Mad World Evangelion (NGE)

[FiftyFortunes]

This is my first AMV (well, technically second, but my first never managed to get online sooo).

It is Neon Genesis Evangelion, set to the song Mad World. Yes, the song is overused, but I just couldn't resist as it fit NGE PERFECTLY.

I know it's not perfect, but this is my first serious attempt at making an AMV, ever. Constructive comments/criticism are welcome.

(note that this is a slow AMV, this isn't one about action and explosions.. But then again any real EVA fan knows that NGE isn't about that, either, rather the deeper meanings and symbolism it presents. I tried to make this AMV to target that part of Evangelion - the conflict, depression, sadness, anger, and manipulation the children pilots have to face in this strange, mad world.)

Hope you enjoy!

[dazza1008]

Hi~
I'd always thought it difficult to do kind of atmospheric pieces.

Anyway, here's some crit -
0.07 - with the morphing blue thing, it looked like you added more footage because it seemed to jump. If so, better to copy the clip and reverse some of it
0.10 - the waterdrop - there's one or two frames where you see the face of the evangelion at the end. Not a clean cut.
0.15 - the faces seem to change too fast for the beat of the music
I like the crying clips you pick. But maybe adding a sepia tone would fit the theme? Also, I thought that zooming slowly on Shinji on the bed would help create the "peering" effect from the viewer's perspective. (others might disagree)
1.12 - again, thought the changes were too fast for the beat of the song, and also didn't think that many clips were relevant to the lyrics. I know it's recreating the drama, but a few good shots (where the implications of the storyline are obvious) would do the same.
1.18 - I'm being really picky here - but it would have been better to not have a clip with someone running. Could have shown a clip, with the implication being that person doesn't progress. (shinji returning, or even shinji's dad - idk )
And with the hanging doll clip - think it would have been better to show something relevant to the storyline. Like an eva firing a machine gun. That's mad! XD
Love the Happy Birthday bit - great clips. Same with Asuka following.
2.20 - with how fast the footage is changing, I'm not sure the black bits inbetween are necessary. My opinion! (but then again, I don't know how it would look like without it. But could have a transition and slightly - not completely - dipping to black)
2.40 Like the Mad world clips here, especially with Rei disintegrating. But I think it would have been nice to have ended with a shot of Shinji looking blank after it, because it was told from his perspective (or I assumed it was)

Anyway, I saw this vid because I thought that "Mad World" would be good, since it was a theme in NGE, and there were some bits I thought could be improved in your vid, and some bits I liked and thought were really innovative choices. Nice going, esp. for a first serious vid!

[dazza1008]

*also, with the "the dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had", I like the way you showed Shinji dying, because it implies that his life is a dream - that kind of detachment. Suits his character.

[FiftyFortunes]

Hi~
I'd always thought it difficult to do kind of atmospheric pieces.

Anyway, here's some crit -
0.07 - with the morphing blue thing, it looked like you added more footage because it seemed to jump. If so, better to copy the clip and reverse some of it
0.10 - the waterdrop - there's one or two frames where you see the face of the evangelion at the end. Not a clean cut.
0.15 - the faces seem to change too fast for the beat of the music
I like the crying clips you pick. But maybe adding a sepia tone would fit the theme? Also, I thought that zooming slowly on Shinji on the bed would help create the "peering" effect from the viewer's perspective. (others might disagree)
1.12 - again, thought the changes were too fast for the beat of the song, and also didn't think that many clips were relevant to the lyrics. I know it's recreating the drama, but a few good shots (where the implications of the storyline are obvious) would do the same.
1.18 - I'm being really picky here - but it would have been better to not have a clip with someone running. Could have shown a clip, with the implication being that person doesn't progress. (shinji returning, or even shinji's dad - idk )
And with the hanging doll clip - think it would have been better to show something relevant to the storyline. Like an eva firing a machine gun. That's mad! XD
Love the Happy Birthday bit - great clips. Same with Asuka following.
2.20 - with how fast the footage is changing, I'm not sure the black bits inbetween are necessary. My opinion! (but then again, I don't know how it would look like without it. But could have a transition and slightly - not completely - dipping to black)
2.40 Like the Mad world clips here, especially with Rei disintegrating. But I think it would have been nice to have ended with a shot of Shinji looking blank after it, because it was told from his perspective (or I assumed it was)

Anyway, I saw this vid because I thought that "Mad World" would be good, since it was a theme in NGE, and there were some bits I thought could be improved in your vid, and some bits I liked and thought were really innovative choices. Nice going, esp. for a first serious vid!

Hey thanks a bunch!
I agree with all your critiques. I'm not the best at video editing and my PC is slow, so a lot of editing takes a LOOONG time to do - I didn't notice that flash of EVA01 at the end of the raindrop clip until after I had rendered it >_< And most of the other stuff as well.

