Written by Mighty :
Used with permission. Banner © Hecate
Some of you may be aware of the fact that a lot of us older members are upset over the fact that people are here for all the wrong reasons. This news is what this news will be focusing on.
Yes, this fan site is out of control, and needs to be fixed. At this rate Animation Source has gone above and beyond the words "fan site". So I would like you to ask yourself, am I truly a fan? Think hard, and think seriously. Because if you are a truly a fan of whatever site you may spend your time on, then you wouldn't be using this site as a character hub. You would be sending in submissions of strictly fan related content. Animation Source is not an alternate site for Deviantart. Nor is this a character hub. I've seen a lot of people who come here and make nothing but characters.
I would also like to stress the fact that this makes this site not able to function like it should. How? Well, let's take me for example. It makes it harder for me to post a fan news when there isn't much of any content worth sharing. You see where I'm going with this? No food=no dinner. This can also be said for the selection of the week. Sometimes this can be the fault of the mods, but sometimes it can also be the fact that there isn't anything to rotate to.
The following quote is by Imagine, and I have received her okay to post it here.
Link to post | The topic itself
"There's a difference between liking something and being a fan of it.
To like something, in terms of fan art, means to just draw something related to a movie or TV show and post it somewhere, (something like that) and it's okay if you only like something!
A true fan would be completely committed to drawing only characters from from that particular movie or TV show. Well, not 24/7 obviously, but on a fan site dedicated to that movie.
I like a lot of things. Oranges, pencils, vacations, softball, wasting time on the internet XD and if we're talking about movies. Animated--Lion King, Beauty and the Beast; Live Action--Just Go with It, Benchwarmers, and Valentine's Day (I'm a sucker for comedies XD)
But if I want to be a FAN of these things...I would be almost obsessed with them!
And then there is the size of fan. Meaning are you a BIG fan...or only a small fan? This is where it gets tricky... and I also think it's kinda hard where to draw the line between a fan, and a person who only likes it, especially if they claim to be a fan/not a fan. If it were easy, the problem would already be solved.
Here's the dictionary.com definition of "fan."
..."an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer"...
Enthusiastic. That's the key word in there. I have to admit I might be contradicting myself the more I write this, and that may be the problem this site has had for a long time. There is no device telling you how many fan arts of Balto you post in order to become a fan, or how many semi to non-related stuff you post in order not to be a fan. People have to decide that for themselves, and people...have their own opinions on such things. And BAM! Explosion of fights, flames, and wars reek havoc on innocent members...Bum bum buuuum!"
As of May 16th, the character hub idea has been voted out.
That doesn't mean that this over, and that you will be able to proceed with your characters. We're now considering a committee.
I would highly recommend, if you haven't already, to move ALL of your non-related characters to DA. Or any other site that you may be a member on that accepts art.
Do you guys remember my joke from last month? The joke that all your characters will be moved to a new site? Well, this idea may just come to life (NOTE: This is just an idea. It may or may not happen, so don't panic). Like I said above, a lot of you seem to focus only on your characters, and a lot of them, at least from what I've seen, isn't even related to Balto. A lot of us members have thought that this site would be a good idea (Steet is okay with the idea). And before you go and say, "but this is Animation source". Any of you remember Gamebook Land (no longer exists)? Well, Animation Source didn't exist at the time, but this site was completely indipenant from from Balto Source and the Lion King Source.
Quote by Steet | The topic itself
"- The difficulty of what is allowed or not is the main problem, as it can't be something really objective. As we've seen previously, having a character being "related" to a Balto character just doesn't work because people cheat.
- On the french side, since about 6 months, the characters must be activated before being on the site, and the moderators are filtering what comes in. It seems to work, but let's not forget that the amount of characters being validated on the french side is not even 1/10 of what's on the english site! Also, more submissions and more mods = conflicts over what should be allowed or not.
- And I remember that when mods had to validate characters on the english side, there were lots and lots of characters in the waiting list, always, no matter how many mods.
Here's what I suggest :
- Making the "Characters Source" site as suggested, and on this site, allow any kind of characters (as long as it respects the no-sex, no-violence rule), and no validation required by the mods.
- But on any other site, the submissions will have to be validated, and mods will filter what comes in.
- Then, I would post a news on the sites to let everyone know about this change, and allow them some time to move their "wrong" characters and art there.
- After that while, mods will be allowed to filter and delete any art/character that doesn't fit a site."
What classifies as not related?
Sparkle dogs
unrealistic designs
wings
legwarmers
pircings
scarfs
Anything that can be described as scene dog/emo dog, etc. If it can't happen in the movie of concern, then chances are you shouldn't send it.
Also, this doesn't mean you can't be creative, so don't go there. You can be just as creative with a realistic dog that is related to the movie of concern.
What is allowed?
