Fan Fic is Sick

Fan Fic is Sick

There is something terribly wrong with our beloved CBM but is it really down to the almighty Galactus to solve the issue?

Editorial Opinion
By ThunderCougarFalconBird - Mar 25, 2010 03:03 PM EST
Filed Under: Fan Fic

I have been a member of this site for quite a few years now. Time has passed with such alarming regularity that I cannot remember where, when or why I joined CBM. One thing is for sure though, I love this site! This is, in my opinion, the most accessible site on the web for comic book related news. If that wasn’t enough, Galactus and his minions have crafted a world where the most serious comic collector and the regular movie fan can converse as equals. The community has grown and has gone from strength to strength over the years. But it is not all good news, this growth has taken it‘s toll on what was once one of my favourite sections, “Fan Fic”.

The problem is simple, overcrowding is pushing many peoples hard work down and out of view. This is a frustrating occurrence and one I have been on the sharp end of several times with casts, art and even an original hero bio being lost to the archives. The hours I, like many others, spend on these articles is nothing short of wasted. I can only imagine the messages of anger our lord Galactus receives on this subject, but is it really fair to burden the great one with these ramblings? I think not. Yes, there are one or two things big G could do to ease the issue but the true solution requires something even the almighty has no control over.

Firstly, the “Fan Fic” tab is a large umbrella sheltering a vast and diverse community of articles. Surely we can trim this with “Fan Cast”, “Fan Art” and “Fan Story” sections? I am sure this is within the big mans powers but he hasn’t done it. Why? Maybe he has seen what I have seen…

Dividing this section will only be a band-aid covering the wound. The real problem is us. YES US! Unless we change the way we use the Fan Fic section we will always have these problems. There are too many rehashed articles cluttering this site. So we need to address this issue and raise the question, why?

What is the point in posting up castings we’ve seen time and time again? It seems to me the brutal truth is peoples sorry quest for acceptance. I really don’t mean any offence by saying that but what other excuse is there? Many fan casts posted these days have only one thought put into them “this guy was popular in a previous casting so it’s sure to get me some kudos”. People tend to pick the best from other peoples articles and throw them together in a bid for popularity. I pride myself on trying to make my fan casts as unique as possible, yes there may be one or two choices seen elsewhere but as a whole, they remain a unique and personal piece. If it goes down like a lead balloon then so be it, if it goes down well then great! Either way, I sleep better at night knowing the article was my work based on what I truly feel to be a good cast.

If you think a rehash of the most popular casting choices is going to give you a boost up the popularity ladder then think again. It is getting stale, people are starting to see the cracks and others are turning away from the section completely. Try something fresh, what’s the worst that could happen? Someone says they don’t like your choice, boo hoo! What’s the best that can happen? You are praised for an inspiring cast that no one had thought of. Isn’t that better than a pat on the back for simply following the crowd?

All I ask is that when any of us submit a fan cast, we put effort into it. Try to explain who the character is, why you think your chosen actor could do the job and lastly, try to make sure it really is your chosen actor. Don’t take credit for someone else’s work. If your casting includes one or two “used” choices then fair enough but if the number of recycled castings outweigh the rest of your article do us all a favour, don’t click “submit“. Save the file and work on it a while.

Again, I mean no offence to any user on this site and I am not belittling anyone’s work. But if we keep infesting this site with the herpes of fiction then things will only get worse. Lets show a little common sense when posting articles, leave the big G man to keep the wondrous CBM wheels turning smoothly and do something ourselves to make Fan Fic excellent once more!

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Joslezio85
Joslezio85 - 3/25/2010, 3:37 PM
Shouldn't you have complained about this like two weeks ago. Before, we started fixing the problem? lol.
SHHH
SHHH - 3/25/2010, 3:40 PM
CBM has already said no to new tab's..Most people want their fan-fic to be a message board..There alot of people to share with..Of course someone will say thiers is better than the rest. There is someone workin on the so called problem. ..
ThunderCougarFalconBird
ThunderCougarFalconBird - 3/25/2010, 3:51 PM
joslezio85 - I'm sorry. I'll try to make sure my articles fit into your time scale from now on.

Have we started fixing it? Because I haven't heard anything on this matter other than the possibility of a Fan Fic web site.

