Major Site Changes Coming

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NorBro said:
The old-timer DVXuser NorBro thinks the move is so radical that it's actually deliberate to end the forum for good,
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You've said this kind of thing a few times, and I admit I don't understand the thought process behind it.

1) Why would we want to do that?

2) If we did, the site would just disappear.
 
David Jimerson said:
You've said this kind of thing a few times, and I admit I don't understand the thought process behind it.

1) Why would we want to do that?

2) If we did, the site would just disappear.
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The thought-process comes from the software/hardware industry, according to experts on the subject, where you basically break stuff or slow it down because you want it to quietly disappear or have people use something new/different.

I only really said it/meant it about BMCuser which I do still believe (no way an outage lasts for months, never) - but I really don't believe that to be the case here.

But this idea is just so nuts, man.

Filmmaking in 2024?

Barely anyone discussed filmmaking here for the last 15 years, and when someone posted their work the threads maybe got one post/reply.

I remember because I always felt bad for the people but it wasn't going to be me who was going to watch it so what could I do.
 
A lot of knee-jerk reaction in here to things that aren’t going to happen.

Filmmaking is a general term that includes content creation. Of course it’s more than narrative. Commercial, documentary, reality, food, lifestyle, blog/vlog, sketch comedy… the list goes on. Remember, though, that the site is, and always has been, “The Online Community for Filmmaking”.

Technical discussions aren’t going away, just being restructured into more logical places.

Nobody’s “dictating what should be talked about”. There will still be a place to discuss cameras.
 
Alex H. said:
Nobody’s “dictating what should be talked about”. There will still be a place to discuss cameras.
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Yeah, but where and how? To quote David: "We will be ending individual camera forums"

Not being able to have a thread about a specific camera hardly seems like a step in the right direction. If I'm looking for information about camera X, I sure don't want to have to dig through dozens of pages that cover every camera under the sun.
 
It seems that right now, before changes are made, is the best time to give you our "focus group" feedback. I hope someone is listening and the die has not been cast already.
 
Doug Jensen said:
Yeah, but where and how? To quote David: "We will be ending individual camera forums"

Not being able to have a thread about a specific camera hardly seems like a step in the right direction. If I'm looking for information about camera X, I sure don't want to have to dig through dozens of pages that cover every camera under the sun.
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As I said, we'll be making things clearer as we move along.
 
I'm just poking my head in to say that I for one would be happy to see the focus here go that direction, as I have become less interested in the pixel-peeping aspect and would rather talk about filmmaking. But, I can certainly see why so many regulars would be less enthused. And from time to time I've come in to ask questions that lean on the collective knowledge here that is highly technical in nature. Curious to see how it all ends up.
 
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It would be a bit disorganized to shove all camera types into one category, in my opinion. Not all people who use a camera want to actually make films; some just want to use a camera. They may just be a camera specialist (or enthusiast), not a filmmaker. That's like there are audio specialists, not musicians.
 
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I think it would be cool to do more AMA's with people who are making cool stuff. I did one with Brawley after The Great came out and it was very informative. I know that Charles did something similar with Key & Peele and that thread is one of the top Google hits when you search for the name of the show plus his name.

There are dvxusers making cool stuff such as docs for Netflix etc that I don't even know about until it comes up tangentially. Plus I'm sure that dvxusers know high-profile professionals who could be persuaded to come on and have a chat about their projects. That would interest me.

One other thing I think is of acute interest but has little to do with technique is the matter of navigating the changing industry landscape. Linear TV is in free fall. California is in a bad way. Most streamers are facing a reckoning. The global box office seems to have stabilized but at a lower level than before the pandemic.

I know that sports viewership is very healthy but I read that ESPN is planning to spread its content over numerous platforms including TikTok so that it's less tied to linear TV. I'd be curious to hear from Run&Gun if he knows anything about that and if it has any bearing on what he does.

But basically how to survive in this profession. That's a pressing question. If the site just wants to be about making no-budget indies and getting them into Sundance then maybe that doesn't matter.
 
I have an open mind about a different approach. The tech stuff is important and will always be a part of anything film/video/audio. But the soul of it all is the creativity. If discussions could be had about craft and maybe more business I think this is a healthy step away from the tech which has been lifted by the rising tide so to speak...

