I do not know if this has been really posted before, but I thought I'd give it a try. Hopefully it will grow on people, especially the 'noobs'.
As a 'noob' myself, I've done some constructive investigation on AMV as a whole, what NOT to do and what is 'hip' and 'cool' with AMV. I've read some AMVs forums and looked and contest rules. Yes, everyone has their own taste and habits. But really, when it comes down to it, you yourself are the toughest critics and you only have yourself to blame.
I do care about what I do and thus do i care about this AMV community and do not want to be labeled a 'loser' because someone made a 'crappy' AMV and made all of us look bad. Though, I'm sure that doesn't really happen to the extreme that some peeps might think. Making a video in itself is difficult and deserves some credit. Just 2 weeks ago, I couldn't even rip a video. Now I've already made 2 decent AMVs, according the feedbacks.
According to my limited research on AMVs, they are very fun and addictive at times. I do not want to give AMVs a bad rap. I love anime and music. So I thought about giving out opinions and ideas to the other 'noobs' out there that are looking to make their first video. Also give them some 'rule of thumbs' to follow. Everyone is welcome to add their own ideas and what's 'hip' and 'cool'.
According the the forums:
1. Make the AMVs easy to play. Avoid .rm .mov .wmv .asf file formats. If possible, use .avi or .mpg. What good is your AMV if peeps cannot play it or have to go out of their way to download yet another player? I do have to mention that a majority of peeps already have most video players. If not, then you should get them.
2. Use your own ideas and materials and do not borrow or worse yet, steal other peep's AMVs and label them as your own. That's just downright low and unethical. Do you have any morals as a human? But on the bright side, as far as AMVs are concerned, it can be viewed as the greatest form of flattery. I kinda like it when peeps see my stuff and think "wow, cool, I'm gonna use that". Boots my pride just a bit.
3. Avoid making retro style or overused themes. It's been done to death and yours will only add to the unwanted and unviewed pile mounting up. I'm sure your buddies thinks it's cool, but look at it from a crowd's perspective. Do you want to put them through the torture of having to watch yet another video of XXX anime to YYY song by ZZZ artist? I know I wouldn't, even if it's mine. Would you like to watch 1000 different versions of Hellsing AMVs with the same song or similar style song by the same artist or similar artist? No "Mortal Combat" songs to just a bunch of martial arts clips or "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins to a bunch of arial dog-fight clips. Most contest and conventions will toss those out immediately without hesitation.
4. Research. You should try researching on what's hip and cool and follow basic guidelines and update yourself on what not to do.
I read too many complaints in the a-m-v.org forum on newbie videos and I get the picture. I admit that I do have flaws in my videos that fall under those tips I mentioned above. I will change my way of thinking for future AMVs. However, I haven't received any flames about my AMVs yet, just good feedbacks. Someone even thought my Read Or Die AMV was made by the ROD Committee to advertise the ROD DVD! I was shocked!
Of course I was happy that my AMV was good enough quality to have brought that up. On the downside, too much publicity can be a bad thing. You wouldn't want the Execs to come banging down your door at 3am in the morning or have to bury your hard drives, to eliminate evidence, before the FBI gets to your house from an anonymous tip. Don't ask me about that...M'kay. I haven't had that happen, but heard about them and the RIAA suing individuals. Scary thought.
If you bought your stuff like everyone else, then you shouldn't have to worry then.
I want to hear from other peeps on good AMV etiquettes.
