My contribution for 'Made for Each Other' [027616903839] was declined on Nov 28, 2008 with the following comment:

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An invalid source, such as a third party database, was listed in the contribution notes. Use of a third party database is not allowed per the contribution rules.

My commentary re: IMDB was "Character names and uncredited cast per IMDB."

The contribution rules state:  "If an actor is credited by name but does not have an associated role, you may use the film itself, or another source to identify the role."  They also state:  "Uncredited actors may be listed in alphabetical order following all credited actors. Use the 'Uncredited' checkbox to indicate these. Uncredited actors are not required entries."

I don't see how my use of IMDB for character names or uncredited actors (several of which I visually identified while watching the movie) was a violation of the rules.

Can someone in the know please explain this to me?

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To add to what Charlie said, even for character names, you can't use IMDb as the sole source.  You can use them as a reference, along with other sites, but you can't copy their data.

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Quoting scotthm:

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Quoting Unicus69:

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To add to what Charlie said, even for character names, you can't use IMDb as the sole source.  You can use them as a reference, along with other sites, but you can't copy their data.

Apparently that is how things are being judged, but when I read "or another source" in the rules it didn't imply (to me) that IMDB was to be excluded.  I'll keep that in mind for future contributions.

I never said it was excluded, I said you couldn't use it as your sole source.  To be clear, no one site can be used as the other source.  IMDb can be used, along with other sites, as reference.  I always use, at least, 2 sites to verify roles...3 is even better.

Quoting skipnet50:

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However that does not mean that you can just choose to ignore film credits, scott. You must follow the Rules and there is a specific time when you are allowed to use outside data sources...not just because you want to. We use the film credits as our data source PERIOD...save for the exception. That means list the data EXACTLY as it is seen On Screen for both Actors and their roles and in the same order as displayed...not based on some order that suits you.

I did as you say.

There were no end credits on this movie.  I listed the cast as credited in the opening credits, in the order credited.  For those few credited cast, I used IMDB as a guide for the character names.  Specifically, here are the character names for the credited actors as listed in IMDB:

Jane Mason
John Horace 'Johnny' Mason
Judge Joseph M. Doolittle
Mrs. Harriet Mason
Conway (pilot)
Sister Madeline

And here is the way I listed the characters in my contribution:

Jane
John Mason
Judge Doolittle
Mrs. Mason
Conway
Sister Madeline

Is is not a copy, though my contribution notes didn't clarify this, which is possibly why it was declined.

As for the uncredited cast, I only listed them for those characters I remembered seeing in the film, and even noted that I specifically recognozed several of the uncredited actors from watching the film.

I still don't believe I broke the contribution rules unless IMDB is being specifically excluded as "another source", and I don't believe it has been.

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It may not be that you actually did anything wrong.

Remember, there are a group of people that are approving or declining your contribution.  They rely on your notes and the comments by users in the voting system.  I do not know how many votes you got, but maybe your notes were written in such a way as to give the screeners cause to believe you got your info from improper sources.

You need to be very specific in your contributions.  You can even make references to 3rd party data, but it has to come across as your work, and your viewing. Especially when it comes to uncredited cast.

edit:  The screeners are people, and they can and have made mistakes.  If you think you are right, then resubmit, and clarify your notes.

Quoting scotthm:

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Quoting skipnet50:

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However that does not mean that you can just choose to ignore film credits, scott. You must follow the Rules and there is a specific time when you are allowed to use outside data sources...not just because you want to. We use the film credits as our data source PERIOD...save for the exception. That means list the data EXACTLY as it is seen On Screen for both Actors and their roles and in the same order as displayed...not based on some order that suits you.

I did as you say.

There were no end credits on this movie.  I listed the cast as credited in the opening credits, in the order credited.  For those few credited cast, I used IMDB as a guide for the character names.  Specifically, here are the character names for the credited actors as listed in IMDB:

Jane Mason
John Horace 'Johnny' Mason
Judge Joseph M. Doolittle
Mrs. Harriet Mason
Conway (pilot)
Sister Madeline

And here is the way I listed the characters in my contribution:

Jane
John Mason
Judge Doolittle
Mrs. Mason
Conway
Sister Madeline

Is is not a copy, though my contribution notes didn't clarify this, which is possibly why it was declined.

As for the uncredited cast, I only listed them for those characters I remembered seeing in the film, and even noted that I specifically recognozed several of the uncredited actors from watching the film.

I still don't believe I broke the contribution rules unless IMDB is being specifically excluded as "another source", and I don't believe it has been.

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Scott:

Yep, notes are 5he number one suspect. It looks like you did fine,, right down to modying data where possible. For your (uncredited)s it would be a good idea to provide a time stamp.

Skip