How do we get people to watch our short?

pauly_the_hitman

pauly_the_hitman

Veteran
Hey guys this is our first stab at the dvxuser fest of any kind and we really worked our tails off and have very few views and comments. Any of you old timers got any suggestions for us? Or is it just because we are in the S's?
 
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I've posted in yours and most others. I plan on commenting in every thread by the end of the week, maybe sooner. It does take some time though.

A lot of people don't have that kind of time so they tend to check out their friends first. Can't really blame them for that. Some films (like O2) have a huge fan base, but they've worked hard to get to that point.

One thing though, unless you've posted in every other thread... the same can be said about you. Now, if we all took the time to comment in every thread... I think everyone would be happy. The problem is... not everyone has the time to pull that off. I was up until 2:30am trying to catch up last night. I don't expect everyone to be doing that.

In the end, you make the film for yourself. Take any comments you receive and try to learn from them the best that you can.

Cheers,

Mike
 
I'll be perfectly honest here, and will probably get a lot of criticism for this... but I tend not to comment on films that had nothing going for them. In other words, if there's something in a film that I enjoyed, I'm definitely going to comment and let those guys know I enjoyed their work. But man, there's... a lot of entries I could barely sit through, so I feel no desire to post on how awful the film was. I KNOW this will happen to me when I submit my first entry, I KNOW my first short will be worthless. I also believe that all of us here KNOW what makes a good film.

In conclusion - if your film is good and people aren't commenting on it, that's a problem. If your film isn't good... well do a better job and next time people will comment. Note that I haven't seen any of your guys entries yet - I'm using the general "you".
 
My two cents... I just finished watching all of them. yes there were several that were not great. I made 3 categories (folders) and sorted them into those folders. After a few views I made a fourth category. I will vote on everyone. I will only comment on the ones where I think I have something to add or suggest or where I was totally blown away or even where I found something that stood out in a positive way. I do have to say, it was tough getting through all of them just due to the time involved, but I know that I want a fair shake at it for the entry that I was involved in, so I am doing my best to do the same for others. Long story short... it doesn't matter to me who you are and what your film was. As an example, I never visited the North thread and I was truly surprised by it. About halfway through it was starting to drag and I was tempted to shut it off, but I am glad I didn't... it was definitely a diamond in the rough for me. There are many others that were a surprise in one way or another.
 
Thanks Guys,
I have been doing the same thing and i am trying to post on all of the entries myself. And having spent two late nights watching them and making notes I see your points. It was just that we have never entered into this type of contest and wasn't sure what to expect. But being that we are in the S category I would say people are starting to get down to them and comment. No worries I am sure it was just a matter of time thanks for the replies.
-Pauly
 
I, too, am going through alphabetically (that's how the zips come) although the first night when I couldn't get the zips to work I downloaded a few individual one's that I had been wanting to see for some time now. I was gone all day yesterday and was unable to watch any but I should be done with them all in a week. I watch one and then comment on it, so don't worry I will get to it eventually.
 
pauly_the_hitman said:
Hey guys this is our first stab at the dvxuser fest of any kind and we really worked our tails off and have very few views and comments. Any of you old timers got any suggestions for us? Or is it just because we are in the S's?
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I've seen yours twice already, really dig it. But I really think it's about you being in the threads long enough where people know you and can't wait for your film to come out kind of thing. The first timers are at the back of the line, UNTIL you begin making more and more and then people will know you. For example, next film fest I'll see your name and know you guys did Survival and will want to watch it in front of others unknown. I guess that 's what it is, but then I could just be high on something.
 
Existentialist said:
I've seen yours twice already, really dig it. But I really think it's about you being in the threads long enough where people know you and can't wait for your film to come out kind of thing. The first timers are at the back of the line, UNTIL you begin making more and more and then people will know you. For example, next film fest I'll see your name and know you guys did Survival and will want to watch it in front of others unknown. I guess that 's what it is, but then I could just be high on something.
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Thanks Tony. I appreciate it and I am starting to get the whole community feel to this I am just so glad we were able to get involved with so many amazing film makers. I have learned so much watching all of the films and trying to find the best qualities in all of them. It is time consuming and exciting all at once. I even have the family watching some of the entries. What a great place for us to express ourselves.
-Pauly
 
I'm new to this site and to filmmaking...and as such I intend on watching and commenting on every film entered. This is a HUGH learning experience for anyone just getting started (that's NOT you...LOVED your film!). I truly appreciate (and welcome) any and all comments and hope one day to create films worthy of this fine group!