Realistic colors and markings
Collars (if the animal of concern can wear one)
Relation to Balto. And not just: He lives in nome, or he knows Balto. Try and be more complex and devolop the character.
Your own version of one of Balto's un-named pups, or a character that was seen but has no name.
Human characters, but keep in a style that is from that time period.
If you're interested in helping in restoring this site, then this is how you can help: Go through your galleries and delete anything that shouldn't be there. Go through your characters and clean them out. Send in content related to the site. The last thing you can do is use this banner here in your profile. But ONLY if Hecate says you can, she's very picky on who uses it.
So that will be all for now. Have a nice day!
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Comments
Rose
Wolf
pala
And ironic...you said that people who comment should go out of their own way, essentially, to be patient, nice and to avoid "being rude or insulting", but then, right before that, you also said "Don't be afraid to say what you really think. It will help them later on.". In most cases, that is the intent of the comments. The fact is that most people who comment are simply doing so because they happen to see something featured on the home page of a source. Or because they were referred to it by a friend. They are usually not actively following that particular contributor, and may not care to. It doesn't usually work that way (unless they've faved a gallery...and a person doesn't usually offer a blunt or direct critical opinion of someone whose gallery they've faved).
Does this make any sense? I've been trying to make that clear all along but, excluding yourself and a few others (and those who commented on my profile page who agree with my approach and my defense of it), all I've been getting back is vitriol and flames. Again...typical Animation Source.
pala
"But hey, kids are going to be sensitive, no matter what. My first negative comment on one of my fanfics made me wanna punch the person in the face and write a snarky comment back to them. I was a kid. But even now, I still haven't completely matured. I don't take negative comments, even nice ones, very well. But I'm going to learn that not everyone is going to approve of what I do, say, create. And I'm going to have to accept that."
I think it's fair to say you've defined the majority of preteens, many teenagers, and at least a certain percentage of young adults here, and their general mind set. Which is THE thing that leads to drama whenever someone posts an opinion or critical comment. NOT, in most cases, the comments themselves. Allow me to briefly explain why (though I feel I keep having to regurgitate this same information over and over, and am not getting the point across somehow)...
MOST critical opinions, no matter who posts them (and that includes me), are neither flame baits nor trolling. Not in the least. Nor are people being callous, "rude or insulting". If a kid or young adult TAKES it that way (as you inferred in the quote above), that is their own fault. Completely. NOT the fault of the person who posted. And if they overreact and get hyper-defensive and hostile, and start a load of drama, it is not the fault of the person who posted the comment. And YET, as almost always happens on Animation Source, it is the person who commented who gets heaped with abusive and derogatory comments by the kid (or young adult) and their friends, or by random other commenters who play that "if you don't have nothing nice to say, don't say it...jerk". Seems to me that the problem here is obvious. It boggles the mind that people don't see that as clearly as I do.
(continued above...)
The post was too long to post here. So if you wanna read it there you're free to.
Wolf
I sometimes feel like human nature is geared better for criticism and critique than complements. Just being honest, but I have a hard time finding something to say about a drawing or fan-contribution that does not directly pertain to me. Selfish as it is....At least I am aware I should try to contribute more directly to being a fan and letting people know I fully appreciate their works.
Wondering if anyone here might feel the same.
pala
Wolf
pala
I am NOT going to walk around on pins and needles to sate your desire to make this into a happy, carefree place. I never comment to insult or aggravate people, or to pick fights, no matter what you or any other mod who has an issue with me thinks, or whatever a few malcontents who love to start drama with me over my opinions may say.
The bottom line? You cannot FORCE aaaany member to behave in a way that makes YOU comfortable, or that enforces your own vision of what you would like for this site, Brown. Neither you NOR any other moderator. That is an abuse of your limited authority, and you darned well know it. Don't presume to tell me how to comment on things. If I am not actually trolling or spamming (which I am NOT), and I am not ACTUALLY picking fights (which I am NOT), and you cannot prove it, then you have no business butting in and telling me how to post. And frankly, I am not going to post or avoid posting out of concern for your prejudices of how I do it. Your job does not include being the "thought police". I suggest you keep that firmly in mind.
Period. Case closed.
Wolf
You seem to be doing it a lot. Then again, so do I. When you critique someone, do it gently. In a manner that lifts up the person whose work you're critiquing and NOT in a manner that drags them down and causes a fight. That simple.
pala
I'M just sayin'.
Wolf
Just sayin'.
pala
Touchiness, overreaction, and hypersensitivity (which I refer to all the time when talking about this place) are de rigueur here. And when someone actually speaks their opinion boldly, and openly, that's somehow turned into a baaaaaaad thing here. Because we're not all being so cudduwy wudduwy wooo. Tsk. No no. That's baaad...
