I've decided to dedicate some time to try and update the Season 8: All-Stars Edgic chart. It is way outdated in comparison to the other charts and it could be viewed as the transition between old Edgic and new Edgic. If you are interested in taking part in this activity, please feel free to post your ratings. We will go Episode-by-Episode and the majority ratings will be taken. I will be keeping track of visibility through the current VF-Chart system. I will post links to the Episodes so you can view them. Here are some basic Edgic rules to review before you take part:
Edgic Guidelines
Observations (In new order)
1) The winner may have ups and downs, but is typically not too UTR/INV or too OTT.
2) The winner will typically have a fair amount of meaningful editing and typically won't be ignored in long stretches.
3) Typically the winner is not overly Positive or Negative.
4) The winner is very unlikely to receive an INV rating during the course of the season, and will likely receive at least a 2 visibility in Episode 1.
5) Over the course of the game the winner's presence and visibility should end up closer to the average of all the players. (The winner typically gravitates to near the top in MOR differential, which calculates the closeness to average in presence, tone and ratings).
6) Typically the winner is surrounded by players who keep our focus to distract us from the winner. These players are often OTT and much of the complexity and strategy centers in this core group. This core group can be a combination of members of more than one complex group, rather than all being from one, original tribe.
.....old 5) The tribe (or the core group that will surround a surprise winner) that has the most complex dynamics and strategy usually contains the winner.
.....old 6) Typically the winner is surrounded by the player/s receiving the distracting edit.
7) The winner will have substantial comments/insight from many of the jury members that may resurface in front of the jury or mislead the audience on voting.
8) The ending is typically set up to be a somewhat of a 'surprise'. You either don't expect the winner or second place to be there. These two are often manipulated in the editing to make each look like they have a chance to win.
9) If two people are a 'known final pair' then the likelihood of them actually being the final two is slim. It would need to be a situation that cannot be avoided (i.e. Amber/Rob)
Complex tribe:
1) Complex tribe has nothing to do with strategy -the average person doesn't care. It has to do with dangling, loose ends -anxious for us to revisit.
2) Complex tribe gets the most focus pre-merge.
3) In theory, the reason the tribe seems complex, is because the focus may be surrounding the winner or final core players.
Ratings
INV - Invisible
1) Irrelevant, no confessionals or tribal council questions in the early episodes, little or no confessionals or tribal council questions in the mid to late episodes.
2) The player's editing was insignificant to any character development.
UTR - Under the radar
1) UTR means a character that is either underutilized or deliberately hidden (the trick is figuring out which). In story terms, they are kept out of focus. An UTR edit means the player may be seen, but they aren't seen doing or saying anything of major significance. Since showcasing players who do nothing isn't very entertaining, UTR edits do tend toward low visibility, but that needn't be the case.
2) Players who receive significant face time, but little to no speaking time.
3) The UTR Edit within an episode will typically be void of direct conflicts and character insight.
4) If the player gets some significant screen time, but doesn't do anything special, then you rate it UTR.
MOR - Middle of the road
1) MOR means something between UTR, CP, and OTT. They say and do enough to avoid UTR, but they're not emphasized caricatures or developed personalities. This is a holding episode for characters who could be CP, but the story didn't particularly involve them, or for normally UTR characters who couldn't escape inclusion in the story. As such, winners are often portrayed as MOR at some point in the story. However, a consistently MOR edit is not a good thing because these characters are more just kind of there.
2) Someone who gets an odd positive and negative mix, but not in an Over the Top manner.
3) If the player did something that you feel makes them better that UTR, but not enough to qualify for CP, then you rate MOR.
4) MOR can be used to describe characters who were mostly UTR with a fair amount of CP.
CP - Complex personality
1) CP means a character that is well-developed. Their editing has depth to it, and their choices are presented to the audience so that we get an insight into their thinking. We generally see their strengths and flaws. Not too surprisingly, these are the major players in the course of the game, and it is their choices that shape the story.
