Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 19/08: TOTW questionnaire!
Artiste:
Merci, that's thanks for trying to revive our/my favorite story and movie: Brokeback Mountain !!
..........
1) Movie vs. short story - Do you want the TOTW to focus more often on the short story?
Like Brokeplex and others, I prefer too discussions of the film... at numerous times !! The film are visuals more readily for us (since we are lasy as humans and think or imagine less ?? Unfortunately !!)
However, I think that we are missing A GREAT DEAL about the short story, and maybe we should accent that much, much more !!
I think that it is important to mix afterwards the two in some discussions.
2) Symbolism - What's your general take on symbolism discussions? Interested or not?
Of course, discussions of symbols are interesting, and can be more so, as have been done, may I say ! Like Brokeplex and other say, they can contribute to a more complete understanding of the film or the short story.
I find it sad that more as well as different levels of myths... like symbolism, etc., are NOT talked about, since these could enrich individuals and society and the world too !!!
3) Polls - I like polls of Brokeback Mountain topics.
And suggest that many more be done !!
4) Frequency - Do you think we should have a fresh TOTW every week? Or would you prefer a different span of time (which? biweekly, monthly, ....?)
May I quote Brokeplex there:
Weekly TOTW is about right, although some discussions may take longer than one week and consideration for a "hot topic" might be made.
And may I add:
Let it be longer when it's possible and wanted by one, many or all members !!
At times, the mind needs time; so does a subject which is simple or complex at first glance... which lets us discover life/lives !! And we all contirubute and learn... with facts, proofs, etc., thoughts, research, and then we can say: oh, that is news... I never thought of that !! Etc. !
5) Scene vs. character discussion:
both are interesting !!
6) Would you like to discuss speculative topics? A speculative topic: yes !! Indeed many !! Like the story is more for gays, and the movie more anti-gays in some ways !! Is that speculative ?
7)What else? Much, much, much more !!
Au revoir,
hugs!
Shakesthecoffecan:
1) Movie vs. short story
Do you want the TOTW to focus more often on the short story?
Yes, because people need to read.
2) Symbolism
What's your general take on symbolism discussions? Interested or not? It would be okay, I think it has been well discussed.
3) Polls
Do you think I should include polls to the TOTW more often than done before? Okay.
4) Frequency
Do you think we should have a fresh TOTW every week? Or would you prefer a different span of time (which? biweekly, monthly, ....?) I would say every two weeks.
5) Scene vs. character discussion
In general: do you prefer more scene-driven topics or more character driven topics? Examples: „What do you make of the Maybe Texas scene?“ for a scene-driven topic. „Was ;Mr. Twist homophobic?“ for a character-driven topic. Do you have any preference at all?
No preference
6) Would you like to discuss speculative topics?
While discussion is often speculative and there is no definite answer to many topics about the movie/story, there are some questions which are speculative on a higher level.
I think it is well discussed already
7)What else?
You have more to say? I forgot an important question? You do have an idea? You want to tell me what you like or don't like about the TOTW feature? Go on, here's the place for it!
I would like to see expanded discussion of Annie Proulx's other works.
Lynne:
First, I would like to say that I really enjoy the Topic of the Week discussions, even though I don't always post, mostly because I rarely feel like I have anything new to add. Still, I enjoy revisiting these discussions.
1) Movie vs. short story
I think it might be a good idea to alternate the topics. I came to BBM via the short story first, but I think most people probably had the movie experience first. At any rate, they complement each other, IMO, and you wouldn't have the movie without the short story, so I like including both.
2) Symbolism
I enjoy these type of discussions! :)
3) Polls
Polls are fun, especially when people respond with additional information in the thread.
4) Frequency
One to two weeks seems about right, and we can always revisit older threads when ideas occur!
5) Scene vs. character discussion
I don't have a real preference here...the variety is interesting.
6) Would you like to discuss speculative topics?
I don't seem to get as engaged with speculative topics, which you can entirely blame on my lack of imagination, but they can be fun.
7)What else?
--- Quote ---I would like to see expanded discussion of Annie Proulx's other works.
--- End quote ---
I agree, but since I'm the person with the New Yorker containing Annie's latest story in her backpack unread, I can't really say anything. I think it's great we're talking about THE DARK KNIGHT, tho, and I enjoyed discussing LUST, CAUTION back when it was new. It might be good to expand the TOTW to include projects relating to BBM principals for future ideas.
