by dj_ultima_the_great » Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:32 pm
Before I respond to anyone, I do want to mention that I've read and analyzed every post, but since there are so many, I can't respond to each and every person individually. I'd like to, but I haven't been around my computer as much as I'd like in the past few days.
First and foremost, it seems like the general consensus is that ya'll look for creators you know. For those with a crappy connection, I can completely forgive you for not downloading a video that you're not sure of. My best friend is in the same situation, and she tends to rely on me and a flash drive to obtain the "good" videos. So, I have sympathy for the 56k-ers out there and I don't blame any of you. However, I know I'm not the only one on a cable modem here. Yet, it seems like the last half dozen announcement threads I've posted on didn't get any other replies until I gave it a chance and posted a mini-review. Then other people were like, "hey, maybe this is worth my time."
Also, I find it convenient that Koop was brought up in this thread, because I was going to use him in a hypothetical situation. Namely, if an unknown creator (like me) posts a clear, concise thread title that says something to the effect of...
Saikano - Fastball - "Vampires" - Romance/Profile
...and Koopiskeva posts the exact same thing, what you're telling me is that he'll get ten times as many replies as the unknown? Just because he's popular? Doesn't that seem...vain? I mean, doesn't the unknown deserve the same chance as everyone else?
If you want a real application of this, then allow me to describe the following situation: several weeks ago, -M_X_R- (sorry to use you as an example, but it was the one I had planned if this topic came up) posts 'Step Inside,' a Silent Hill 2 video. It's a pretty uncommon video source, the music was unique, and the editing was great. Over the course of the entire time the thread was there, it got maybe a handful of replies. I was one of them. A couple weeks back, arigatomina posts 'Dark Half,' a fan-animated video. It was an uncommon concept, had overused music, and the editing was solid. Within the first day, it gets more replies than 'Step Inside' does during its entire run.
How is this merited?
The videos were both great and worth the download, but MXR got the shaft. To me, the only thing that made ari's video more popular was her status on the site.
I don't want to resort to saying something childish like "that's not fair!", but isn't it true?
So, after enduring all of that, let me pose another question. What does it take for an unknown to get noticed? Is the indication of the anime and music in the title enough? Does the unknown have to get his or her previous works critiqued to death in the Exchange forum, and then come back with his/her next video to the Announcements?
Let me ask this as well.
silver_moon, how did you (or Sierra) get popular in the first place? What did you do to put you at whatever high place you're sitting at now? (Please don't take that offensively or sarcastically. I actually meant it as a compliment to your talent - and your sister's.)
My second point (and not nearly as elaborated as the first) is this: if most of you don't watch videos to anime you don't know, then can I assume that you read anime magazines or watch TV promos (or something of the like) in order to see new ones? For me, watching AMVs is basically how I learn of new shows. If it weren't for the couple of AMVs that were submitted to my free opinion thread, I don't think I would have ever watched Elfen Lied (as I just finished a few days ago).
Out of curiosity, my third point is this: who here, besides myself, is willing to take chances on new or unknown creators?
My final point is one of pure self-indulgence. If I posted a video there, who would take a chance on me? I tend to be a bit of a forum whore (as Sammy put it, and I'm inclined to agree, honestly), so it's not like people here don't know me. Assuming that you have never seen a video of mine, where would I rate? Again, this one is just for sating my thoughts, so please be brutally honest. (Trust me, I'm an extremely difficult person to offend.)
I think that's all. You've all given me a lot to absorb, and I thank you for that. I like to mull over these types of things.
- dj_ultima_the_great
PS: in the time it has taken me to type this all up, Keeper of Hellfire and arigatomina also posted. So, ari, you get to see yourself in an example. ^_^;;