In retrospect if I would redo it, I'd do away with the clip of child-Asuka running to "as people run in circles". You're right, a much more fitting clip would be something which shows Shinji's repeated return to NERV (returning only to get hurt again). Perhaps have shots of him returning after running away or at the train station?
I tried to match the clips to the beat set by the piano, but it was tough - I think some of them were decent but yeah the timing was off a tad on many. My fault for editing late at night! >_<
I used the doll for the "Mad World" bit because it sorta symbolized Asuka's character (her mothers neglect and eventual suicide, how Asuka only wanted to make her mother proud but was tossed into this chaotic world of EVA's and Angels).. Quite literally a "mad world"

Oh and the flashing clips at the beggining were DEFINITELY too fast, but that entire clip is actually a single clip from one of the episodes, not my own compilation like the other flashing bits - I slowed it down to match the beat, but the white "flash" inbetween clips was ugly so I opted for a slightly-faster, out of beat but better looking clip. Bad, I know! xD

Thanks again, glad you enjoyed it for the most part - I'm lookin' forward to possibly making more videos in the future. And thanks a ton for the constructive criticism! I love it when people try and help me improve me work.

[dazza1008]

You're very welcome. ^-^ (you never know when someone gets offended simply because improvements are suggested - and it is always my opinion - it's got to sit right with you, you're the boss )

Actually, I came back to show you this vid - it had a slower transition and fades at the beginning. (I don't think the silhouettes and the blurs would suit your vid, though)



Even if the clips were fast in the original like you said, you could still just cut them and use particular images. Or take a snapshot of it and use that - would be better quality. If you know how they created it in the original anime, you could use the same technique.

I honestly haven't seen NGE in a while, and when I did, it was a bit sporadic ^^; - I don't remember that doll being Asuka! XD But I'm sure other people would. I was thinking "huh? It's a random doll >.> <.< " Whoops! And you don't have to use one clip between fades - you could transition the clips, and then fade to black to emphasise the point. For example, could transition the Asuka doll with the clip of little Asuka trying to wake up her Mommy (I think there was a clip like that in it! ), and then fade to black. Your point would have been clearer for me, anyway. XD

Oh, I know the pain of a slow computer. ;_; I used to use WMM and it kept freezing, and then I'd have to wait until the project opened all the clips - then add a couple (saving after each change of course), and then it would freeze. u_u

I'd look forward to more vids from you. You make the vid because you enjoy it/wanted to express something with the characters you like, and are obviously interested in improving which is the sign of a good editor. My advice - you don't need to have feedback from other people in order to improve. Just make changes as you notice them. I mean, with some vids, I added effects which I thought looked a bit odd, but kept them because I thought "more advanced effects are what people want", and people commented that they stuck out like a sore thumb. So no need to stress out on how others would see the vid when you're creating it - just be true to yourself. People have different editing styles, and when getting advice, they may not be as familiar with the series as you and may not get what you're doing. So, you're the boss - if the advice rings true to you, then keep it - no need to feel obligated to take it on board. (but it's nice to explore what others think - just as long as it doesn't rule you, if you get what I'm saying)

Also, you might want to see the "top 10%" videos for ideas. They're quite different, and fun to watch. (you can change the time frame at the top so different vids are displayed)
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... ercent.php
(and you could get that from the "members main page" on the regular site)

Keep rockin'!

[FiftyFortunes]

Heya dazza1008,
Thanks again Watched the video you linked, and it's great! I'll admit I haven't watched many AMV's, so it's always really refreshing to see other people(s) work. Heck, I have a bunch of new songs/ideas for another EVA AMV, but maybe I'll wait a bit so I don't flood you all with Evangelion videos! =P

Oh and about the doll, it wasn't Asuka per-se, but Asuka's mom (who went insane after a freak accident during the Unit 02 testing) was convinced that the doll was her daughter. In one of the flashback scenes it reveals that Asuka would go to visit her insane mother, and her mom would always talk to the doll and say things like "If you don't eat your dinner, that girl over there will laugh at you!"

Eventually, her mom hung herself, and Asuka walked in on her dead corpse. The doll was kinda symbolic of that.

But yes I TOTALLY get what you mean, I made this video fresh out of re-watching NGE, so I can definitely get why it might be confusing/misleading to people who haven't seen it in awhile! No worries.

Thanks again for the compliments! I only make videos because I enjoy it (and sometimes I just get so attached to the story/characters, I just have to do SOMETHING to show my appreciation ^^), but I do like to hear other people's opinions and suggestions on my work - good, bad, constructive or not. But yes I try to pursue my own style!

Rock on!