Author Topic: "How to make your release a sucessful one"  (Read 11849 times)

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Offline Sindobook

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"How to make your release a sucessful one"
« on: March 08, 2008, 02:18:58 am »
I've gotten enough questions about this:  basically how does the pig decide when to release something that has been finished, that is, already subbed by live-evil and ready-to-be-released. 

The answer is that the pig has an extensive manual that he follows in order to maximize the chance of a release being sucessful or not.  This process has been fine-tuned over the years... live-evil is a group that has been around for a long time and had pleanty of time to build off experience in this area.  Despite this, one botched release can be the difference between a series gaining a significant following and being a total flop -- the pig has quite a lot of weight resting on his shoulders.  If you think the pig has an easy job, ie. that he just says "I'm feeling good, let's release it" or "today is not a good day... let's wait" then you are wrong.  His job is very difficult and the protocol he follows is actually quite complex and involved.  At any given time, the pig has had no less than two advisors to assist him in this role; nonetheless he still ends up doing most of the actual work here and I hope people appreciate the solid job he does behind-the-scenes to ensure that every release is accepted and well-liked, that every show live-evil releases gains at least some following of fans and the cycle is able to continue.

I've pasted the beginning of his manual below, just to give you a sample of how complex the protocol is and how hard he works.  I can't figure out how to turn off the smileys...


I.  Univariant temporal supply as it releates to release timing

1) Release supply is temporal.  A release is copied, consumed, and then disposed
of.  It may be archived, but it is rarely used again by an individual. 
Likewise, releases older than 3-4 days 'fall off' the index sites and hence
lose visibility.

2) The cost basis of a release is the work put into it.

3) On the outside, the output for a release is limited to positive recognition
among fans.

4) Positive recognition among fans is almost always desired by group members. 
It also helps for things like recruiting, which are vital to groups long-term
survival.

5) The positive recognition that comes from a release is determined in part
by the other unrelated releases that come out around that time.  See (1), this
is known as the "temporal time supply".

6) When the temporal time supply is low, fans have little to watch and are more
willing to try something new or experiment with something they may not
ordinarily like.  When temporal time supply is high, fans have pleanty to watch
and are less likely to try a new show they are unfamiliar with or think they
may not like.

7) Therefore, in cases where the making of a release is not time-critical (ie.
no competition for that title) or where a release is particularly lesser-known,
and there is relatively constant demand, the market for positive recognition
among fans favors a release made during a time of low temporal supply rather
than a time of high temporal supply.

8) If every group observed this principle (7) for all their releases, the
temporal supply would level out in times of normal demand.  This is not the case
today:  there are obvious fluctuations in temporal supply that happen regardless
of demand. 

II.  The role of competition in release output

1) When multiple groups release the same thing, some form of competition exists
(I-1).  Typical factors that determine which release fans will consume:

A) Timeliness is generally accepted as being the most important criterion for
the majority of fans.

B) Reputation.

C) Quality, both real and perceived.

2) The cost basis (I-2) of a competitive series ranges from similar to higher,
higher in the case that it is rushed beyond the natural working rate in order
to try be the first to get it out.

III.  Partnerships are beneficial in a number of situations

1) In nearly all cases, partners divide the labor so the cost basis of a release
(I-2) drops on a per-group basis. 

2) In the situation where there are three groups in competition to make a
release first, if two partners are together such that they have a greater chance
to beat the other group to a release, this is beneficial for both of them.

3) In the situation that two groups want to sub a release but cannot field a
full team, but could field a partial team that when combined would make a full
team, then a partnership is beneficial to both of them.

IV.  The role of secrecy and subterfuge in competitive release timing

1) When multiple groups sub the same thing, all other things being equal, most
groups desire to be the first to release (I-1-A).

2) A knowledge of one's competitors release status is useful, for example:

A) If a competitor is planning to release in 12 hours, own group may use this
knowledge to target for a release in 9 hours.

B) If a competitor's release is near-term imminent, own group may make a
release immediately, to pre-empt this action.

C) If all competitor's releases are still far off, own group may relax and take
their time, focus on other projects with more pressing time needs, etc.

3) Therefore it is important not only to protect own group's own status from
subterfuge, but also to engage in subterfuge on other groups, as time and
resources allow.

4) Infiltration of competitor's status channels can help with any (2-A), (2-B),
(2-C).  Infiltration of competitor's distro channel is of less value, but
may still help with (2-B) even with BT if the group distros to advance seeders
in preperation for a release.

5) Even without this type of subterfuge (4), a rapid response to competitor's
releases can help minimize damage.

V.  The role of multiple (multi-version) releases in competitive release timing

1) Versioned releases are an adaptive strategy of competitive release timing.

2) A "V1" release is created with emphasis on timeliness.  This "V1" release is
then held and 'ready to go' in the event a release becomes necessary.

3) A "V2" release (and possibly subsequent versions) are made, attempting to
approve quality, watchability, translation accuracy, rendered effects, etc. 

4) Protocol differs from group to group, some groups will release the V1 release
and thereafter stop working on that episode once another group makes a release.
Other groups will not release a "V1" release unless they feel it is necessary
or a competitor's release is semi-imminent.  Many groups will remake prior
releases made from TV source once DVD source becomes avaliable. 

Offline Tofusensei

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Re: "How to make your release a sucessful one"
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2008, 05:23:50 pm »
Precisely! :)
The alpha and the omega of Live-eviL.

Offline Tsubasa

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Re: "How to make your release a sucessful one"
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2008, 02:08:46 pm »
that's 300 level fansubbing theory course for you ~

-Tsubasa
22:02 Mamo-chan: tsubie. if you were a doll. you'd be this: https://www.rinkya.com/new/en/auction-d138692432
22:03 Mamo-chan: :O
22:06 Tsubie-chan: kaawaii