Mixed emotions about Horrorfest

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david jerome said:
I didn't enter this fest. I watched every movie and would have liked to have voted but it seemed like to much of a task. I would have definitely voted on just a best movie category if there was one.

I think this fest was awesome. I hate now that I missed it. I think as long as everyone shows appreciation for this outlet it should be ok to voice any opinions. We are all here to become better and that is done with helping each other. And if the score card can become better why not talk about it. Let's just be careful and not sound like we don't appreciate it.

I am entering the next fest and can't wait. There better be one!
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I think that the debating we do over the fests doesn't show a lack of appreciation... quite the contrary actually to me. It shows how serious we all are about it, and how highly we think of it.

This was my first fest ever, and I'm passionate about it because it will always be my memory of Halloween 2006. I don't see it as just a free festival (I never even thought about that until today). This is Sundance for me right now. Horrorfest is huge and was on my mind from the minute I heard about it.
 
So maybe post all the excel sheets to see the individual scores to see how the splits were on catagories. If 5 people give a section 10s and the other 5 give it 1s you get a 5 I think. At least you get to see that some people really liked that element and not just a 5.
 
Aram Bauman said:
So maybe post all the excel sheets to see the individual scores to see how the splits were on catagories. If 5 people give a section 10s and the other 5 give it 1s you get a 5 I think. At least you get to see that some people really liked that element and not just a 5.
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Yeah, let's throw some gasoline on the fire. :)


John G.
 
Politics or not , My brother and I had fun entering this fest . Gord listened to everyones comments on DRACO and he wants to improve himself .
Personally I don't care if we finished 44th 0r 40 or wherever we placed .
It was fun doing this and to watch some incredible films here .

If it wasn't for guys like CallaghanFilms, Envision , Oughtobecommited and many others who took the time to offer suggestions and encouragement when I entered my first contest (Zombie) I'm not sure if would of continued .

I (we) learn not only from the spread sheet but from the constructive criticism of others and watching Jacks, Envision, TimC , Aram , Callaghan and the many talented DVX members shorts .
And the Number one reason for doing this is to have FUN FUN FUN and to learn as well .
So MANY Thanks to Jarred , Barry and all the others who help Host these FEST .
Ian
 
Damn, arielman, thanks for that nice post reminding everyone how much value this festival had for you.

You totally get it, dude. Looking forward for you guys kicking ass next time!
 
Aram Bauman said:
So maybe post all the excel sheets to see the individual scores to see how the splits were on catagories. If 5 people give a section 10s and the other 5 give it 1s you get a 5 I think. At least you get to see that some people really liked that element and not just a 5.
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That's pretty much what I'm talking 'bout.

Have categories so the makers can see what they need to work on (or what they excel at already).

But have the ranking score separate. Because, honestly, you can be excellent in all the "technical" categories and still make a bleh film.

And the opposite, of course. (And more likely.)
 
this whole thread bores and bothers me... stop getting wrapped around the axle because you didn't win... LOOK... a contest is NEVER perfect... someone always find SOMETHING to complain about... but look, most all of us had FUN, even if we didn't submit anything, and it got a LOT of people out there making films... heck, Sci-Fest did it for me, and I've grown in the craft a TON since... I owe a lot to these fests, and I hope they keep going for years to come.
 
Brandon Rice said:
this whole thread bores and bothers me... stop getting wrapped around the axle because you didn't win... LOOK... a contest is NEVER perfect... someone always find SOMETHING to complain about... but look, most all of us had FUN, even if we didn't submit anything, and it got a LOT of people out there making films... heck, Sci-Fest did it for me, and I've grown in the craft a TON since... I owe a lot to these fests, and I hope they keep going for years to come.
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Word up:thumbup: :beer:
 
Love the sig dude, HAHA!

One more thing to add....

Filmmakers of horrorfest... be proud in the fact you went out there and created something! We all have to start somewhere... you should see the crap I did when I first started TRYING to make films... it's so bad compared to some first-timers on here... Be proud of your films, and keep growing... it's all about getting better here... I am convinced we can always learn something... heck, even Steven Spielberg I am sure learns new things from time to time... :)
 
arielman said:
Politics or not , My brother and I had fun entering this fest . Gord listened to everyones comments on DRACO and he wants to improve himself .
Personally I don't care if we finished 44th 0r 40 or wherever we placed .
It was fun doing this and to watch some incredible films here .

If it wasn't for guys like CallaghanFilms, Envision , Oughtobecommited and many others who took the time to offer suggestions and encouragement when I entered my first contest (Zombie) I'm not sure if would of continued .

I (we) learn not only from the spread sheet but from the constructive criticism of others and watching Jacks, Envision, TimC , Aram , Callaghan and the many talented DVX members shorts .
And the Number one reason for doing this is to have FUN FUN FUN and to learn as well .
So MANY Thanks to Jarred , Barry and all the others who help Host these FEST .
Ian
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Ian, many thanks to YOU for sharing your film(s) with us to critique! I look forward to seeing more from you!

