FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. THE BASICS
What is DOCspace?
Who can use DOCspace?
Who can become a member of DOCspace?
Is DOCspace free?
What is DOCspace planning for the future?
2. THE DOCSPACE TEAM
Who are the people behind DOCspace?
Who designed the DOCspace poster?
3. USING THE SITE: PERSONAL PROFILE
What format of photo should I upload to my personal profile?
Can I change my personal URL?
Can I change my email address?
Why do some profiles say “DOC Member” on them?
Why isn’t my language listed in your drop-down list?
Why aren’t the countries I’ve worked in listed in your drop-down list?
How can I embed a trailer/ film clip on my personal profile?
Is the information on my profile public?
4. USING THE SITE: FILM PROFILE
What format of photo should I upload to my film profile?
Should I add my documentary to DOCspace?
Who is allowed to add and edit film profiles on DOCspace?
Can I purchase films on the site?
What should I do if my film’s festivals and awards are not included in DOCspace’s dropdown list?
How can I embed a trailer/ film clip on a film profile page?
How can I check if a documentary is already on DOCspace?
Should I add blurbs & reviews to my film profile page?
5. PRIVACY
Who can see my personal profile? Is my information public?
Can I contact other DOCspace members?
Who is allowed to add and edit film profiles on DOCspace?
Can I “hide” my personal profile?
6. CONTACT INFO
I found a bug/ technical issue on the site.
I want to know more about DOCspace.
I want to invite DOCspace to my film festival or event.
I have a media request for DOCspace
I want to place an ad on the site.
I want to find out more about the Documentary Organization of Canada/ Documentaristes du Canada.
1. THE BASICS
DOCspace is the online home of Canadian documentary. It’s a website for anyone interested in making, watching, discussing or promoting Canadian docs.
Everyone! DOCspace is for both industry professionals and documentary fans.If you work in the Canadian documentary industry or are trying to break in, joining DOCspace can help you connect with colleagues across the country, and promote yourself and your films.
But you don’t have to join DOCspace to browse our wide-ranging film library. If you’re a teacher looking for the right film for an upcoming class, a student working on a research assignment, or just a fan interested in a great doc to watch tonight, the DOCspace search engine can help you find what you’re looking for.
Who can become a member of DOCspace?
If you work in the Canadian documentary industry or are trying to break in, we invite you to set up a profile and join our community. Joining DOCspace can help you connect with colleagues across the country, and promote yourself and your films.
Both members and non-members can browse our extensive database of films and filmmakers. If you’re using the site to track down new and favourite films, you don’t need to join.
DOCspace is free to join. All of our members can set up profiles, contact each other, and browse our database of films and filmmakers for free.
What is DOCspace planning for the future?
DOCspace is a project of the Documentary Organization of Canada – Documentaristes du Canada (DOC), a national non-profit professional and advocacy organization dedicated to supporting independent documentary filmmaking and filmmakers in Canada. Read more about the benefits of becoming a member of DOC.
The April 2008 launch of DOCspace was just the beginning. As we gain momentum and additional funding, DOC will continue to expand the site and its benefits. In DOCspace’s second phase, the site will include an alternative distribution network, where documentaries will be available for sale by download. Information and updates on changes to the site will be sent out to DOCspace members, and available in our front page News Feed.
2. THE DOCSPACE TEAM
Who are the people behind DOCspace?
DOC gratefully acknowledges the funding and support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, through the Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund.
Special thanks also goes out to our partners Coptor Productions, Markham Street Films, Primitive Entertainment, PTV Productions and Symmetree media.
Website Credits:
Producer: Samantha Hodder
Technical Project Manager: Evelyn So, Noesium Consulting
Marketing & Outreach Director: Katie McKenna
Intern: Cordelia He
Who designed the DOCspace poster?
The marketing materials were created by our talented colleagues at BiroCreative.
PERSONAL PROFILE
What format of photo should I upload to my personal profile?
Our system works best with small (150 x 150), SQUARE photos that are cropped around the user’s face; check out some of the other profile photos on the site for examples. Photos in other sizes may distort or be rejected on upload.
Yes.
The system automatically assigns your username as the end of your personal URL; for example, choosing the username “documentary” will assign you the URL http://www.docspace.ca/documentary. To change your personal URL, you must change your username (under “Member Profile”).
DOCspace will still maintain the profile page with your original URL, but the new URL you create will link directly to that page.
For example, if you change your username to “documentary2”, you can distribute the URL http://www.docspace.ca/documentary2 to friends and business contacts, but clicking on the link will bring the user to the webpage http://www.docspace.ca/documentary.
You can change your username and URL multiple times, but only one username and URL will be active at a time.
Can I change my email address?
Yes. You can change the email address associated with your account under the “Account Settings” of your “My DOCspace” page.
Why do some profiles say “DOC Member” on them?
Many DOCspace members are also members of DOC, the Documentary Organization of Canada/ Documentaristes du Canada. DOC members may receive premium benefits on DOCspace. We invite you to learn more about joining DOC.
Why isn’t my language listed in your drop-down list of “Languages Spoken”?
