The "ambient" AMV?

[inthesto]

I've had this idea for a sort of AMV that's different from the typical AMV. Rather than aim for synching the beats of the music, it synchs the mood, which would be very casual and laid back. Also, rather than having any action of "point," so to speak, it would just be kind of an AMV of people going about their way.

It's kind of hard for me to articulate what I'm thinking, but I guess the closest AMV I know of that fits what I'm thinking about would be burntoast's Our Home.

Am I being crazy and inarticulate here, or does anyone else sense what I'm trying to describt and know of other AMVs of the same type?

[kitsunebeolnet]

I think I understand what you're aiming for and it sound like a lot of what I do. Unfortunatly, my ratings are mediocre...may be a hint of what to expect.

[Otohiko]

I try to do that, but, my conclusion - even with really strong, forefronted mood-sync, the video will not usually get far without a strong concept, and whether you like it or not, some synching to music, be it chords, notes, or just ambient noise, will still be required.

[Coffee 54]

I've had this idea for a sort of AMV that's different from the typical AMV. Rather than aim for synching the beats of the music, it synchs the mood, which would be very casual and laid back. Also, rather than having any action of "point," so to speak, it would just be kind of an AMV of people going about their way.

The artist in me says, "Go for it." I really have to do something about that. I try very hard to keep my inner artist locked up. But, occasionally it gets out and says things like, "Go for it." and huge chunks of my hard drive space are filled with non-exploderific videos which do nothing but expand my horizons. Fortunately, about that time the Dukes of Hazard comes on, and world is restored to normal.

[bubblehead]

I try to do that, but, my conclusion - even with really strong, forefronted mood-sync, the video will not usually get far without a strong concept, and whether you like it or not, some synching to music, be it chords, notes, or just ambient noise, will still be required.

You know what's funny? Or beautiful, I don't know which. I read the title of the thread, and IMMEDIATELY thought of Damage. And here you are, posting here already. 8)

And I say go for it, too. Mood sync is a very beautiful thing.

[TaranT]

I've had this idea for a sort of AMV that's different from the typical AMV. Rather than aim for synching the beats of the music, it synchs the mood, which would be very casual and laid back....

That was my intention with this video. But my Mononoke video is more precisely what you're looking for. That one - which I completed, but want to remaster before releasing - is modeled after those New Age environmental mood videos that you don't see too much of anymore.

But I agree with the others here: you don't make these to win popularity contests. People assume you didn't work hard enough - to paraphrase someone's sister who was quoted in an Otakon thread awhile back (w.r.t. Aluminum's latest AMV, I believe). Actually, in some cases that may be a true assessment, but also irrelevant.

Another point: every AMV needs mood synch at some level. I think you're looking for those where mood is the only element, or at least the overriding one.

[Otohiko]

Thanks

My own 'ambient' obsession is to make a pure 'landscape' AMV one day, but so far it just hasn't worked. I started on one recently, and had to drop it because it needed more than just ambience, and wasn't going anywhere... but, one day, one day...

Meanwhile, the best ambient AMV that I've seen so far is Mononoke vs. Royksopp. It's really, really trippy and relaxing. I think just that makes it qualify as 'ambient'

[Bote]

Mood timing makes good videos.
Beat timing makes good videos.

Mood+Beat timing makes great videos. Honestly, if the video is all about the mood or all about the timing it's just...average. They are equally important, but it's the synthesis of both that distinguishes a mediocre video from a great video.

Or I might not fully understand what you meant in your first post. If so, I stand corrected.

[pen-pen2002]

Actually, I have done a lot of thinking lately about what kind of carrears I might be able to pursue in editing and I started watching commercials with a critical eye. What I found is that most of the work shown on television is much closer to the idea of an ambeint video that the AMV ideal of beat synching. It's as if there is a whole difrent style in the profesional world. These are thoughts I'm still fleshing out, so if anyone has comments on the diference between commercial and fan-made animation I would love to hear them. (getting a little off-topic, maybe I should start my own thread. )

[downwithpants]

These Angel Hearts and Returning come to mind. i dunno if it's what you're looking for - they do have a point about them, but they're very mood-synch oriented.

i'm planning to do a pointless, casual vid, although i always try to beat synch though so it might be hard to try to avoid that. probably won't get to it until next year.

as for whether beat synch is necessary for a good video: it usually helps, but a lot of times it feels temporally restrictive (me criticizing myself again) both to the creator and viewer. a scene change or action element becomes expected on certain beats, and you're either forced to do something on that beat or else disappoint your audience. however, if you have to cut off or interrupt a scene that would look good if you could continue it, you lose some of the potential you could give to the audience.

as for beat synch vs. mood synch in professional videos: yes, if you watch mtv or vh1, most professional videos use very little beat synching and much more mood-synching (when they aren't plugging the band or product placement). if they ever need to synch video to audio, it's usually to a sound effect, rather than a musical element. the focus is much more on the director than the editor.