Could I just ask those of you who have an account on Stage32, to add a Profile Picture, please.
Stage32 is about building community and it’s difficult to do that with a placeholder! I’ve just had lots of network requests from ‘people’ who don’t have a personal profile image and just to let you know, I don’t accept those requests, but decline them.
PLEASE make sure you complete your Bio and include a picture.
Many thanks,
Geoff
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Great advice, Geoff Hall! Like you said, "Stage32 is about building community and it’s difficult to do that with a placeholder!" People want to see who they're networking with (a profile picture), and people want to know things about them (a detailed bio). Members could add things to their bios like why they became a screenwriter/director/producer/actor/composer/animator/etc., their accomplishments, their goals, and what movies and shows they like.
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Geoff Hall Thank you. Given that no picture and bio screams spammer, bot, or troll in other platforms. No picture, and a bio that doesn't look like a bot or ChatGPT is a red flag. This is a networking site. If you are not interested in sharing your own journey -- including a picture to prove you're a real person, and your story, others are less likely to decide to work with you.
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Yes make sure you complete your Bio and include a picture otherwise what are you doing here?.
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Geoff HallMaurice Vaughan thank you, Maurice.
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Arthur Charpentier This is a networking site for creatives in the film and television industry. If you are not interested in sharing you journey including a recent photo to prove you're a real person, others are less likely to decide to work with you. I do not accept profiles connection without a photo.You have a great photo that tells me you have a good sense of humour!
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Pat Savage thank you, Pat.
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You're welcome, Geoff Hall.
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Arthur Charpentier well I've been on Stage32 since we had less than 5000 members and we are collectively looking for new connections and new opportunities. Lucky you who is not looking for opportunities to further your career. "I am not looking for a job on this site" says to me and most you are not here to meet and collaborate or sell your scripts. Why are you here on Stage32 if not to network, show your skills and ideas and further your creative career?
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Arthur Charpentier that is a specious argument at best. An account on a networking site is not akin to someone buying a book and of course you know that. You don’t purchase a book to network and form a professional relationship with the author.
Being on this site and completing your Bio, is a simple common courtesy to others.
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Agreed, Geoff Hall. We're not FB where folks can hide their nastiness behind a caricature.
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Leonardo Ramirez thank you, Leonardo. This is a community, not a home for bots and trolls.
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Arthur Charpentier excellent! Have a great holiday season!
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M LaVoie however, this is a networking site and not simply one for script competitions. To build networks and personal relationships, you can’t populate your account with impersonal information. Community is about transparency and not opacity and you can’t develop trust with the latter.
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It's true that Stage 32 is first and foremost a networking platform and MANY people, especially reputable professionals in the industry don't feel comfortable networking with someone that uses a graphic or has no photo. I understand why some may feel uncomfortable putting themselves out there, for a multitude of reasons. But the fact is that they're also limiting their opportunities. In addition to limiting your access to the platform, as you could more easily get flagged by a spam-blocking feature or not turn up immediately in search results.
The larger issue at hand is that Stage 32's terms and conditions for participation on the platform does in fact require you to-1. Not upload any photographs, videos, recordings, text or other Content to the Website that does not belong to You or for which You do not have all the required rights to do so at the time of uploading.
2. You shall only provide truthful and accurate information to the Company and to the Service, including without limitation, all information You post in Your Profile Area. For example, without limiting the foregoing, You acknowledge and agree that You shall not upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any information or other Content that: falsely states or otherwise misrepresents Your identity.
Uploading an actual image of yourself is the best way to make sure you're never seen as misrepresenting your identity or using an image that you may not have proper rights to. Both of which can result in you being removed from Stage 32.
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Arthur Charpentier oh dear, yes, let’s just start attacking people shall we. There’s a whole lot of difference between discernment and discrimination and sadly if the only way you can make your point is by insulting people, then perhaps you should desist from commenting?
The whole ethos of this community is to be respectful to others. Your comment falls short of that ethos.
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I disagree with the premise that choosing to not share a photo is dishonest or impersonal. Sure, if you don’t trust faceless profiles, you can choose not to accept their network requests, but ultimately people should be judged on their behavior and quality of discourse they provide.
I took part in message boards for years, centered around film criticism and filmmaking. I got to know the personalities of many insightful people. I can’t tell you what they looked like, their age, race, or gender. Avatars were just that— often cartoon icons. One board I frequented, Indieclub, just had nicknames, no user pics.
There was a time before Facebook, Before real names policies. Spammers have made a lot of us wary of anonymity, but it shouldn’t be the default that everyone has to be transparent.
When I became a moderator here, I hesitated with the idea that I should share a profile photo. I decided a smiling face would help as a friendly figure of authority. But that was my decision and I don’t want to shame those who choose otherwise.
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Mike Boas Hi Mike, I couldn’t agree less. The whole premise of having an account on Stage32 is about transparency. How can you form relationships with people who remain hidden. I’m not sure where your premise comes from. If we know what any site is about and want to join it, then we play by those rules. Terms and Conditions apply.
Stage32 has alway been about transparency, trust and the promotion of a positive space for people to connect in. I can’t connect with a placeholder. It’s a simple request and as RB says, your social media profile is about being the CEO of the ‘brand of you’. How can anonymity be a brand? It’s a non-sequitur.
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M LaVoie this is not a script competition, it’s a community…
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There’s a reason why I like this statement from Ashley: “In addition to limiting your access to the platform, as you could more easily get flagged by a spam-blocking feature or not turn up immediately in search results.”
What we are forgetting about this statement is that we are not the ones reaping the “rewards” of not uploading a profile image. Some folks learn by consequence. Allow them to learn. I agree that they should but I can’t change someone’s mind or heart by taking it public. Let’s not allow ourselves to be consumed with whether or not someone is following the rules. There are more joyful things in life to set our eyes upon.
Let’s make a decision to focus on encouraging others and when someone doesn’t follow a rule, report it and let it go. I love the chain of command. It means I can bring something to the attention of my captain, respect the decision and leave it there. I can then focus on doing good work and hanging out with people who want to hang out with me. Love and peace to all.
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I tend to ignore anyone without a picture. You don't have to have a studio shot just show me you are real.