A couple of points (1998/10/06)

A couple of points

Posted by Chris L on 1998/10/06 17:16

I said

Some people have not seen this film and may not Know what happens
to Leo.

One of the guidelines on this list is supposed to be that we don't
include major plot details of films etc without some warning and
spoiler space.
Yes I know I have offended against this in the past, but not for over
a year now.

ChrisT said

You have to be kidding, right? How many people haven't heard what

happened

to the Titanic? Now if the film changed history and a fleet of alien
spaceships descended upon it and rescued everyone, that would be a

spoiler

(and a plot for a cheesy B-movie). Surely it's OK if the plot details

are

widely known/well publicised.

1. I was talking about the fate of Leo's character, not of the ship.
I personally objected to the fact that I had heard an accurate and
detailed description of Leo's fate before I went into the cinema to
see the film. If there are some people out there who had failed to
see it in the cinema, THE FOOLS, they now Know what happens to Leo
before they see it on video.

2. I was making the general point about spoilers using this as an
example.

Another minor detail that has been bugging me.
Why do we have to show a film at the first meeting?
The point of the first meeting is that we say hello to the new
members and then take them to the heart of the society, the Ascot.
I am aware that showing the big film brings in lots of people, but...

How many of the large membership we had last year actually bothered
doing anything with the society other than going to see the films?
How many of the student membership were available to take committee
posts at the AGM?
If we don't get active members down the pub, we don't get a committee -
end of society if we're not careful?
Perhaps slightly overdramatic but my point is that the society is
intended to get lots of people with similar interests talking to
eachother. The Ascot is where we do that, not watching a film.

My personal suggestion would be that we have film nights on a night
other than Thursday. That means we will stand a chance of getting new
blood in the Ascot, instead of the new members looking at their watches
and saying to themselves, 'hmm look at the time, not worth going to the
pub for only an hour.'

I just looked at my watch. Because I've been writing this, I just
missed my train. And some of the library staff are giving me strange
looks and glancing at their watches. I think the time has come for me
to bid you all goodnight.

I'll be sure to wear something flameproof tomorrow.

Chris

Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?
I think so Brain, but it's a wonder this one grew back.

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

A couple of points

Posted by Jacquie Kelly on 1998/10/06 18:36

chris lyth wrote:

You have to be kidding, right? How many people haven't heard what

happened

to the Titanic? Now if the film changed history and a fleet of alien
spaceships descended upon it and rescued everyone, that would be a

spoiler

(and a plot for a cheesy B-movie). Surely it's OK if the plot details

are

widely known/well publicised.

1. I was talking about the fate of Leo's character, not of the ship.
I personally objected to the fact that I had heard an accurate and
detailed description of Leo's fate before I went into the cinema to
see the film. If there are some people out there who had failed to
see it in the cinema, THE FOOLS, they now Know what happens to Leo
before they see it on video.

I personally haven't seen the film but I heard from multiple different
sources (not just IFIS) that Leo's character died (personally, I'm not
that bothered about Titanic - I have better things to do with my time
than waste at least three hours of it seeing Leo doing his wooden acting
stunt (and yes, I did see Man in the Iron Mask))

2. I was making the general point about spoilers using this as an
example.

As far as I can see, nearly everybody does use spoiler space

Another minor detail that has been bugging me.
Why do we have to show a film at the first meeting?

Why not?

The point of the first meeting is that we say hello to the new
members and then take them to the heart of the society, the Ascot.
I am aware that showing the big film brings in lots of people, but...

How many of the large membership we had last year actually bothered
doing anything with the society other than going to see the films?
How many of the student membership were available to take committee
posts at the AGM?
If we don't get active members down the pub, we don't get a committee -
end of society if we're not careful?
Perhaps slightly overdramatic but my point is that the society is
intended to get lots of people with similar interests talking to
eachother. The Ascot is where we do that, not watching a film.

My personal suggestion would be that we have film nights on a night
other than Thursday. That means we will stand a chance of getting new
blood in the Ascot, instead of the new members looking at their watches
and saying to themselves, 'hmm look at the time, not worth going to the
pub for only an hour.'

I just looked at my watch. Because I've been writing this, I just
missed my train. And some of the library staff are giving me strange
looks and glancing at their watches. I think the time has come for me
to bid you all goodnight.