This article wasn't meant as a request for Galactus to fix the problem, so what he has said yes/no to is inconsequential. It was meant as a kick up the ass for all of us (including myself) that use the fan fic section.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 3/25/2010, 4:56 PM
Fan fic has gotten better, I'll give it that, since Joslezio and Galactus have been working on it, but there's still a ways to go.

There are still casts put up with just pictures and no explanations. That's why I've barely commented on any fan fic articles in a while, it's gotten so monotonous over there.

But I am working on a cast that I have been going all out on. Info on the characters, long explanations on why I want the actors, I've even cleaned up my pictures and used photobucket to keep them high quality, and put the names of the actors in text in the pic, like Lee does but without the glitter effect. I'm actually pretty much done with it, I'm just trying to pick the right time to post it, so as many people as possible can see it, and because almost all of my recent casts have been buried in less than a day. I won't be posting it this weekend, because that's usually when most people submit fan fic. It'll probably come out sometime next week.

Good article though Ron. Staying classy as always ;)
Joslezio85
Joslezio85 - 3/25/2010, 5:37 PM
First. I wasn't attacking you. So, there's no need to be so defensive. That was meant to be a joke. Hence, the lol.
Second. I can honestly say that for the first time in quite a few months. One of my articles is still on the main page, for what I believe has been three days now. Not much, but a vast improvement. Most of the people who were doing poor jobs. Have either quit or kicked it up a notch and are producing, well thought out and well structured articles. Now, there's still some out there who aren't. But problems can't be fixed over night. I'm doing everything within my power to fix the issues. I know you weren't asking Galactus for help. But, everything you've said has already been said, numerous times. Which really doesn't help the problem. No, it's not your fault. Don't think I'm saying that. The number of fan fics is still quite high. But the number of dumb fan fics has dropped. Which is a start, Right? Check this out.
http://comicbookmovie.com/fansites/josleziosinfantry/news/?a=16101

I think if everyone would help by posting this in their articles. More people would see it, and maybe it might help out a lot. If you think it's worth a shot?
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 3/25/2010, 5:39 PM
Good stuff Ron! Things have gotten a little better with "Fan Fic" recently now that we have an editor to get rid of the one character castings and 3 line stories, lol!

I get exactly what you mean about people taking other peoples choices and using them in their own casts! There are a few users on here who I'm sure just go onto either mine or LEE's previous casts and just pick out their favourites and then add a few choices of their own!

To be fair though, the majority who use one or two actors I may have suggested in the past have always named me (or any other user they may have got the idea from) and given credit.

As for including why I've chosen an actor, I did that in my Wanted cast after it was suggested by LEE and a few people seemed to like it so I'll try and do it a little more in future (though in some, like my recent Spider-Man cast which is 25 characters long, I just dont have the time!)

Anyway, good stuff man! :)
Scorpioxfactor
Scorpioxfactor - 3/25/2010, 7:59 PM
I haven't done any fan fiction even though I've thought about doing it. To be quite honest, with my life in general is a mess. But I am glad I can come here and be entertained. I am upset by alot of the hoopla that goes around. Some of it seems to be too much. But my hands are tied. Just one voice in the crowd. I do notice individuals like yourselves do try to keep the reigns of things. I know it must not be easy. But I guess we do the best we can, while still trying to do what we love. I guess what I need to do on my end to help is just try to voice my opinion about something that is just too graphic or obscene. Thanks for the Article Ron.
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 3/25/2010, 8:23 PM
couldn't agree more, ron. well said.
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 3/25/2010, 8:29 PM
i agree with joslezio in the sense that more people should put links to their fic in their posts. that has lead me too a number of great articles. i think joshw does it alot. if not then its someone else with a spidey picture.

if someone says something smart and thought out i'll be more likley to go see what else they have to post. if someone says something 100% retarded i don't even give thier link a second glance.
Joslezio85
Joslezio85 - 3/25/2010, 8:46 PM
@OdinsBeard. Not actually what I meant. But that doesn't hurt for ones popularity. It shows a little more what they've done. I literally meant everyone should copy that link into their articles and that way people can always click on it and read the guidelines that the majority seem to agree with.
peterparker420
peterparker420 - 3/25/2010, 11:35 PM
RON..Well said! I don't do many cast's but when I do I put
alot of time in making them just right..and up to the HIGH standers everyone expects! for instance my
FINAL FANTASY XIII FAN CAST (about 9 articles down)
(in fan fic..go check it out!) (pimped!)
took me forever to do! and everyone loved it!
(those who commented) see, alot of effort goes a long way!

