How We Chose Our Movies
One of the halmark features of movie night is that the movie is chosen at random. This option can be overruled if someone makes a good pitch to watch a specific film and everyone else agrees. If the suggested film is contentested, it can only be watched if it is chosen randomly. The chart above depicts the ways in which we pick which film to watch.
The Numbers
This chart shows the number of times each number has been randomly selected or picked using one of our selection devices.
In many ways this graph is completely meaningless, because the numbers are chosen using different methods. (In this graph we have removed Viewer Choice from the list since it is often listed as film one and skews the random number spread.)
We should note that an Error Spin occurs when a movie is put on the wheel and wins, but there is no means by which the film could can be watched. (This typically only occurs when a film has recently left a streaming service. Typically films are vetted for streaming or viewing before put on the wheel.)
The Biased Truth
Despite our best efforts most things that select items randomly have some sort of bias. By keeping track of our (albiet small) dataset, we hope to mititgate bias in our selections by removing or improving methods that appear to have bias results.
bobbot
die
Digital d12
Popcorn D12
PYE Spinner Die
random.org
viewer choice
wheel v1
wheel v2
wheel v3
wheelofsus
Details on the Wheels, Dice, and Spinners
Below we share a little detailed information about the methods we use to select our films to watch.
Wheel Version 2
Wheel version 2 was build using a piece of plywood. It was used for 17 spins before it was found to be weighted and most likely to land on the number 8. While it may be possible to reblance the wheel at some point, no efforts have been made at this time.
Wheel Version 3
Wheel version 3 was designed using particleboard, which should have a more uniform density than plywood. It used a similar flipper and axel to the other two. It was designed to be 18 inches in diameter. The wheel is heavy and does not sit level as it rotates. The balance was fine-tuned using tacks along the perimeter, though the level of balance is still debated. Wheel 3 broke while an attempt was made to update the spinning mechanism. It has not been repaired.
D12 (Die or Dice)
A single 12-sided die is often used. There is no single die designated for rolling. Dice rolled include a large 5" foam die and smaller normal dice. The only requirements for dice is that they be 12-sided and not knowingly weighted.
Bobbot
Bobbot was (is?) a Discord Bot built by TV to allow users to spin electronically. The bot has been offline since July 2020.
Viewer Choice
Occasionally we decide it's better not to leave things up to chance. Typically this means only one person is present for movie night or everyone attending wants to watch the same thing.
wheelofsus
Originally created for specialized games of Among Us, wheelofsus is a propriatary interactive virtual wheel that can be customized for many different events.
Random.org
Random.org offers several different features for choosing items randomly.
PYE Spinner Die
This spinning die is from PYE Games.
Digital D12
Movie Night Stats' unofficial-official D12 created for use in case of emergency.