Egos?

[dwchang]

I'm sorry if it seemed like a complaint. I guess I'm just trying tyo get a better grasp on why people write the long ones, and the feedback is very helpful. If something was written basically saying "look, look, see how hard I worked," that's different from getting a long description that might benefit other creators.

Well that's the thing, it's not really for the creator, it's for the viewer. Basically what I am getting at is that a long video description does not necessarily equate to that creator having an ego and thinking their video is the best. For me, as mentioned, it's to describe particular scenes, little nuances that the viewer might not see, techniques, etc.

In all actuality, the shorter video descriptions are generally the ones that are egotistical since they are one sentence like:

OMG THIS VIDEO IS TEH BEST!!!!

while the longer ones give details and so forth and not much in the way of praise for their own video.

[Fungie½]

First of all, welcome the the AnimeMusicVideos.org community ^^

Well honestly, in my opinion, a nice long description may seem like a nice way to really get into the nitty-gritty of the video, but most of time I just skip it because it's such a long read. Most of my descriptions are one or two paragraphs, mainly because I don't really have much to say. (shrug)

I do understand the whole ego thing you're bringing up. A lot of people say "Honestly I think I did a really good job", and I can see how's that can be egotistic, but that's really not what they mean to imply (well, most of them). There are also a lot of people in doubt of how good a job they do. For example, I remember Arigtomyna saying how she didn't like her first videos but everyone else seems to. It's all a matter of how you think of yourself and your videos, but I don't think anyone intentionally wants to have a big ego.

[Otohiko]

Generally, I don't read descriptions until watching the video. I just see the title, song, etc., but skip the description until I watch the video. Then, I read descriptions. Good descriptions, among other things, give a good assesment of what the author was trying to achieve. Then, when or if I op the video, I know the author's goals and can comment on or evaluate video based on how well it achieves the author's goals and give suggestions how these goals can be achieved better.

[Nappy]

I think another thing might be that by describing something in detail might take away the magic of the AMV....kind of like in painting or photography...if you go into detail, the piece might not seem as special anymore.

Actually the best art has a story behind it o_o Those are the ones that stand the test of time.

As for AMV info, I never read it unless I really like the vid >_> And if I really like it, I'd usally want some good info.

[Vesser]

Thanks all for replying. I'm getting a better understanding of the way things work now, and why people might write what they do. I did think it was funny though when I came across an amv someone did in 6 hours, and was praising his own work. Shouldn't it take just a weeeee bit more time? lol

[Otohiko]

I've seen great vids that were made quick, but it's really the final product that matters, not how quick or how long it took to make it.

But that's stating the obvious

[Vesser]

Another thing. I was at first skipping by some pieces that had lengthy comments, but now that understand some of your views better on why you write them, my perspective is different and I won't be thinking of creators' egos nearly as much.

[Warpwind]

I do write long video descriptions but I also write very long opinions and that's got nothing to do with my own ego quite the opposite in fact. I'm actually surprised most of my posts aren't longer since I waffle so much in general. However in my video desc I think I remember putting a line in there somewhere like "stop reading here if you don't want to listen to me disecting the vid". If someone reads past that point at least they know what they are in for, eh?

I'm glad to see your slowly coming round. I've only encountered a few people with your point of view. Still most people say they would rather download a video with a long and thoughtout description because its easier to judge if they would like the video and it appears that more effort has been put in (not always the case, of course).

Personally I like long vid description simply because it gives you more input on the vid itself. The only problem I see with detailed descriptions is that you can influence your audience before they see the vid. I mean that say you are trying to achieve something and you tell them about it before hand you are taking away that chance for them to make there own impression. Although most people aren't so easily led so it's not that much of a problem really.

Oh shoot, I've written a long post this time haven't I?

[Arigatomina]

First, for NME, was that comment about using big words supposed to be an insult? I just found it odd. Some people just have a wider vocabulary than others - it isn't meant to be snotty or to show a big ego - it's just a result of upbringing, education, region, ect. I know when I'm drunk I find myself using words I've never heard spoken - but it has nothing to do with trying to 'sound smart' - it's just using words that fit what you're trying to say.

