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Tom Betts
User Expert Shedian
Posts: 105
Re:The future of Film Shed - 2008/06/22 23:571. How often so you visit Film Shed? I check in most days.
2. What sections of the site do you use regularly (e.g. forums, blogs, calendar, private messages, Script Shed etc.) and what sections do you never or rarely use? I read and use the forums, read the blogs, glance at the calendar (the forums give a good idea of upcoming events) and very occasionally use the private message function. I haven't blogged here or Script Shedded.
3. Do you use the site for filmmaking (to ask technical questions, script feedback, self-promotion, find cast and crew etc.), or just to chat with friends? If its a bit of both, what's the ratio? 80% promotion, 20% chat. That sounds bad, doesn't it.
4. How easy is the site to use? Can you navigate the site easily? Which aspects do you find user-friendly and which do you find counter-intuitive? The site's easy to use, though I wouldn't mind more forum posts listed on the front page and a clear statement of the site's purpose there too.
5. What features are currently missing from the site that you would really like to see? Please think about how you currently use the site - if you only use it to chat with friends and you'd just like to see more social features, please say so. One feature I would like to add to the new site is private and public usergroups for filmmakers working on projects together (to share script changes, alert cast and crew of updates etc.). This sounds useful, but a bit facebooky.
6. Any other comments, positive or negative. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing that most of FilmShed's users are based in the South Wales area. It might be better to serve a specific community really well than to do an ok job catering to a wider and less connected group. Maybe the important thing is just to have a clear and distinctive focus, and that could be the regional thing, or it could be something else.
Anyway, I've gained contacts, friends and audiences through FilmShed and I hope it continues in some form or other. Thanks.
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Andrew Jones
User Platinum Shedian
Posts: 803
Re:The future of Film Shed - 2008/06/24 18:021. How often so you visit Film Shed?
Daily if I have access to a computer.
2. What sections of the site do you use regularly (e.g. forums, blogs, calendar, private messages, Script Shed etc.) and what sections do you never or rarely use?
I regularly use the Blogs,Forums and Private Messages. I rarely use Script Shed, although would like to use it more frequently.
3. Do you use the site for filmmaking (to ask technical questions, script feedback, self-promotion, find cast and crew etc.), or just to chat with friends? If its a bit of both, what's the ratio?
50% for reading and getting involved in film related discussion, 50% for promoting my latest work and hearing about other people's.
4. How easy is the site to use? Can you navigate the site easily? Which aspects do you find user-friendly and which do you find counter-intuitive? (Script Shed is one area that I know is poor and would be replaced on the new site with something much easier to use).
Personally I find it very easy to navigate, although as pointed out Script Shed could be a little easier and if it was I'd use it more frequently. But as a whole I find the site very user friendly.
5. What features are currently missing from the site that you would really like to see? Please think about how you currently use the site - if you only use it to chat with friends and you'd just like to see more social features, please say so. One feature I would like to add to the new site is private and public usergroups for filmmakers working on projects together (to share script changes, alert cast and crew of updates etc.).
I would like to see regular interviews with both local filmmakers,actors and crew and well known national/international filmmakers,actors and crew etc.
6. Any other comments, positive or negative.
I owe this site alot. Film Shed has played a massive part in the progression of my fledgling film career. It has allowed me to meet like minded filmmakers who have become both friends and colleagues and it's created a real sense of community down here in South Wales. When I first came to the website I was a shouty single minded anarchist who wanted to be a maverick artist, but now I've become a business minded filmmaker looking to quietly make my way up the industry ladder and promote Welsh filmmaking. I credit Film Shed and the people affiliated to it with helping me significantly in the learning curve I've experienced over the past couple of years. The immense support I get from the members of this website warms my heart.Masterplan Film Productions Ltd http://www.masterplanfilms.co.uk
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Steve Pierce
Admin Admin
Posts: 636
Re:The future of Film Shed - 2008/07/25 14:03Thanks so much to everyone who responded. Your comments have helped me enormously in deciding the direction to take the new site. Apologies if any of my responses below seem abrupt - there is a lot to say and I'm trying to keep this post as short as I can.
Some specific points first:
Simon: I'd consider a *very* small directory for companies, funding schemes etc. that are relevant to filmmakers in Wales but large directories need to be kept up to date and are very labour intensive and unfortunately I don't have the time to maintain it. Until we can get these companies to use the site and maintain their own information I think this is really something either the WSC or Film Agency could better provide on their websites (and perhaps already do?).
Andrea: Glad you find the site easy to use. I work in IT and forget sometimes how normal people interact with websites so that's reassuring. The new site will be even easier and less cluttered. Again, I don't plan to publish a directory of script reading services, production companies etc. but the new site should encourage more Shedians to offer their thoughts on your work.
Jo: Your comment about preferring e-mail communication was really helpful and made me rethink how to implement the groups. The idea of reports was also great and the groups have now evolved into a new Projects Section (see below) which should cover everything you asked for. I'll need to think about how to implement CV uploading.