The list of languages we’ve compiled is just a start—if we’ve missed a language that you speak, let us know at feedback@docspace.ca and we’ll add it.
Why aren’t the countries I’ve worked in listed in your drop-down list?
We’ve tried to limit the amount of countries listed for space reasons, but if there’s a country you’ve worked in that’s missing, email us at feedback@docspace.ca and we’ll add it.
How can I embed a trailer/ film clip on my personal profile?
Embedding clips is easy on DOCspace. Just click on the “Clips” tab of your personal or film profile and add the URL or embed code for your chosen content (both will embed the player on the site.
DOCspace supports the following players: Blip.tv, Brightcove, Google Video, JumpCut, Live Video, MetaCafe, MySpace, Revver, Sevenload, YouTube, Vimeo.
Is the information on my profile public?
Your personal profile is viewable only to other DOCspace members; if you’d like your profile to be hidden completely, please contact the website administrator (you can read more on hiding your profile below).
FILM PROFILE
How can I check if a film is already on DOCspace?
Before creating a new film profile, please use our “Quick Search” or “Advanced Search” functions to see if the film is already on the site.
Should I add my documentary to DOCspace?
Yes! DOCspace is a website for ALL Canadian documentaries, from student films to Oscar winners. The DOCspace database is growing every day, but to truly be the “Home of Canadian Documentary”, DOCspace needs to include all Canadian docs—including yours! International docs are also welcome.
To create a profile for your film, first create a DOCspace account. Then go to the “Film” tab at the top of your screen, and click on “Add a Film”.
Who is allowed to add and edit film profiles on DOCspace?
Directors or producers of a given film, or individuals who have been granted permission by the film’s director or producer, can create or edit a film profile on DOCspace. All users must agree to our disclaimer before creating or editing film profiles. If you’re having trouble modifying a film you should have edit rights to, email feedback@docspace.ca and we’ll grant you access.
Can I purchase films on the site?
Not yet. However, Phase Two of DOCspace will include an online distribution network for Canadian documentary films, allowing producers and filmmakers to sell affordable downloads of their films directly from our site. For now, DOCspace provides contact information for a film’s distributor under the “Purchase Info” tab of the film profile.
What format of photo should I upload to my film profile?
You should upload a rectangular image in portrait (not landscape) orientation, and try to limit the file size. Posters and images of the DVD cover work well as Film profile images.
What should I do if my film’s festivals and awards are not included in DOCspace’s dropdown list?
We’ve started with a working list of festivals and awards, but hope to add more! Email us at feedback@docspace.ca if we’re missing a festival or award related to your film, and we’ll add it to the site.
How can I embed a trailer/ film clip on a film profile page?
Embedding clips is easy on DOCspace. Just click on the “Clips” tab of your personal or film profile and add the URL or embed code for your chosen content (both will embed the player on the site. DOCspace supports the following players: Blip.tv, Brightcove, Google Video, JumpCut, Live Video, MetaCafe, MySpace, Revver, Sevenload, YouTube, Vimeo.
Should I add blurbs & reviews to my film profile page?
Yes! This is your chance to share all the good things that have been said about your film. But whether you got a blurb from your mom or Roger Ebert, make sure to attribute the quote when you add it.
5. PRIVACY
Who can see my personal and film profiles? Is my information public?
To help you promote your work, film profiles are open to both members and non-members of the site. Your personal profile is viewable only to other DOCspace members; if you’d like your profile to be hidden completely, please contact the website administrator (you can read more on hiding your profile below).
Can I contact other DOCspace members?
Yes, You can contact other DOCspace members by navigating to their personal profile page and clicking on the “Contact Member” tab on the left side of the screen. You can use this feature to send a message to the user’s private DOCspace mailbox. You must be logged in to your account to use this feature.
Who is allowed to add and edit film profiles on DOCspace?
Directors or producers of a given film, or individuals who have been granted permission by the film’s director or producer, can create or edit a film profile on DOCspace. All users must agree to our disclaimer before creating or editing film profiles.
Can I “hide” my personal profile?
You can hide your personal profile and still be able to create film profile and be a member of the site. Once hidden, your profile page won’t show up in searches on the site and other members won’t be able to contact you. If you’d like to have your profile hidden, please email the website administrator and let them know.
CONTACT INFO
I found a bug/ technical issue on the site.
Please email our Community Facilitator.
Email: administrator at docspace.ca
I want to know more about DOCspace.
Please email our Marketing & Outreach Director.
Email: outreach at docspace.ca
I want to invite DOCspace to my film festival or event.
Please email our Marketing & Outreach Director.
Email: outreach at docspace.ca
I have a media request for DOCspace
Please email our Marketing & Outreach Director.
Email: outreach at docspace.ca
I want to place an ad on the site.
Please email our Marketing & Outreach Director.
Email: outreach at docspace.ca
I want to find out more about the Documentary Organization of Canada/ Documentaristes du Canada.
Check out DOC’s website at www.docorg.ca, or email your question to DOC’s National Membership Coordinator Adele Charlebois at adele@docorg.ca.
