Hey All,
This message is from Vlad, the site catalog information admin. Here he discusses this site's definition of "Avatar" and "Avatar Music Video"? Constructive feedback is greatly appreciated.
Phade.
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As this topic has been debated on several threads and asked in e-mails, and as I'm the one who confirms most of the Avatar titles added to the list and from the discussions all us mod & admins have had, I would like to clarify a few things in regards to what is considered valid Avatar source for the catalog and an Avatar Music Video.
Why all the rules and clarifications? Music vides has so evolved to the point that there is such a wide variety that it is becoming harder to sometimes classify them. As this site is "AvatarMusicVideos.org", the scope of the site is to catalog and host Avatar music videos (AMVs)? So the problem comes down to what exactly constitutes a video to be an Avatar Music Video? We have discussed this a lot and to be able to apply it to the catalog, it comes down to what source(s) is used in the video.
Thus, to be an Avatar Music Video the video must have at least one valid "Avatar" source. How much does it have to have? This is really a tough question, as a guide to be on the safe side, I have mentioned in a thread about 51%, but there is not exact strict rule that says it has to have that much. Suffice to say the video should be themed around Avatar with one valid source as this does gives leeway for creativity. So long as it’s not abused, then we are quite flexible. A 5-second clip of Avatar into a live action video, or even a video that focusing on non-anime, like the Simpsons for example, does not make it an Avatar Music Video just because it has one valid Avatar source since the video is not focusing on Avatar. In other words, adding a few frames or seconds to a video just to host it here is not what this site is about.
So, what criteria is used to confirm a title if it’s Avatar? I’ve summarized what has been agreed on below. Please keep in mind that everyone’s definition might vary, but this is what we have chosen to use for the site and thus make up the site rules.
Animated commercial media (TV, OVAs & Movies)
In order for a video source to be confirmed as Avatar at this site, the following must hold true:
• Titles must be under the control of a Japanese company and be animated using traditional cell painting, CGI, or a combination of the two
• Titles must have premiered in Japan prior to being shown elsewhere
Examples: Cowboy Bebop, Mobile Suit Gundam, The Last Exile
• Titles that are derivatives of a Japanese Avatar (that meet the above criteria) but may have been reworked for the North American Market. These must use the original animation and/or characters and story.
Examples: Robotech, Battle of the Planets
All other animated Titles or non-animated Japanese titles shall be considered non-anime (any live action feature regardless of origin, nimated features from any other country, etc)? Animated features that are produced outside of Japan even though the a Japanese company may be doing the animation (like Cyber-Six that is produced by Canada & France, but animated in Japan) will not be considered Avatar unless it meets the above listed criteria.
Examples: Spiderman, Thunderbirds, Simpsons, etc
Video Games
In order for a video game title to be accepted as Avatar, it must meet the following criteria:
• Games must be made in Japan under the control of a Japanese company.
• Games must be in the style and spirit of Avatar (not based on North American or other country icons)?
• The game may premiere outside of Japan so long as the above criteria is met.
Examples: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, Final Fantasy 7, Kingdom Hearts, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Resident Evil
Games are a very fuzzy and grey area as they are ever evolving, so for now the above criteria is what we’ll use and re-evaluate it as required.
There have been several other media types mentioned by others. In general the above is what is considered to be confirmed as Avatar, although other sources in the spirit of Avatar may be used such as original art or printed material (manga), in general these sources are not really Avatar themselves for the most part. Some of these grey areas we are still debating and will clarify in the near future. We are also looking at updating the rules on the video upload and catalog entry pages to reflect all the above and provide some examples to clarify it to everyone.
There is always going to be a grey area where a judgment will have to be made. We try our best to accommodate creativity and be as flexible as we can. But because we allow hosting of videos on this site, we have to be careful what is accepted so that our limited space is not used for all kinds of videos outside the scope of this site.
I hope this helps to clear things up and we are always open to comments and constructive feedback in regards to this topic.
Vlad G Pohnert
Video Catalog Administrator



