Although I prefer original artworks, I think this is a great idea. After all, the variety of posters and backdrops is a big advantage of TMDB over other databases - why not expand this potential? Of course, a few rules would be necessary so that not any junk can be uploaded. But deleting all the fan art is, in my opinion, a wasted opportunity. As mentioned above, there are a lot of creative people who deliver high-quality fan art - just take a look at the posters on The Poster Database (TPDb).

( Also, German TV film aficionados would certainly be grateful to have an alternative to the incredibly bad official posters ;) )

@kampfkeks75 said:

Although I prefer original artworks, I think this is a great idea. After all, the variety of posters and backdrops is a big advantage of TMDB over other databases - why not expand this potential? Of course, a few rules would be necessary so that not any junk can be uploaded. But deleting all the fan art is, in my opinion, a wasted opportunity. As mentioned above, there are a lot of creative people who deliver high-quality fan art - just take a look at the posters on The Poster Database (TPDb).

( Also, German TV film aficionados would certainly be grateful to have an alternative to the incredibly bad official posters ;) )

I personally feel like this isnt the place for fan (unofficial) content. Like it wouldnt make sense with the rest of the guidelines/rules already on the site (and therefore imo the purpose/function of this site). We already only use official trailers/videos from official youtube accounts (and delete unofficial vids), strictly add information about release dates or air dates/production companies/episode ordering or grouping/crew and cast crediting/definition of amateur and professional content- including criteria about qualifying releases for amateur content, etc. that is official- with a committment to accuracy to actual concrete facts (like on screen credits, etc.). So to me allowing fan art kind of doesnt make sense to the whole nature of this site. And as far as Im aware there are already a lot of sites out there that have or upload fanart, no? Just imo anyway.

But if we did choose to have fan art, please put it in a seperate tab/area to the official art lol

@softpillow said:

@kampfkeks75 said:

Although I prefer original artworks, I think this is a great idea. After all, the variety of posters and backdrops is a big advantage of TMDB over other databases - why not expand this potential? Of course, a few rules would be necessary so that not any junk can be uploaded. But deleting all the fan art is, in my opinion, a wasted opportunity. As mentioned above, there are a lot of creative people who deliver high-quality fan art - just take a look at the posters on The Poster Database (TPDb).

( Also, German TV film aficionados would certainly be grateful to have an alternative to the incredibly bad official posters ;) )

I personally feel like this isnt the place for fan (unofficial) content. Like it wouldnt make sense with the rest of the guidelines/rules already on the site (and therefore imo the purpose/function of this site). We already only use official trailers/videos from official youtube accounts (and delete unofficial vids), strictly add information about release dates or air dates/production companies/episode ordering or grouping/crew and cast crediting/definition of amateur and professional content- including criteria about qualifying releases for amateur content, etc. that is official- with a committment to accuracy to actual concrete facts (like on screen credits, etc.). So to me allowing fan art kind of doesnt make sense to the whole nature of this site. And as far as Im aware there are already a lot of sites out there that have or upload fanart, no? Just imo anyway.

But if we did choose to have fan art, please put it in a seperate tab/area to the official art lol

The traffic to this site exploded after the ability to change your custom posters on Letterboxd was released, the merger between sites put this place on the map so to speak. I would argue the poster options (and now with the new addition on Letterboxd of custom banners too) is the main redeeming feature of this site. This one feature allows it to stand out from it's VASTLY superior competitors with the likes of IMDb. So by adding (a rather simple, if we are being honest) fix of a fan art tab it would increase this sites popularity by some margin and would stop so many running out of patience and leaving altogether. Since I started this thread I have not returned to this site at all, there has been no need, and many within my circles in the creative field feel likewise. Whereas before the need to make this thread I would be a daily visitor. What this site allows its users to do... other websites do a whole lot better. And the one worthwhile feature on this site is deemed punishable by the admins. It is a very bizarre situation.

The custom poster feature was built by Letterboxd to give their users the ability to pick an image amongst the AVAILABLE posters on TMDB and Posteritati. This was all explained when they launched the feature about two years ago. It clearly states in their journal as well as their FAQ, that while they are offering to some paying users the option to pick your preferred poster (and now backdrop), they do not give them the option to UPLOAD any image of their choosing. Yes, Letterboxd users are more than welcome to make an account and upload good, missing posters to TMDb. But they need to follow the guidelines like everyone else.