One thing I think is a possible negative is the new entrants into the field just asking how to do things for jobs they took under the guise of discussing films. After 20 years shooting, I am weary of this kind of sharing and have seen quite a few people over the years leave forums over this very topic. Exchange is great. Giving low ball priced competitors info on how to undercut your services is not. While we can choose to participate or not, if the site wants more participation, some cloud cover for this area in the design ethos might be wise.

It is about creating a culture and for some reason, DVX has lost a lot of its culture imho. Like NorBro pointed out, maybe it is not there at all anymore. Or maybe it can be cultivated. So good luck with your changes and I will be here hoping it turns out well.
 
CharlesPapert said:
I'm just poking my head in to say that I for one would be happy to see the focus here go that direction, as I have become less interested in the pixel-peeping aspect (z¸ and would rather talk about filmmaking. But, I can certainly see why so many regulars would be less enthused. And from time to time I've come in to ask questions that lean on the collective knowledge here that is highly technical in nature. Curious to see how it all ends up.
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Threads like yours are invaluable and we hope to see a lot more like it. Thanks for all the fantastic information and insights you've shared. (y)

There will still be room for technical talk.
 
I'm always interested to hear about new site changes coming. Of course the problem with teasing anything before it's quite ready is the deluge of questions, assumptions and fears from users, as we've seen here.

My personal opinion, I like the technical stuff and I also like hearing about filmmaking or production challenges. I come here to talk to like-minded people, to gain knowledge from others who hopefully have encountered some of the same problems or challenges I might be facing.

Sometimes I get answers and sometimes not. Sometimes I'm merely entertained by the conversations. But the beauty of the internet, in my mind, is that it's as wide and as varied as the universe. If I don't like how things end up here, I don't have to participate and there's probably somewhere else I can go.

Let's see how things shake out.
 
You said
Our goal is to put its focus back on making films...with our most prominent section being the Screening Room, where members can display what they’ve made, hopefully with help from other DVXuser members...

The idea is that people discuss and learn filmmaking first and foremost...and everything that goes into making films...

...encourage all to get out there, learn filmmaking, and come back with results.
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That sounds like an emphasis on student filmmaking and/or self-financed directing. And I don't think I was the only one who interpreted it that way since Doug Jensen wrote:

I have about as much interest in hearing about most people's pet projects and "films" as I'd like hearing about their kids.
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I wouldn't go that far. I'm happy to support my fellow dvxusers and I enjoyed workshopping Paul F's story ideas.

But I'm a freelance professional and my main interests here are building a community of colleagues and sharing our knowledge and experiences. I used to work on indy and narrative films but now I work mainly in advertising.
 
Just for clarification, I hope my earlier post wasn’t interpreted as being “anti-filmmaking”. I appreciate all forms of production and some of what I do can and does obviously fall under that broader classification. And whether or not my primary discipline is making narrative works or not, I do enjoy and learn from the contributions of Charles and John(when he was here) and others like Grug.

I just wanted to makes sure that I conveyed my opinion, as a long time site member, that DVX should remain a home and resource to those involved in all forms of production, whether you’re shooting corporate interviews, live TV, or multi-million dollar theatrical release movies and anything & everything in-between.
 
They say the best way to hide an April Fool's joke is to not do it in April.


I've probably posted more of my videos and movies here than the average user, but I've gained way more benefit from learning technical knowledge here than from the comments on my videos, which, to a large extent is often, "Good job," and then I pat myself on the back and don't become a better filmmaker. Constructive criticism may be useful, but not as useful as (random example) knowing how to turn off SDI display overlays on a Sony F55 when the celebrity client is waiting on you to clear it.

My personal approach to cinematography has always been more technical than emotional. So often I run across filmmakers who talk a lot of BS emotional stuff and sound like they'll make some awesome movie, but then it looks like crud because they don't know the technical side.

Film clients sometimes ask me, "How will your cinematography choices fit the story we have written?" And my answer may be along the lines of, "I'll use my technical knowledge to make images that are of similar quality to the footage from my site and reels that got you interested in hiring me." I probably didn't read their script anyway. Doesn't tend to work well as an answer to inexperienced filmmakers who want to hear a lot of emotional BS answer, but if it's BS they want instead of quality technical images, they can hire someone else, which, in one particular case they did, and fired that DP half way through production because he was terrible, and the trailer looked poorly shot, but as least they got a BS DP over a technically savvy DP as while I'm not the best DP out there I was definitely better than who they hired.
 
