Reviews for Fred the Notable Monkey

[Dan-yell]

Let the cartoon do the talking.

If rejection from Wikipedia is enough to make 90% of artists give up their dreams, maybe it just wasn't meant to be. The art world (whether we're talking web media, fine art, music, etc.) is mostly rejection. I understand why it might be upsetting, but it seems unreasonable to blame their specific rejection for the destruction of someone's career. I'm not sure exactly what their guidelines are for being "note-worthy", but I'm also sure that not everyone with a website is going to make it on.

That being said, I think your style of animation is very crisp and clean looking. I think the cartoon as a whole is drawn very well, but might benefit from being longer, so you can prove your point with the cartoon itself and not a page long summary of your feelings at the end.

JKR responds:

Thanks for the comments! I understand what you mean about the cartoon proving the point over text. I agree, that would be a better choice. Two things though are 1) I didn't have time to make the cartoon longer since I do one a week for FredtheMonkey.com and 2) people seem to respond more seriously to text than an animated monkey saying stuff. =)
Anyway, I know what you mean about rejection being a big part of this field, but I also know that there comes a point when you can handle rejection and move on and when you cannot. Some of the people may not even ask to be put on Wikipedia, but be placed there by friends or something. And they might not be ready for that type of rejection. So a little more research would be helpful so that the people know who they are deleting. It would be like a 10 year old getting his school drawing (which he personally is proud of) put into an art show and have to stand there while people say it is crap. He didn't ask for that. Someone else just did it.
Anyway, thanks for the review, and I'm glad you thought the animation was well done. I'll keep improving. =)

[thisnameisnottaken]

good point

Your message is about not putting young artist down before they get a chance to evolve.
I agree on the principal but I think the problem has more dimensions.
Art is just so easy to access that we (people) take it for granted. We tend to look for things that surprise us or even gross us more out than the last splatter show.
The world is controlled by capitalism (imo) so most things are a matter of suply and demand. If artist are let down, it is the worlds way of telling them them they should do something else because there are enough artists already. I think everybody in the world should make art or music. Sadly this will probably remain a dream.

I am 27. Big parts of my generation was raised by Television. The one after is hugely affected by computer games/internet. I like to draw. Im not very good but it gives me pleasure, a sort of freedom.

All in all I think art is very important and should not be taken for granted. The message is very valid and cannot be said enough.

JKR responds:

Hey, thanks for the review!
I agree with you, and you make some very important comments. The thing that I want to mention is where you said "Sadly this will probably remain a dream." Well yes, that is one way to think about it. But what if we saw the flip side? What if we say "This is a dream that would be great to come true"? Because I'm already trying to make an "Everybody makes music or art" kinda world, so if you do too then there will be two of us. And if someone comes along and reads this reply and your review, there could be three. And if that person tells someone else... Well you see what I mean.
So keep dreaming, and keep you eyes open for chances to make that dream come true. Because I think it IS possible, even though it may not always seem so.
Thanks again for the review! Glad you liked the cartoon. =)

[LinkanMedia]

holy gheyzor

That was really bad. Didn't make me smile or nothing. I didn't like it at all, the voices were bad and just... it was just boring. Kiddie stuff.

JKR responds:

Well sorry you didn't enjoy it. Thank you for at least being fair in the individual scores and not giving it a 0 in everything like some people do. I hope you will find something on Newgrounds you enjoy more. =)

[jaimewolf]

a word of fairness

To be fair, I think Wikipedia's kinda understaffed. The fact that they aim to make it free for everyone, and that they rely heavily on the community to write and edit entries, means that they probably do not have the resources available to reject entries in a more humane manner.

I got the implication that Wikipedia causes 90% of aspiring artists to give up their dream, although after reading it a previous review I got that clarified. I'm sure every artist, successful or not, has experienced the kind of heartless impersonal rejection that you mention. I think it kinda acts like a sieve; it separates those who would persist till the end from those who do not have what it takes.

Lastly, if Wikipedia was a site about the many different artforms, like Newgrounds, and they were treating aspiring artists like that, it may be justified in saying that they should know better. However, I believe that it's a site concerned with the free exchange of information, not with developing artistic talent. Hence, I don't think it is reasonable for them to consider the ego of artists, when it really isn't their concern, or even what their site is trying to achieve.

That aside, I liked your work. Just thought I'll say something in defence of Wikipedia.

JKR responds:

Well I appriciate your review and comments. While I don't agree with you, you still have very valid points. One thing I must argue against though is your "Understaffed so it is okay" comment. Sorry, that doesn't fly with me. I don't like them using the excuse that they are too big for their own good as a reason for how they do things. But that's just me.

Anyway, thanks again for the review. Glad you liked the cartoon even if we don't agree. =)

[Krotanah]

Not bad but you have to understand.

WIKIPEDIA works hard to be the most "FREE and UNLIMITED* source of academic form of information. They need to be clean and profesional they can't have anything on their website...

Ok 1st Almost anythign that occurs me that would be the least needed for information is posted into wikipedia. You can even find informations about particular GAMES or even DRUGS. Try finding information about anything that occurs you and you will find it!

Its the best. Its a enciclopedia that can be shared by anyone. Just when you add information make sure you are accurate and professional and not being some stupid jerk that wants to advertise into a enciclopedia!

Seriously please lissen to me with attencion ok. You have the wrong idea with WIKIPEDIA! (And I am no fan i never wrote a damn thing or harly visited but helped me often with works)

Now if you really insist on being on there make something WORTHY. Make A huge animation studio then Release a good awsome movie that arrives into the big screens. You shall be then recorded for sure! into the Wikipedia archives... Would like to hear from you I can see you do reply often and that is somewhing I do apreciate :)

JKR responds:

Hey, thanks for the review! Sorry it took me so long for me to reply to it, I've been so busy answering people about this single cartoon that I had to take a break. =)
I understand what you mean about Wikipedia and please don't miss the meaning of the cartoon. I think they are doing a great service to people trying to find knowledge and am not angry they deleted my particular entry. It is merely HOW they deleted it that I have a problem with.
Thanks again for the review, and I'm glad you liked the cartoon okay.