BlissC:
--- Quote from: Penthesilea on July 15, 2008, 01:10:10 pm ---1) Movie vs. short story
--- End quote ---
So long as it's Brokeback, I don't mind.
--- Quote ---What's your general take on symbolism discussions? Interested or not?
--- End quote ---
I think there's a lot of scope still for symbolism discussions, but I don't necessarily think it needs to be separate from other TOTW topics - there's so much symbolism in BBM that it comes up anyhow within many discussions.
--- Quote ---Do you think I should include polls to the TOTW more often than done before?
--- End quote ---
Polls can be a useful way to gauge opinion if it's a topic where there's a fairly simply yes/no option a/option b/option c etc. split, but often with polls there'll be a fair number of people who won't fall into any one category and will want an "other" option. I think it's probably a fun addition that could be added to a lot of discussions, but the real fun's always going to be in the discussions.
--- Quote ---Do you think we should have a fresh TOTW every week? Or would you prefer a different span of time (which? biweekly, monthly, ....?)
--- End quote ---
Definitely weekly. I think apart from the fact that one discussion that goes on and on for weeks can get a little tiresome (though obviously if people think of something else they naturally will "resurrect" an old TOTW) a weekly topic's one way to keep the forum busy and people interested in what's going on. Sunday's I always look forward to checking out what the week's topic's going to be, and I think for those who visit Bettermost on a more infrequent basis, having a TOTW that regularly changes is one way of drawing them back into discussions. If you've been away from the forum for a while you might feel a bit self-conscious about just jumping into discussions, but having a well "signposted" TOTW gives a focal point to the forum so people can quickly see what's new and join in.
With a large forum like Bettermost with a large volume of new posts and threads every day it can seem a little overwhelming at first knowing where to look and what's going on, and I think for new members especially the TOTW feature is very useful because it's a focal point and the regular contributors tend to show up on TOTW threads so it's one way of new residents getting to know the townsfolk.
On my own forum I introduced a weekly TOTW last year, and mostly (unless I'm busy and forget to change the topic or run out of ideas :laugh:) we change the topic weekly. Occasionally if it's something the members really get stuck into and start arguing about debating heatedly we'll let it run for a couple of weeks, but usually after about a week or so the regular members tend to drift off naturally to other things and the topic slips from the radar.
--- Quote ---In general: do you prefer more scene-driven topics or more character driven topics? Examples: „What do you make of the Maybe Texas scene?“ for a scene-driven topic. „Was ;Mr. Twist homophobic?“ for a character-driven topic. Do you have any preference at all?
--- End quote ---
As long as it's Brokeback, I don't mind. ;D
--- Quote ---Would you like to discuss speculative topics?
--- End quote ---
I think speculative topics are good topics, because while there must be a finite number of interpretations or explanations to something like "In the four year reunion scene, why did Alma ask Ennis to get her a pack of smokes?", a speculative topic has an infinite number of ways different people will interpret sometimes both the question and the scene or character or aspect of the film/story, and while there are a finite number of scenes in the film you can discuss, characters' motivations and feelings and "what if's" are where we're given the most material as inspiration.
--- Quote ---You have more to say? I forgot an important question? You do have an idea? You want to tell me what you like or don't like about the TOTW feature? Go on, here's the place for it!
--- End quote ---
My suggestion would be to have a board specifically for the TOTW discussions. On my forum I have a "Debating Room" (I was lacking inspiration that day for what to call it :laugh:) and all our TOTWs are kept together in there. Members like having them all in one place because they know each week that that's where they'll find the latest "hot topic" and also if they think of something they want to add to previous TOTWs they know where they'll find them without having to hunt through the entire forum trying to remember when the topic was started, who by etc. etc.
For TOTWs I'd suggest staying away from topics that are only relevant to a specific area, for example the TOTW a few weeks ago on Bravo's screening of BBM. It's obviously an important topic that needs discussing, but maybe not entirely suitable for a TOTW. For those of us on the other side of the pond, it's not particularly relevant, not having seen that particular screening and not necessarily knowing about all the ins and outs of the politics of US TV and broadcasting etc. Though I think I probably posted a couple of times on that particular thread, it wasn't something that I felt I could particularly contribute to.
Penthesilea:
I want to thank everybody who replied so far! You're great, and your FB is very useful. I've already read interesting things and gotten some ideas from it. I really appreciate it :).
I'll work my way carefully through all replies after the survey will be closed and will let you know the outcome. Please allow me a few weeks for that.
And don't forget that the questionnaire runs for two weeks (till July, 28th). So everybody still can chime in :).
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