Raul Esparza's website

[robyn525600]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 10:17am

I must say that I am disappointed that his website hasn't been updated since 10/23 - especially since its recently been annouced that he will be the lead in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (there is no mention of that at all). I really dislike it when someone has a moment of admiration about a performer and starts a website and then it eventually fades and the website is ignored. It's a great website and was, at one time, a wonderful source of information on Raul.

[SammyGal]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 10:32am

Actually his webmistress is sick right now so I'd lay off of accusing her of not updating the site since she's been in bed.

The site doesn't need to be updated right after news is announced. Everyone heard about the Chitty news and I'm sure when she's feeling better, it'll be the first thing she does.

[TGIF]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 10:37am

The 23rd was about two weeks ago. That is pretty darn recent in my book. Some sites are updated every couple months!

Feel better! (Am i assuming its Karen who is sick?)

[Craig]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 10:38am

Actually, Raul (I believe) has not officially been cast. Perhaps that is why his OFFICIAL site has not been updated with that news.

"I really dislike it when someone has a moment of admiration about a performer and starts a website and then it eventually fades and the website is ignored. "

You know, not every site is created or maintained by a "fan". Sites are often done by professionals who are contracted by the performer to create their site. Not to say the designer isn't a fan, or have vested interest, but I wouldn't make a blanket statement like you did - especially in regards to Raul's site - which is one of the most comprehensive ones out there.

I could speak volumes about expectations of fans in response to websites, but I'll refrain.

As the poster above mentioned. It's only been 2 weeks. And Raul isn't currently IN something. What updates, other than the one you already "know" about do you think SHOULD be on the site?

Updated On: 11/6/04 at 10:38 AM

[SammyGal]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 10:43am

Thaks Craig.
And Raul's is a professional website, not fan-made.
:)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 10:52am

Not website-related, but it's not official?
I thought it was.

Edit: playbill.com says:
"Raúl Esparza will be part of the cast of the Broadway mounting of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."
I'm confused... hope he's in.
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/89322.html

Updated On: 11/6/04 at 10:52 AM

[robyn525600]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 11:09am

I am sorry to hear that she is ill but I was told there were two webmasters for that site. So . . . . .

Anywho, I wasn't bashing them or anything, it just seems like lately the website has been laxed.

My opinion. The end.

[Craig]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 11:14am

Your opinion, fine, but answer the question raised if you would, since it's only been 2 weeks since the last update and Raul isn't currently IN something, what updates, other than the one you already "know" about do you think SHOULD be on the site?

As for officially being cast, based on that article and variety it does seem to be official. Raul was left out of the most recent Meat Loaf article though, which is the one I was going off of. My apologies.

Updated On: 11/6/04 at 11:14 AM

[TGIF]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 11:19am

It might be "laxed" because there is nothing to report. Cut them some slack, its one of the best Offical Fan sites out there that I have seen.

The article came out on Nov 1st. Its only the 6th.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 11:21am

Oh, no - don't be sorry Craig. It isn't your fault. I actually just didn't see the article you were referring to, so the only thing I knew of mentioning Raúl was the one I posted the link to. Here's hoping, I guess...

[KarenNYC]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 11:38am

Thanks, Craig and Sammy, for speaking up for me. (Edit: And TGIF, too.) Yes, I have been sick, but that's beside the point.

There are two webmasters for Raul's site and we both do different things for the site, but I'm not going to get into the specifics of Becky's and my roles because that's really between the two of us.

Robyn, I'm sorry you're disappointed that we haven't added the CHITTY news to Raul's site. But the fact is that we have different sources than the article that luvtheEmcee linked so we are not going to post that news just because it's on the internet.

As for your comment on the site being laxed lately: I'm sorry but I don't know what you mean. The longest lapse in updates was from the end of June through the beginning of September, and the only reason for that is that Raul took the summer off. (It didn't stop people from complaining, though, blaming the lack of updates on us rather than the fact that the man took some well-deserved time off.)

I really dislike it when someone has a moment of admiration about a performer and starts a website and then it eventually fades and the website is ignored.

A "moment" of admiration? It's been three years since the site went official and I believe Becky and I have consistently done okay. I am not going to discuss CHITTY any further because it's inappropriate. But when there is news to report, we will report it.

Updated On: 11/6/04 at 11:38 AM

[Britt0913]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 5:40pm

Hope you're feeling better, Karen and hope you have some good news to report soon!

[Becky]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 6:53pm

I must say that I am disappointed that his website hasn't been updated since 10/23

Disappointed because it hasn't been updated within 2 weeks? Wow.

Ditto to everything Karen said, and thanks to everyone who has been supportive of our work on Raul's site. We work very hard to make sure his site is well taken care of.

I would like to say (as someone mentioned) that his site is not a "fan based" site, it's a professional site meant to profile his body of work - and I'd like to think we've done a great job of accomplishing that goal and making it a "wonderful source of information."

I'd also kind of like an answer to Craig's question as well. Robyn, what information did you feel should have been included that wasn't, and what is it about our work that gives you the indication that our "admiration has faded" or that the website has been "ignored"? Just curious. Also, there are reasons why some information is/isn't included in our updates, so keep that in mind.

Robyn, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but it's a little unfair to throw those comments out there and not back them up. This is the second thread you've started questioning our work on the website and I'd just like to know why. The first thread in Aug (?) was a complaint about the lack of updates when he hadn't been doing anything at all (he was taking some time off), so it seems a little unfair. You are always welcome to direct any questions regarding site content to our website email address (as you've done in the past). We welcome any questions or comments from anyone, so feel free to contact us anytime. I will be happy to answer any questions.

webmaster @ raulesparza.com Updated On: 11/6/04 at 06:53 PM

[Jennifer]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 8:43pm

Why are you making an example of just his site and not other similar sites? There are plenty of actors' websites that are not updated as regularly as Raul's even when there is news to report. It wouldn't be difficult to find a few of those to back up your argument, if indeed that is your argument, the lack of updates. But I suspect that is not the case.

As far as performers' websites go, I think his has been a valuable source of information over the last several years and it's apparent that both his webmasters do a great job with the site, evidenced by so many coming to their defense. Your complaints seem to be a little off base given the last update was two weeks ago.

Since you started the other thread about his site as well, do you have a personal beef with his webmasters? Just curious.