Thoughts on a break...

[OmniStrata]

I'm in a mental deadlock [er block] and dont' know about finishing up my vid...

Normally what I do is just do another video and get back to it later... [you'll note this in my profile as my "Series" have non series vids done in between instead of all chronological order]

I'm wondering. What do you do on breaks between amvs?

Some rules apply for this break:

Hiatus don't count. No "I don't edit for months on end until I get inspired!"
No substitutes. "I let Koop edit for me!"
No bribery. "I let Koop AND Pianos edit for me!"
No unhealthy bingeing. "I stuff my face full of Ramen."
Healthy bingeing is cool. "I work out or date my g/f before editing again."
and here's mine:
"I edit another amv then double back laterz...."

What do you guys/gals do on break?

[Moonlessnight]

Um... In m case, all the homework I ducked out on to make the AMV in the first pace.

No, really. I do the homework first and then edit, but when those annoying blocks come I tend to double back like you. Usually by listening to a few hours of music from my sister's unbelievable 7-day long mix or re-watching my fovorite animes. If I can't find something in there to inspire me, nothing much will.

[JaddziaDax]

i read manga or watch a show if i take a break

[Arigatomina]

How do you distinguish between taking a hiatus until you get inspiration and quitting in the middle of a vid because you lost your inspiration? They're the same thing to me. I stop editing for months until I get inspired because I get 'editor's-block' while working on a project. That's taking a hiatus, right?

If I don't have any other vid ideas, I switch hobbies. When something strikes me with a new vid idea, or an urge to edit, I switch back to amvs and start something new. I might go back and finish the locked vid later, or I might write it off and delete it altogether. It depends on the video. If I have other ideas, I just work on them till I remember the unfinished project.

Sometimes I force myself to remain interested by watching other vids for the series, vids with similar concepts, the anime itself, or listening to the song until I want to puke. It works sometimes. I just find it easier to let the wall crumble on its own rather than force my way through it. The end results are better, too.

[Kionon]

I go back to the source. If I am having a lot of difficulty, I sit down and I watch the series and try to enjoy it. Usually when I do that, I eventually remember why I wanted to make the video in the first place and then I am inspired again!

[Lyrs]

Here's what I do when I have writer's block:

I watch thriller movies or something philosophical but in a way that you can connect through your emotions.

Or, I read philosophy books, horror, or something that gets my mind thinking.



Once I'm done with that experience, it's not too hard to have gained a different outlook on my current project. Once you see meaning and difference in something, you should be more able to sculpt it to your understanding.

[Lyrs]

Here's something else:

Switch to a different art medium. You're watching anime and editing it hours on end. Your mind needs to see something compelling that is different.

Switch to non-animated movies, for example.

[madbunny]

When I'm burnt on a major project sometimes working on 'shorts' works well. Just do little 20-30 second skits, or only song intros with no intention of finishing.

If I'm totally burnt on anime, then I just put it away for a while and start excercising. Mountain biking, weightlifting etc.. Don't even turn on the computer for a few days, even for E-mail (except for work). When I get back and watch what I've got up to that point I'll decide whether to scrap the whole thing or not. about... 3/5 videos that I work on get scrapped even if they are up to the beta phase.

[Castor Troy]

I play counter strike....

[princess myu]

i get more music to make more amvs with