I'll be sure to wear something flameproof tomorrow.

Chris

Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?
I think so Brain, but it's a wonder this one grew back.

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

A couple of points

Posted by Asan Tu on 1998/10/07 10:11

chris lyth wrote:

1. I was talking about the fate of Leo's character, not of the ship.
I personally objected to the fact that I had heard an accurate and
detailed description of Leo's fate before I went into the cinema to
see the film.

Objection noted.
Objection filed away.
Objection thrown on the bonfire heap on bonfire night.
;)

Another minor detail that has been bugging me.
Why do we have to show a film at the first meeting?

Why not?

The film at the first meeting lets us start the society with a bang, and
it paves the way for us to carry on. Chris, I know you're absolutely DYING
to meet all these wonderful new people who have joined us, but we would
like to start this all off as smoothly as possible :)

All current members of IFIS are very welcome to come to the film, but if
you can't be arsed then sit in the pub and we'll see you later on in the
evening.

The point of the first meeting is that we say hello to the new
members and then take them to the heart of the society, the Ascot.
I am aware that showing the big film brings in lots of people, but...

Errrrrrrr yes, the whole point of the film is to give our members,
especially NEW FRESHERS OUT THERE (WAVE), something to enjoy on a Thursday
night. The Ascot WILL be at the forefront of our publicity, as illustrated
by the big maps I've done on our flyers and newsletter.

Cheers
Asan

===========================================================
Asach Tu
elterwater@ <----- send mail here
http://www.cs.rhbnc.ac.uk/~asach <--- homepage here
0956 151 141 <------- mobile here
"Take the time to make some sense, of what you wanna say...
And cast your fears away upon the waves..."
===========================================================

A couple of points

Posted by Philip Ayres on 1998/10/06 18:51

1. I was talking about the fate of Leo's character, not of the ship.
I personally objected to the fact that I had heard an accurate and
detailed description of Leo's fate before I went into the cinema to
see the film. If there are some people out there who had failed to
see it in the cinema, THE FOOLS, they now Know what happens to Leo
before they see it on video.

Actually it's a reasonable assumption that he dies - given that the ship
sinks ! It would be more a spoiler to claim he lives.....

Now it's not as if he told you what happens to Sheridan in SiL? I do know
remember .....

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Philip Ayres
E-Mail: payres@
Web Site: www.netcomuk.co.uk/~payres
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

A couple of points

Posted by Nick Waterman on 1998/10/07 09:47

Philip Ayres said:
[LEO]

Actually it's a reasonable assumption that he dies - given that the ship
sinks ! It would be more a spoiler to claim he lives.....

But Kate...

There were actually, if I remember right, about 400 people saved,
compared with 1500 drowned, so Leo and Kate each stood about a 20%
chance of making it.

Now it's not as if he told you what happens to Sheridan in SiL? I do know
remember .....

Not to mention what happenned to captain what's-her-name in River Of
Souls! Phwoar! :-)

Nick Waterman. Network Consultant / Sysadmin - LEOnet
nick-sig@ Team *AMIGA*!
I love defenseless animals, especially in a good gravy

A couple of points

Posted by Adam Hattrell on 1998/10/07 11:08

1. I was talking about the fate of Leo's character, not of the ship.
I personally objected to the fact that I had heard an accurate and
detailed description of Leo's fate before I went into the cinema to
see the film. If there are some people out there who had failed to
see it in the cinema, THE FOOLS, they now Know what happens to Leo
before they see it on video.

2. I was making the general point about spoilers using this as an
example.

Ah but you see that's because your missing the point of spoilers.

The concept of spoilers occur, because sci-fi movies are (in the
main) incredibly badly written. The major thrill comes from some
lame plot twist, that makes you sit up etc. If you already know
the twist, many movies become so much dross. Titanic sits
above such dross and appears to have some kind of appeal
(which is fairly rare, now days). As such it isn't going to
ruin the movie to know that the fat, wooden acting, teenager
is going to croak at the end of the film (though rumour has
it on the net, that for the sequel he will actually have survived).
If anything, it probably adds to the appeal, the whole doomed
lovers thing.

Another minor detail that has been bugging me.
Why do we have to show a film at the first meeting?

