Before reading this thread I highly suggest checking following site first. Method I am going to explain is based on this.
http://drmoviemethod.blogspot.com/
I have been experimenting with this method for some time now. I must admit that I have found it extremely helpful. I respect the author, Alyks, for developing something like this. On the other hand, there were few minor details that didn't suit my learning style very well.
1) Alyks' list of kanji is imperfect
Link for the list is found at his blog. It's lacking in way that it gives every kanji reading equal value. For example kanji 会. It is supposed to give two different readings, エ and カイ。 When I started using this method, I learned the エ version first, but the day after I found out that there is カイ reading too. I got this two confused and mixed it very often. Now have a look at these common words.
http://jisho.org/words?jap=%E4%BC%9A&eng...&common=on
The list is full of カイ readings. エ is listed only once. In my opinion, learning the less common version is just impractical and waste of time. Unfortunately, there are way too many kanji similar to 会.
2) Learning readings without context
The Heisig's book has been out for a very long time. Not all kanji are used as often as they were 30 years ago. This makes Heisig's list less accurate as the time passes. Again Alyks' list does not differentiate between frequencies of each kanji. Very often I learned certain kanji that was very uncommon. Many people don't use movie method because it doesn't teach kanji in context. Greatest hole in whole system, I think. My suggestions are trying to solve this problem.
3) Why use only movies as mind tools for remembering?
This might go without saying, but you never know. I don't understand why would anyone use only movies as memory hooks. If things, places or persons work for you, then go for it. Original name is Movie Method after all, and it's very misguiding. Using Mr.T as substitute for PERSON primitive made my life 100% easier. On top of that I find specific persons more memorable than movies itself.
Original method works like this: You have reading that you want to learn. For example キョ. You make movie substitute for this and than associate it to the kanji 巨,拒,距,去,挙,居,許,,虚 and 拠. Great, you now know readings for all these kanji.
But 1 or kanji might be uncommon and learning them is useless. You have no idea if these kanji have another reading or not. You have not seen them in any sentence yet and chances are you never will.
I suggest you learn kanji readings as you go. In context. Learning the original way is like memorizing word list. It just does not work.
HOW THIS SIMPLE MODIFICATION WORKS
Let's say you encounter following word - 冗談. Reading for 冗 is ジョウ. To me Jou sounds similar to Joker, from Batman.
In RtK 冗=superfluous. Everybody who is familiar with Heisig method should easily associate SUPERFLUOUS to JOKER. JOKER to 冗. Use stories again. You will use Joker substitute for all other ジョウ kanji like 上,条,状.
キ reading sounds like Kira. That's why I use main character from Death Note anime.
シュ ＝ Schumacher Michael(Formula One)、 ショウ ＝ Shougun Tokugawa etc.
This way you will learn only those kanji which you frequently encounter. No obscurities.
I am in no way trying to belittle Alyks' Movie Method in any way These are just suggestions to make his method more perfect and accessible to wider range of people.
I hope I made myself clear. I would be glad to answer any questions. Constructive criticism and feedback is welcome.
http://drmoviemethod.blogspot.com/
I have been experimenting with this method for some time now. I must admit that I have found it extremely helpful. I respect the author, Alyks, for developing something like this. On the other hand, there were few minor details that didn't suit my learning style very well.
1) Alyks' list of kanji is imperfect
Link for the list is found at his blog. It's lacking in way that it gives every kanji reading equal value. For example kanji 会. It is supposed to give two different readings, エ and カイ。 When I started using this method, I learned the エ version first, but the day after I found out that there is カイ reading too. I got this two confused and mixed it very often. Now have a look at these common words.
http://jisho.org/words?jap=%E4%BC%9A&eng...&common=on
The list is full of カイ readings. エ is listed only once. In my opinion, learning the less common version is just impractical and waste of time. Unfortunately, there are way too many kanji similar to 会.
2) Learning readings without context
The Heisig's book has been out for a very long time. Not all kanji are used as often as they were 30 years ago. This makes Heisig's list less accurate as the time passes. Again Alyks' list does not differentiate between frequencies of each kanji. Very often I learned certain kanji that was very uncommon. Many people don't use movie method because it doesn't teach kanji in context. Greatest hole in whole system, I think. My suggestions are trying to solve this problem.
3) Why use only movies as mind tools for remembering?
This might go without saying, but you never know. I don't understand why would anyone use only movies as memory hooks. If things, places or persons work for you, then go for it. Original name is Movie Method after all, and it's very misguiding. Using Mr.T as substitute for PERSON primitive made my life 100% easier. On top of that I find specific persons more memorable than movies itself.
Original method works like this: You have reading that you want to learn. For example キョ. You make movie substitute for this and than associate it to the kanji 巨,拒,距,去,挙,居,許,,虚 and 拠. Great, you now know readings for all these kanji.
But 1 or kanji might be uncommon and learning them is useless. You have no idea if these kanji have another reading or not. You have not seen them in any sentence yet and chances are you never will.
I suggest you learn kanji readings as you go. In context. Learning the original way is like memorizing word list. It just does not work.
HOW THIS SIMPLE MODIFICATION WORKS
Let's say you encounter following word - 冗談. Reading for 冗 is ジョウ. To me Jou sounds similar to Joker, from Batman.
In RtK 冗=superfluous. Everybody who is familiar with Heisig method should easily associate SUPERFLUOUS to JOKER. JOKER to 冗. Use stories again. You will use Joker substitute for all other ジョウ kanji like 上,条,状.
キ reading sounds like Kira. That's why I use main character from Death Note anime.
シュ ＝ Schumacher Michael(Formula One)、 ショウ ＝ Shougun Tokugawa etc.
This way you will learn only those kanji which you frequently encounter. No obscurities.
I am in no way trying to belittle Alyks' Movie Method in any way These are just suggestions to make his method more perfect and accessible to wider range of people.
I hope I made myself clear. I would be glad to answer any questions. Constructive criticism and feedback is welcome.
