Please help me to not be a celebrity.
May 13, 2010 2:29 PM Subscribe
How can I go about getting myself removed from IMDB?
I’ve been trying to get my IMDB listing removed for over three years now with no success. I’ve carefully followed the procedures listed in their FAQs, but no luck with that. The listing is for one tiny appearance in a short film many years ago that was a favor for some friends who were entering a film festival. I have no interest in being in the entertainment industry and I had no idea that this would ever end up on the internet, let alone listed on IMDB with my full name. The listing is appearing amongst the first page of results for a google search of my name which is a problem because in my industry we check up on each other a lot. I get called out on this IMDB entry frequently and its super embarrassing to have to explain it and will likely be detrimental to my success at some point, if it hasn’t hindered my advancement already. Oh, and my name is unique, by the way, and the listing links to the actual film, so there is no denying that it's me.
If it’s completely impossible to have the listing removed entirely, I would be satisfied with having my name on the listing changed to a “stage name” or something like that.
So, any advice for getting a listing removed or changed? Has anyone successfully done this? Am I going to have to hire a lawyer? Would that even help?
Anonymous because I don’t want to be even further connected to IMDB nonsense. Email for follow-ups: removemefromimdb@gmail.com
I’ve been trying to get my IMDB listing removed for over three years now with no success. I’ve carefully followed the procedures listed in their FAQs, but no luck with that. The listing is for one tiny appearance in a short film many years ago that was a favor for some friends who were entering a film festival. I have no interest in being in the entertainment industry and I had no idea that this would ever end up on the internet, let alone listed on IMDB with my full name. The listing is appearing amongst the first page of results for a google search of my name which is a problem because in my industry we check up on each other a lot. I get called out on this IMDB entry frequently and its super embarrassing to have to explain it and will likely be detrimental to my success at some point, if it hasn’t hindered my advancement already. Oh, and my name is unique, by the way, and the listing links to the actual film, so there is no denying that it's me.
If it’s completely impossible to have the listing removed entirely, I would be satisfied with having my name on the listing changed to a “stage name” or something like that.
So, any advice for getting a listing removed or changed? Has anyone successfully done this? Am I going to have to hire a lawyer? Would that even help?
Anonymous because I don’t want to be even further connected to IMDB nonsense. Email for follow-ups: removemefromimdb@gmail.com
Did you contact the filmmakers? They should be able to modify the listing.
Unfortunately, IMDB compiles info from web crawls as well, and doesn't seem to rectify anything once they post it. I'm listed as a Producer of a particular documentary, and my role wasn't nearly that prestigious-- I work on the website of the TV show that aired it.
If they won't correct inaccuracies, I don't see how you're going to get them to remove an actual fact. Perhaps if you threatened to sue them, they might remove it just to get you to go away. But it doesn't sound like they're obligated to do anything (they're listing accurate, public info after all), and unfortunately they're probably not going to.
posted by Mayor Curley at 3:09 PM on May 13, 2010 [4 favorites]
Unfortunately, IMDB compiles info from web crawls as well, and doesn't seem to rectify anything once they post it. I'm listed as a Producer of a particular documentary, and my role wasn't nearly that prestigious-- I work on the website of the TV show that aired it.
If they won't correct inaccuracies, I don't see how you're going to get them to remove an actual fact. Perhaps if you threatened to sue them, they might remove it just to get you to go away. But it doesn't sound like they're obligated to do anything (they're listing accurate, public info after all), and unfortunately they're probably not going to.
posted by Mayor Curley at 3:09 PM on May 13, 2010 [4 favorites]
IMDB is a difficult one. I tried to change somethings on my husband's profile. Before they would list it, they had to "verify", whatever that means. Some stuff they corrected, other stuff they wouldn't list, although we knew it to be accurate and in the "credits". Go figure.
I feel for you.
posted by 6:1 at 3:39 PM on May 13, 2010
I feel for you.
posted by 6:1 at 3:39 PM on May 13, 2010
If IMDB won't budge, maybe consider creating a public on-line presence to become your first result for a Google search?
posted by zippy at 3:43 PM on May 13, 2010
posted by zippy at 3:43 PM on May 13, 2010
IMDB believes that actors are public figures, and thus have limited rights to privacy regarding information on what they're doing. Since you've already written to them more than once, you may have to lawyer up, in which case I would ask you if it's really worth it to you.
I doubt anyone is judging you based on being in someone's film festival project; if they are, they are assholes, but that goes without saying. Most likely they're just curious as to what it was like-- that's the primary question I get, working in VFX. If they're interested in what you did, and you were Naked Streaker #6 or something, just say "Oh, it was a bit part as a favor to a friend, nothing with any lines or anything."
I would try not to sweat it. Just smile and say "oh, yeah, my infamous IMDB listing- did you know anyone can enter data on that site? I totally didn't have anything to do with it."
(My first credit was on the 2006 remake of The Hitcher; I know from IMDB-related shame listings, and I feel your pain, but anyone who makes a huge deal of an entry on what is essentially a public database is kind of being a jerk at you and applying your best derisive Miss Manners impression will probably be easier than getting a lawyer.)