...and let me take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who put forth the time and creative energy to enter this contest, no matter what the level.
 
This site ceases to amaze me there are more talented people here then anywhere I have ever found on the Internet but yet everyone is so positive, and helpful. DVXuser.com freaking rocks. I love you guys.
-Pauly
 
Hey pauly, I have not read through this entire thread, but here is my take. Alot of members here take a similar approach to the DVXfests as they would to a theatrical release. I have read it from more than a couple people that hype and advertising is a fair and advantageous approach to scoring well. I dont disagree, but I do personally wish it was more about the films and not about the hype. If you want to have a film that everyone watches first, take a lesson from Mark Johnson. The "O2" thread is 1800 posts long. 1700 of that before the films even went up for viewing. That is mastery of advertising and hype. As I sit through these films, and like someone else said "there's... a lot of entries I could barely sit through,", I just keep in mind that when I do, someday, enter, to make sure I title mine with a NUMBER or an "A" word. I'm sure here will be plenty of voters that dont make it half way through.


At this point? There's nothing you can do. Start that hype machine the week the next fest is announced. That's your best bet.
 
GageFX said:
Hey pauly, I have not read through this entire thread, but here is my take. Alot of members here take a similar approach to the DVXfests as they would to a theatrical release. I have read it from more than a couple people that hype and advertising is a fair and advantageous approach to scoring well. I dont disagree, but I do personally wish it was more about the films and not about the hype. If you want to have a film that everyone watches first, take a lesson from Mark Johnson. The "O2" thread is 1800 posts long. 1700 of that before the films even went up for viewing. That is mastery of advertising and hype. As I sit through these films, and like someone else said "there's... a lot of entries I could barely sit through,", I just keep in mind that when I do, someday, enter, to make sure I title mine with a NUMBER or an "A" word. I'm sure here will be plenty of voters that dont make it half way through.


At this point? There's nothing you can do. Start that hype machine the week the next fest is announced. That's your best bet.
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Yup, marketing is everything, even here.

Have you ever seen those commercials that don't really tell you what the product is, yet keeps you guessing over and over again? There's a powerful tactic if you have time on your hands. Loads of grabs that don't reveal the crux of the story. And like Gage said, 1700 of them. I'm not implying that O2 was pure hype, because it's a tremendous, fantastic film. What I am saying is that it helps to add a good film to the hype :laugh: Once those two are together, you got a winner.

Also, if you have more money and influence, contact Wheaties or Burger King, see if you can get your characters in a Happy Meal bag. I GARANTEE YOU thousands of viewers. :2vrolijk_08:

Wheaties.png
 
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i usually look at the films of people i recognize first and then go down the list alphabetically.
 
GageFX said:
At this point? There's nothing you can do. Start that hype machine the week the next fest is announced. That's your best bet.
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Hmmm... While I'm sure that hype will get you viewership, I can think of many examples where the entry thread didn't show up until one or two days before the fest closed. For example, wasn't JDS and MacGregor's 18 seconds like that?

Also... how about Winter Lilacs? I can't even remember the team's name, yet they placed in LoveFest.

One thing that gets me excited is seeing stills from the entry and/or a well-designed poster. If you have killer stills there's a good chance people will want to see your entry. And check out Drew Ott's "Late" poster. Although somewhat misleading, since that shot didn't make it in the film, it's still a great poster.
 
Michael Anthony Horrigan said:
They didn't win anything. Definitely not in the top 3.
I remember because I was a little disappointed with that. Tough competition though.

Mike
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they got a best newcomer award or something and placed 4th in the voting. from what i've been told, IFHY was something like two or three points behind in 5th place. i don't know how the rest did rest. but the top five WERE all very tight, all within 3 or 4 votes of each other.
 
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