Is Imdb reliable?

[tazber]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 11:16am

I was just looking up something on one of my favorite performers and I noticed that there is a glaring discrepancy in their biographical info.

I went to correct it, but was told that their information is based on the figures provided by the federal copyright database.

Could they be wrong?

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 11:18am

No, if you are a member you can edit stuff. It's a bit like Wikipedia.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 11:19am

Weird. I noticed something like that, too. I almost mentioned it on here, but I was afraid I'd be banned.

[CONAries]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 11:37am

mejusthavingfun, it's not quite that simple, yes you can change things, BUT the information has to be approved, and normally backed up with evidence before they list it! Unlike Wikipedia which automatically updates.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 11:44am

That's why I said "a bit." I have an account because I regularly update my own page. But there is a small group at IMDB that monitors activity and tries to verify things. I've seen plenty of mistakes though.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 12:51pm

Yeah, sometimes information there is not right. Once I told them that the date for a movie opening was wrong, and they did fix that. But I guess sometimes things don't get caught.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 1:10pm

I've seen occasional small erors but I can't imagine they would ever get basic facts wrong, like a birth year or sex of a performer.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 1:24pm

If a performer shaves seven years off their age, one has to wonder what else they shave.

[tazber]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 1:27pm

Or what else they hide.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 3:33pm

So true, my friend, so true.

[nealb1]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 10:25pm

It's accurate, to a point. Depending on if the performer wants to "pad" his resume, that sort of thing. Haven't checked it lately, but the film version of the musical "Sunset Blvd" has been on there for at least 4 years with Glenn Close and Ewan M listed. And, of course, we know that hasn't happened.

[Weez]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 7:11am

Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. I get very confused when trying to use it as a source.

[Yawper]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 8:18am

One of the most major errors I've seen there is mixing up credits for performers with similar names. Another thing I've wondered about is how the professional contact information listed is verified. What's to keep some opportunistic agent from listing himself as the rep. for someone who doesn't check their information?

[jennafan]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 8:39am

IMDb says Jenna Leigh Green was born in 1977. *rolls eyes*

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 8:57am

I actually like their system. It allows for all of us with knowledge, facts or personal info to go in and correct, add, delete or change things. Very thorough. I've been a member for about 13 years now, so I have a track record of "good submissions." Although I haven't really done that many. Plus, everything I submit goes through a verification process. They don't just post everything submitted.

You'll also notice on their pages things like "Cast" (Verified) or "Cast" (Incomplete, Awaiting Verification), that sort of thing. It's pretty clear, if you read it.


EDIT: And I don't see any musical version of "Sunset Blvd." listed now.

They will list productions or casting as "rumored," but it's just that. It's rumored. Shouldn't be that hard to see the status.

Updated On: 11/7/08 at 08:57 AM