Because (for the third year running):

i) It gives people a reason to dedicate the evening to IFIS rather
than going to one of the other socs intro evenings.

ii) It gives freshers a point of commonality, something that if
all else fails they can discuss at the pub afterwards.

iii) It keeps the costs of being an IFIS member down.

iv) Oh hang on you've made my next point in your next paragraph:

The point of the first meeting is that we say hello to the new
members and then take them to the heart of the society, the Ascot.
I am aware that showing the big film brings in lots of people, but...

Yup, it's an informal way of saying hi to the membership, and it normally
brings in a crowd.

How many of the large membership we had last year actually bothered
doing anything with the society other than going to see the films?

And the problem with just going to see the films would be?
The point of running the soc is to allow RHUL students (as many
as possible, preferable) to have fun.

How many of the student membership were available to take committee
posts at the AGM?

Is this relevant? I suppose your saying that the preferable alternative
would
be to have very few members, one or two of which have to be forced to
take committee posts?

If we don't get active members down the pub, we don't get a committee -
end of society if we're not careful?

Yeah, right. Putting on additional events such as, showing films is going
to kill the society dead? Getting more members is a bad thing?
Are you aware how silly you sound?

Perhaps slightly overdramatic

Maybe there's hope.

but my point is that the society is
intended to get lots of people with similar interests talking to
each other. The Ascot is where we do that, not watching a film.

No the society, is set up to allow members to follow common
interests and have fun. If the majority of members would like
to watch films, then that's the current purpose of the society.

My personal suggestion would be that we have film nights on a night
other than Thursday. That means we will stand a chance of getting new
blood in the Ascot, instead of the new members looking at their watches
and saying to themselves, 'hmm look at the time, not worth going to the
pub for only an hour.'

The advantage of keeping everything on one night, is that people find it
easy to remember, and can keep that evening free. By splitting over
multiple evenings you increase the chances of clashing with other
activities that people wish to follow.

And I seriously doubt that people don't come down to the pub cos
there's only one hour left. The more usual reaction would be, "just
about enough time to fit in one or two pints before closing time".

Laters,

Adam

A couple of points

Posted by Asan Tu on 1998/10/07 15:50

Hello all,
Can I ask you to keep this thread confined to personal e-mails from now
on, since it seems to be getting a bit out of hand.

Thank you
Asan

===========================================================
Asach Tu
elterwater@ <----- send mail here
http://www.cs.rhbnc.ac.uk/~asach <--- homepage here
0956 151 141 <------- mobile here
"It's only right that you should play the way you feel it"
===========================================================

A couple of points

Posted by Chris L on 1998/10/07 19:34

1. I was talking about the fate of Leo's character, not of the ship.
I personally objected to the fact that I had heard an accurate and
detailed description of Leo's fate before I went into the cinema to
see the film.

Another detail being that the irritating female blabbed 90% of the
rest of the story at the same time.

<snip>
I've said all I'm going to about Titanic and leo. Other than watch
This Boy's Life. Leo acts De Nero off the screen.

Another minor detail that has been bugging me.
Why do we have to show a film at the first meeting?

Because (for the third year running):

i) It gives people a reason to dedicate the evening to IFIS rather
than going to one of the other socs intro evenings.

ii) It gives freshers a point of commonality, something that if
all else fails they can discuss at the pub afterwards.

iii) It keeps the costs of being an IFIS member down.

So we're a cheap alternative to the cinema, Is that it?

iv) Oh hang on you've made my next point in your next paragraph:

The point of the first meeting is that we say hello to the new
members and then take them to the heart of the society, the Ascot.
I am aware that showing the big film brings in lots of people, but...

Yup, it's an informal way of saying hi to the membership, and it

normally

brings in a crowd.

How many of the large membership we had last year actually bothered
doing anything with the society other than going to see the films?

And the problem with just going to see the films would be?
The point of running the soc is to allow RHUL students (as many
as possible, preferable) to have fun.

Having fun can include going to the pub with friends can it not?

How many of the student membership were available to take committee
posts at the AGM?

Is this relevant? I suppose your saying that the preferable

alternative

would
be to have very few members, one or two of which have to be forced to
take committee posts?

Yes it is relevant. At the last AGM we had only 3 non final year
students attending and 4 committee posts.

If we don't get active members down the pub, we don't get a committee

-

end of society if we're not careful?