James: New blood is the key to keeping the site fresh and I'm going to work harder to promote the new site once it is up and running. New filmmakers may be put off because it's not apparent that any filmmaking is going on at all as the chat/banter is overwhelming. I'm not looking to curb any of this as it's an important part of the community, but rather restructure the site so that casual visitors (and professionals) can find more easily the information about what films are being made and by who. Unfortunately I no longer live in Cardiff so restarting the monthly Film Shed Night alone would prove too much. Also, don't forget Chapter MovieMaker which Tom Betts has run tirelessly since the dawn of time.
DaveM: Nice comment about Facebook. I realised I was reinventing the wheel with the usergroups and I've rethought my strategy. Thanks.
Ryan: From day one Film Shed has always been a place to find interviews with low-budget filmmakers. I'm very grateful to Jordan Brown for all the work he did in providing articles for the site because unfortunately I don't have the time any more to produce them on a regular basis. Here's a suggestion - two Shedians could get together and discuss each others' latest films over a pint, record it on an mp3 recorder and upload it to the site for everyone to listen to and respond. Alternatively ask a fellow Shedian to watch your movie and e-mail you some decent, probing questions about it (no fluff guys!). CC me into the response, include a couple of stills and I'll post it on the site. If people can chip in like this is dramatically decreases my wokload and at the same time makes the community a better place. As for bridging the gap between the paid professionals and the unpaid passionate, I hope that the new Projects section (see below) will in time do just that. Cheers for the comments.
Dave: You've been missing out. There's a feed of the 10 latest forum posts here. Also (nerds only beyond this point) the new site will be pure css/tableless which is ideal for mobile browsers and screenreaders, possibly with OpenID incorporation. Feeds will also play a massive role in notifications, but asking around I was amazed at how few people actually use them. Re: Videos - the new Projects Section will allow links to videos on YouTube (possibly also embedding).
Tom: I think the fact that you visit every day and still want more forum posts on the front page shows how badly structured the site currently is. Too much banter to wade through to find the stuff that is relevant to you. This is the main thing I will be addressing with the new site (see below). Your comment about giving Film Shed a clear and distinctive focus was like a lightbulb being switched on! I realised that the site is trying to be all things to all people and needs to focus more on the needs of writers and indie filmmakers in Wales before anything else.
Alun & Andrew: Again, trailers/videos will be a part of the new Projects section. And thanks for the kind words.
If all of this sounds confusing, it's not meant to be. The key idea is this: The way Film Shed is currently structured makes it very difficult for casual visitors and busy professionals to find the information that is relevant to them i.e. What films are being made in Wales and who is making them? As everything tends to be lumped into the forums there is no clear distinction between work and play, and while this makes for a very friendly and helpful community, it also turns some people away who perhaps feel they are not part of the cliques, or people who simple don't have time to wade through the banter. This isn't a criticism of the people on the site - the blame lies entirely with me and the way the site is currently organised. The Projects section will hopefully change all that...
The Projects Section
My plan is to essentialy combine the Blogs, Events, Jobs and Script Shed into a single Projects section. You'll be able to create a Project for a film you're making or a script you're writing, and within that project post the latest news about the film, latest script drafts, details about screenings, casting sessions, help-wanted notices etc. All of these will be fed into an interactive directory of projects in development by Film Shed members and can be thought of as the 'Work' area of the Shed. The forums will remain as they are and will be the 'Play' area. Of course there will be overlap but it should mean that the filmmaking aspect of the site is more clearly defined and gets more exposure than it does at present.
What's Next?
I've been busy over the last month getting the new site up and running I expect it to be ready within a week or two. I'm working hard to ensure as much of the current content as possible (articles, forum posts, blogs, private messages) is transferred across. A prior warning that you will need to reset your password once the new site is online. The Forum will be up and running immediately, but the Projects section will need a month or two of population and testing before it goes live. This is where you come in...
What do I need from you?
If any of you have a project in the early stages of development (anywhere from the first draft up to production) I'd love to hear from you and invite you to add your Project to Film Shed and Beta test the new Projects section. At this stage I'm especially looking for shorts or features you're planning to make yourself (regardless of budget), or scripts you hope to get funding for.
I'll be expecting you to post fairly regular updates about the project (say, a paragraph or two once a week about how it's all going, more if you feel you can). This is very important as I don't want it to be full of inactive projects or become a dead directory of decade-old films still looking for distribution, rather it will be an interactive directory of films currently being made by Film Shed members.
A word of warning - these Project blog posts are likely to end up on the front page and will be the front-facing side of Film Shed so there will be some fairly heavy moderation. Your posts will need to be honest, intelligent and professional, regardless of your budget or status as a filmmaker. More people read this site than you might imagine and this is a fantastic opportunity to get your name and project known throughout the wider filmmaking community.
If you think you have a suitable project please get in touch at info *at* filmshed.com. My needs are fairly specific during this testing stage so please don't be offended if I ask you to hold off for a few months.
