Thread:JeremyCreek/@comment-5111231-20190430221127

Hello JeremyCreek, I know I haven't been around in a while, so I do apologize for my long absence. I had to take the time to recollect myself and come to terms with some things. I am writing this message for feedback on the recent image proposal Hey1234 launched last month. I have noticed there are problems with this policy, however, but for some reason they were not addressed; moreover, this should have been a longer discussion amongst staff, but there was unfortunately no window of opportunity prior to the announcement.

I would like to hear your feedback on this new policy, because while it would certainly benefit to have organization in profile images, the current policy has areas in need of improvement.

Here are the things that must be addressed and why they're problematic:
 * Replacing all profile images with screenshots on account that "screenshots are better because accuracy and less disagreement over which to use". That is something that can respectfully be disagreed on, because it is an oversight to assume that problem doesn't happen to screenshots more often than renders. After all, screenshots of films and television exceedingly outnumber renders, and make it even harder to decide on which one is best for the character's profile picture, even if there is a voting system.
 * "The quality of non-officially released renders are not always the best." Neither can the same be said for screencaps. Quality isn't great for non-official renders, yes, but our goal always is to use official images; it's just an unfortunate nuisance that non-official renders are uploaded a lot. Heck, when the movies of the early 20th century were released, their quality was definitely not on par with the art quality of today. This shouldn't even be a reason to exclude renders; it's just a problem that'll always come with images no matter where you choose it.
 * "Renders are only permitted for Mickey Mouse characters because any screenshot of them is not bound to one medium." If that is the case, then why ignore the fact that original Disney characters are presented alongside renders of other Disney characters in advertisements, videogames, storybooks, and movie posters? This logic is, quite frankly, messy and inconsistent, as this does not relegate all Disney characters under the same umbrella; it enforces that characters purely from films and cartoons must have cropped images from their debut medium. This perpetuates an idea that the wiki is a movie website exclusively. Yet information on the page, as well as our topic overall, is there to remind readers that the wiki is an expansive multimedia platform and all Disney characters are not limited to one medium either. Having different image types for classic characters and other characters on an obscure rule would really confuse editors.
 * Furthermore, this is clearly priviledging the Mickey Mouse characters, as it's really stretching to say it is nearly impossible to find quality screencaps of Mickey Mouse characters. If we are using medium logic here, then it is safe to say that using screenshots from Mickey Mouse cartoons is eligible as that is where they originated from, and any installment is fair game. A large number of said cartoons have crisp screenshots of the characters in what is considered their modern, traditional designs to choose from, such as cartoons of the 30s and 40s (ex. "Lonesome Ghosts") or even the 2013 Mickey Mouse TV series. Many of the characters in the Mickey Mouse universe also don't share animated roots and/or have a wealth of mediums, yet are permitted to renders (ex. Gyro Gearloose).
 * There is another problem to be addressed with characters not from the Disney Animated Canon: nothing is mentioned about characters who do not have a source medium and/or are multimedia characters. This includes the vast number of Marvel characters, Star Wars, Kingdom Hearts and even characters from TV shows that are arguably classic Disney characters themselves (e.g. DuckTales and Goof Troop). None of these characters fit well into the new image rules. Few users and staff are bothering with those pages, and no consistent rules have been laid out for them yet. It is important now more than ever to decide what to do with them.
 * Choosing screenshots over renders is not necessarily better; screenshots and renders have pros and cons. To enforce an idea of solely using screenshots when other characters aren't using screenshots comes across as very inflexible. On a wiki as large as this, it is not very prudent to exclude one in favor of the other. It will also take an extremely long time to implement all of this for every character page instead of working with what we have.

I propose an alteration to the current voting method for profile images. The idea should be not to exclude either image type. By default, screenshots can be used, but renders preferred (if available, that is). In addition, the screenshots and renders must be high-quality. In regard to screenshots coming from the original medium (if any), the same principle should apply to renders in that they resemble the character's debut appearance (or current appearance in the case of multimedia characters) and must be renders officially released in Disney media. If more than one render is available, the infobox voting system should be used to settle the debate. However, if no concensus can be reached by the end of the week, neither renders will be accepted and the screencap will remain until another time.

What is your opinion? Do you have other ideas that could help the policy? Let me know what you think can be improved. I'm eager to hear your thoughts.

The Silver wings of Night (talk) 22:11, April 30, 2019 (UTC)SilverFlight 