Robert
 
I really have to apologize for releasing the spreadsheet because I had no idea some of you would take it so seriously. The spreadsheet is the tiniest of footnotes to DVXfest and I already decided before this thread that I'll never release one again. My original idea with the spreadsheet was to give filmmakers feedback in specific areas rather than a single score. However, that was before John suggested we have individual threads for each film. Well, the filmmakers get plenty of specific feedback in the threads and the subscores have become pointless, misleading and apparently hurtful. It depresses me that filmmakers are bummed over their scores when they should feel a sense of accomplishment and community.

The next DVXfest will see this whole voting/scoring process minimized because it's shifting the focus away from the core values of DVXfest--stimulating filmmaking, improving your craft, collaborating, and sharing. We *aren't* like other festivals and this is on purpose. DVXuser is an incubator for filmmakers, not a traditional festival organization.
 
Figured that was coming, sooner or later...

I hope you guys chill out about this spreadsheet thing, now that voting is probably going to be either minimized. Next thing you know you'll drive them to NIX the contest part of the fest--

Then you'll all be forced to focus on the real deal.
 
Barry_S said:
DVXuser is an incubator for filmmakers, not a traditional festival organization.
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That is what I love about this place. I came here knowing nothing about this stuff, around the Scifest time. I studied and learned, tried stuff and failed to meet my expectations, got feedback and helpful tips, met awesome people, and was encouraged, and finally made Stricken, and purchased an HVX. WOW! What a long road it has been and I owe it all to the happy day I found this place. I appreciate the time everyone has taken to make the fest happen, and all of the people getting out there and making films! Be inspired, make something better. I am trying to do that yet again. I am in this incubator, trying to hatch!
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Barry_S said:
The next DVXfest will see this whole voting/scoring process minimized because it's shifting the focus away from the core values of DVXfest--stimulating filmmaking, improving your craft, collaborating, and sharing. We *aren't* like other festivals and this is on purpose. DVXuser is an incubator for filmmakers, not a traditional festival organization.
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I definitely agree with this. We didn't participate in Horror Fest but I think the non-disclosure of the spreadsheet for Hero Fest, in retrospect (because people, including me were pushing for it), was a good thing. These fests are a great thing BUT I think the majority of critiques on individuals threads create a false sense of hope. People err on the side of being very positive in their comments (nothing wrong with this) and, as a result, the final tallies may come as a surprise to some people. We saw the same thing after Sci-Fest that we're seeing now.

Honestly, though, I think these fests--specifically in relation to individual film discussion thread views--are by and by a popularity contest with a lot of new users' films being left at the wayside. A user's popularity on the board directly relates to thread views BUT, interestingly enough in many cases, not necessarily to higher votes. Just an observation.

Word.
 
Yep. For example, Meat and halfway are two of the movies that came out of no where with almost no promotion and blew people away. That just shows the voting is not a popularity contest, and that, regardless of thread views, films are voted on by their merits.
 
a short is a short is a short. who cares! let's move on! feature baby! thats what i'm talking about! it's like these auditions i do every week .....fugettaboutit..................let's see some writing... let's see some acting....let's see the cinematography, let's hear some sounds.....that will keep the audience's attention! for 90 minutes! everybody has an opinon on directors (name)and how crappy they think they are.....well........i'm sure one of us can make some crap that's just as good!..............?
 
Man ok now I'm unhappy. I was super glad the spreadsheet came out. 57 woohoo! <--not a joke ... I wanted to see where I ranked so I would know what to try next ... see the rank check the comments blam next film maybe better.. so if we are not gonna see the rankings I wont be to happy.... I had a blast making my film I tell ya.. I told the cast, hey last try for second to last place cuz I'm new and I had already seen some previous stuff (JDS bonehand knew I was doomed :) ). So we went for it trying not to be in last place and fellow film makers I accomplished what I set out to do :) (HAVE FUN. make a movie. Get some good criticing and don't come in last place, AND LEARN HOW TO GET BETTER :) )

I loved this fest because I got good,bad, and inbetween reviews and I was able to see the results of all that in the spreadsheet. which to me was pretty cool.

Did I like the fact that some movie the bored me to tears was way higher than me.. hell no , But because the spreadsheet was there I looked at that and then checked the threads so maybe I could see why they where way up there and I was way down here. As far as I am concerned it was very helpful and would like it to continue.

my 2 pennies
 
I dont see anything wrong with releasing the spreadsheet, and especially dont see anything wrong with people commenting on where they were ranked in it. And without an entry fee, expect all types of personalities and people to enter in a publicly available forum. The reason why this thread has degradaded into what it is, is because the backlash is not coming from the people commenting about the ranking, but people questioning why they are commenting about where they are ranking. Ever told a sane person they are insane? thats how it is.

After seeing the rankings, i can see these fests are unique, and advice to Mike Petro, dont worry about the ranking, or a good majority of the DVX user comments, IN MY OPINION, because after reading and searching, (specifically on these boards) and being part of this and all and being here forever (past 3 years.) only past half year as a participating member, i can tell you it will please them, but if you want to please the world outside the DVX members bubble, you will need to seek more external advice.

waits to be flamed as usual...
 
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