I've encountered the same thing. What really irks me, is that the IMDB allowed someone other than myself, to mangle my profile, yet when *I* attempt to correct the blunders someone else made, nothing is done.
Unacceptable.
Note: This conversation was created from a reply on: About 2 months ago I spend 3 days updating my profile at length, only to find now....
Unacceptable.
Note: This conversation was created from a reply on: About 2 months ago I spend 3 days updating my profile at length, only to find now....
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Posted 5 years ago
gromit82, Champion
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Andrea: Are you the Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3457376/? If so, what are the problems on your page?
DavidAH_Ca, Champion
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For your bio proper, you need to realize that IMDb hates to remove data. If you are just removing the first two lines, you can probably do that, provided you do not remove large portions of the rest to the bio, particularly if you make significant additions.
As to the Trivia items, the question is not Are they ridiculous? but rather Are they (or were they at one time) accurate? If they were accurate at one time but no longer are, you will have better luck updating them than removing them. Only if they are patently false should you try and delete them.
Remember: this is not your profile in the sense that it is something you may decide what data is included; it is IMDb's page about you, and they get to say what stays in (which is basically whatever is true whether you like it or not).
As to the Trivia items, the question is not Are they ridiculous? but rather Are they (or were they at one time) accurate? If they were accurate at one time but no longer are, you will have better luck updating them than removing them. Only if they are patently false should you try and delete them.
Remember: this is not your profile in the sense that it is something you may decide what data is included; it is IMDb's page about you, and they get to say what stays in (which is basically whatever is true whether you like it or not).
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Another ridiculous thing. They hate to remove data.
Well, I hate for some idiot to have their way with my bio and yet there is nothing I can do about it.
I've attempted to fix all of it, but I'm not holding out hope.
No disrespect intended, but being as you don't know me, don't assume ANY of the trivia about me is correct.
However, for argument's sake I will say that the trivia is okay in some parts.
But the stupidity of me not bathing in water deeper than six inches and PATENTLY false.
So, what will be done about that?
I've never said such a thing, that is an outright lie, but the correct info was removed and false information added, instead.
I've started making silent, Avant Garde films now, and I'd like for my profile to be as up-to-date as possible, being as the IMDB is the only true professional place to list my works.
If someone looks at my bio now, they'll get nothing but a good snicker.
Well, I hate for some idiot to have their way with my bio and yet there is nothing I can do about it.
I've attempted to fix all of it, but I'm not holding out hope.
No disrespect intended, but being as you don't know me, don't assume ANY of the trivia about me is correct.
However, for argument's sake I will say that the trivia is okay in some parts.
But the stupidity of me not bathing in water deeper than six inches and PATENTLY false.
So, what will be done about that?
I've never said such a thing, that is an outright lie, but the correct info was removed and false information added, instead.
I've started making silent, Avant Garde films now, and I'd like for my profile to be as up-to-date as possible, being as the IMDB is the only true professional place to list my works.
If someone looks at my bio now, they'll get nothing but a good snicker.
DavidAH_Ca, Champion
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I said they hate to remove data; I should have said 'accurate data', and they are certainly willing to correct errors. However, so many people want to edit their page for personal (or professional) reasons to remove facts that they do not like that the Data Managers tend to be very cautious, so that they don't lose real data.
I never assumed anything about the trivia. However, 'rides a motorcycle' is something that does not seem too far out. (I have no idea if it is false or not.) However, assuming for the sake of an example that you used to ride, but gave it up, if you try to delete it and the Managers find evidence of you riding, they will not delete it, and worse, it will throw all your submissions into doubt. In a case like that, a change to something like "Used to ride a motorcycle, but quit in 2010" will have a good chance of being accepted. Again that was an example, I am not assuming what the truth is.
Actually the first statement in the previous paragraph is not totally accurate. I did assume that :
For every update, be sure to click the box to Add an Explanation, and enter a specific reason. (The Explanation is required by the system for Deletes.) The reason can be critical in getting the item accepted. It needs to persuade the Data Manager that the change brings the item and the page closer to the facts, and is not being done just because you dislike it.
This is the type of data that you should add to your bio (in the form of a general statement, not a list of titles), but IMDb will not let it replace the current information. If you add this type of date, and change the current sections to improve the format (like removing the first two lines) without removing the actual facts, there is a good chance it will all be accepted. If you try to use it to replace what is there, IMDb will almost certainly either reject it or add it as a second bio.
