Hey all,
In the midst (still) of my first full-length AMV and I am having trouble getting my story across strictly using video clips. The other day as I was pondering how to get myself out of the corner I edited myself into (didn’t know where I was going nor how to get there once I figured it out), I had a good idea that involved reworking the current video work I’ve done (mostly just clips timed to the source audio, not much story-wise), into more of a drama-type story.
However, the only way I can figure out how to tell this story is by adding subtitles to key parts of the video. I’ve done some initial tests, and it looks okay, but then wondered if I was ‘cheating’ as the story should be transmitted via the image selection / editing.
Right now, I think that the most intensive section (well, not really intensive, just a few lines here and there within the first 15 seconds and all) of subtitles would be in the very beginning of the vid to set up the rest of it, with a sprinkling of it here and there to reinforce (and remind) the audience what the hell was going on.
I know that subs can be distracting, so I just wondered what you all thought in general terms on this subject? I know that this is sort of out of context and pretty hard to answer, but in your own personal view, is this a shortcut to bad editing, or is it a justifiable means of communicating your plot to the audience?





