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Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

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Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Old 11-20-10, 01:46 PM
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Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Shoot.
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Old 11-20-10, 01:53 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

DON'T CALL IT A "MOVIE" CHALLENGE IF YOU ARE ALLOWING TV SHOWS!!!

If it's called "movie" challenge, ONLY movies should be allowed.

It's probably best to just call it the "October Horror DVD Challenge" or "October Horror Challenge". That way it's more appropriate to allow tv shows, commentaries, documentaries, etc...
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Old 11-20-10, 02:27 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

I'll commend you for the decision to include TV shows this year, Chad. I think you handled it well. You made the call and then absorbed the feedback, both positive and negative, and remained firm with the choice. I was honestly fine either way, but glad to be able to zip through several of the Tales From the Crypt seasons which were a blast.

There's very little that can be done to make the challenge better in my opinion. It's success to me is built largely in numbers, not so much the number of movies watched, but rather the number of participants which seems to grow each year (including many first-timers, some of which join the forum or begin posting as a direct result of the challenge). It's also fantastic to see the increasing number of sponsors. The goal with this challenge and the others on the forum should be fun, and I subscribe to the theory of "The more the merrier!" so anything that involves increased participation should be the aim.
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Old 11-20-10, 02:45 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

I'd say this year was as close to perfect as it can get. The TV shows being included was great in my opinion, I don't see how horror TV is any less worthy than a movie as long as we add up the run times for an entry. There was no drama at all it seemed, the lists were great and people seemed to be having a ton of fun as always. The increased number of sponsors from last year was mind blowing. I think we had something like 5 prizes last year? That increased 4x this year, very cool.

I can't really think of anything else at this point.
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Old 11-20-10, 04:01 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

This was my first time to participate in the Horror Challenge and I had lots of fun. I suprised myself by exceeding 100 films as I truly thought I'd be lucky to hit 75! Of course it helped that my passion in Horror/Sci-Fi films are 30's-60's "B" films which tend to have shorter running lengths.

Having TV included did *not* bother me at all. I did not watch any TV shows but the way they are added together is good and keeps the "film length" aspect in place, plus it keeps that option open. Since I purchased "Thriller" (the TV series) I might be tempted to use some of that next year if the TV option is still in place.

Overall, I can't think of a single thing I'd change except the title if TV is kept and then just remove the "Movie" part making it "October Horror Challenge". It seemed to work well for all participants, even those who objected to TV being included.

Thanks for running this Chad! I can't imagine the back end work needed for one of these but it can't be all fun and games, especially doing the final tallies!
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Old 11-20-10, 07:35 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

I loved the inclusion of TV shows, especially since there are so many great ones (Tales from the Crypt, Twilight Zone, Walking Dead... etc.). I think this year's challenge was the best (outta the 2 I have been apart of).
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Old 11-20-10, 08:50 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Perhaps combine NC-17 and X into one point on the checklist? Just me? Also add cannibal to the checklist.
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Old 11-20-10, 10:26 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

I don't mind the inclusion of tv shows. I enjoyed joining in for the first time since the first one years ago. Only thing I would have liked would be for the actors on the checklist to be a "watch 5 of the following actors" as opposed to pairings. Although, I assume your pairings were done that way for a reason. No real complaints from me. Just a lot of fun.
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Old 11-20-10, 10:56 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

My first horror challenge, and I was glad to be able to count The Walking Dead, even if I was unable to get to True Blood and Buffy. Finally seeing The Evil Dead was also a win.
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Old 11-20-10, 11:43 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

I think someone should accidentally misplace the Elviria checklist item; we can just pretend it was never there. I want to like it's existence on the list but had a hard time finding her stuff so it felt obscure.
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Old 11-20-10, 11:51 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

If there is cost involved in mailing prizes to participants maybe it would be worth setting up a Paypal donation account for that purpose (maybe even deactivating it once sufficient funds are secured).
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Old 11-21-10, 01:16 AM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Originally Posted by Undeadcow
I think someone should accidentally misplace the Elviria checklist item; we can just pretend it was never there. I want to like it's existence on the list but had a hard time finding her stuff so it felt obscure.
http://www.hulu.com/search?query=elvira&st=0&fs=
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Old 11-21-10, 09:01 AM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Originally Posted by SterlingBen
Perhaps combine NC-17 and X into one point on the checklist?...
I have to amend my comments and add this too! I completely forgot about it! Yes, combine! When you read the wording of the 2 ratings, they are the same thing. The MPAA changed the system after the porn takeover of the "X" rating so people would not think these films were porn.
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Old 11-21-10, 09:39 AM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Originally Posted by cardsfan111
There's very little that can be done to make the challenge better in my opinion. It's success to me is built largely in numbers, not so much the number of movies watched, but rather the number of participants which seems to grow each year (including many first-timers, some of which join the forum or begin posting as a direct result of the challenge). It's also fantastic to see the increasing number of sponsors. The goal with this challenge and the others on the forum should be fun, and I subscribe to the theory of "The more the merrier!" so anything that involves increased participation should be the aim.