2) CP shows complexity of thought about the game, and or complex emotions that might be construed as Positive or Negative. "Players" like Brian, Shii Ann, Jeff Varner, or Chris, during the normal course of their editing, would in my mind be complex because they were always in the game. and many of their edits related directly to the strategic maneuvering in their tribe (successful or not).
3) Someone who expresses internal conflict over a situation, someone who expresses a "deep" or turbulent emotion like remorse, loneliness, or betrayal expressed intelligently and not like "You're a liar, T!;" someone who demonstrates a complex strategy or bold strategic move and their reasoning for it. There has to be something shown in interviews that contradicts what we've seen or adds conflict to the scenario.
4) If the player gets quality screen time and is either shown multiple times being strategic or shows a multi-dimensional side, then you go with CP.
OTT - Over the top
1) OTT means a character that is being characterized or simplified. In story terms, they are the villains and heroes, the ones we love to love or hate. A consistently OTT character is presented as a distraction to the other players. Of course, not all OTT players stay that way, and often an OTT player will go UTR for awhile if the editors want to bring them back to the main storyline as a more well-rounded character. Contrasting OTT edits in the same player (OTTN v. OTTP) generally mean a more complex edit over the course of the show.
2) OTT players are generally always edited in a Positive or Negative light.
3) A mixture of positive and negative editing ends up being neutral overall.
4) Usually lacking in strategy, or strategy not expressed with much internal conflict - but they can have lots and lots of conflict with other people; no remorse if N and no "evil" strategizing if P - only focusing on loyalty or saving one's own skin
Tone
PP) Extremely positive.
P) Positive.
No rating Static neutral
M) Dynamic Mixed neutral - If you think someone was noticibly P AND N within one episode. Mixed in the case of OTT represents a disagreement in consensus over the tone.
N) Negative.
NN) Extremely negative.
Visibility Measures the amount of presence that a player had in an episode. Visibility includes confessionals, speaking time, face time, second person visibility and tribal council questions (TCQ).
1) Low visibility.
2) Medium low visibility.
3) Average visibility.
4) Medium high visibility.
5) High visibility.
Second Person Visbility (SPV)
Second person visibility is a count of the number of times a contestant is talked about by other contestants (either in confessionals or during game play footage) in a significant context. It excludes simple lists of contestants names (e.g. Katie saying that she, Janu, Ian and Wanda will vote for Coby) or simple descriptive passages (e.g. Caryn saying that Jeff looked funny riding a horse).
Revision: Many contributors to Edgic have noticed that there are differences among the SPVs shown that we believe might be materially significant to the overall edit. Because of this, the classification of SPVs for Survivor 15 will go beyond a basic tally of number of SPVs and will analyze the nature of each SPV. These are all tallies for the individual that is spoken about the second person.
SPV Tone:
Positive, Negative or Neutral. Regardless of whether the SPV is accurate or not, the general tone of the SPV content is noted.
SPV Type:
I) (inconsequential); General in nature, without significant substance or tone. Example: John and I went to get the tree mail. This is a difference in SPV analysis; for S15 all mentions of another person will be tallied. They may be as previously believed irrelevant. But they are SPVs, so they will be tallied.
S) (Strategic) The content discusses the strategy of the second person (NOT of the speaker. This will be included in the speaker's rating, not in an SPV rating.)
G) (General) The content is of a general nature, more than inconsequential but not strategic. Example: discussions of injuries. I liken this to the standard MOR Edgic rating.
R) (Reinforced) The content of the SPV is reinforced by images of the second person acting in a way described in the SPV. Example: John is really lazy, followed by images of John sleeping and lying about when others are working.
C) (Contradicted). The content of the SPV is contradicted by images of the second person acting in a way contrary to the SPV. Example: John is really lazy, followed by images of John working very hard. This SPV, which doesn't occur often, has so far without exception been used as a strong negative indicator against the speaker rather than the second person.
Not all SPVs will have an R or C. In fact, most won't.
