Video submission rules: A refresher course

[Joe Hadsall]

Judging from recent submissions into our Media Forums, we need a refresher course on our submission guidelines. Before the recap, however, let's talk about why we have them.

I hear some of y'all bellyachin'. "Aw, Mr. Man," the bellyachers say. "What gives? Other forums don't have such STRICT, PAINFUL, Nazi-like requirements! EPIC FAIL, broheim! It's my vid! I do what I want!" First: Bellyachers are idiots for comparing magic video submission policies to militant, murderous fascist regimes. Second: We all can agree that magic exposure is bad, right? Bottom line: Our media submission guidelines prevent exposure. Because explaining exactly how would constitute a form of exposure, I'll let you figure out how for yourself as you review these key rules:

• Disable your comments. "But Mr. Man! I want feedback! That means I have to keep my comments on!" Think about what kind of feedback you want. Would you rather have insightful critiques from the most supportive, knowledgable and savvy magic forum members on the Internet? Or do you want some nosenugget with bad spelling type that your pass sucks when your video doesn't have a pass? Better yet, how would you like that same nosenugget to post a link to a harmful Web site? Think about what you really want.
• Name your video something that has nothing to do with magic. A Google search for the name of a vid can bring up some other results that you may not want your laymen friends to see.
• Clean your tags and description of all magic-related references. YouTube keeps users on its site by posting related videos. We know this because, like you, we have watched a minute become an hour as we get stuck watching video after video of kittens doing really cute things. You watched every one of those videos, didn't you? Did you see the related videos to the side? With weird things that didn't seem so related, such as the one for the racist mattress company? Weird, right? YouTube finds these "related" videos by searcing for vids with similar tags and descriptions. If you hate exposure, then you want to scrub all those things of magic-related terms.

When moderators make decisions on approving your videos, these three things are checked. A vid that has just one out of the three areas incorrect doesn't get posted. That's why submissions may take a while to show up. So help us help you, and help us fight exposure. Make sure you follow those rules. Cool? Cool.

Oh, one more thing: Scott Baird rocks. He knows why.

[Pusher]

Or do you want some nosenugget with bad spelling type that your pass sucks when your video doesn't have a pass? Better yet, how would you like that same nosenugget to post a link to a harmful Web site? Think about what you really want.

That made me laugh.

the racist mattress company

No, I think I missed that one...

Edit: Never mind, I found it.

[Casko]

BAHAHHAHA racist mattress company i remember that! Sorry had to comment.

[Shea Mac Intire]

Joe, is by far my favorite person on these forums. His sense of humor is priceless.

Alot of people wouldn't think what he says is funny, which makes it all for the better.

[Zac_Pettigrew]

I am sure that many people submit tricks that they want to sell. I did recently. I was surfing the Ellusionist site forums, first time since about 2006 - discuss that later-, hoping for some sort of reply to my submission, when I noticed the forum about un-related tags. I realized my submission would probably be deleted because I had tagged it with magic terms... So my point is, maybe on your submission form guidelines you should make mention of this topic. That might save a lot of time for inventors and maybe even prevent you from missing out on a great effect that could be easily discarded.

[Shawn Mullins]

I am sure that many people submit tricks that they want to sell. I did recently. I was surfing the Ellusionist site forums, first time since about 2006 - discuss that later-, hoping for some sort of reply to my submission, when I noticed the forum about un-related tags. I realized my submission would probably be deleted because I had tagged it with magic terms... So my point is, maybe on your submission form guidelines you should make mention of this topic. That might save a lot of time for inventors and maybe even prevent you from missing out on a great effect that could be easily discarded.

If it's a trick you want to sell and was put through the "submit a trick" sections on the main page please follow the provided rules (it's on that page). Typically we always watch and evaluate anyways no matter the tags because we don't want to miss out on something (like you said).

The rules posted here are for youtube/vimeo videos for the forum members to see and comment on. In other words... public