I will say JOSLEZIO has been doing a fine job so far,
and it seems he has been very quick at deleting "junk"
articles..so I say KUDOES!

ALL NEW MEMBERS! THINK BEFORE YOU HIT SUBMIT!
MAKE SURE IT'S WELL THOUGHT OUT, and ORIGINAL!
ThunderCougarFalconBird
ThunderCougarFalconBird - 3/26/2010, 3:57 AM
joslezio85 - I apologise if my comment came accross more defensive than intended. Most of what I say on here is tongue in cheek, maybe I took it for granted that you'd take it that way.

Indeed kudos are in order for your recent work as the fan fic section does look on the up. I just wanted to post this in the hope that we could sort the problem ourselves, I didn't know Galactus had set someone on the job already.
Joslezio85
Joslezio85 - 3/26/2010, 3:14 PM
@Ron. I'm actually here strictly for Fan Fic. So, I'm never needed elsewhere and can completely commit to making the Fan Fic section beautiful again. lol. I have a few ideas running through right now, hopefully they'll work like I'm wanting them too, and a majority of the problems will be solved. Now, you mentioned the new site. That is still happening and will be awesome, IMO. Nothing sounds better to me than having an entire website strictly to show off our artistic abilities. Separate tabs for every kind of Fan Fic. Think how awesome that would be. Great stories wouldn't get pushed out of view by fan casts, and fan art would always be visible. I mean, honestly. There's not tons of each kind, but when grouped together like they are now. It seems like there's hundreds a day. Once their spread out. Everyone will get theirs. All we really have to do is make sure that we promote it as much as possible. I already know the Fan Ficers themselves will come. Most, love doing it too much not to. We just gotta make sure that we can get the readers. Everyone keep posting your awesome work on this site until then.
Tobuttica
Tobuttica - 3/26/2010, 8:21 PM
I don't have a problem with this, just people only responding to every fricking thread, everytime they respond "Hey, check out my blahblah casting over in fan fic!!" That get's old and irritating.
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 3/27/2010, 2:51 PM
I agree!
Scarface
Scarface - 3/28/2010, 7:07 AM
Well said Ron. I 100% am with you, we all are to blame here myself included
Sorry for not posting sooner Ron I was on vacation with my family.
Great Article
Shaman
Shaman - 3/29/2010, 7:37 AM
Ron- Once again, you lay the down dirty truth on us! I couldn't agree more!!! This website SHOULD only be supporting ARTICLES, not picture collections. Fan Fic should be NO exception!!! I don't give a damn how many pictures there are or about any excuse that accompanies them! No well thought out, written explanation = NO ARTICLE!!! Quality or bust!!! That goes for articles that pop up on the news/interviews tab with only a short video and no writing to accompany it as well!!! Letting people do whatever they want in their "articles" is like letting retards a shot at driving the short bus. It's just counterproductive.
Scarface
Scarface - 3/29/2010, 2:01 PM
LOL Shaman
good line I may have to borrow that one day
SHHH
SHHH - 3/29/2010, 7:04 PM
This topic has ran it's course...You don't like the quality don't look or comment.... That's what I do....There has been some excellent fan-cast's but no comment's or nothing but then you have piss poor one's get all the attention! One or two bad's don't ruin them all.
Scarface
Scarface - 3/30/2010, 4:15 AM
Thats what I,ve been doing to @SHHH and maybe if what you call the good ones are not getting many comments, maybe there just not that good.
I,m not saying this to all of them cause your right there are some good ones.
SHHH
SHHH - 3/31/2010, 10:37 AM
@Scarface: Where Can I see your'e fan-fic's at??
Scarface
Scarface - 3/31/2010, 1:39 PM
Sorry SHHH I don,t do em.
And as I already said if nobody comments maybe there not as good as some think.
Also don,t take anything personal I just gave up looking in fanfic all together.
I enjoyed a few of your fancasts.
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