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Eric Coughlin said:
They say the best way to hide an April Fool's joke is to not do it in April.


I've probably posted more of my videos and movies here than the average user, but I've gained way more benefit from learning technical knowledge here than from the comments on my videos, which, to a large extent is often, "Good job," and then I pat myself on the back and don't become a better filmmaker. Constructive criticism may be useful, but not as useful as (random example) knowing how to turn off SDI display overlays on a Sony F55 when the celebrity client is waiting on you to clear it.

My personal approach to cinematography has always been more technical than emotional. So often I run across filmmakers who talk a lot of BS emotional stuff and sound like they'll make some awesome movie, but then it looks like crud because they don't know the technical side.

Film clients sometimes ask me, "How will your cinematography choices fit the story we have written?" And my answer may be along the lines of, "I'll use my technical knowledge to make images that are of similar quality to the footage from my site and reels that got you interested in hiring me." Doesn't tend to work well as an answer to inexperienced filmmakers who want to hear a lot of emotional BS answer, but if it's BS they want instead of quality technical images, they can hire someone else.
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I disagree, because what about a news videographer?

You can't expect someone who is chasing tornados to bring lights, nor can you just tell a football game to stop because the composition isn't filmic. The helicopter footage of chase sequences isn't filmic, nor is the footage police officers have of their body or dash cams. Going on, I am more in shock when I watch security camera footage of what goes on in a gas station than I am of some these horror films.

I understand practicality and sticking to it is a good skill, but adaptiveness is a good skill too. So, wouldn't it be better to grab a Sony FX6 with some good zoom lenses adaptively getting a scene, instead of trying to get it just perfect?
 
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A news videographer who would get out of focus underexposed shots if they had figured out how to turn their camera on is what you would call a bad news videographer.

Technical skill is required in a technical profession. I didn't say anything about capturing perfect shots with perfect lighting, but generally speaking if you know the technical very well you can achieve artistic as well, or in the case of news, capture the shot well.

On the other hand, if you just know artistic and not technical, well, maybe you can make YouTube videos or the next Blair Witch Project, but don't expect to get hired as a DP making good rates.

Consider the technical failure of this filmmaker who forgot to take the lens cap off for the duration of filming a feature film.

 
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The people shooting news, at least at the top end, are capable of filmic composition. The OB camera operators at sports events can also do it on the fly, they're that good. Live helicopter chases are about following the action on the ground, while doing the same thing in the Tour de France is also about bringing in the landscape, which is part of the attraction for many viewers.

Cinema uses all styles when telling a story, directors and DPs know how to get rough and ready when required to take the audience into the action, for example the D day landings in "Saving Private Ryan". Less than totally perfect takes do get used because an actor's performance is better.
 
Eric Coughlin said:
They say the best way to hide an April Fool's joke is to not do it in April.


I've probably posted more of my videos and movies here than the average user, but I've gained way more benefit from learning technical knowledge here than from the comments on my videos, which, to a large extent is often, "Good job," and then I pat myself on the back and don't become a better filmmaker. Constructive criticism may be useful, but not as useful as (random example) knowing how to turn off SDI display overlays on a Sony F55 when the celebrity client is waiting on you to clear it.

My personal approach to cinematography has always been more technical than emotional. So often I run across filmmakers who talk a lot of BS emotional stuff and sound like they'll make some awesome movie, but then it looks like crud because they don't know the technical side.

Film clients sometimes ask me, "How will your cinematography choices fit the story we have written?" And my answer may be along the lines of, "I'll use my technical knowledge to make images that are of similar quality to the footage from my site and reels that got you interested in hiring me." I probably didn't read their script anyway. Doesn't tend to work well as an answer to inexperienced filmmakers who want to hear a lot of emotional BS answer, but if it's BS they want instead of quality technical images, they can hire someone else, which, in one particular case they did, and fired that DP half way through production because he was terrible, and the trailer looked poorly shot, but as least they got a BS DP over a technically savvy DP as while I'm not the best DP out there I was definitely better than who they hired.
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Right on, 100%.
 
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