But I appreciate you're seeing this for what it IS. Sakujo, MightyBalto1925, Artemisa, Ancient Fairy Dragon, Elizaveta_DaVinci, these are folks (among some others) who understand and appreciate this kind of direct honesty and ATTEMPTS at offering honest (instead of flaming) critiques, opinions and suggestions. But that's frowned upon here. We cannot speak freely. To do so brings the threat of warnings and bans. That's how we roll here.
Looking at the comments you have made, you did not directly insult the person or their work. Just your interpretation. And yeah I also have noticed you told everyone that it was your own opinion. Therefore they did not have to respond if they didn't want to, but they did, rather harshly I might add.
I just wish people would stop thinking that if someone posts something they THINK, or an OPINION, that the person thinks their right. Which is NEVER the case. Someone making an opinion is not automatically right and the person posting it knows that too. That's why they're called opinions and not facts.
pala
But Imagine? I don't know that I'VE ever called any person's drawing "horrible", "stupid", or "talentless" (in the prior two cases, the only case I may have done that in, and I don't actually know that *I* have, is if it was racially or culturally insensitive, extraordinarily violent or gory, or completely and utterly irrelevant to Balto Source, or one of the other sources). Even then, it would be utterly rare in the extreme.
Actually, I've spent more time uttering the very same line as you gave at the end of your comment, below, than anything even remotely bordering on what could -- after careful analysis rather than knee-jerk reaction -- be construed as "insulting".
Calling a drawing horrible, stupid, talentless, is in fact insulting. But saying things like, "There's too much ____" "Not enough ____" and then following it up with how you can improve the drawing would be critiquing. Respectful critiquing anyway.
My opinion, don't freak out and start insulting me. You don't have to agree. All that jazz.
f
How was saying you make people angry "trash-talking"? I was only stating my opinion and the opinion of my friends on here. (The ones who I know in real every day life) And as I stated before, how am I a troll? I have no tail, I do not live in the forest, nor do I eat babies. So I am not. I may be a thorn in /your/ side, but that's about it. If it should be anybody who should be called a bother, it should be you. You seem to be the only person on here that has a problem with me. I want to know why exactly. Please PM me if you feel like explaining. Also, how would you know if I was "looking" for trouble. I mind my own, then I stumble upon your so called "critique" because yes, calling someones picture "WORMS" completely falls under the category of "critique" -_- I have my own opinions, you have yours. So how come you can state yours, but mine I have to keep tied to my tongue if I dare speak them, you go mini-mod and report them, I have yet to report /anybody's/ comment on anything. I'm just not that kind of person. I feel bad whenever I report anything. :c
((I'm sorry for the irrelevant comment on this page))
pala
Rose
pala
Resulting finally in a trash-talking comment by Woopywulf, who has done the same thing before about myself, CatWhoHas14Tails, and anyone else who dares to offer simple critiques or non-trolling criticisms (whereupon she then posts vengeful critiques of the material posted by folks like myself and Cat):
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5323/halloweenwolf1.jpg
I asked a moderator to look at the report I submitted on it. You know what reaction I got from that moderator? "I saw it". That was the end of it.
Now...I don't know. I didn't set out to attack anyone. And I certainly don't set out to do so anywhere. But we have seen how pathetically touchy and testy anyone can be if they receive any other feedback on their submissions besides "WOW! TOTALLY AMAZING! You are like the GOD of art! I would love to fave this! Can you bless me with your amazing divineness plz???"
The nature of the comments in that last link demonstrate one irrefutable irony: a person can TRY to simply contribute, and they'll be accused of starting problems on here EVEN though the sorts of comments evinced in that link AND that conversation I linked prior to it are the drama starters. But hey - I'M the one creating drama here, huh? Yeah. Right.
The callous immaturity on this site is abominable. And the ridiculousness of this larger problem. It needs to be straightened out, and rules set in place. And the callousness of people like the ones shown above needs to be reined in. Not ENABLED.
pala
On this art item, I posted a comment (which will be linked below): http://www.animationsource.org [...] 2.html&numart=22916&display=18
That comment I left was this (and you can see the owner's reaction, which actually began a litany of unnecessary stupidity, culminating in the last link below): http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7083/halloweenwolf2.jpg
Thus a series of back and forth comments where I TRIED to explain that I was not only not attacking this person, but was simply offering an observation...as the owner got increasingly defensive (as usual with creators of this kind of art):
http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/6190/halloweenwolf3.jpg
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5263/halloweenwolf4.jpg
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/9956/halloweenwolf5.jpg
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/4421/halloweenwolf6.jpg
(continued above...)
Draco: Thank you for volunteering! I'll also check in with the Committee to approve you, but once again, no doubts!
BrownWolf: so eager to get going! I love it!
Wolf
Whispere
r
Wolf
Uh... did that make sense?
Fairy
Dragon
Whispere
r
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