The Great Be-Picturing!
It's been a while since my last update. (I should just imbed that line in my freakin' blog entry template.) Hopefully what I've brought to the table was worth the extra time. No, I'm not talking about my latest stumbling mini-review, but you may notice that it contains a shocking new element called a picture!
Yes, the great be-picturing has begun. Why you may ask, would I change my policy on graphics when I made such a big stink about it in the FAQS? Well, for one thing, I just used my ill-gotten marketing paychecks to buy a spiffy new laptop with a dvd drive, rendering my concerns about video hookup software and cables moot. Secondly, I'll be keeping my pics to a uniform puny size, minimizing concerns about bandwidth and loading times. However, the primary reason has to do with simple design.
In formulating the look for 'bog', I took
inspiration (*cough*, stole, *cough*) from a variety of websites I admired. For
example, I noticed how oddly soothing the light text on dark background of Will
Laughlin's 'Braineater' site was,
especially after spending a day reading reviews. Likewise, I liked how Lyz of 'And
you Call Yourself a Scientist' gave plot synopsis, catching an unfamiliar
reader up to speed.
Papyrus font I found on the Geocites blog of a pretentious high school girl, and
decided to make it my own. (Yeah I realize it's really overused, but the
handwritten semi-spooky look just fits the site. I'd like to think I got in at
the point right before it became insufferable, and refuse to change on
principle.)
On the two best film review sites on the net, I noticed how much a simple pic could add to a review, especially when accompanied by some witty caption. (Good luck with that bit around here!) After much self-needling, I decided I needed to step things up to the next level.
I still don't cotton to uber-flashy design,
but there's a difference between half a dozen jumpy banner ads and a simple
screenshot or two, and likewise I am forced to admit, between zen simplicity and
simple visual boredom. (Though I will be keeping things nice and uncluttered.)
What I'll be doing over the next few months is less of a makeover than is a bit
of decoration. Like everything I do, it will be piecemeal, scattershot, and
rather half-assed. It might take me awhile to acquire pics for every film I've
reviewed. (I'm certainly not running out and renting 'Burial Ground' again any
time soon.)
In the meantime if you have any suggestions for further improvements, please feel free to drop me a line. (And yes, if I get enough complaints I will change the font layout.)
September 05, 2007