Letterboxd themselves are clear about this in the initial journal post:

if you are in possession of a poster image that isn’t in TMDb’s poster-set for a film, you may upload it over there as long as you follow their guidelines. (Please do follow their guidelines—if you don’t, it may result in your being removed from their service and/or having the custom-poster feature suspended on your Letterboxd account. Please be cool.)

and their FAQ:

TMDb accepts user submissions, but please follow the published guidelines when uploading images, as abuse of TMDb’s rules may lead to customization features being suspended on your Letterboxd account. Infringing content includes, but is not limited to, images containing: spoilers, inappropriate nudity, graphic violence, fan art and memes.

While I'm obviously not Travis and don't work for TMDB, it's incredibly hard for me to see the value creating a new category specifically for this new edited/user made poster trend. Unlikely all the other contributions, these are not posters that accurately represent the movie and can be used by the whole community. It's mostly images that are only going to be used by a single Letterboxd user (and maybe their friend). If Letterboxd actually like this trend and want to give their users the option to upload limitless posters/backdrops of their choosing, they should host the images themselves (if that's something studios are fine with).

And if we are talking about fan art in general, there are websites that have focused on it for years and have a huge collection of fan artwork. What TMDB offers is different. Why would they want to compete with them? If Letterboxd wanted to give its users the options to pick from fan artwork, they could try to partner with one of them.

@banana_girl said:

The custom poster feature was built by Letterboxd to give their users the ability to pick an image amongst the AVAILABLE posters on TMDB and Posteritati. This was all explained when they launched the feature about two years ago. It clearly states in their journal as well as their FAQ, that while they are offering to some paying users the option to pick your preferred poster (and now backdrop), they do not give them the option to UPLOAD any image of their choosing. Yes, Letterboxd users are more than welcome to make an account and upload good, missing posters to TMDb. But they need to follow the guidelines like everyone else.

Letterboxd themselves are clear about this in the initial journal post:

if you are in possession of a poster image that isn’t in TMDb’s poster-set for a film, you may upload it over there as long as you follow their guidelines. (Please do follow their guidelines—if you don’t, it may result in your being removed from their service and/or having the custom-poster feature suspended on your Letterboxd account. Please be cool.)

and their FAQ:

TMDb accepts user submissions, but please follow the published guidelines when uploading images, as abuse of TMDb’s rules may lead to customization features being suspended on your Letterboxd account. Infringing content includes, but is not limited to, images containing: spoilers, inappropriate nudity, graphic violence, fan art and memes.

While I'm obviously not Travis and don't work for TMDB, it's incredibly hard for me to see the value creating a new category specifically for this new edited/user made poster trend. Unlikely all the other contributions, these are not posters that accurately represent the movie and can be used by the whole community. It's mostly images that are only going to be used by a single Letterboxd user (and maybe their friend). If Letterboxd actually like this trend and want to give their users the option to upload limitless posters/backdrops of their choosing, they should host the images themselves (if that's something studios are fine with).

And if we are talking about fan art in general, there are websites that have focused on it for years and have a huge collection of fan artwork. What TMDB offers is different. Why would they want to compete with them? If Letterboxd wanted to give its users the options to pick from fan artwork, they could try to partner with one of them.

Of course Letterboxd suggests following another sites guidelines, they would be insane not to. This post is about questioning the guidelines.

1) For a site that is meant to be a celebration of art and artists it sure seems to hate art and artists. And your comment about the usage of these posters just by individuals and friends is a bold faced falsity. The most popular poster custom choices on almost any single movie on Letterboxd is that of fan art. Many artists have gained recognition through their work being available on that site, I myself, as an aspiring artist, have gained a few admirers through it. But TMDB seems to think unless you are 'official' your art doesn't count.

2) On a business level it seems otherworldly... wrong minded (to put it politely) to punish users for the one reason anyone uses this site. Cutting off the nose to spite the face. To compete with something like IMDb then TMDB needs to stand out and offer something different, it does and yet that one thing is punishable. It makes you want to laugh if you think about it. All you are left with is a far inferior copy of its competitors.

Of course it would be fantastic if Letterboxd cut off ties with TMDB and partnered with a more art-friendly site but they haven't and likely won't as this partnership has been around since Letterboxd's inception. So all one can do is question the guidelines of the current partnership.