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 3:44 PM on May 13, 2010 [5 favorites]
I doubt anyone is judging you based on being in someone's film festival project; if they are, they are assholes, but that goes without saying. Most likely they're just curious as to what it was like-- that's the primary question I get, working in VFX. If they're interested in what you did, and you were Naked Streaker #6 or something, just say "Oh, it was a bit part as a favor to a friend, nothing with any lines or anything."
I would try not to sweat it. Just smile and say "oh, yeah, my infamous IMDB listing- did you know anyone can enter data on that site? I totally didn't have anything to do with it."
(My first credit was on the 2006 remake of The Hitcher; I know from IMDB-related shame listings, and I feel your pain, but anyone who makes a huge deal of an entry on what is essentially a public database is kind of being a jerk at you and applying your best derisive Miss Manners impression will probably be easier than getting a lawyer.)
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 3:44 PM on May 13, 2010 [5 favorites]
The listing is for one tiny appearance in a short film many years ago that was a favor for some friends who were entering a film festival.
My wife just made a good chunk of money doing this for someone, because their listing was embarrassing to them. The key is this: IMDB will never, ever pull your name out if you were legitimately in the movie, and credited as such. The only way to fix this (and the way my wife finally pulled it off) was to get the owners of the film itself to change the credits, after which IMDB changed their listing to match. Considering the level of effort my wife went through to succeed at this (and how much unsuccessful effort her client put out before hiring her, and how much he paid her, and how much unsuccessful effort she put in trying to address this with IMDB directly before taking it up with the filmmakers) I think you'd do well to give this approach a try.
Having said that: unless you have the most unique name in all the land, and/or you're sure people will go through the trouble of digging up the film to see if you're in it, you can just say "not me, different [your name]."
posted by davejay at 4:21 PM on May 13, 2010 [4 favorites]
My wife just made a good chunk of money doing this for someone, because their listing was embarrassing to them. The key is this: IMDB will never, ever pull your name out if you were legitimately in the movie, and credited as such. The only way to fix this (and the way my wife finally pulled it off) was to get the owners of the film itself to change the credits, after which IMDB changed their listing to match. Considering the level of effort my wife went through to succeed at this (and how much unsuccessful effort her client put out before hiring her, and how much he paid her, and how much unsuccessful effort she put in trying to address this with IMDB directly before taking it up with the filmmakers) I think you'd do well to give this approach a try.
Having said that: unless you have the most unique name in all the land, and/or you're sure people will go through the trouble of digging up the film to see if you're in it, you can just say "not me, different [your name]."
posted by davejay at 4:21 PM on May 13, 2010 [4 favorites]
zippy: "If IMDB won't budge, maybe consider creating a public on-line presence to become your first result for a Google search?"
Just wanted to echo this. It doesn't need to be complex or expensive; you can build it yourself with free tools. Just include a photograph, a truncated resume, and contact information.
I'm reluctant to say this, because I don't understand your situation and may be flat-out wrong, but is it possible that this doesn't really harm you? It can be a conversation-starter; it can make your name stick out and might get you a second interview. I used to have the words "stage combat" on my (non-theatre) resume, and I know that it got me a job.
But again, I don't know your situation and won't assume I do.
posted by roll truck roll at 4:57 PM on May 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Just wanted to echo this. It doesn't need to be complex or expensive; you can build it yourself with free tools. Just include a photograph, a truncated resume, and contact information.
I'm reluctant to say this, because I don't understand your situation and may be flat-out wrong, but is it possible that this doesn't really harm you? It can be a conversation-starter; it can make your name stick out and might get you a second interview. I used to have the words "stage combat" on my (non-theatre) resume, and I know that it got me a job.
But again, I don't know your situation and won't assume I do.
posted by roll truck roll at 4:57 PM on May 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I'm gonna have to say that unless you get the film's producers to change their tune, you're stuck with it.
However, embarassing that it might be, you were in the film. It might look even weirder for your name to appear in other results containing the film and not in IMDB. "What's he hiding?" people might ask. It's not the crime, it's the coverup.
IMDB didn't create this problem. If it's even a problem at all. I find it hard to believe that anyone is legitimately "subtracting points" because you were credited in a film.
posted by gjc at 6:41 PM on May 13, 2010
However, embarassing that it might be, you were in the film. It might look even weirder for your name to appear in other results containing the film and not in IMDB. "What's he hiding?" people might ask. It's not the crime, it's the coverup.
IMDB didn't create this problem. If it's even a problem at all. I find it hard to believe that anyone is legitimately "subtracting points" because you were credited in a film.
posted by gjc at 6:41 PM on May 13, 2010
(Folks, use your imagination here. If the film in question is "All-Anal Annie", or something of that nature, would you really want prospective employers & coworkers to see that listing? Even if you actually just did a walk-on in a restaurant scene... The OP says he thinks this could be negative; can we at least trust his judgment on this, and quit trying to argue the point?)
posted by IAmBroom at 6:50 PM on May 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by IAmBroom at 6:50 PM on May 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
All you really want is for the IMDB entry to not come up when someone googles for your name, right?
