Film Board Charter - Read Before Posting! [UPDATED 4/07/14]

johnny_ultimate

The film board is a place to discuss (almost) everything film! Here are the basic guidelines we have in place to keep the place running smoothly:

KEEP ON TOPIC
This is a board for discussion of films. If you want to give a review of a film, don't post here but instead direct your efforts to the Film Review board. When there, do not just post a 1 or 2 line-film review and, when there, do not start a thread asking people what they thought of a movie. It's a review board, not an information desk. Use Films for general film discussion, and Film Production for film-making and producing queries!

WAREZ/"WHERE CAN I GET A MOVIE FOR FREE"
Do not ask where you can download or stream a movie. Do not ask where you can get a movie illegally. If you want to see a movie, go to the cinema, buy the DVD, wait for it on TV, see it a friends. Contravene this rule and it's an immediate ban. The same penalty applies to anyone who posts links or otherwise advises users as to where movies can be downloaded or viewed illegally. Essentially, don't ask/don't tell.

The flagrant discussion, promoting, boasting/bragging of watching illegally downloaded or pirated movies will result in a forum ban. The forum is for the discussion of film as an art and media form. If you have an issue with paying to watch movies, then take it up with the film makers/cinema/studio or FACT.

ADVERTISING
This is not an ad site. Don't come in and tell us, with one post count to your name, how you've found this great website for cheap DVDs to buy/rent. There's already a nice Sites for Purchasing DVDs thread. Use it.

ETIQUETTE - MANNERS AND TXTSPK
- If you don't understand that we're not limited to 160-characters per post and that you really must shorten "you're right to speak out about the two biggest franchises being mere re-hashes" to "ur rite 2 spk out aboot 2 big franchises been' crap lol" then don't post here.
- By all means disagree with a poster's view or opinion on a movie. But don’t make it your business to insult or attack the poster because of their opinion. Debate their argument, not their personality.
- The 'attack the post, not the poster' rule extends to more generalised posts. Condescending comments or generalised insults aimed at everyone and anyone who disagrees with you are just as bad as attacking an individual. You can easily argue for and against a film without having to make judgements on anyone whose opinion might differ from your own. These sorts of generalised attacks always have a toxic effect on discussion, and posters who use them will receive warnings or infractions and likely have their post deleted.
- Remember to use the report button rather than engaging with offending posts on thread. Responding aggressively or calling out someone on thread could potentially make you just as susceptible to mod action. If you report the issue, we'll make sure to take a look at it.
- Don’t use veiled insults or hostile sarcasm. Being generally unpleasant ruins the atmosphere of the forum and discourages friendly discussion. Any user purposefully disrupting the flow of debate with trolling or unpleasantries will receive warnings, infractions and, in extreme cases, bannings.
- Being generally disruptive or consistently irritating other posters will not be tolerated.

DRAGGING UP/BUMPING OLD THREADS
As a rule of thumb, if a thread is more than a year old, or the last reply is more than a year old, then it's advisable to either contribute to an ongoing thread, or start a new one.

NO LIST THREADS
The Films Forum is for discussion, not making lists. If you wish to talk about something be prepared to outline why you are mentioning it. Don't simpley write:
Film X
Film Y
Film Z
It's unimaginative, it's boring and nobody wants to read it. Any such threads will be locked or deleted!

SPOILER USAGE
Unless specified in the thread title, it’s always recommended to use spoiler tags when discussing major plot points. There’s no need to ruin films for other users. To use a spoiler tag, either use the button in the ‘new post’ menu, or use the following:

Spoiler here [/*spoiler] (remove the * after the slash).

Like so!

SEARCH BEFORE STARTING A TOPIC
If you want to start a new topic, it’s always worthwhile doing a search or having a quick glance of the first few pages of new threads beforehand to see if any recent threads are a decent fit for your questions / observations / opinions. It can help avoid splitting discussion, and make the forum an easier place to navigate and participate in! As above, though, don’t bump threads from 1999!

DISPUTE RESOLUTION
If you have a dispute with a moderator's decision, you can follow the dispute resolution procedure outlined here.

Most of us here have always followed these rules automatically without being told. If we can get 100% of us there, we'll have a nicer, cleaner, more engaging Films forums. These rules are in place to encourage and facilitate friendly debate about all things film!

Now, post away and enjoy!

johnny_ultimate

Hi all,

Please note that we have added an amendment to the charter based on several recent incidents. The section in question has been isolated below!

The 'attack the post, not the poster' rule extends to more generalised posts. Condescending comments or generalised insults aimed at everyone and anyone who disagrees with you are just as bad as attacking an individual. You can easily argue for and against a film without having to make judgements on anyone whose opinion might differ from your own. These sorts of generalised attacks always have a toxic effect on discussion, and posters who use them will receive warnings or infractions and likely have their post deleted.

Thanks all, and as ever we appreciate your co-operation - these rules are there to try and make the film board a lively and friendly place to discuss cinema