Personal Thoughts/Question for the Staff

[Aries Neo Calisto Sumpters]

Why would you limit your players to not being able to create unique appearances? I.. somehow--and sue me, 'cause it IS right there, and I see it now--missed that I had to create a character based on a real person... so I created my character and, lo-and-behold, his appearance is.. not able to be matched up with a real person.

So, I created a character... who cannot join.. because he doesn't look like a celebrity.

Which, honestly, is the most interesting reason my application has ever been denied. This place is literate, right? You have to be able to imagine things to read and roleplay...

... But, look, I'm not saying you should change it for me. Why the heck would you? I just.. wanted to say my piece 'cause I figured I had earned the right for writing up something that can't make it through on a reason that sounds so silly.

I can see that you're trying to keep with your style, and I already complimented your style, so it would be stupid of me to say you shouldn't do it, but, it still sucks to be me. The only characters I ever created to look like someone else were for a Harry Potter board and only because I didn't really like them, I just wanted to play with good writers. I learned to draw 'cause I wanted to create unique characters--

So as unfair as it is for me to ask you to change, I can't really force myself to change, either. So... *rubs back of head* I don't know what I'm trying to accomplish here.

I just wanted to whine because I'm sad.


======

But on a seperate note, could you... double enter between each rule on your rules page or something? maybe do the list thing with the [ * ]'s... 'cause Bri and I both somehow missed that rule. and it might save someone like me from doing this again.

[Sen.Ghost]

We can space the rules better, and I'll probably do that tomorrow 'cause I'm about to go to bed.

I understand your frustration, but I want to point out that it isn't that we're trying to make you form a character based on a celebrity. In fact, when I choose my PBs, I often choose people who very few other people have heard of before. Possibly people I myself have never heard of. This is so that my character, and how someone views my character, is less likely to be influenced by a role or persona that celebrity has taken on.

(You also use stalk photo or hollow-art or try to find a model picture).

For instance, I have no idea who the PB for my Headmaster is. He looks familiar, I think I've seen him before, but I haven't a clue. There's nothing attached to him other than what I myself attach there. And, unless someone else is a fan of Mads, people are more willing to except his character than if he were, say, Hugh Laurie. If Hugh Laurie was the PB, then I suspect people would associate the Headmaster with a character similar to Dr. House.

It's alright to have your own vision of what your character looks like, and if you describe it in the appearance, then people will for the most part understand. I would even be alright if you did a combo, find a PB that looks similar enough and make a drawing of what you see/describe it.

But for the most part, the rule is as it is because when you think of the scenario in your head, it's easier to take a photo of a person and edit it in your mind, then take a stylized drawing and try to turn it into a person.

I'm sorry it caused you so much grief, but there is a rationale to it that I hope you can respect.

[Beeee.♥]

::Adds::

ALSO, it doesn't need to be a celebrity. Two of my pbs are random people from deviantart. So there is a whole world of options out there for you. ;]

[Aries Neo Calisto Sumpters]

Well, I can respect it without any problem. It's not a matter of respect that limits me; but I don't think I'll ever really agree.

In reality, though, I would never imagine a scenario played out by Alan Rickman no matter who the character claims to look like, but when I imagine scenes, even real scenes, I imagine them in art. Everyone puts together images in their head differently, but .. I can understand how you would want to help people imagine scenarios.. Which is kind of why I draw scenes, too, but Bri has always used real people.. and I've always drawn, so ...

In short, I don't think that a board needs art to imagine what a character looks like, so .. I would rather my character not be defined by a person than define them as looking wrong because I couldn't find the right image.

[shou]

You could always use photoshop.
Find a picture who you think has a similar enough face and maybe even hair then find someone who's good at photoshop.
Give that person what kind of image you want and then BAM!
You get a picture right?

I'm just trying to think of a solution. As for me I found my picture from google images which ended up being from Deviant art... >_>''

[Sen.Ghost]

I'm sorry you can't agree, but it is the rules, rules which I did not make, and therefore I can only enforce.

While you may see things play out in a stylized manner, other people do not. Not to say they are incapable, because I too am an artist, and when I write it's like a movie or an animation going on in my head.

I just simply can't allow you to have an anime style student (not that I am in the least bit opposed to anime, I read manga very day) but simply the rules require realism. You could always create a Dream Being and it would be fine.

If you want, I can paint or vector Gactk to look the way you want him too. It really wouldn't be so hard if you're this bent on it.

And while some of the more popular PBs are hard to imagine, we felt that we wouldn't limit people by banning more popular PBs, which is something other RPs have done. When I run into scenarios where's there's something like that, I personally blur the face of, let's say Emma Watson, and try to put another face on it. Or, I create a new person.

Perhaps I was wrong to bring up scenarios, because however someone sees the scenario is up to them. How you think of your character to look and how other people see him will never match. It's more about the personality and the actions of that character in threads then it is about appearance. People will always fill in how they look. It shouldn't be as be a big of a deal as you are making it.

Also, it's a psychological fact that people relate better to human faces than a stylized drawing. Stylized drawings conjure up a different emotion. So for the sake of this RP, please use a PB that is based off of reality, whether that be an actual photograph or a photo that has been manipulated to look the way you choose. And not just in your application.

