Quoting CubbyUps:

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About a year ago I submitted cast/crew for a tv special that I found on an old videotape in my collection. I was careful to document all of the data and I submitted it.

Well even today it's still not in their database.

Is that good?
In a way it proves that they do look at all contributions and they aren't just approved right on the spot. I guess they couldn't verify the data from another source and didn't allow it to go through.

Just because a contribution isn't approved right on the spot isn't necessarily proof that IMDb is being prudent to validate a contribution.  It might be something as simple as having a large backlog of contributions to go through.  I'm sure the number of contributions IMDb gets is much greater than what Invelos gets.

I have also tajken notice of the improvement, though it is relatively insignificant due to the size of their database and they have even written some Rules that sound very familiar. I have also noticed some other databases developing some Rules which have a familiar ring to them. That tells me that Profiler is on the right track using REAL data instead of user-imagined data.

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Quoting Merrik:

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While I agree that the entire actor/crew system is a bit off (believe me, I've ranted about it in other threads), you're getting some things confused with the whole system.

The database does not use the entire edit window unless there's a reason to use it, that is, if the actor uses their entire name, first, middle and last.

For an actor like (random here) Susan Sarandon, she ONLY goes by Susan Sarandon. She does NOT go by her birth name of Susan Abigail Tomalin. Therefore, you only need to fill out Susan Sarandon in the cast edit window. DVDProfiler isn't an actor's database where every piece of information about the actor is filled out, it's a dvd/blu-ray etc. program, to keep track and profile films released on that media. Since she has never been credited by her full name, and only by Susan Sarandon, THAT is the name we use, THAT is the information that gets filled out.

Birth Year, as noted in the edit window, is only used to distinguish two actors that share the exact same name, so their profiles don't link. For example, Chris Evans the actor in Fantastic Four and Chris Evans the producer/comedian. They share the same name, so for Chris Evans the actor, you would enter his Birth Year of 1981 to distinguish him from the other Chris Evans (and you'd enter the Birth Year of 1966 for the other Chris Evans).

By entering every single actor's original full name and birth year, you're creating a TON of extra work for yourself. Those fields are there IF NEEDED, not to be used every time with every single actor. I suppose doing it like you're doing it would have it's benefits in that all your cast and crew in your local would link properly, but man... that is a lot of work for something that the system isn't designed for specifically.

For someone like Michael Clarke Duncan, you would fill out the first, middle and last name field because he uses all three of his names.

Now, if you WANT to enter all that information in on your own, that's entirely up to you. Your choice, far be it from anyone to tell you that you can't do that. It's your local database, it's your way of choosing how to enter the information. Don't ever submit any of that information into the system though. It will be declined. It's simply not the way the system is supposed to be used for the overall database. If you choose to continue entering it the way you're entering it, full original name and birth year, you have to keep it local.

I hope that cleared up some confusion for you in regards to why all fields aren't used for cast and crew members.

So, then it was actually unnecessary that the fields (in the edit-window) have been there.
Because nobody uses it anyway.

I think it would really work well if all these actors had a "profile" of sorts,
however really small so it doesn't take up too much, and then they have their full name plus default credit-name.
On top of that, when they're added to an actual movie-profile,
their credit-name can be edited for that specific movie if needed.
Which leaves the original "profile" intact and unedited,
so it can be added to another actual movie-profile as the same and correct actor again.

It's generally the same as everyone's personal list, but then actually already done and right.

Plus, it's not that much work once the name-list is settled.
You don't need to have this extremely huge database with every little detail on the actors and actresses.
You just need a plain list, just like the one that is in there currently,
users don't even need to have all of them, the ones that are in the movies are enough.


It's just that, once they are added, every user and every movie has that same actor in there.
That's to eliminate all those variables.
Except when adding/editing another credit-name or even more details if needed.
But that stuff doesn't have to go back and uploaded again.
The "module" or like the file for that actor is the right one so it can't be confused or duplicated.


Also note, I'm talking about this system in a way of asking how it works or it's used.
And also new ideas for how it could be.
So please don't get confused, sorry if it is confusing.

Quoting DJ Doena:

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Quoting EnryWiki:

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Out of curiosity, how do the IMDb people decide which name is the base form in their db? Most credited?  First entered?  ???

I don't know how they decide that. Maybe they contact the actors. I have seen changes in the common name, but since the ultimate Id is something like nm0001073 it's not as important to them which name is exactly the common name. You can even search for "Anna Mae Bullock".

normally if the actor isn't directly involded through imdbpro the casting-agencies make theese jobs to hold the information up-to-date, because it's gratis promotion

Quoting DJ Doena:

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I don't know how they decide that. Maybe they contact the actors. I have seen changes in the common name, but since the ultimate Id is something like nm0001073 it's not as important to them which name is exactly the common name. You can even search for "Anna Mae Bullock".

You have your answer there: IMDB don't use common names, they give each individual a number and choose a display name they think is most appropriate. If they think the name should change they simply change the display name, the number remains the same therefore all credits remain linked.
Maybe our database should look into creating a unique primary key for individuals, it would negate the need for birth years, common names or "credited as" as the profile can contain any credit it likes as long as the primary key was the same.

Quoting MicHaeL H.:

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I DID ask why it's NOT being used the way it has been made.
Stop calling me an ass!

Stop acting like one and people will stop calling you one.

Quoting kdh1949:

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Quoting MicHaeL H.:

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I DID ask why it's NOT being used the way it has been made.
Stop calling me an ass!

Stop acting like one and people will stop calling you one.

And where did that come from? Judging from the posts in this thread, there are a couple of people acting like asses, however Michael hasn't been one of them! 

Quoting northbloke:

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Quoting kdh1949:

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Quoting MicHaeL H.:

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I DID ask why it's NOT being used the way it has been made.
Stop calling me an ass!

Stop acting like one and people will stop calling you one.

And where did that come from? Judging from the posts in this thread, there are a couple of people acting like asses, however Michael hasn't been one of them! 

@Michael

I apologize for my comment.  I was thinking of someone else who had displayed an attitude that seemed argumentative for the sake of being argumentative.  My comment was out of line.