FAQ

(What the hell are you doing, woman?)

Much to my surprise (I wasn't really expecting much response outside of my professors when I started this mess), there seem to be some people out there in the wilds of the internet that are actually reading my notes and reviews.  And some of them, over time, have even emailed me to discuss things.  It's pure insanity.  And since there have been a few questions repeated now, I decided to throw out some general information.  I know; you can hardly contain your excitement.

Hey, Anne, why isn't X book/movie/show on your list?

It's possible that I took a look at it and it didn't turn out to have a real connection to the Phantom story, so I skipped it.  This has happened once or twice.  But if you think I might be incorrect in my assessment (after all, reading cover blurbs and Amazon reviews can only tell me so much), by all means, feel free to try to change my mind!  I wouldn't want to leave anything out.  It's also entirely possible that less-than-infallible I simply don't know about that work--so let me know!  There's a nifty "Contact the Owner" link down at the bottom of every page, and it emails straight to my harried yet academically rife inbox.  I will thank you in the blog--totally glamorous, I know.

Hey, Anne, why did you give X item a high/low grade?  I totally disagree!

Well, the individual reviews themselves have all the specific reasons for a particular grade, but just because I didn't like it doesn't mean you can't enjoy it to your heart's content, and just because I think it's fabulous doesn't mean you have to read it to be in the cool club (the cool club!  Population: not me).  While I'm trying to use academic reasoning and whatnot in my reviews, a certain amount of it will always come down to opinion, so feel free to disagree with me as much as you like.  In fact, if you'd like to tell me about the reasons you disagree, you can always drop me an email or post about it on the sorely neglected forums.

Hey, Anne, what exactly are your standards for grading and reviewing?

Too high.  Ha!

Actually, I try to evaluate stories based on three major criteria.  First, there's overall skill: if it's a book, I want it to be readable and not riddled with grammatical errors and shoddy reasoning.  If it's a film, I want to be able to watch it without getting a headache from bad cinematography and sound effects.  Basic stuff.  Second, there's the engagement factor: is this actually enjoyable, or at least thought-provoking?  Does it have something new and interesting to say, or is it just repeating what countless previous works have said before?  Would it keep me from being bored at the beach?  And third, I look at its relation to the original source material and the Phantom story, and how well it manages to explore those ideas and either do a credible job of carrying them over or even add something new to them.

Hey, Anne, I just wrote a Phantom-related book.  Would you review it on your site?

Well, yes, definitely.  By definition, the Project aims to review all Phantom-related materials.  But keep in mind that I am just one little person and this project goes in chronological order, so I may not get to it for quite a long time (depending on how fast I get the things in front of it done, and also on how quickly I can afford to buy a copy!).

(I can't believe someone actually asked me this.  I feel like a celebrity.  A very small, very obscure celebrity.)

Hey, Anne, why are you doing this again?

Originally, this project was begun as research for an academic project I was planning to write.  Unfortunate financial events occurred, however, so that's all on hold; however, the Project continues apace, both because it'd be nice to have some work done for when I do get a chance to hit the halls of academia again, and because I've found that I'm having a good time.

Hey, Anne, who are you and what makes you think your opinion means anything?

I'm just a farmgirl from Iowa who grew up and went to school.  Lawd knows, I ain't got much 'sperience with this here writin' stuff, and I'm jest hopin' yew ladies and gents don't get too het up when I got an opinion what don't match up with'n yers.  'Tain't like I work real hard at this or nothin', or like I took lots 'a them fancy classes and sem'nars and writin' thangs in order ta unnerstand all this.  I'm just out there, writin' down my thoughts like I'm tryin' ta read an' larn or somethin'.  Y'all feel free to ignore me.

Hey, Anne, why can't I leave comments on your pages here?

Sadly, that is a very good question, and the answer is that PBworks currently only has two options: no access, or all access.  If I give people access to comment on the pages, they also have access to change them, and I'm tight-fisted and controlling and I don't want anyone mucking around with my stuff, thanks.  But, again, there's the email option and the forum option for venting your opinion, and I'm considering adding a section where I can post some of the feedback.

Hey, Anne, can I send you a book/movie/taping of interpretive dance?

First of all, I love you for offering, and I love each and every person who has actually done that throughout this project.  I was certainly not expecting it, but there are a lot of people who seem to really like the investigations going on hereabouts.  And yes, if you really want to, absolutely.  I'll do my very best to give it a fair review and get it posted up for you as soon as possible.  Drop me an email.

Hey, Anne, why do you use so much profanity?  I wanted to show the website to some of the kids in my classroom, but I don't think the parents would approve.

Well, I really wasn't writing these for classroom use, and, as you notice, it shows.  These are pretty much just my notes and thoughts on the materials, and they aren't necessarily digestable for all parties.  But I have no objection if you want to edit them down to a PG rating for educational purposes.

(Also, I can't believe someone was considering using me as an educational aid.  Wow!  I'm both flattered and concerned!  There are reviews of pornos on this site!)

Hey, Anne, when exactly will the Phantom Project conclude?

That's a very good question.  At the moment, I'm not really sure; I definitely want to include a few large projects that I know are coming up, so it will probably continue at least into 2010.  It will really depend on how large an amount of material continues to be generated, and whether or not that material represents some interesting trends.  However, I am mulling over continuing the project longer, possibly indefinitely, as a sort of hobby.  I've really enjoyed it, I have to say.

If more questions come up, they'll be here, question-marking it up!