Fin
Okay, so I've failed spectacularly in my misson to keep this post short and most of you have probably jumped straight to this final paragraph. If so, please go back and read the above as it affects how Film Shed is going to operate for the forseeable future, and I'd rather your feedback now rather than after I've made all the changes. As always, feel free to post below or e-mail me at info *at* filmshed.com with any questions or concerns and I'll get back to you ASAP.
Thanks for your continued support for the Shed. It wouldn't be here without you. SteveSteve Pierce
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James Plumb
User Platinum Shedian
Posts: 547
Re:The future of Film Shed - 2008/07/25 15:04Excellent idea with the projects section!
Will it be similar to Withoutabox's project section, but in development rather than the finished product?
As a regular attendee of Moviemaker I have no complaints with Mr. Bett's fine MCing talents, but would hope that the capital could cope with more than one film night, any budding event organisers out there?
Also I use feeds on a number of blogs, but prefer to browse filmshed.
Greatstuff, Steve, keep up the excellent work!
LONG LIVE THE SHED!There are no mad scientists, only mad science.
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Steve Pierce
Admin Admin
Posts: 636
Re:The future of Film Shed - 2008/07/25 15:32Yes, the Shed Projects section is only for films and scripts in active development by Shedians.
Once they're completed (or abandoned) they will be removed and added to a static archive in order to preserve all the news and comments. It won't be a place for filmmakers to advertise their finished films to distributors - that would just encourage people to sign up, add their project and disappear. It adds nothing to the community, and would create a graveyard of completed films. Not to mention there are numerous, better-funded (well, just funded) sites such as Mandy (and Withoutabox?) that do that already.
Film Shed will be where films are born, not where they go to die.Steve Pierce
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Steve Pierce
Admin Admin
Posts: 636
Re:The future of Film Shed - 2009/05/06 14:58Well, this has taken far longer than I anticipated but if you're still keen to see the future of Film Shed, you'll find the new site at http://filmshed.org
It isn't quite finished so you can't currently sign up, but if you have a short or feature project based in Wales, at any stage of development from screenplay to completed film, and you'd like to promote it on the site, please e-mail me at info *at* filmshed.com and I'll sort you out with an account.
I'm also especially keen to find some moderators to help me run the site, so if you feel you have the time to devote to this, please get in touch. I'm also thinking about holding a Shed focus group sometime this month (probably in Cardiff, probably in a pub) where we can chat about ideas and future directions - let me know if you'd be interested in attending.
I'll try to post more regular updates on the development of the new site here, and you can also subscribe to the Film Shed Twitter Feed at http://twitter.com/filmshed
Thanks for your continued support! SteveSteve Pierce
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Stuart Griffiths
User Expert Shedian
Posts: 100
Re:The future of Film Shed - 2009/05/06 17:27Le Ginge! I'm sure I saw you with Sasha recently whilst driving down Richmond Road?
Thought you were up in Oxford? I've plenty of ideas, would be good to get Le Fox and Le Pierce back together with Film77 for some filmmaking action
Stu
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Alun D Pughe
User Platinum Shedian
Posts: 459
Re:The future of Film Shed - 2009/10/06 16:40The Old Shed is dead... long live The New Shed!!
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Steve Pierce
Admin Admin
Posts: 636
Re:The future of Film Shed - 2009/10/07 09:30I didn't get the chance to post this news yesterday. As you've probably gathered from Alun's post, the new Film Shed site has opened at http://filmshed.org. Head over there now and check it out.
You can read through this thread to see how and why the new site came to be, and there's a "What's New" page which will be regularly updated over at http://filmshed.org/whats-new. Here are the basics:
1. User Accounts
User Accounts have not been transferred across and you will need to sign up again on the new site.
2. Private Messages
The PM system has been removed and replaced with e-mails. The main reason for this was that people sometimes didn't log-in for a while and turned off e-mail notification of new messages, so never realised they had PMs. PMs may be reintroduced in the future - let me know if you really miss them.
3. Projects
One of the key changes on the new site is the introduction of Projects. A project page is the main source of information about an individual film project and acts as a container for project news, screenplays, photos, videos, and cast and crew jobs. It’s a way to keep all the information about a single project in a single place.
People can subscribe to updates from individual projects via RSS or they can add the project to their Film Shed Tracker to create a feed of activity across all their favourite projects. You can browse news, jobs, screenplays and media across all projects by visiting the various directories from the main menu.
4. Script Shed
Crappy ol' Script Shed has finally kicked the bucket and been replaced with the Screenplays Directory. You can download screenplays in their original pdf format.
5. The Old Site (this one)
Filmshed.com will soon be converted into a read-only archive until December 2009, after which it will be removed. You can export your Private Messages to a text file if you want to keep them.
6. Problems & Questions
Please post any bug reports or suggestions for improvements in the forum over at http://filmshed.org/forums/site-support-and-suggestions so that other people can chip in their thoughts. You can always get in touch with me at info [at] filmshed.com
Enjoy the new site! SteveSteve Pierce
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