Yeah, right. Putting on additional events such as, showing films is

going

to kill the society dead? Getting more members is a bad thing?
Are you aware how silly you sound?

Getting more members is not a bad thing. Getting less active members who
give a shit about doing the society is.
Count the number of students at the last AGM.
BTW what happens to a society with too few active members to make up
a committee?

but my point is that the society is
intended to get lots of people with similar interests talking to
each other. The Ascot is where we do that, not watching a film.

No the society, is set up to allow members to follow common
interests and have fun. If the majority of members would like
to watch films, then that's the current purpose of the society.

The reason the society showed lots of films last year was the committee
decided to. Not because lots of people begged that we did so.

My personal suggestion would be that we have film nights on a night
other than Thursday. That means we will stand a chance of getting new
blood in the Ascot, instead of the new members looking at their

watches

and saying to themselves, 'hmm look at the time, not worth going to

the

pub for only an hour.'

The advantage of keeping everything on one night, is that people find

it

easy to remember, and can keep that evening free. By splitting over
multiple evenings you increase the chances of clashing with other
activities that people wish to follow.

And I seriously doubt that people don't come down to the pub cos
there's only one hour left. The more usual reaction would be, "just
about enough time to fit in one or two pints before closing time".

Once again how many freshers did we get and keep last year?
Members who do things with and for the society are more important to the
society than people who show up to see the occasional film and that is
all they do.

Chris

Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?
I think so Brain, but it's a wonder this one grew back.

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

A couple of points

Posted by Andy W. on 1998/10/07 20:03

<snip>
I've said all I'm going to about Titanic and leo. Other than watch
This Boy's Life. Leo acts De Nero off the screen.

And beats him up if my memory serves me correctly.

Andy

A couple of points

Posted by Asan Tu on 1998/10/07 20:59

On Wed, 7 Oct 1998, White C wrote:

So we're a cheap alternative to the cinema, Is that it?

No, we're a society, where like-minded people come to meets others and
enjoy themselves. The films are an integral part of this society.

How many of the large membership we had last year actually bothered
doing anything with the society other than going to see the films?

Last year. Not this year.

Having fun can include going to the pub with friends can it not?

Yes, but going to JUST the pub every thursday.

Yes it is relevant. At the last AGM we had only 3 non final year
students attending and 4 committee posts.

THE LAST AGM. Not this years.

Getting more members is not a bad thing. Getting less active members who
give a shit about doing the society is.
Count the number of students at the last AGM.

Once again, The last AGM. You must remember people were in preparing for
their exams at the time and going to an AGM may have been the last thing
on their minds.

The reason the society showed lots of films last year was the committee
decided to. Not because lots of people begged that we did so.

Chris, If people did not go to these films then that would be reason
enough not to show them. However, since a sizable number of people did
attend these film evenings, the past committee must have been doing
something right. Why fix what is not broken?

Chris, I point out that most of your arguments are based on what last
years committee did. Luke, Jon and the rest did a brilliant job last year
and deserve a pat on the back for keeping this society going.

But may I remind you that you have a new society committee this year.
You have a new chairman this year who is determined to follow on the good
work from last year and make sure our members make full use of this
society.
If you have different ideas on how this society is run then you should
have brought them up at the AGM LAST YEAR and got yourself elected as
chairman. However, since I was elected, I would appreciate your
cooperation in the running of this society, instead of bitching about it.

Last year is in the past. This year is now. This is one chairman who is
not going to screw things up.

Now if you'd like to take this further then please mail me personally or
speak to me about it on thursday. But as far as I am concerned this matter
is now CLOSED.

Thank you

===========================================================
Asach Tu
elterwater@ <----- send mail here
http://www.cs.rhbnc.ac.uk/~asach <--- homepage here
0956 151 141 <------- mobile here
"It's only right that you should play the way you feel it"
===========================================================

A couple of points

Posted by Chris L on 1998/10/08 15:31

On Wed, 7 Oct 1998, White C wrote:

Lyth actually. Poor Chris White.

No, we're a society, where like-minded people come to meets others and
enjoy themselves. The films are an integral part of this society.

In my experience, relatively little meeting of people is done at an
event where people show up watch a film and then sod off back to their
rooms which is what was happening last year.

How many of the large membership we had last year actually

bothered

doing anything with the society other than going to see the

films?