I never assumed anything about the trivia. However, 'rides a motorcycle' is something that does not seem too far out. (I have no idea if it is false or not.) However, assuming for the sake of an example that you used to ride, but gave it up, if you try to delete it and the Managers find evidence of you riding, they will not delete it, and worse, it will throw all your submissions into doubt. In a case like that, a change to something like "Used to ride a motorcycle, but quit in 2010" will have a good chance of being accepted. Again that was an example, I am not assuming what the truth is.
Actually the first statement in the previous paragraph is not totally accurate. I did assume that :
Has such a fear of sharks that she will not go near beaches or on cruises and rarely bathes in water deeper than 6 inches.was probably one of the items you considered ridiculous. What needs to be done in this case depends on whether or not you are afraid of sharks. If you are not, and have never been quoted as saying you are, you can try to delete it in toto, with the explanation stating that it is totally false and you have never said that or been afraid of sharks. If, on the other hand, you are afraid of sharks (a common fear) you should just edit it to remove the section that is false - obviously the bating bit, and possibly the beaches and/or cruises - or replace with something true e.g. "so she will not swim in the ocean". Again, if it was true but no longer is, you should edit it to indicate that.
For every update, be sure to click the box to Add an Explanation, and enter a specific reason. (The Explanation is required by the system for Deletes.) The reason can be critical in getting the item accepted. It needs to persuade the Data Manager that the change brings the item and the page closer to the facts, and is not being done just because you dislike it.
I've started making silent, Avant Garde films now, and I'd like for my profile to be as up-to-date as possible, being as the IMDB is the only true professional place to list my works.
This is the type of data that you should add to your bio (in the form of a general statement, not a list of titles), but IMDb will not let it replace the current information. If you add this type of date, and change the current sections to improve the format (like removing the first two lines) without removing the actual facts, there is a good chance it will all be accepted. If you try to use it to replace what is there, IMDb will almost certainly either reject it or add it as a second bio.
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I understand all of that.
Ironically, the trivia of my being afraid of beaches, and cruises because of sharks, is accurate and used to be a great source of amusement for my fans.
So, my agent added it to my bio. It's true, it's funny and I have no problem with it.
What I have a problem with is the "fact" that I won't bathe in water more than six inches deep.
That makes me sound like a lunatic.
I DO ride a motorcycle and I DO name characters in my books after ancestors...though not for the reason stated.
My agent had aptly listed the reason I do so, and yet, whoever couldn't mind their own business thought they'd put their spin on it.
Being as it's not slanderous, I'm okay with leaving it as is.
I had an infamous rep as an author (mostly among fellow authors because I did things my own way, which is frowned upon) not one bit ashamed of any of it, and don't wish to "change" it
What I would like, is for the IMDB to not allow just anyone to edit bios.
Especially if they do so with the intent of being a jerk, or for their own jollies, or whatever the reason was this idiot decided they could do a better job than my agent.
Ironically, the trivia of my being afraid of beaches, and cruises because of sharks, is accurate and used to be a great source of amusement for my fans.
So, my agent added it to my bio. It's true, it's funny and I have no problem with it.
What I have a problem with is the "fact" that I won't bathe in water more than six inches deep.
That makes me sound like a lunatic.
I DO ride a motorcycle and I DO name characters in my books after ancestors...though not for the reason stated.
My agent had aptly listed the reason I do so, and yet, whoever couldn't mind their own business thought they'd put their spin on it.
Being as it's not slanderous, I'm okay with leaving it as is.
I had an infamous rep as an author (mostly among fellow authors because I did things my own way, which is frowned upon) not one bit ashamed of any of it, and don't wish to "change" it
What I would like, is for the IMDB to not allow just anyone to edit bios.
Especially if they do so with the intent of being a jerk, or for their own jollies, or whatever the reason was this idiot decided they could do a better job than my agent.
DavidAH_Ca, Champion
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I understand, and I would recommend you submit changes to the inaccurate Trivia items to correct them. For those that were correct, but were later 'fancified' the explanation "My agent submitted this correctly, but it was later changed and is now incorrect. I am changing it back to the previous accurate version" would likely get it corrected.
