DVD Talk Reviews - Your Help Needed
07-12-99 | 02:08 PM
#1
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From: Marblehead, MA
All,
We are in the process of setting up a new review section and I need your help with 2 things:
1) Tell us what you'd like to see in reviews... Should they be long, short, about the movie, about the DVD. What kind of rating system should we use??
Now is the time to have the most impact, and what you suggest will help how we do reviews on our site!!!
2) I am also looking for a couple of people who are interested in sitting on our review panel. It means writing a fair number of reviews, but if you love DVD and love to write this could be for you. E-mail me at [email protected] if you are interested in being on our panel.
Thanks!
Geoff
------------------
Geoff Kleinman
DVD Talk
[email protected]
We are in the process of setting up a new review section and I need your help with 2 things:
1) Tell us what you'd like to see in reviews... Should they be long, short, about the movie, about the DVD. What kind of rating system should we use??
Now is the time to have the most impact, and what you suggest will help how we do reviews on our site!!!
2) I am also looking for a couple of people who are interested in sitting on our review panel. It means writing a fair number of reviews, but if you love DVD and love to write this could be for you. E-mail me at [email protected] if you are interested in being on our panel.
Thanks!
Geoff
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Geoff Kleinman
DVD Talk
[email protected]
07-12-99 | 02:56 PM
#2
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Sounds like a good idea, Geoff . . .
There are studio contacts who will provide your review panel with screener copies at no charge. This could be an incentive for members who opt to taking the time to giving a worthwhile review of DVD releases.
Also, in preparing to ask for screener copies (with the best request time about 2 weeks prior to the street date), you may want to be prepared to offer up the “number of visitors” to your forum, if asked. I don't know if one (1) visitor who clicks on 50 posts would be considered 50 "visitors", unless you have a method of following the visitor around. (Surely, pass-through's on your link advertising banners may give the studios some idea of your net traffic for those purposes.)
Personally, I like sub-sections for reviews, as seen on other web-sites (Image; Sound; Price; Plot; etc). Roger Ebert is one I usually check with, although his get's long . . . in which case I scan to pick out what I'm looking for. Otherwise, a long review would give more to choose from than a short "take", like the ones I usually write.
In the end, I suggest you allow this to evolve . . . and to be fluid until such time you have the right ingredients to bake the cake you want.
Good luck with this new venture,
Jeremy
(Always looking for a good review.)
</font
Hollywood, California
Circa 1982</font
There are studio contacts who will provide your review panel with screener copies at no charge. This could be an incentive for members who opt to taking the time to giving a worthwhile review of DVD releases.
Also, in preparing to ask for screener copies (with the best request time about 2 weeks prior to the street date), you may want to be prepared to offer up the “number of visitors” to your forum, if asked. I don't know if one (1) visitor who clicks on 50 posts would be considered 50 "visitors", unless you have a method of following the visitor around. (Surely, pass-through's on your link advertising banners may give the studios some idea of your net traffic for those purposes.)
Personally, I like sub-sections for reviews, as seen on other web-sites (Image; Sound; Price; Plot; etc). Roger Ebert is one I usually check with, although his get's long . . . in which case I scan to pick out what I'm looking for. Otherwise, a long review would give more to choose from than a short "take", like the ones I usually write.
In the end, I suggest you allow this to evolve . . . and to be fluid until such time you have the right ingredients to bake the cake you want.
Good luck with this new venture,
Jeremy
(Always looking for a good review.)
</font
Hollywood, California
Circa 1982</font
07-12-99 | 05:43 PM
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I would prefer that the reviews deal with the DVD itself (transfer, features, sound etc...) rather than a review of the movie. Often times, I have seen the movie that I inquire about and do not need other's opinions on whether they liked it or not. If I haven't seen the movie before, I still would like to be able to get the details of the DVD without learning more about the story.
-Jon
-Jon
07-12-99 | 08:07 PM
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From: Clovis, CA. USA
Geoff, the computer I'm on at the moment has no mail program, but I'd be happy to do reviews for the board. I'll email you when I get home. I have about 120 DVD's that have been piling up and I think it time to watch them. 
Robert Jason
Robert Jason
07-12-99 | 11:00 PM
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From: NYC
I agree that keeping it to a short paragraph or 2 is probably good. What is most important to me is the amount and quality of extras. Usually if I'm even considering buying a movie, I've seen it and know whether I'd like to own it. I would never purchase a copy of a film sight unseen. The main reason I bought a DVD player is because I'm a film buff and am intrigued by the nuts and bolts.
One example of this is Rushmore. I absolutely loved the film, but I'm going to hold off on buying the DVD in hopes that a collector's edition comes out. Anyway, Geoff, I assume you got the email I sent you. Let me know if you can use my input.
