That is our list
Agreed my top 3-
LegOpinions
Realbrick
MaxButcher
I can't even tell you how many times I've been tempted to resign lately, and now after being accused of not reviewing because I'm lazy... well, frankly the only reason I'm not shuffling off into the sunset is because I want to leave on my own terms, not on the baseless rantings of a uninformed, jilted former applicant.
We're not lazy... we just have other [expletive] to do besides sit all day on a brickfilming website sifting through entirely forgettable films. I'm sorry, but it's tough to get the will to review sometimes when I've only got ten minutes, a job application I should be working on, and the queue hasn't seen a 8+ release in months. I'd sit all day and watch crap like "Dave and Rico Have a Fart Contest 5" if I could, but I'd also like to move out of my parents' basement before I'm 30.
Am I happy with the panel's output lately? [Expletive] no. Is adding new reviewers who have yet to show any grasp of the concept that these reviews are for site visitors, not directors/site members, a good solution? I doubt it. Are we probably going to do it anyway, because we're pretty much out of options, and to shut you people up? We'll see.
I apologize for the rant, but just as you all are about out of patience with me, my patience with the community's lack of understanding of the situation is also running low.
I understand what you mean Noodle. Often we tend to get impatient and it is immature of us. We are not trying to insult any members of the review panel and we have lacked understanding in the matter. I do apologize for this.
First off, I'd like to say that I agree with Noodle.
Secondly, I'd like to point out that while it's all good and well to criticize the current applicants for "not doing enough", there were those before them who did nothing at all... myself included, although in my defense I was responsible enough to make sure Smeagol knew I wasn't capable of maintaining the position any longer. The fact of the matter is that right now we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, we have a lot of people who (understandably) are frustrated that their films are taking so long to be reviewed. On the other hand, we have reviewers who are (understandably) having a hard time doing their job between real life and the sad, but inevitable fact that a vast majority of the films submitted are drudge. While appointing new reviewers may seem like a great option, let's look at this objectively. Frankly, I've looked through the Panel applications, and a lot of people simply don't meet the writing standards required to work on the Panel. The reviews in the films pages are, first and foremost, a presentation to site visitors. They need to know, clearly, whether they want to watch a film, and writing ability plays a large factor in whether this goal is met. Reviews should show variety and a deeper understanding of film than a simple technical analysis. If someone has good writing skills, but lacks ingenuity, their reviews are going to be boring and two dimensional. That reflects on the site badly.
I'm not going to say that every applicant fails to meet one or another of these requirements, but at least concede to the people who are looking over the applications that they do know what they are looking for. I'm not against suggestions as to who should be admitted to the Panel, but please don't plead or appeal that in some way we don't understand the applications or know what we want. Trust me, a lot of thought goes into this process. Everyone wants the best for the site. Be patient with us as we try to figure out what that actually is. In the meantime, the reviewers are doing the best job they can. Trust me, as someone who has been there and done that, it's not nearly as easy as it seems to be.
No offense to anyone who has posted thoughtful posts, but i find this thread unnecessary. Like Noodle said, he plans on doing things in his life besides being occupied at the computer all day. Plus he has a more critical things to pay attention to. Now the reason why this thread came up (in my opinion) is because everyone thinks they can do better since they're not 20 or something and don't have a job. But still, there's other things to do. If you're in school, you're going to be busy most of the time, and most likely the only free time you'll get is time to spend studying or hanging out with your friends. So it's technically (almost) the same situation around for anyone.[/rant-ish type train of thought]
I understand that not everyone at has the time to review films but on the same token if you signed up to be a reviewer you have to accept the responsibility of being a reviewer and you cant hack it resign. Thats my opinion.
I can see where both yourself and Noodle are coming from Squash, but I agree with Stoppedmotion. I understand you mightn't want to hunch by a computer all day, but to be honest, reviewing brickfilms doesn't take up your entire day, nor should it. It's unnecessary to slog over it tirelessly for that long, but why not at least make the time to do 3 or 4? And another thing I'd like to point out, is that if it indeed takes you that long to review films, why not hand it over to someone else? Nobody's asking you to write reviews constantly, you volunteered for that post, thus if you feel a strain from this position then resign, even temporarily. And as for signing up new reviewers, well, let me just say this - which do you need more, great writing skills, or consistency? Whilst I understand that under-average grammatical ability shows the site in a bad light, you need to prioritize. Also, I find it hard to believe that the applicants standards of writing are as pitiful as you make out. This is of course my pea to the pod, but I think there's some valid statements you should consider.
I would like to be on the review panel.
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