The LAMMYs (not to be confused with the Lammys), are awards held annually by the Large Association of Movie Blogs'—of which this blog is a proud member—to honor and recognize the best it has to offer in 18 different categories.
Currently, the rapidly growing organization represents over 1,000 active blogs, of which a total of 297 were made eligible for this year's awards via a three week long open submission process.
Although this is the third year that my blog is eligible for participation, and I have one previous nomination. This will be the first time in which I'll be actively taking part throughout the entire process.
It's a big personal step, because I'm not at all the type to stand on the podium and campaign for myself. That, and up till now I've never really felt that I was 'the best' out of any of the available categories. But, now that I'm a little more established and comfortable with my place in the blogosphere; and seeing the many positive changes made to the rules and organization of this year's awards, I figure it will be fun to give it a go. At the very least, it will be an excellent opportunity to discover a few blogs I may have overlooked, and maybe get some new readers too.
First I would like to give a huge thank you to my fellow peers who graciously submitted me for consideration:
- Lisa of Lisa Thatcher
- Keith of Keith & The Movies
- Courtney of Big Thoughts from a Small Mind
- Nika of The Running Reel
- Andy of The Film Emporium
- David of Never Too Early Movie Predictions
Thanks mostly to the names above, Bonjour Tristesse the blog, as well as my blogging alter ego, are in contention for a nomination in seven different categories:
- Best Blog (78 eligible, 10 nominees)
- Best Design (35 eligible, 5 nominees)
- Best Film Festival and Convention Coverage (19 eligible, 5 nominees)
- Best Awards Coverage (19 eligible, 5 nominees)
- Best Movie Genre Blog (24 eligible, 5 nominees)
- Most Knowledgeable Writer (46 eligible, 5 nominees)
- Best Community Builder (28 eligible, 5 nominees)
Obviously my chances are better for some of these than in others:
The long list for Best Blog has an intimidating lineup of 78 names with some real powerhouses included, I have no illusions or aspirations for that one; I'm just happy somebody out there felt my blog was worthy of inclusion. I feel the same way about Most Knowledgeable Writer. That's an attribute of mine that is strong in certain places but overall I feel is currently no match for most of the other brainiacs in the list.
The ones I'm most confident about are Best Film Festival and Convention Coverage and Best Awards Coverage. I was the runner-up last year, when these two awards were combined into a single category, and I feel my overall coverage has improved since then, especially my comprehensive coverage of VIFF 2012, and my unrivaled look at the Oscars Foreign Film contenders. Additionally, last year's winner, Never Too Early Movie Predictions, is ineligible this year because he is now one of the official LAMMY moderators. The mathematical chances also look pretty good here with only 19 blogs in each category. However, they are certainly not a lock, because there are still several impressive blogs in the running for both categories.
Best Movie Genre Blog is a brand new award this year, and it's an eclectic and unpredictable mix of blogs with a main focus on a specific genre that is not Horror and not Classic Films. I like the concept of this award because it gives all us niche blogs that don't fit into the other more popular categories a chance and also hopefully gain some new like-minded readers.
Best Design is the only award out of all eighteen, where I think there is one clear front runner: Sati's Cinematic Corner. A popular and absolutely gorgeous looking blog that deserves all the praise and more. The list is also full of other blogs (including last year's winner French Toast Sunday) where it's immediately noticeable, the impressive amount of time and effort put into their layout and design. Nevertheless, design is an aspect of my blog that I am proud of; the unique overall look and feel, the ease of navigation, and particularly the amount of custom widgets and functionality I have implemented to go beyond the limits of a Blogger powered blog.
The final award I am eligible for is Best Community Builder or the "Burman Award", as it has been unofficially dubbed, in honor of The LAMB's Shepherd, Joel Burman. This award is one that's open to a very broad range of interpretation. How do you really quantify and compare community building in a meaningful way? Still, I guess I can list the deeds I've done to help the greater good over the past twelve months while asking and expecting nothing in return:
- I've donated my time to design and implement the current LAMB site, migrating it from Blogger to a self hosted WordPress installation, and I voluntarily maintain it as well as troubleshoot any problems that may arise.
- A less visible contribution, but one I think is even more important: I created the database behind the LAMBTable, an application that helps Joel manage the ever growing membership, and frees up his time to improve and promote the LAMB instead of tedious bookkeeping.
- I also regularly make myself available and try my best to assist any and all who ask for help or advice of a technical nature, whether it be via email, on Twitter, in the LAMB forums, or on my auxilliary blog Stupid Blog Tricks.
In closing I'll leave you with this, my very first FYC poster:
Now get out there, read some blogs, and VOTE!
45 comments:
Congrats Bonjour... Best of Luck for the finale!!! :-)
Great to see you participating this year Bonjour!
Good Luck!