@JammyBotty said:

1) For a site that is meant to be a celebration of art and artists it sure seems to hate art and artists. And your comment about the usage of these posters just by individuals and friends is a bold faced falsity. The most popular poster custom choices on almost any single movie on Letterboxd is that of fan art. Many artists have gained recognition through their work being available on that site, I myself, as an aspiring artist, have gained a few admirers through it. But TMDB seems to think unless you are 'official' your art doesn't count.

2) On a business level it seems otherworldly... wrong minded (to put it politely) to punish users for the one reason anyone uses this site. Cutting off the nose to spite the face. To compete with something like IMDb then TMDB needs to stand out and offer something different, it does and yet that one thing is punishable. It makes you want to laugh if you think about it. All you are left with is a far inferior copy of its competitors.

What do you mean exactly when you say "for a site that is meant to be a celebration of art and artists"? Is that what this site is? I'm just curious where you get that from and if thats true.

Is it just from this statement?

"Along with extensive metadata for movies, TV shows and people, we also offer one of the best selections of high resolution posters and fanart. On average, over 1,000 images are added every single day."

https://www.themoviedb.org/about

You know what you have a point, I just realised that sentence also says "fanart" LOL. I did not see that before. I thought this site was never interested in fanart, but I guess I must be wrong (and that is strangely inconsistent or outdated- either way not great)

@mods and Travis, why does it say that in the about section?

@softpillow said:

@JammyBotty said

What do you mean exactly when you say "for a site that is meant to be a celebration of art and artists"? Is that what this site is? I'm just curious where you get that from and if thats true.

Is it just from this statement?

"Along with extensive metadata for movies, TV shows and people, we also offer one of the best selections of high resolution posters and fanart. On average, over 1,000 images are added every single day."

https://www.themoviedb.org/about

You know what you have a point, I just realised that sentence also says "fanart" LOL. I did not see that before.

Movies, TV shows and posters are art........ A site dedicated to them, you would think, should be supportive of the arts and those that create art.

And yes, as you say in your little addition in the end, it seems sort of crazy that the inclusion of fan art is in their about page and they celebrate the 1000s of daily submissions... And yet they punish those that do submit fan art?! It genuinely makes zero sense.

@JammyBotty said:

Movies, TV shows and posters are art........ A site dedicated to them, you would think, are supportive of the arts.

Well...no, I disagree. Theres a big difference between a database that wants high quality and an extensive archive of movie/tv show posters and a site that is supportive of art in general. Movie posters are works of art yes, but unlike fan art, theyre also official commercial/marketting products, right? In a way (official) posters are a part of the official existence of a movie/show as they are created by people that are actually involved in the production/distribution of said movie or show. These posters are the official way these movies were advertised and displayed to audiences. And so wanting good posters isnt necessarily about celebrating art or artists, but more so archiving official marketing material imo (in their best state- i.e. highest quality).

Archiving these official posters, is a way of archiving movie/tv history. Having a database of fannart is very different. Anyone can make a piece of art for any movie or show. From very amateur to very professional artists. They can interpret or express any kind of pov about a movie or a show, upload it or sell it anywhere they want, and they can do it at any time they want however many times that want from now until the end of time- and so the world of fanart is infinite. There can potentially be thousands or millions (well infinite really) of fannart posters you could make for any movie or show if you wanted to. In comparison official posters, have a more limited and concrete existence, official posters only come into existence with the different releases or marketting projects made by the movie/shows makers, producers and distributers. The way in which official posters come into existence is of a very different nature than the way fanart posters come into existence.

And so archiving fanart is archiving a very different type of history than archiving actual official movie posters. Not necessarily saying one is better than the other, but just that theyre both very different endeavors- which means there are distinctly different reasons why you may want to pursue one of those endeavors over the other (although you can obviously choose both if you are compelled by the reasons for both). So wanting to archive official posters, doesnt mean wanting to archive art in general, maybe a specific world of art, but not art in general. Maybe Im rambling but whatever just sharing my thoughts lol.

If that sentence didnt contain the word "fanart" then no I personally wouldnt say that sentence indicates that the purpose of the site is to celebrate art/artists (not in the way you mean anyway- not any artists that just decides to make art, but only the artists directly involved with the actual movie/show).

