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Post by coolbyrne on Jul 4, 2007 0:51:41 GMT -5
Okay, I know I wasn't going to say anything more, but I just have to say this to get the laughter out of my system, and then I'll try to hold my tongue, I promise. MJ.net just uploaded the 2nd Green Flag advert. ... and if you look closely, you'll see that there has been an attempt to crop out the watermark in the bottom right corner. You can really notice it at the end, when the screen goes black. Here's a screencap of our version: And now, a screencap from their version: The black screen at the end: Thanks for the non-credit there, MJ.net! *shakes head* And I will admit to the guest that there have been some conjecture in the vents towards the other board, but I notice you never answered the points that I felt were NOT conjecture, and have been, in actuality, proven to be fact. And we'll just have to agree to disagree on the issue of Simone Lahbib, though again, in all sincerity, I do appreciate you posting an opposing view. It's not easy being the lone voice and I respect the fact you decided to do so anyway.
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Post by guest on Jul 4, 2007 1:21:59 GMT -5
Well to be fair, I'm one of two voices that've spoken up saying it feels like enough negative stuff has been said. And I did address the points you made -- not piece by piece, because I think enough negative has been said. But I didn't discount your points. I just said:
You've made your point again with this most recent post. I'm not denying it but I don't see the point of fanning the flames either. I'd rather read or see something new about Mandana or the parts she's played.
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Post by coolbyrne on Jul 4, 2007 1:43:38 GMT -5
Then by all means check out the video clips we've been posting every week for the last month. Or join the board using "guest" as your user name and start a thread yourself. Easy peasy.
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Post by romanmachine on Jul 4, 2007 1:46:44 GMT -5
In the words of the immortal Gordon Ramsay - "Dear, oh dear."
Just when I thought that MJ.net couldn't anymore childish, they pull a stunt like this. I realize they won't reply to this, but I just have to say a few things. (If I can stop laughing long enough to type, that is. ;D)
Does it really bother you people that much to give credit where it's due? You've not only stiffed us, but, by your ridiculous attempt at cropping the video, you've (almost) stiffed The AdAge Group as well! Double trouble. I'll tell you a few things I've learned in my meager experience with videos. You know, for the next time this happens.
- Don't make a .wmv file from a .wmv file because, as anyone with eyes can see, you've seriously lost video quality by re-encoding in the same lossy format. The scenery in the background is basically a big, green smudge, all of the color is muted and, worst of all, both actors look like they've been run through a blur filter.
- Aspect ratio is a bitch, yeah? Too bad The AdAge Group had the number of people like you and put the watermark above the black bars. The only way I've found to combat this is - don't try to cut out watermarks. Just give credit to your sources and the problem of aspect ratio goes away.
I'm sure this will seem like pettiness to some of you, and I have no defence for that. Which is good 'cause, even if I had one, I wouldn't use it. This is a perfect example of how they'll do anything (even if it means they look like fools) to keep up that facade of "exclusivity."
Ladies, you can shout from the rooftops about everything that Mandana has given you (personally delivered by her to your house, no doubt), but in this case, for this video, your source was us. You know it. We know it. Anyone who reads this without bias will know it.
Now, I ask you, is all of the posturing and lying really worth the blow to your dignity? In the time it took you to make this pathetic attempt at saving face, you could have posted the original video and, thereby, gotten MJ's latest work out to all the fans who visit your website. But, instead of thinking about the fandom (or the actress herself), you decided that showing a bit of humility was just too much to ask. Pathetic.
I know people will read my post and think "Wow, how small of her." Fair enough, I am gloating but believe me, there's plenty of exasperation (and humor) in everything I've said. MJ.net is willing to choke the life out of the fandom they say they support and, to me, that is just mind-boggling in its absurdity.
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Post by Mad as Hell on Jul 4, 2007 1:59:04 GMT -5
This is exactly the type of post we have all been talking about
As we mentioned on the MJ Net message board (and I think here, but can't remember and be bothered to look) we knew that Mandana had filmed a number of different versions of the advert. The second of those is now available
Yes this thread could be seen as pettiness but it is quite clear that people are annoyed and need to vent. Despite this thread, despite it obviously being monitored STILL posts are made claiming to have all sorts of insider knowledge.
I do agree that we should move on now. Whether conjecture or truth, let's leave them to it.
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Post by bgfanusa on Jul 4, 2007 8:11:42 GMT -5
I am one of the folks calling to take the high ground. However, I find it very interesting that some folks are posting as "guests" to say enough is enough. The point is this ... MJNet got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Not once, not twice...several times... I post on MJnet and enjoy reading the fanfic, debates, etc. I also agree with RM and CB that they are not exclusive to Mandana love nor necessarily the best site. There is room in the Mandana tent for many sites.
I just feel that the issue is over and the so called guests should sign in, or leave it.
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Post by guest on Jul 4, 2007 8:27:44 GMT -5
I think this thread was opened to guests so we could comment. I'm not signing in because I don't agree with the level of criticism that's taking place, and I think I have that right. I'm not sure how signing in would make my points any more or less relevant.
I've absolutely enjoyed some of the vids and such posted here. I don't begrudge anyone the work done on all that. It's not my thing to post in regard to those things, but I do enjoy them.
I posted on this thread because for me it takes away from the enjoyment of the rest of the site, and I wanted to say so in case it'd help put an end to it.