---
unapproved, revised guidelines (from S17 & S18)
Please note that these are not the official guidelines for this year... they are proposed only. The structure was designed specifically for easier comparison and some areas have been expanded (ie like INV) or cleaned up to allow for a clearer understanding of what is intended. Click here if you wish to read the original post and those that followed. There are some aspects that are very helpful here, though, including what is meant by "UNUSUAL FOCUS" and the expanded definition of INV.
The Structure...
to facilitate comparing apples to apples each RATING was restructured in the same way, as follows:
The key points:
1) the type or quality of speech
2) the type or quality of screen time
3) their story or "role"
4) SPV
5) complexity within the episode
Notes
--
Definition of terms:
- a substantive verbal exchange with Probst or being "highlighted" in some way such as a replay or where where verbal exchanges are subtitled.
- where the SPV is part of the character development of a player or where it is regarding relationships and alliances.
- not generic SPV like "Susie got treemail" or "Randy smells today"; or someone listing off a bunch of names.
- being "highlighted" by Probst during the challenge as opposed to being simply mentioned once.
- where actions are "replayed" for the audience.
--
RATINGS
INV - Invisible
Definition: A character, within the episode, that is edited to be irrelevant or insignificant to any of the stories. In terms of story... they don't have one.
The character...
- had no confessionals or tribal council questions.
- was ignored, lacking even in screen/face time; receives NO SPECIAL FOCUS during group exchanges such as intros, pick-ems and challenges
- was portrayed as irrelevant to the episode or story and/or is lacking in any character development.
- received NO IMPORTANT OR SIGNIFICANT SPV from other players
Note: If the character received even one confessional or TCQ at any point in the episode, they are "saved" from an INV.
---
UTR - Under the Radar
Definition: A character, within the episode, that is edited to be either under-utilized or deliberately hidden (the trick is figuring out which). In story terms, they have a role in the story but are being kept out of focus.
The character...
- had low speaking time and / or low content; they may have had a confessional and/or a TC question and/or was involved in camp discussions
- may have received significant face time / screen time, but isn't seen doing or saying anything special or of major significance; may have had limited screen and little-to-no speaking time BUT receives UNUSUAL or extensive focus during group exchanges like pick'ems, intros, or (possibly) challenges (ie. where verbal exchanges are subtitled; actions are "replayed" for the audience; or the scene is overly-emphasized by Probst)
- will likely have had some sort of "role" or part in the episode, but will generally be void of direct conflicts and/or character insight.
- may have had limited screen and little-to-no speaking time BUT received SPV from another player(s)
Note: Since showcasing players who do nothing isn't very entertaining, UTR edits do tend toward low visibility, but that isn't a rule, only a generalization.
--
CP - Complex Personality
Definition: A character, within the episode, that emerges as a "personality" that is well-rounded and well-developed (intellectually, emotionally, personally and strategic/game-wise). The editing has depth, we see their strengths and weaknesses, and their choices are presented to the audience so that we get an insight into their thinking. In terms of story, these characters usually end up being major players in the story (game) and their choices end up shaping the overall, long-term story.
The character...
- had a few-to-several QUALITY confessionals and/or TC questions and/or camp discussions; Confessionals and other discussions showed awareness and a complexity of thought about the game and strategic maneuvering AS WELL AS other complex emotions (like remorse, loneliness, guilt or betrayal) or an internal conflict over a situation. Their thinking process and how these feelings/thoughts/events are affecting them and their game (ie. positively or negatively, successful or not, etc) are expressed intelligently and maturely, as opposed to an irrational outburst ("You're a Liar, T!").
- received moderate to significant QUALITY screen/face time, does something notable or important, and was given the opportunity to "talk" about it and showed their thinking process, choices, etc. (ie someone demonstrates a complex strategy or bold strategic move and we see their reasoning for it); may have had UNUSUAL FOCUS during group encounters AND they got to comment on it later.
- had a fairly significant "role" or part in the episode, and that role is part of the driving force of the story. The story for the episode "revolved" around this character, at least partially.
- most likely received SPV from another player(s).
