Have you ever clashed with a hostile bureaucracy that does everything in its power to keep you dissatisfied? While the IRS might come to mind, I’m referring to the Internet Movie Database, better known as IMDb.com. Owned by Amazon, it’s the massive storehouse where credits and other information pertaining to most everyone in the film and television industries reside. On the surface, it’s a fantastic idea. Then again, Covid-19 probably looked like a break-through to the lab techs in Wuhan until someone left the screen door open.
Thinking I would be getting something better, I subscribed to their “enhanced” platform, IMDb Pro. Here’s where the problems begin. I don’t mind that they set up a homepage without my consent. What is annoying is that I can’t change substantial portions of it to my taste. More important, there is no way to correct inaccuracies. Believe me – I’ve tried on many occasions; it cannot be done. Navigation is so clunky and the space so poorly designed, it harkens back to the earliest days of the dial-up web. Nothing is intuitive. Nothing works properly. And the administrators (if indeed there are any) ignore you when you reach out to them. They seem to enjoy this abuse of power, but that would be too high a praise. More likely, they wouldn’t know which end of a soccer ball to kick. I have no idea how this broken machine functions, nor do I care; I have other fish to fry. Nonetheless, as ubiquitous as IMDb has become on the laptops of production people, they are colossally bereft of their responsibility to get the facts right.
I can’t possibly be alone in this experience. The only thing more infuriating than IMDb’s arrogance of certitude is their disdain for the customer. Often wrong but never in doubt, they act like the descendants of those who thought the earth was flat. Certainly, my complaint is trivial. But many of us pay for this service and deserve better in return.
So, my message is this: The wheel may be spinning at IMDb, but the hamster is dead. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on me or my career, go to www.richardcrudoasc.com.
Then, let’s refer to them only in the terms suggested by their acronym: It Means Don’t Bother…!
Yep. Hate that website.
I managed two change some inaccuracies years ago. With all the Pilots I have shot, they had me down for the series. Took a while but they changed it. Guilty until I prove innocent. And never mind the credits you wish you could hide…
Peter – They are the world’s worst! Self-appointed arbiters of everyone’s career. Fuck them!
I am so glad you posted about this Richard. Insanely Moronic Distorted Bull. I have struggled with that sticky mess for years. None of the series I have worked on are credited, all of the student projects I did 25 years ago will not go away, and it’s a massive time suck. If I knew where to go I’d kick their door down and hand them my actual work history.
Chris – You should’ve seen my first draft of this post…total vitriol. It was so denigrating I had to go back and temper it a bit. But the fact remains – IMDb is absolutely the world’s worst!
When it was a one-man band in a garage somewhere they actually responded to requests for additions and exclusions from personal pages. Ever since Amazon bought it out it has become like much of their IP. Close to useless with a facade of authenticity and accuracy. And unfortunately most of the business uses it as the “de facto” go-to for resumes.
I don’t know of any alternatives other than individual websites. Maybe ChatGPT AI (or whatever it’s name is) could do a better and more imaginative job of deciding our resumés!
Hey Roberto! Yeah, it’s a lost cause dealing with IMDb. As you say, it’s best that people consult personal websites. I hope all is well and send my best for Easter!
all is well without work for now. I hope you are well and also have a fine Easter weekend.
All the best-