One example of this is Rushmore. I absolutely loved the film, but I'm going to hold off on buying the DVD in hopes that a collector's edition comes out. Anyway, Geoff, I assume you got the email I sent you. Let me know if you can use my input.
07-13-99 | 12:36 AM
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I feel a good portion of the review should focus on the quality of the DVD . . . especially the picture and sound. I would prefer the panel of reviewers to have a decent home theatre system in order to get an accurate gauge on the sharpness of picture and surround effects of the soundtrack.
After this portion is complete, a brief opinion on the extras and the movie itself couldn't hurt.
As for the rating process, I have always preferred the stars . . . where ***** means the best . . . **1/2 means average . . . and * being worthless . . .
[This message has been edited by needlz (edited 07-12-1999).]
After this portion is complete, a brief opinion on the extras and the movie itself couldn't hurt.
As for the rating process, I have always preferred the stars . . . where ***** means the best . . . **1/2 means average . . . and * being worthless . . .
[This message has been edited by needlz (edited 07-12-1999).]
07-13-99 | 09:42 PM
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From: Seattle, Washington USA
I agree with jilgon--reviews that focus on the DVD quality/features rather than the movie would be most useful.
Many other sites review the movies acceptably, even when we haven't seen them first. The comparative advantage of this site could be excellent evaluations of the DVD.
Many other sites review the movies acceptably, even when we haven't seen them first. The comparative advantage of this site could be excellent evaluations of the DVD.
07-14-99 | 10:33 AM
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From: Allen, Texas
Have you considered Hardware reviews? There are many people who would like a review of xxx brand of machine. I know there are a multiple of sites that review this, I was hoping you, Geoff, could convince the maunfactors to "loan" hardware to you to review and then return. Before it is onthe street.
As for DVD reviews, it should include: picture quality, sound quality, menu, menu ease of use, look and feel, list of extras, pixelation, What movies are on the disc (WS, P&S), frame size, rating description (why it is rated what it is) rating of the comentaties (some of these deserve an R rating), a brief plot description, and reported problems with players. this last one will be an updated as found item.
The reviews need to keep in mind a fair review, just because they personally don't like a movie doesn't mean it is not a god movie. They need to put themselves in the position of the target audience and decide if the movie hit its mark.
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-Steve
As for DVD reviews, it should include: picture quality, sound quality, menu, menu ease of use, look and feel, list of extras, pixelation, What movies are on the disc (WS, P&S), frame size, rating description (why it is rated what it is) rating of the comentaties (some of these deserve an R rating), a brief plot description, and reported problems with players. this last one will be an updated as found item.
The reviews need to keep in mind a fair review, just because they personally don't like a movie doesn't mean it is not a god movie. They need to put themselves in the position of the target audience and decide if the movie hit its mark.
------------------
-Steve
07-14-99 | 06:05 PM
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From: Mars
It's not that easy to recieve screening copies. I get as many as 40,000 visitors a month now and have 160 reviews on my site, but still have not been able to get any screening copies. Luckily I now work at a video store and am the first to watch the discs that come in, but still, it would be nice to recieve some screeners.
My Site: A Guide To Current DVD
[This message has been edited by DVDRules1 (edited 07-14-1999).]
My Site: A Guide To Current DVD
[This message has been edited by DVDRules1 (edited 07-14-1999).]
07-15-99 | 01:21 AM
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You're right about screeners not being easy to get. But they can be easy if the studio contacts know the reviewers will have a fair amount of impact because of who receives them.
Readership has a lot to do with who receives them. Hits on a web site with several pages, discussions, posts, and replies doesn't necessarily translate to households, unless the software can follow the ID. Web links and pass-throughs are more valuable than mere hits.
Anyway, a small budget of $150 a month could allow for 15 DVD new releases per month if it had to be purchased. But then you don't get the head start before street date.
If reviews are going to be screened after street date, they could be just rented at $3 each, which allow 50 DVD's a month to be reviewed.
But establishing and maintaining a business relationship with the studio contact who holds the postage stamp in their hand to send you a free screener . . . is a relationship worth pursuing!
Readership has a lot to do with who receives them. Hits on a web site with several pages, discussions, posts, and replies doesn't necessarily translate to households, unless the software can follow the ID. Web links and pass-throughs are more valuable than mere hits.
Anyway, a small budget of $150 a month could allow for 15 DVD new releases per month if it had to be purchased. But then you don't get the head start before street date.
If reviews are going to be screened after street date, they could be just rented at $3 each, which allow 50 DVD's a month to be reviewed.
But establishing and maintaining a business relationship with the studio contact who holds the postage stamp in their hand to send you a free screener . . . is a relationship worth pursuing!