Maybe you can convince IMDB that they need to change the spelling of your name in some subtle way. That way the listing continues, but it doesn't match the google search.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:31 PM on May 13, 2010
Maybe you can convince IMDB that they need to change the spelling of your name in some subtle way. That way the listing continues, but it doesn't match the google search.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:31 PM on May 13, 2010
You could also create profiles for your name with other kinds of information, making it seem like there's more than one "you".
posted by acoutu at 8:26 PM on May 13, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by acoutu at 8:26 PM on May 13, 2010 [2 favorites]
Could you get a lawyer, and have them contact IMDB? Companies that have no interest in talking with a person about something will usually become very interested when a lawyer contacts them for the person.
posted by Slinga at 10:31 PM on May 13, 2010
posted by Slinga at 10:31 PM on May 13, 2010
“So, any advice for getting a listing removed or changed? Has anyone successfully done this? Am I going to have to hire a lawyer? Would that even help?”
A film is public. You cannot prevent someone from saying something about you which is clearly true and which is public knowledge on the internet. Sorry, but you're going about this the wrong way. Sometimes lawyers might help, but IMDB is huge enough that I'm sure they've had lawyers thrown at them for all sorts of silly reasons, so they won't skip a beat with you, I'll bet; they'll just laugh. Don't waste your time.
I think you're going about this problem in the wrong way. Pay someone to set up a googleable web site for you.
posted by koeselitz at 10:45 PM on May 13, 2010
A film is public. You cannot prevent someone from saying something about you which is clearly true and which is public knowledge on the internet. Sorry, but you're going about this the wrong way. Sometimes lawyers might help, but IMDB is huge enough that I'm sure they've had lawyers thrown at them for all sorts of silly reasons, so they won't skip a beat with you, I'll bet; they'll just laugh. Don't waste your time.
I think you're going about this problem in the wrong way. Pay someone to set up a googleable web site for you.
posted by koeselitz at 10:45 PM on May 13, 2010
What would a lawyer contacting IMDB on your behalf even say?
"Yes, my client was involved with the movie, and so yes, the information you have listed on your site is correct, and yes, it is public information. But please remove it. Please? As a favor?"
You have no legal basis to request that of them and therefore there is no point in getting a lawyer involved. Getting a lawyer won't "intimidate" them -- they are huge and probably have their own legal team.
The only way you could get a change would be for the filmmakers to change the info, and be able to prove it. If their film has a website, get them to remove your name. Or spell your name differently. Or give you a stage name. Then have the filmmakers contact every other place that talks about the film -- the film festival, tiny websites and articles, etc -- to notify them of the "correction."
Then have the filmmakers send a letter to IMDB with print-outs of all of those sources that have the "corrected" information. Also send them an e-mail, with links.
If they still won't change it, you're SOL. You were involved with the film -- anyone who says otherwise will be doing you a favor.
posted by thebazilist at 12:08 PM on May 14, 2010
"Yes, my client was involved with the movie, and so yes, the information you have listed on your site is correct, and yes, it is public information. But please remove it. Please? As a favor?"
You have no legal basis to request that of them and therefore there is no point in getting a lawyer involved. Getting a lawyer won't "intimidate" them -- they are huge and probably have their own legal team.
The only way you could get a change would be for the filmmakers to change the info, and be able to prove it. If their film has a website, get them to remove your name. Or spell your name differently. Or give you a stage name. Then have the filmmakers contact every other place that talks about the film -- the film festival, tiny websites and articles, etc -- to notify them of the "correction."
Then have the filmmakers send a letter to IMDB with print-outs of all of those sources that have the "corrected" information. Also send them an e-mail, with links.
If they still won't change it, you're SOL. You were involved with the film -- anyone who says otherwise will be doing you a favor.
posted by thebazilist at 12:08 PM on May 14, 2010
Folks, use your imagination here. If the film in question is "All-Anal Annie", or something of that nature, would you really want prospective employers & coworkers to see that listing?
He said it was a film to be entered into a festival, which seems pretty likely to rule out a porno.
posted by jacquilynne at 3:52 PM on May 14, 2010
He said it was a film to be entered into a festival, which seems pretty likely to rule out a porno.
posted by jacquilynne at 3:52 PM on May 14, 2010
I suspect you're shit out of luck. IMDB wants to be complete, factual and accurate. That's what they're doing. You don't have a legal 'right' to not let people know you were in a film you were in... If this was going to ever be a problem you shouldn't have been credited.
You can try the "Get the credits changed" route, sure, but the better idea (To me) is to build yourself an online presence to market yourself, and stop working with dicks who judge you for helping a mate in a film. http://www.yourname.com will be all of $8 a year to register.
posted by Quadlex at 6:40 PM on May 16, 2010
You can try the "Get the credits changed" route, sure, but the better idea (To me) is to build yourself an online presence to market yourself, and stop working with dicks who judge you for helping a mate in a film. http://www.yourname.com will be all of $8 a year to register.
posted by Quadlex at 6:40 PM on May 16, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by drjimmy11 at 2:48 PM on May 13, 2010