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Post by justafan on Jul 5, 2007 22:21:22 GMT -5
Speaking of bullying fans, I remember when Mandana gave birth , a UK fan broke the news by posting it on the messageboard. Both Sara and Jayne of MJNet were very angry with the said fan for posting it without telling them first and they deleted her post and when she and another member complained about it both of them were promptly banned from the board. So you can see they were the last ones to find out as usual!! I was the non UK member banned at that time. I wanted credit given to the UK fan for breaking the news about the birth. I thanked her for posting the information first and Sara and Jayne went BALLISTIC. They said something along the lines of how upset Mandana was and how WRONG we were for posting this info. Yeah, I really believe Mandana was "upset". I'm sure it was the two of them who were horrified that they had been scooped. I'm enjoying this thread. This place is a breath of fresh air! Thank You!
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Post by bgfanusa on Jul 5, 2007 22:50:14 GMT -5
Wow Justafan...that is crazy....really??? ummmm guess they want her all to themselves. Based on Mandana's interviews and such. She strikes me as a laid back, go with the flow, not interested in the hype kinda person. I cannot believe they have such a direct pipeline to Mandana that Mandana called them and said...no info on the baby's name. It almost sounds like the two gals from that board have a control issue. Too sad. I do not think Mandana would like that at all. Maybe they have a bit of Nikki rage...
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Post by justafan on Jul 6, 2007 23:34:16 GMT -5
Yes, bgfan, they definitely do have a control issue. I questioned them once before (in a personal message) on some little piece of trivia and you would have thought I was asking for a state secret. Oh no, they COULD NOT POSSIBLY divulge the answer to my question (I think it may have been about whether her brothers were older or younger.) I think it was around that time that I began to sour on the two of them. I will say that when I first found their site I thought it was amazingly well designed and I posted on their board saying that. I have a graphic arts background and believe me that place was lovely to look at and a real tribute to Mandana Jones who, if she cared a hoot about the internet, should have been touched and proud that she was represented on the internet by such a classy site. That was then. With every new 'upgrade' over the years their website has degraded into something I think is now just mediocre. When I first discovered the site it seemed to be mostly run by Jayne who I beleve definitely is talented where designing a website is concerned. When Sara appeared on the scene I think things started to go wrong. I think it is Sara who bullies the fans to whip them into shape and control them.
Another thing they do that I think is odd is their annual 'birthday greetings' or Christmas greetings to Mandana. The first couple of years I think we all participated but when Mandana NEVER responded I think we got disgusted and many of us just stopped posting such messages.
So many of us have had negative experiences regarding mj.net that it's really nice to be able to vent a little spleen.
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Post by topcat on Jul 7, 2007 6:15:08 GMT -5
Hi Justafan. I definitely agree that the dynamics changed over on that site and that the original webmistress seemed to withdraw, which was a shame both artistically and in the general demeanor.
Whether as a result of this thread or not at least the site is now being updated and proper thanks seem to be being given to sources of information. That can only be a good thing for Mandana fans everywhere.
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Post by wadewannabee on Jul 8, 2007 19:04:24 GMT -5
I've recently been looking at the mjnet website. They have up loaded a lot of video clips of Mandana's interviews, including the Saturday Show. I wonder if mjnet have read all this backlash about them on this site?!?!?
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Post by coolbyrne on Jul 8, 2007 19:45:27 GMT -5
Yeah, I saw that, too. Though I will say, out of the 22 they've uploaded, there are 4 CUFA clips and 3 Saturday Show clips. In fact, I think only 4 are completely different from ours- the London Bridge clip with MJ and SL, the Lexus advert, the Flesh & Blood clip, and the Powers clip. (And we haven't posted the Powers clip for reasons other than we don't have it- we do. *grin*) And that Green Flag advert is definitely ours! But regardless of the content or the incentive, it is nice to see a fire lit over there. Whatever the cause, as topcat said, it can only be a good thing for the fandom.
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Post by Nikkhele on Jul 10, 2007 9:51:15 GMT -5
Thanks CB for starting this thread, I feel like I do have to vent It clarifies quite a lot of things for me as I don't have the long history with BG or MJ fandom as some here do. The direct-pipeline-to-the-star-fan-driven-to-power-trip syndrome seems to effect other fandoms as well, so not so much a surprise there. The first inkling I had of this is when I posted a question on the Q&A thread. I was under the impression that they were relaying the questions to MJ and/or SL and then getting back with the answer. Yeah, I know, I'm a little slow on the uptake. Heh. After 3 weeks of not hearing a word in answer to my question, I wrote them privately and was told the answers were what they already knew. I thought this was really odd, because what's the point of a Q&A if not to ask the stars questions? Anyway, I thought it was pretty rude to ignore my question. They could have said they didn't know. They finally did say that but only after I had questioned them privately and it took a whole month in all to answer on the board. Generally speaking, I took this experience to mean they don't have Mandana's nbr on their speed dial or whatever, and that they were just guessing at what they think they know, reluctant to admit they don't know as much as they make you think they know. I'm still confused about Mandana's marital status. There is conflicting info between this site and that one. Not that it really matters, but just not sure why there's confusion over it. On another note entirely, is there a 3rd advert for the Green Flag? In one screen shot I saw somewhere, it looked like Mandana was talking, or am mistaken? Thanks
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Post by coolbyrne on Jul 10, 2007 11:08:05 GMT -5
Not sure if you're being facetious, so I'll answer. There is a third Green Flag advert, but she still doesn't talk. Right now it's only available on the Green Flag site, but as soon as we find a better, larger version, we'll post it. Then other sites will post it, too.
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