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How can we make it easier to link a movie to a post?

Hey,

I'm looking for suggestions on how to make it easier to "link a movie" to a discussion post or filmblog post. Right now there are three ways to link a film to a post:

1. If you write your review from a film detail page, the film is automatically linked to the post.

2. In a filmblog post or a group discussion post you can highlight text within the post and then use the "link a movie" tool.  

3. In a filmblog post or a group discussion post you can put the url to a film on spout directly into the post.

Are there any ways we can make it easier to link a movie?

Did you know that you could link a movie these three ways?

Can we put better instructions on the site? 

Please reply to this discussion post with your ideas. 

Re:How can we make it easier to link a movie to a post?

Re:How can we make it easier to link a movie to a post?

gambrel83:

I'm not sure we need a fourth way to post a link, but making it clearer how to might help.  Just seeing the "Link a movie" button above isn't enough, especially when it's grayed out unless you select text.  How would one know to select a film title first?  Maybe move it down next to the yellow Save button?  Just so it's more visible and obvious.

Thanks for your suggestion. The "grayed out" state of the button is something we have decided to change. Check back soon to see the changes.

Sub topic: Review or Not a Review?

I'm now curious whether you've considered separating items that appear on a film's page into ones that came directly from "Write A Review" versus ones that include a link to a movie.

I've done some posts that link to several movies, but my post doesn't provide as much context for someone who wants to read JUST about the linked movie. For instance, I mention other Robert Zemeckis films in a review of 'Back to the Future' but on the page for 'Forest Gump,' it shows my post with little 'Forest Gump' content.

If a movie page had two sections - "Reviews of this film" and "Discussions that include this film," it might be more helpful.

Just my two cents.

Re:Sub topic: Review or Not a Review?

minerwerks:

I'm now curious whether you've considered separating items that appear on a film's page into ones that came directly from "Write A Review" versus ones that include a link to a movie.

I've done some posts that link to several movies, but my post doesn't provide as much context for someone who wants to read JUST about the linked movie. For instance, I mention other Robert Zemeckis films in a review of 'Back to the Future' but on the page for 'Forest Gump,' it shows my post with little 'Forest Gump' content.

If a movie page had two sections - "Reviews of this film" and "Discussions that include this film," it might be more helpful.

Just my two cents.

1. I agree with this. It's embarassing to be on the movie page for Manda Bala and see my review of Summer Palace listed, just because I mentioned Manda Bala in passing in it.

2. What I would like is the ability to put  movie links into my blog without opening a second tab to Spout to go to the movie pages and copy the urls. That is, when I click the link (chain) button to enter a link, I'd like in the dialog that opens a button that  pops up a window in which to find spout movie urls - maybe you enter the movie name in the link and it is converted automatically to the correct url...

my two cents.

Re:Sub topic: Review or Not a Review?

joem18b:

1. I agree with this. It's embarassing to be on the movie page for Manda Bala and see my review of Summer Palace listed, just because I mentioned Manda Bala in passing in it.

Why is that embarassing?

Re:Sub topic: Review or Not a Review?

Risselada:

joem18b:

1. I agree with this. It's embarassing to be on the movie page for Manda Bala and see my review of Summer Palace listed, just because I mentioned Manda Bala in passing in it.

Why is that embarassing?

When I'm checking to see if I'd like a movie, there is a HUGE difference between a serious, extended review of the film and a mention of the film is someone's discussion of another topic.

From a movie reviewer's perspective, if you spend, say, two hours researching, planning, and writing a review, you might not want it buried in a pile of casual mentions.

I think it would be much better to have the movie review page divided into reviews and casual comments (not quite the right phrase but you get what I mean).

JIMBELL

Re:Sub topic: Review or Not a Review?

JimBell:

Risselada:

joem18b:

1. I agree with this. It's embarassing to be on the movie page for Manda Bala and see my review of Summer Palace listed, just because I mentioned Manda Bala in passing in it.

Why is that embarassing?

When I'm checking to see if I'd like a movie, there is a HUGE difference between a serious, extended review of the film and a mention of the film is someone's discussion of another topic.

From a movie reviewer's perspective, if you spend, say, two hours researching, planning, and writing a review, you might not want it buried in a pile of casual mentions.

I think it would be much better to have the movie review page divided into reviews and casual comments (not quite the right phrase but you get what I mean).

JIMBELL

We have been tossing this around in our usability team too. So it is on the radar. We are thinking about have a primary film link and then related films links so that we can have more accurate listings for discussions and reviews. 

Re:Sub topic: Review or Not a Review?

JimBell:

Risselada:

joem18b:

1. I agree with this. It's embarassing to be on the movie page for Manda Bala and see my review of Summer Palace listed, just because I mentioned Manda Bala in passing in it.

Why is that embarassing?

When I'm checking to see if I'd like a movie, there is a HUGE difference between a serious, extended review of the film and a mention of the film is someone's discussion of another topic.

From a movie reviewer's perspective, if you spend, say, two hours researching, planning, and writing a review, you might not want it buried in a pile of casual mentions.

I think it would be much better to have the movie review page divided into reviews and casual comments (not quite the right phrase but you get what I mean).

JIMBELL

But what's to stop people from listing movies that you consider "casual comments" as actual "reviews".  I don't think it's fair to try to judge how much time you feel someone spent on their review and say that one is more important than another.  It becomes a judgement issue.  And who is going to be bestowed the power to regulate it?  And who will have the time to regulate it for that matter?

Re:Sub topic: Review or Not a Review?

But what's to stop people from listing movies that you consider "casual comments" as actual "reviews".  I don't think it's fair to try to judge how much time you feel someone spent on their review and say that one is more important than another.  It becomes a judgement issue.  And who is going to be bestowed the power to regulate it?  And who will have the time to regulate it for that matter?

Not being computer literate at all, I'd think that the best fix would be two different options for linking a movie, so the author can make that decision him/herself. I don't know how it would be done, but maybe an option for 'main focus' and 'related'.