Originally Posted by SethDLH
I'd say this year was as close to perfect as it can get.
Agreed, Chad outdoes himself every year.

No biggie, but the only thing I'd change is to switch to the Holiday Challenge numbering. I think some people see the 100 film goal and get scared away, despite the continuous wording that numbers don't matter. Allowing the combination of 100 shorts, shows, or films to fulfill the "100 Challenge" would increase participation imo. But I know I'm pretty much solo in those thoughts.....
Originally Posted by Undeadcow
If there is cost involved in mailing prizes to participants maybe it would be worth setting up a Paypal donation account for that purpose (maybe even deactivating it once sufficient funds are secured).
Amen! Chad shouldn't be on the hook for the shipping on the prizes each year. Let's do this.
Originally Posted by BobO'Link
I have to amend my comments and add this too! I completely forgot about it! Yes, combine! When you read the wording of the 2 ratings, they are the same thing. The MPAA changed the system after the porn takeover of the "X" rating so people would not think these films were porn.
Good point. But if we combine those I think we need to add M and GP.
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Old 11-21-10, 10:04 AM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

I was one who was originally against inclusion of TV, but I think its time had come. If the participant wants to keep it pure, there's nothing stopping him from only watching movies, but the inclusion of TV was an improvement. To be blunt, what I found to be the best improvement was actually the process. The question was brought up, debated (or had been debated over the years), then decided. Voting never really works. Too many like the status quo in principle, regardless of the obvious improvement, but once presented with the new, in practice, the improvement can be embraced. It was something I did on the Drive-in Challenge and it was picked up upon by the Sci-Fi challenge then the Horror Challenge. Sometimes the guy in charge needs to be in charge. If something is a good idea, then unless there is a compelling reason to exclude it, it should be implemented. TV was good, Fantasy was good. That isn't to say the guy running the challenge should run roughshod over everyone. Chad did it right: Here's the proposal. Why is this a good idea or bad idea? OK, let's do it (or not).

I like that DVDTalk has embraced the challenges as community building exercises. I like that they are more casual challenges without the hyper-competitiveness of the past or the "list questioning".

Now to the checklist issues.

I agree that NC-17 and X should be combined on the checklist. Very few films actually were released carrying the X, as most either went unrated or cut for release and put back in for home video. Even that link provided on the checklist points to half a dozen Horror films and most mention they either cut or went unrated. Unless it was released in a theater with an X, or lists one on the DVD case it doesn't count as X. MPAA threats don't count as X. I'm keeping the X on the Drive-in challenge because the X was specifically embraced by Exploitation. I'd drop the "unrated pre-MPAA" category. It's kind of a stupid category once you think about it.

I'd get rid of the Criterion category, too. Criterion really has nothing to do with "Horror". I'd prefer a more general "Art Horror film" type of category if "Criterion" is meant to be about content type ("Foreign Film" has been covered), or I would pick a Horror specific studio/releasing arm (Like Troma or Ghosthouse or something).

I'd also " * " the pre-1920 categories as "optional". They weren't features.

I'd like to re-mention my concept for having a grab bag of 50 or so actors and directors to choose from rather than specific actors of the listmaker's choosing. They wouldn't be "safe-lists" like in the Drive-in challenge. B-Movie actors tended to always be in B-movies (other than one or two shots at "The Game") and their presence is often enough to define the genre. Most actors we associate with Horror might only have a small percentage of their output actually BE Horror. But the concept of a grab bag still holds. Let ME choose if I would rather watch Barbara Steele over Debbie Rochon.
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Old 11-21-10, 10:17 AM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the inclusion of TV titles in the challenge. I mind the name of the challenge if TV titles are allowed. One simple word change in the thread title is all it takes.

"TV show" does not equal "movie" in my book (nor should it in anyone else's book).

Fix it by calling it the "October Horror Challenge".
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Old 11-21-10, 11:43 AM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

I don't think it's that much of an issue.

Take for example AT&T, which stands for American Telephone & Telegraph. I'm not sure they're doing that much telegraph business but they're also doing more than just telephone service.
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Old 11-21-10, 01:43 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Of course AT&T did change their name to be AT&T inc., i.e. the letters are no longer an abbreviation but is the actual name.