- may very well have moments of OTT (or even UTR) within a single episode since being well-rounded and complex would, by definition, include being obtuse, one-note or single-minded
Note: Winners are usually portrayed as CP at several points in the overall story since the story needs to be about them. However, this may not be the case in the early episodes if the winner starts out with a purposeful strategy of UTR. CPs after the merge are common / expected for the winner.
A second note: Strategy alone does not equal CP; there needs to be something to back up the strategy.
--
MOR - Middle of the Road
Definition: A character, within the episode, that says and does more than a UTR edit, but is lacking in character development (ie. we still don't know anything about them or what makes them tick). MOR edits are not oversimplified into OTT nor are they well-rounded into CP. In terms of story, these characters tend towards being a supporting character, the "narrator" or the "survivor is great" commentator. They can be described as being somewhat "bland" or "just sort of there". This edit may contain "very strategic" moments, but without the emotional and intellectual insights necessary for a complex edit.
The character...
- had some confessionals and/or TC questions and/or camp discussions; Confessionals and other discussions generally appear to be reporting or "fluffy" in nature; may have some strategy, but without the necessary thought processes / choices / internal conflict
- received moderate to significant screen/face time and may have done something notable, but overall, there was a lack in quality... ie. no obvious commentary on the action, no relevant background info, and/or no internal thought processes; May have received UNUSUAL FOCUS during group encounters, BUT this focus was likely linked to someone else and was used as a tool to shine light elsewhere.
- will likely have had some sort of "role" or part in the episode, but it was as a secondary or supporting role. ie. the immediate story DIDN'T particularly involve them, so they were just there; or the immediate story DID involve them, but this character couldn't "escape" inclusion in the story and we heard very little on their feelings/thoughts on the event; they feel like they are "on hold"
- may or may not have received SPV from another player(s).
Note: Winners are often portrayed as MOR at some point in the story due to the necessity of cooling down, story-wise. However, a consistently MOR edit is not a good thing either, because these characters end up being "just kind of there".
--
OTT - Over the Top
Definition: A character, within the episode, that is over-simplified or presented as a one-dimensional, one-note caricature. In terms of story, these characters are usually used to create drama and to distract us from the winner. They are the ones we love to love (the hero, the sweetheart) or the ones we love to hate (the villain, the buffoon, the arrogant jerk, the right-royal-beyotch).
The character...
- had a few-to-several confessionals and/or TC questions and/or camp discussions; confessionals and other discussions were generally one-sided, emotional and repetitive, without depth of thought or rationality expressed, lacked in strategy or strategy not expressed with much internal conflict (but probably had lots and lots of conflict with other people); Confessionals were used to "paint" the character into a certain type of cartoon-like role (like the evil villain twirling their mustache, etc) or other extreme behaviour such as no remorse for hurtful actions, focusing only on loyalty or saving one's own skin, an absence of "evil" strategizing when there should be, etc.
- received moderate to significant screen/face time and/or received a disproportionate amount of time during one or two events, where the focus of the screen-time was used to show the character repeating the same actions over and over; may have had UNUSUAL FOCUS during group encounters, BUT it was used to highlight the extremeness of the person or situation and the character didn't receive an opportunity to talk about it or to express themselves rationally.
- had a fairly moderate to significant "role" or part in the episode, often the "scene-stealer" or the "drama-maker" for the episode. The story for the episode "revolved" around this character, at least partially.
- most likely received SPV from other players; SPV was used to reinforce the OTTness and the SPV was extreme or underscored the actions of the player in question.
- WILL NOT have moments of depth or a "range of complexity" within a single episode. This is a one-dimension edit, and if the edit contains moments of "CP" then it is not OTT.
Note: not all OTT players stay this way, and often an OTT player will go UTR for awhile if the editors want to bring them back to the main storyline as a more well-rounded character. Contrasting OTT edits in the same player (OTTN v. OTTP) generally mean a more complex edit over the course of the show.
---
Old Chart for S-8
New Chart for S-8
---
Visibility Charts