Anyway, back to vid descriptions. I've always thought of them as the inside cover of a book, or the back of the book. When I go to check out a book or to buy one, I want to know what's in it, I want to know whether it's worth my time, and whether the story inside is going to be one I'm interested in. I do the same thing with the back of movie cases. I don't waste my time on books that have a blank backside and nothing written on the inside flap - unless I know the author and am certain I'll be interested because I'm familiar with his work.

My vid descriptions vary in length. My first ones were small - I just gave a few obligatory warnings about the content and told who the main characters were, and a hint of the story. Mostly I wanted people from my site to know what the pairing was and what the rating/content was - without spoiling anything (rather like a fic description).

After a while I started getting into the details of editing. I know I learn a lot from watching vids, so for those who are curious what can be done (whether good or bad) using a certain editing method, I tell them what I'm using. It certainly isn't a sign of a big ego - no one would brag that they use wmm. ^_^;;

As for saying whether you personally like a vid (eg: 'I really love this,' or 'This is my favorite of my vids so far' ) - that's for those who have seen your vids, or who are curious which vid a creator likes best. I know many people put a list in their profiles of which vids they prefer the most, it's not egotistical, it's just letting people know how they feel about their work.

There are some who'll say a vid is great, and that can be bragging, but really, it's just their opinions. I don't see anything wrong with someone admitting if they like something or if they think that thing is very good (or very bad).

Length in vid descriptions doesn't mean a big ego, but it can mean someone is verbose, or that they feel the story needs explanation. I've done that for a few vids since I tend to do things that differ from the norm. I see it along the lines of reading an old fashioned parody without realizing it's *supposed* to be a parody. If you've read Tolstoy's 'The Three Hermits' without knowing it's a parody, you'll see it as a fable. Some sort of warning for the reader is necessary or he won't get the most possible out of the story. I think the same thing holds true for some vids. When it's deep or unusual, you may *not* get everything just by watching - you have to first be looking at it from the right point of view. That's where some vid descriptions are very important.

There's also the fact that some anime have *lots* of vids for them. How do you know if one is going to spark your interest? By either trying them all, or reading over the vid description to see if the story is one you might like to see.

I don't think I've actually gone into detail on my specific scene choices in a vid description, but I can see why some people would do it - especially if their vids are going to be judged and taken apart by critics. In this case, it depends on who the vid description is aimed at.

I write my descriptions for two sets of viewers - the ones who know me and what I do (they get a paragraph giving the idea of the story to know whether it suits their tastes) and those who are critical and looking for well done videos (they get a nice warning that I'm using basic software - so they can leave the vid to go get one made with After effects and premier). Put all the info together, and the description tends to be long. But in that I rarely have more than one or two sentences telling how I feel about the vid in relation to the rest of my work.

[Tab.]

The overall useage of large words and overbearing descriptions of one's videos is hypothetically a form of compensation. Whether it is compensation for a physical lacking, or possibly a mental lacking in unknown, although it can be said that the following things are true and unqiuely apply to many AMV creators, mainstream or otherwise.

Some lack the skills required to function correctly in a society of people who are like-minded to them.

Some are incapable a rational thought and are thus outcast in AMV society.

Some suffer from a superiority complex, and when compared to or questioned by someone lower on the totempole to them, they will lash out and make crude insults about a mother's fornication with a canine.

Without mentioning personages I am able to say that some of the AMV community are indeed inflicted with these personality traits, and like all kinds of communities there are many ways of dealing with and/or fixing these flaws. That is in the hands of many people who are higher up on the spectrum of control, although this spectrum of control is not concrete or even defined, it is almost unwritten.

In closing I would I like to say that the following things make me totally flip out and kick my mom in the head:

Ninjas
Hippos
Guitars
Porking

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