Everybody close to me is a friend one and a fan second. It is beyond naive to consider them solely fans at my age and at the state of my current writing career. For fear of alienation, when someone comes up to me and tells me that they liked what I had to say about a film or in one of my blogs, I reply, "thanks for the support. I greatly appreciate it." Saying, "thanks for being a fan" sounds a little pompous in my current state.
Basically, on Thursday September 6, 2012, in one of my classes, I contemplated doing something on Facebook that appeared gimmicky, but would unfold and become one of the most earnest things I've ever done in my life. My plan was to send out a Facebook post saying that if one were to like this specific status, I would in return, write a brief review of them on Facebook as soon as possible.
When I got home, I instantly posted the status and walked away for a little bit. Returning, I was met with ten likes in the first hour. Not bad. Wrote them all (while writing the first few, about five more people liked the status, as well), and took a break. I return about seven or so, and am overwhelmed to say the least with over thirty-five likes. I cranked out most all of them, at the time, until nine when I went to sleep.
I wake up to do about ten more from overnight, return home from school Friday to find about three more or so, and find that Saturday was relatively quieter with two likes throughout the entire day. The "like"-counter stands at seventy-eight, the most likes I've ever gotten on a post. Needless to say, I probably wrote two or three reviews worth in "people reviews," but it was definitely worth it.
So the question is, why did I do it? Certainly I am not complaining I had to, for I have no right do, because I encouraged people to ask for one. I enjoyed doing it. For over three years now, I've been allowing users to view my website and my reviews, free of charge, continued posting dozens upon dozens of reviews on Facebook and Twitter, and welcomed response, positive or negative. For all that, I needed to work for the people who are putting me on the map and supporting my writing career, and to keep in my line of work, I decided to make it so that people could request if they wanted me to review them or not.
I did it not only to give back, but to make Facebook a bit more heartfelt than it already was. We constantly see people imploring that people like their statuses for something so trite as "truth is..." and "rates" that are usually the same, generic little thing. By doing a review, I wanted to show people that I was capable of saying something not limp and disposable, but thoughtful and courteous, complementing them on their personal qualities or their inner-selves. I then attached a simple star rating, like I do to my reviews (no one got below a three, what I consider a passing grade).
Here's an example of one of my reviews posted on someone's wall...
Basically, on Thursday September 6, 2012, in one of my classes, I contemplated doing something on Facebook that appeared gimmicky, but would unfold and become one of the most earnest things I've ever done in my life. My plan was to send out a Facebook post saying that if one were to like this specific status, I would in return, write a brief review of them on Facebook as soon as possible.
When I got home, I instantly posted the status and walked away for a little bit. Returning, I was met with ten likes in the first hour. Not bad. Wrote them all (while writing the first few, about five more people liked the status, as well), and took a break. I return about seven or so, and am overwhelmed to say the least with over thirty-five likes. I cranked out most all of them, at the time, until nine when I went to sleep.
I wake up to do about ten more from overnight, return home from school Friday to find about three more or so, and find that Saturday was relatively quieter with two likes throughout the entire day. The "like"-counter stands at seventy-eight, the most likes I've ever gotten on a post. Needless to say, I probably wrote two or three reviews worth in "people reviews," but it was definitely worth it.
So the question is, why did I do it? Certainly I am not complaining I had to, for I have no right do, because I encouraged people to ask for one. I enjoyed doing it. For over three years now, I've been allowing users to view my website and my reviews, free of charge, continued posting dozens upon dozens of reviews on Facebook and Twitter, and welcomed response, positive or negative. For all that, I needed to work for the people who are putting me on the map and supporting my writing career, and to keep in my line of work, I decided to make it so that people could request if they wanted me to review them or not.
I did it not only to give back, but to make Facebook a bit more heartfelt than it already was. We constantly see people imploring that people like their statuses for something so trite as "truth is..." and "rates" that are usually the same, generic little thing. By doing a review, I wanted to show people that I was capable of saying something not limp and disposable, but thoughtful and courteous, complementing them on their personal qualities or their inner-selves. I then attached a simple star rating, like I do to my reviews (no one got below a three, what I consider a passing grade).
Here's an example of one of my reviews posted on someone's wall...
"From
her competence as a lab partner, to her just all around incredibly
appealing nature, never falling prey to senseless conformity or
modernist nonsense, **** **** is a pleasant stroll through the
world of likable difference and pleasant good-natured humanity. ***1/2."
Would you rather have something like that posted on your wall or something along the lines of, "truth is you're an awesome friend, truth is we had good times in math, truth is we should talk more?" By doing these "people reviews," I felt that I gave people some much-needed positivity and self-confidence in their lives as we are either functioning in a cynical high school or a mundane life with very few surprises. Even the people I really didn't know too well or lost contact with, I gave a nice, reassuring "review" to.
I'm not saying that people should try to follow in my footsteps, nor am I saying that I was simply trying to be cutesy and chummy with certain friends. I was simply giving back and providing a little boost in confidence to my internet-friends, classmates, colleagues, adult friends, etc. It was a fun little event. Way more popular than I could've imagined.
Once more, thanks to everyone who supports me in my dream to become a film critic/journalist.
Comments
Post a Comment