That said, I agree. The name is a legacy rather than being literal.
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Old 11-21-10, 10:47 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

I made a few suggestions in the discussion thread, and now I'm trying to remember what they were. I know that combining NC-17 & X was one of them. Another was aligning the Daily Film subset with the Daily Theme subset; I know I suggested it too late for Chad to really do much with it, but there were about a third I think that did work out that way and it seemed to be a well received idea.

I also recall suggesting that maybe one of the more prominent make-up artists be added to the 2011 checklist, in recognition of the impact that the job has had on the genre. I'd be happy to come up with some specific suggestions for consideration if this appeals to anyone else.

Also in the discussion thread, someone had suggested making the Theatrical Showing part of the Daily Theme subset a floating item where we could go any day of the month instead of having to go on a specific day. I'd rather see it removed altogether, but if it is to remain I agree with freeing up participants to go whenever they find it convenient.

Regarding the title of the challenge, it can be called the "2011 DVD Talk Audio/Visual Entertainment Media with a Concentration on Horror Challenge" for all I care. Just let me know where to post my list.
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Old 11-21-10, 11:04 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Okay, I lied. I do have a few suggestions...

-Combine NC-17 and X rating checklist items

-Instead of having a section of actors to watch films from how about a larger list of actors, directors and a couple of makeup artists we can pick from. This is very similar to what caligulathegod is saying

-I like the floating Theater experience for the 31 day subset thing. Picking a single day can greatly limit your choices of what is in the theater compared to have the entire month to pick out which movie you want to spend the $ on seeing in the theater.

That is it for now
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Old 11-21-10, 11:09 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Originally Posted by MinLShaw
Also in the discussion thread, someone had suggested making the Theatrical Showing part of the Daily Theme subset a floating item where we could go any day of the month instead of having to go on a specific day. I'd rather see it removed altogether, but if it is to remain I agree with freeing up participants to go whenever they find it convenient.
Originally Posted by SethDLH
-I like the floating Theater experience for the 31 day subset thing. Picking a single day can greatly limit your choices of what is in the theater compared to have the entire month to pick out which movie you want to spend the $ on seeing in the theater.
I'm a rare participant in the daily subset threads (in fact, I'm not sure if I commented on any of them this year), but I've always treated all of the films/days chosen as "floating" meaning that I don't have to watch a film on a particular day. I could watch it the day before and wait to comment, or view a film a week later and then chime in with thoughts in the subset thread. This would be especially true with the theatrical selection--maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think it was intended to mean that you had to go to the theater on that particular day alone.
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Old 11-21-10, 11:30 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Originally Posted by cardsfan111
I'm a rare participant in the daily subset threads (in fact, I'm not sure if I commented on any of them this year), but I've always treated all of the films/days chosen as "floating" meaning that I don't have to watch a film on a particular day. I could watch it the day before and wait to comment, or view a film a week later and then chime in with thoughts in the subset thread. This would be especially true with the theatrical selection--maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think it was intended to mean that you had to go to the theater on that particular day alone.
If that's how it is then fair enough. I haven't participated in the subsets yet, but I do intend to help make it even more interesting and challenging next year.
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Old 11-21-10, 11:37 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

Originally Posted by cardsfan111
I'm a rare participant in the daily subset threads (in fact, I'm not sure if I commented on any of them this year), but I've always treated all of the films/days chosen as "floating" meaning that I don't have to watch a film on a particular day. I could watch it the day before and wait to comment, or view a film a week later and then chime in with thoughts in the subset thread. This would be especially true with the theatrical selection--maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think it was intended to mean that you had to go to the theater on that particular day alone.
It was always my understanding that the whole point of "daily" films and themes assigned to specific days was that they were to be viewed on those specific days. The idea behind this is that it gets participants watching the same thing(s) each day, hopefully sparking an interesting discussion. Otherwise, they're just additional checklists.
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Old 11-22-10, 07:35 AM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

I am still against inclusion of TV... but I seem to be in the minority. All in All I think it works out fine, and runs smooth. Really ran smooth this year because we didn't have list of 1700 movies.
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Old 11-22-10, 01:37 PM
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Re: Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2011 "October Horror Movie Challenge"

I am very much FOR the inclusion of TV episodes in the challenge and I also think one of the categories should be "Watch a made for TV horror movie" as there are some really good ones.
There was already a category for "based on a novel" but another good one could be "was made into a novelization", this means movies upon which books were made.
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