Last year. Not this year.

How can you be so sure? I have been to 7 AGM's now and last year was the
first year that I have seen so few people at the AGM. It was also the
first year that a film a week had been shown.

Having fun can include going to the pub with friends can it not?

Yes, but going to JUST the pub every thursday.

But going to JUST a film every thursday? That is what a large number of
people did last year.

Yes it is relevant. At the last AGM we had only 3 non final year
students attending and 4 committee posts.

THE LAST AGM. Not this years.

again how can you be so sure?

Getting more members is not a bad thing. Getting less active

members who

give a shit about doing the society is.
Count the number of students at the last AGM.

Once again, The last AGM. You must remember people were in preparing

for

their exams at the time and going to an AGM may have been the last

thing

on their minds.

You mean there won't be exams on the horizon at this year's agm? you
surprise me. Are the university going to cancel exams so that freshers
and second years can concentrate on AGMs? I don't think so.

The reason the society showed lots of films last year was the

committee

decided to. Not because lots of people begged that we did so.

Chris, If people did not go to these films then that would be reason
enough not to show them. However, since a sizable number of people did
attend these film evenings, the past committee must have been doing
something right. Why fix what is not broken?

I am not saying show no films. I am suggesting vary the nights.
Have events in the Ascot from time to time. Do things designed to get
people into the Ascot instead of just sitting slack jawed in front of a
screen for hours on a Thursday.

Chris, I point out that most of your arguments are based on what last
years committee did. Luke, Jon and the rest did a brilliant job last

year

and deserve a pat on the back for keeping this society going.

I was on last years committe I expressed reservations about a film a
week last year as well. I have been louder this year because I consider
my reservations to have been justified.

But may I remind you that you have a new society committee this year.
You have a new chairman this year who is determined to follow on the

good

work from last year and make sure our members make full use of this
society.
If you have different ideas on how this society is run then you should
have brought them up at the AGM LAST YEAR and got yourself elected as
chairman. However, since I was elected, I would appreciate your
cooperation in the running of this society, instead of bitching about

it.

I am not a student. I cannot be chairperson. I use this forum because it
reaches lots of people. I don't see you directly all that often.

Last year is in the past. This year is now. This is one chairman who is
not going to screw things up.

I hope not.

Now if you'd like to take this further then please mail me personally

or

speak to me about it on thursday. But as far as I am concerned this

matter

is now CLOSED.

You do not decide what is discussed on the list. That is the prerogative
of the entire membership.

Thank you

You're welcome.

Chris

Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?
I think so Brain, but it's a wonder this one grew back.

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

A couple of points

Posted by Philip Ayres on 1998/10/08 18:22

How can you be so sure? I have been to 7 AGM's now and last year was the
first year that I have seen so few people at the AGM. It was also the
first year that a film a week had been shown.

They didn't dish out the free beer - that was the problem.

You have to work f***ing hard to top that AGM !
I think it was even quorate ! (sp ?)

Philip Ayres
E-Mail: payres@
Web Site: www.netcomuk.co.uk/~payres

A couple of points

Posted by Andy W. on 1998/10/07 14:26

Just putting my tuppence worth into this debate, but surely someone must
have noticed the huge Titanic spoiler at the back of the last RWAV.

The passage went approximately like this: "The blue lipped, sprout-faced Leo
sinking to his timely death at the end of Titanic."

This went out some days before the offending email, and just goes to show
that despite all the effort going into producing a copy, few of you actually
read it.

Andy.

A couple of points

Posted by Nick Waterman on 1998/10/07 17:11

Wren A said:
[Rune With A View]

This went out some days before the offending email, and just goes to show
that despite all the effort going into producing a copy, few of you actually
read it.

Personally, I've not recieved my copy yet.

Nick Waterman. Network Consultant / Sysadmin - LEOnet
nick-sig@ Team *AMIGA*!
All general statements are false.

A couple of points

Posted by Philip Ayres on 1998/10/07 18:32

This went out some days before the offending email, and just goes to show
that despite all the effort going into producing a copy, few of you

actually

read it.

Personally, I've not recieved my copy yet.

Nor me ! And I wrote for it. Twice !

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Philip Ayres
E-Mail: payres@
Web Site: www.netcomuk.co.uk/~payres
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-