[Beeee.♥]

It's kind of like a movie.
You don't only watch animated movies, do you?

[Aries Neo Calisto Sumpters]

EDIT: You know, I just realized I have a friend who might just make this easier on all of us because she's gorgeous.

I watch all sorts of movies, but there are lots of people with signatures that are just animated here, who seem to be students. If you would like to render me ('cause I cannot touch photography--it results in disaster.), that would be reasonable to me.

I realize on principle you made me choose a face. I realize now because I've made a big deal out of it, you've got to make sure I don't walk around the rules, but I quit making a big deal out of it yesterday and chose a persona. One anyone can reference with a google.

Now, if you want to make me said Gackt with Connie Chui's hair from that picture that doesn't look like a bad paste-and-glue like I would have to do it, I will put it up right beside my picture of how I think he looks, but asking me not to use my image in my signature is a bit extreme.

Had I not been so excited about joining the site, I wouldn't have drawn the image before I was graciously informed of the rule.

You're being very patient with me, I realize, and if it's any consolation, I'll get out of your hair permanently if you tell me I can't use the picture at all because I stated my opinion pre-solution.

But I've already changed my character for you by giving him a look I don't really feel is true to him, which on the level of "how desperate am I to roleplay here" is up there with "I killed someone and am wearing his skin--please let me come in? I'm really that guy!"

Since I've already done that, I'm not opposed to putting a picture of Gackt up with the right hair and adjusted eye color, and hell, if you give me time or a picture, I might actually adjust my view of Aries for this board, and I really won't need to use my art.

[Aries Neo Calisto Sumpters]

BAH! His eyes and eyebrows don't look right.. I hate photoediting. ;_;

... But I like the bright eyes... ..

.. But, I changed it. No Gackt. This is Raven. I don't necessarily see Aries looking like her, but she's closest I can get.. ... and I didn't have to photo manipulate much...

..........

That's all. I have officially stabbed my Aries muse with a fork and made him look like one of my friends. ;_;

.... I hope I get some really great RP here.

[Sen.Ghost]

I'll eat my words and apologize as there is one student who doesn't have her PB as a sig. But of the three pages of members and however many students and staff, she is the only one. I rather the uniformity, so I'll ask her to change.

We aren't trying to test your willingness to be accepted here, and I'm sorry that you felt that way. I just felt that publicly posting your complaints, rather then PMing me, was, while within your rights, also a little uncalled for. It seemed as though you were attempting to change the rules and I can honestly see your point and opinion, but the fact is that I have no say in the rules. Yes, I am the Admin, but I am the temp admin until November comes back. When she does return, if you want to take it up with her, then please do so. She's the one with the power to change things.

We really do welcome and want you here. And I hope you find it worth it, even though you feel you have to compromise your creativity in your character. And for that, I am truly sorry. And I want to thank you for working with us and complying even though you obviously struggled with this.

Please don't think that we are hard asses or obnoxious. We're just trying to run a forum that we love very much and are very proud to be a part of. And for me, I just want November to come back to the beautiful forum and idea she created and be pleased with how things ran here and that we kept the integrity of her brainchild.

I'm sure this is the last of our problems and that we'll work really well together in the future. And in time you'll find that while my signature is jokingly 'Do as I say,' I'm pretty lenient and lax. I just have to uphold rules.

And with that, I hope this is resolved and there are no hard feelings. And if you have anything more that you want to say, please PM and I'll gladly listen and work things out with you.

[Aries Neo Calisto Sumpters]

Jul 1, 2009 23:34:00 GMT Sen.Ghost said:

I just felt that publicly posting your complaints, rather then PMing me, was, while within your rights, also a little uncalled for. It seemed as though you were attempting to change the rules and I can honestly see your point and opinion, but the fact is that I have no say in the rules. Yes, I am the Admin, but I am the temp admin until November comes back. When she does return, if you want to take it up with her, then please do so. She's the one with the power to change things.

I apologize. I looked around for a "Suggestions or Queries" forum.. and Bee told me to PM you, but I had it in my head that I wouldn't want to be PMed if I were you--it would seem like a personal attack.

I swear, I chose this outlet as a courtesy, not as a form of anarchy.

I realize now, by your statement, that it was not a courtesy to you but rather did the opposite of what I had intended. For that, you have my absolute humblest apologies.

I don't think that you personally or your style had ever meant to hurt me, and as someone who has admined in someone else's stead and felt the need to make them happy, I can see where you come from and again... I apologize.

I know I stated it a couple times, but I do understand. I'm arguing semantics--the purpose is only to make you understand my side. I said from the get-go, it would be unfair to ask you to change; and I meant it as much then as I mean it now...

But as a personal insight, I operate on a "I just want you to know and accept that my opinion is valid", which you have done a couple times, which I appreciate, because.. trust me, I know how obnoxious someone like me can be.

And that's no excuse, really, but it *was* hard for me. Had I known from the get go, I might have been different, but probably just as asinine--I merely would have made a comment beside the picture like I did for everything else I questioned.

In short--and nothing I ever say seems to stay short--I'm sorry this was so hard for me and for you.