@softpillow said:

@JammyBotty said:

Movies, TV shows and posters are art........ A site dedicated to them, you would think, are supportive of the arts.

Well...no, I disagree. Theres a big difference between a database that wants high quality and an extensive archive of movie/tv show posters and a site that is supportive of art in general. Movie posters are works of art yes, but unlike fan art, theyre also official commercial/marketting products, right? In a way (official) posters are a part of the official existence of a movie/show as they are created by people that are actually involved in the production/distribution of said movie or show. These posters are the official way these movies were advertised and displayed to audiences. And so wanting good posters isnt necessarily about celebrating art or artists, but more so archiving official marketing material imo.

If that sentence didnt contain the word "fanart" then no I personally wouldnt say that sentence indicates that the purpose of the site is to celebrate art/artists (not in the way you mean anyway).

Hence my suggestion of a fan art tab. That way it separates the official from the unofficial, removing any confusion and keeping this sites reputation as an official archive in tact.

The sentence "wanting good posters" rubs the wrong way. Who gets to choose what is or isn't a 'good poster'. I have seen plenty of fan works on here that I don't like at all, yet I still believe in their right to create and upload it.

My sentence about being a celebration of artists is a presumption to be sure but I honestly don't understand how you can be entirely dedicated to an artform, even proudly boasting your involvement of 1000s of amateur artists , and then slam the door in their face and behave in an elitist way making "only official art counts" the mantra. Almost every single person in the industry they archive for started as an amateur...

By proudly showcasing the fanart component of this site on their about page they are openly aware of what sets this site apart from others and yet their actions are very opposed to their words.

That's why in my original post I mention the inclusion of a fan art tab seems like such an easy fix. It would logically make everyone happy. It would increase the traffic and popularity of this site, artists would no longer have to worry about punishment for including their work. And those that want to use this site as an archive will be the happier for it too as there would be a clear line between what is or isn't officially licensed by the movie and it's producers. And it would make the about page true. For in this sites current state, with the punishing nature of it's admins, it's not much more than a bold faced lie.

@JammyBotty said:

And yes, as you say in your little addition in the end, it seems sort of crazy that the inclusion of fan art is in their about page and they celebrate the 1000s of daily submissions... And yet they punish those that do submit fan art?! It genuinely makes zero sense.

To be fair, my guess is that that about section is just not up-to-date (which is a little embarrassing tbh lol).

Here is the sites stance on fan art clearly stated:

"Unofficial Material / Fan Art

No posters made from material unrelated to the movie (e.g. book covers or the soundtrack) or any unofficial material (e.g. candid pictures).

"Fan art" posters created by amateur or professional artists are not supported. Fan art includes changing original posters into black and white, pink or any other color. Even making small changes to a poster, for example changing a white title into a different color, is considered fan art. Please make sure to check that the image you want to add is an official poster before adding."

https://www.themoviedb.org/bible/image/59f7582c9251416e7100005f

(So if im right that that about section is just not up to date then it does make sense that they "punish" (delete) fanart )

Im only quoting this here to show that the about section probably is just out of date since the site does make very clear there that this site isnt for fanart (I understand that you already know this site has those guidelines, but still important to bring it up anyway)

@JammyBotty said:

The sentence "wanting good posters" rubs the wrong way. Who gets to choose what is or isn't a 'good poster'. I have seen plenty of fan works on here that I don't like at all, yet I still believe in their right to create and upload it.

You misunderstand what I meant, the context in which I said "wanting good posters". I am simply paraphrasing or making concise the sentence in the about section that reads "we also offer one of the best selections of high resolution posters" that I brought up. Im just referencing that sentence. I am directly using the word "good" in place of "high resolution". The use of "wanting good posters" has got nothing to do with me making a qualitative judgement about fanart vs official posters.

Anyway though, so if I am correct that that is just not up-to-date (and not just a full blown typo/mistake which seems unlikely). Then it seems at one point this site was meant to be for fanart. So I guess maybe its not that far fetched that it could return back to that again and that maybe the site's owner is in fact interested in this site serving that purpose.

EDIT:

@JammyBotty said:

Almost every single person in the industry they archive for started as an amateur...

Im curious, are you referring to artists of official movie posters, or are you referring to actors, and crew members (directors/writers, etc.)?