Congratulations. Hope see you in the nominee lists :)
I agree that awards+festival coverage are your best chances, especially with NeverTooEarlyMP ineligable this year. Good luck!
I put my name forward for Community Builder, we'll have to see if I get a nom.
I'm currently trying to design my poster and well.. I'm not as skilled. Though, ironically, I'm eligible for best design which I'm most certain I won't get. But as you said, with some categories we'll have some more luck!
I'd support you for best community builder - I didn't look in that category (maybe because I couldn't be worse at it) but you are BT are really amazing community builders.
This is a wonderful post BT. I'm going to try to get up the courage to do one of my own - inspired by you.
I am up for a couple of possible nominations but I really feel that just the fun of looking at all the blogs has been worth the while already. Its a lovely idea - I'm enjoying the whole thing more than I thought I would.
Oh - and I'll be crawling over broken glass to vote for you!
OMG! Andy of The Film Emporium lives in the next suburb to me! I've never even visited his blog before!
Major congrats and best of luck!
Nice LAMMY analysis here... I like that a lot of our submitted members take the chance to ponder their chances in the different categories. You are a powerhouse in many regards and its great that you felt the changes made to this years LAMMYs tipped the scale for you to campaign a little more than usual.
Thank you Murtaza, I'm counting on your support.
Only because my biggest 'rival' is currently out of the picture... Haha.
Kidding aside, there isn't a better LAMB than you to run this thing. Respect.
Many thanks again Nika!
I think you have a good eye for it. Even though you are limited by the wp.com templates, every one of your banners have all been impressive, and all the graphics you create for your posts are striking.
Best of luck to you too!
Thanks Chris. Good luck to you as well.
That's cool. Mr. Buckle does an excellent job covering all your local fests and he also shares your great taste in films.
Thanks for your support Lisa! They have really made the whole thing more fun and accessible this time around. The way it was before, staring down a list of 1500 blogs you wouldn't know where to start, or even have the time to.
Thank you Pete!
Rest assured!!! :-)
Thank you Joel!
Covering films nobody has heard of half the time, I'll never be as popular as the big blogs, but I do appreciate your praise.
Like I said below, this time the LAMMYs feel a lot more fun and accessible. With the changes you guys have instigated this year, I can see the voter turnout easily being double what it was last time. Congrats on raising things to a new level!
Wow, congratulations on all the nominations! Getting out there and reading some blogs right now is.. let's just say I'm thankful I only follow a handful. But I'll see about it. In any case, I just won't vote where I'm not knowledgeable. Good luck!
Thanks Lisa! I would be happy just getting nominated. I voted for you in Most Knowledgeable Writer and Best New LAMB :)
Hi, Bonjour:
Congratulations on your nominations!
I know you'll do very well.
Thanks for pointing me in other directions when it comes to good cinema. No matter its length, genre or place of origin.
Very clean and trendy looking poster, BTW.
Just finished voting for you in all the categories that you have been nominated. Good Luck!!! :-)
Congratulations on the nominations! You definitely deserve them considering all of the work you do.
Thanks for making this post as well. To be quite frank I didn't know this was happening until last week and I have been aniblogging for a spell. I guess I need to get involved more if only to show the world how good Japanese films are...
Anyway, you've definitely got my vote and Goregirl since you two are the best bloggers around and that is a fact!
Many many thanks. I really appreciate that Murtaza.
Cheers D4. I know you can't vote in this, but you've been a greatly encouraging presence over the years and I really can't thank you enough for that.
Hello JD, it's always a nice surprise when you drop by. Thank you for the kind words. I don't know if you are aware, but I submitted your name and will be using one of my votes on you for Most Knowledgeable Writer.
Thank you kind sir. Also check out the eligibility list, you are on there for Best Genre Blog.
That is an awesome poster. Best of luck this year, BT!
Thank you very much, Bonjour!
I'm honored and flattered by your courtesy.
You got my vote too! :)
Well I've voted and I absolutely checked your name more than once! You deserve it. Really appreciate what you're doing here and best of luck in the nomination process.
LOVE your FYC poster Bonjour!! I'm tipping my glass to you to win a bunch of awards!! :D
That FYC poster is masterful. Just brilliant.
Thank you Eric!
I am grateful for your support Keith. Many thanks!
Thank you Ruth. I have a good feeling about my chances, but we shall see.
Thanks Alex. I'm pleased that you and so many others like it. I hope it will last a few rounds in the upcoming tournament.
Lovely FYC poster! I hope you get nominated in many categories, especially best awards coverage!
Ha, just voted. I hope you win! I doubt I'll win in my category but the process has inspired me to get slightly more involved with the LAMB because I didn't read 80% of those blogs before this stage. Great poster, btw.
I wish you the best of luck! You deserve those prizes my friend!
Love that poster too!
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Thank you Margaret. Got my fingers crossed for the announcement, and I hope you grab a few too.
Thanks Michaël, I appreciate your support!
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