"Big contests" - do they exist anymore?

[JudgeHolden]

I would add Sakuracon to the list as well for the fact that a huge number of people attend the contest and then actively go out and look for the videos after the con. It's the only con where I get comments like "I saw this at Sakuracon" Or "I voted for this one". Other cons, including Acen and AWA don't seem to have the same general or as enthusiastic fanbase (maybe because they are more editor oriented contests).

[BasharOfTheAges]

I would add Sakuracon to the list as well for the fact that a huge number of people attend the contest and then actively go out and look for the videos after the con. It's the only con where I get comments like "I saw this at Sakuracon" Or "I voted for this one". Other cons, including Acen and AWA don't seem to have the same general or as enthusiastic fanbase (maybe because they are more editor oriented contests).

Maybe it's because i'm from the northeast, but I've lumped ACEN, Sakuracon, and A-Kon in with Anime Boston in terms of attendance (last year they all had around 15-17 thousand people) and enthusiasm of the viewers - other than ACEN, they all seem to lack big buzz here on the 'org though.

[TnAdct1]

No mention of Otakon? Sure, there's a few flaws (not to mention some of the issues that happened last year). However, given some of the rules of that AMV contest (i.e. only one submission per person, the video must not have won something at a convention that took place before the Otakon AMV Contest due date), Otakon is still a very strong contest.

[BasharOfTheAges]

Otakon and AX both have lots of drama and bad blood with decent numbers of people. They used to be prestigious, but not so much any more. That concept was what fueled the idea behind the conversation that made me create the thread in the first place, actually.

[Castor Troy]

Since the .org is mostly for creators and less for fans, I always felt that most of us are already too experienced and desensitized (omg amvs r gay) to have that "joy" we once had when we started.

Go to any con with an amv contest and/or room and those things get PACKED with fans. I just went to Anime LA a few weeks ago and the amv room was like leaving sugar on the ground near a colony of ants. Editors and fans are completely different people and editors become less of the "fans" as time goes on. At least this proves there is still an audience for amvs.

Otakon and AX both have lots of drama and bad blood with decent numbers of people. They used to be prestigious, but not so much any more. That concept was what fueled the idea behind the conversation that made me create the thread in the first place, actually.

The only thing that really makes both prestigious is the size of the venue/crowd (5k+) the amv contests are played in. I heard past Otakons got a venue the size of an airplane hangar and AX gets entire theaters, including the Nokia Theatre. As an AX local, after 2001, AX was constantly plagued with technical problems until 2008 and now it's being plagued with stupid judging decisions.

But to have your video play in large venue with 5k+ people in attendance is an amazing feeling which is why AX and Otakon are held in high regard. However, they are far from prestigious behind the scenes.

[Lirinis]

Speaking of bigness, you need some numbers.

AkrossCon'09 had 158 entries
AMVNews Big Contest had 109 entries

AkrossCon'10 had 178 entries
AMVNews Big Contest had 113 entries

Twice as many people registered preliminarily but failed to provide their works in time.
Important to note that almost 100% of these vids were exclusively made for the respective contests. And the competition was extremely tough.
Given that somehow there are no other noticeable online contests in the world, I'd urge the org people to take a bigger part in it.

[Magnus]

For me AKROSS is THE biggest contest and competition out there. You need enormous skill to win this contest. It always outputs lots of impressive videos.

Agree entierly with this.

Also the VCAs is a big contest. You need a wide fanbase and a pretty good vid to win this. It's huge even if it's not as huge as it probably was years ago.

Don't know about this one... VCA's always feel like a big popularity contest instead of a contest relying that much on skill.
I agree what was stated last though, I remember my first active year on the org in 06... it was one of the highlights of the year, sort of.

Oh well. Akross is personally the only contest I pay attention to, both when attending and not attending.

[Bauzi]

VCAs feel like the MTV movie award. Heck... Every viewer based voting is somehow crap for editors. They will always vote for the stuff that they enjoyed most, no matter how flawed they are and how other videos were actually supirior in the category. Whatever! Let them have their VCA! Let them celebrate their favourite stuff. It's totally fine.

We other editors have other contests that weight more for us. When I would win at something as big as AKROSS I would feel like the world champion of AMVs. What I want to say:

Viewers and editors see different values in AMVs and what makes them good and standing out. That's why I always love to see VCAs and judge awards at cons.

What's more popular at cons? Judge Awards or Viewer Choice Awards? I think it's judge awards.... less work to do xD

[godix]

VCAs feel like the MTV movie award. Heck... Every viewer based voting is somehow crap for editors. They will always vote for the stuff that they enjoyed most, no matter how flawed they are and how other videos were actually supirior in the category. Whatever! Let them have their VCA! Let them celebrate their favourite stuff. It's totally fine.

We other editors have other contests that weight more for us. When I would win at something as big as AKROSS I would feel like the world champion of AMVs.

And AKROSS, or any other editor based judging, is really all that different? I paid very close attention to AKROSS this year, and while I respect that a lot of talented editors entered, I don't think the results were any more respectable - or much different really - than audience based contest. About the only time I've seen a major editor/viewer different is stuff like JCA where not only are editors the judges, they are specific editors picked for their ability to somewhat impartially judge.

[Bauzi]

I think it does make a difference because they are more in the area of editing.