One of the reasons I recommend you correct the Trivia (aside from the fact that I want IMDb to be accurate) is that IMDb tracks contributors for the accuracy of their submissions. If too many are found to be wrong, they will be flagged as unreliable and their submissions will be scrutinized more carefully before being accepted (if they are accepted at all). Much of IMDb runs on trust, and we need to let IMDb know if that trust is misplaced.
Another reason I want you to update is that I now want to know why you name characters after your ancestors!
What I would like, is for the IMDB to not allow just anyone to edit bios.Quite understandable. However, individuals (and their agents) have a tendency to put 'their best foot forward' and either won't add or will remove interesting items that they don't think are 'appropriate' for their business or personal profile. IMDb would lose a huge amount of data that the users want to know.
One of the reasons I recommend you correct the Trivia (aside from the fact that I want IMDb to be accurate) is that IMDb tracks contributors for the accuracy of their submissions. If too many are found to be wrong, they will be flagged as unreliable and their submissions will be scrutinized more carefully before being accepted (if they are accepted at all). Much of IMDb runs on trust, and we need to let IMDb know if that trust is misplaced.
Another reason I want you to update is that I now want to know why you name characters after your ancestors!
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I submitted some changes, yesterday.
If these aren't accepted either, I'll try wording the changes as you suggested and see if that works.
Thanks for the tips.
I can tell you why I name characters after my ancestors, although I'll go into a little more detail here, than my agent did, originally.
She simply stated that I did it as an homage... Which was short, sweet, to the point and accurate.
I hail from several distinguished lines of royalty and historical prominence, but much of that greatness was lost as others ascended the thrones, fortunes changed and ultimately... Important European ancestors came to America and married American Indians and had to either, go into hiding, or simply didn't care about lineages, once here in the US and simply wished to start over.
No one in my family since the 1800s, has done anything noteworthy and the one great grandmother I did have, that had lofty goals, her dreams never came to be.
In her day (early 1900s) women didn't have careers, opinions, etc.
So, all of her dreams slipped away (until the day he died, my dad SWORE she wrote the wartime song, 'Little Soldier Boy,') and generations later, along comes me...my great grandmother in a new body. Ha ha...
I have the same drive, tenacity and determination that she had and what opportunies may not have been available to me, I either made my own way and/or did everything myself.
I made quite a name for myself in my author days, was a multiple time best seller and award winner and was an underground celebrity.
Naming characters after ancestors and family members is my way of paying homage to those who came before me, those whose ships never came in and those who gave up all they had, to start a new life.
So there you have it.
Not much, certainly not interesting by any means, but it means a lot to me.
:)
If these aren't accepted either, I'll try wording the changes as you suggested and see if that works.
Thanks for the tips.
I can tell you why I name characters after my ancestors, although I'll go into a little more detail here, than my agent did, originally.
She simply stated that I did it as an homage... Which was short, sweet, to the point and accurate.
I hail from several distinguished lines of royalty and historical prominence, but much of that greatness was lost as others ascended the thrones, fortunes changed and ultimately... Important European ancestors came to America and married American Indians and had to either, go into hiding, or simply didn't care about lineages, once here in the US and simply wished to start over.
No one in my family since the 1800s, has done anything noteworthy and the one great grandmother I did have, that had lofty goals, her dreams never came to be.
In her day (early 1900s) women didn't have careers, opinions, etc.
So, all of her dreams slipped away (until the day he died, my dad SWORE she wrote the wartime song, 'Little Soldier Boy,') and generations later, along comes me...my great grandmother in a new body. Ha ha...
I have the same drive, tenacity and determination that she had and what opportunies may not have been available to me, I either made my own way and/or did everything myself.
I made quite a name for myself in my author days, was a multiple time best seller and award winner and was an underground celebrity.
Naming characters after ancestors and family members is my way of paying homage to those who came before me, those whose ships never came in and those who gave up all they had, to start a new life.
So there you have it.
Not much, certainly not interesting by any means, but it means a lot to me.
:)
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Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc
I never wrote my bio, my agent (at the time, did) and then a filmmaker friend went in and spruced it up.
Also, some of the trivia is ridiculous.
I tried, again, yesterday to correct it. That, "writes of herself" blather, really grates me.
I've never been pompous and I don't think it's cute or helpful, whoever wrote it to make me sound like I think I'm all that.
Especially, when I've never been like that. The original bio, was just fine.
Now, thanks to this idiot, it NEEDS updating.