New Video! Mobile Suit Gundam Seed - First AMV From Me

[DakRoland]

I went back and re-read the guides and FAQs, and with your comments here, I realize I made 3 critical mistakes. 1) Though I knew the song, I hadn't memorized the lyrics...I didn't know the song inside and out. I guess that's a typical newbie mistake. 2) By not knowing the song, I didn't set out with a plan like I should have. I went with the 'feel' of the music...and then took clips that looked like they fit. I failed to do that successfully much of the time. Again...failure to plan is a plan to fail. 3) I worried a little too much about titles, intros and outtros than I should have, to make a quality video. I know now that that stuff must be left to the very end and the rest will fall into place. The titles are *THE* last thing to work on..and I made them my first.

I know now (much clearer of course) the problems that I created for myself and this video...and I have a much keener idea of how to go about this project this time. It might be a few months, but I fully hope to be back with a completely revised and redone version of this video. Thanks for the honest comments, I hope I can come back and really impress down the road...

~Dak

[MAS PRODUCTIONS]

I went back and re-read the guides and FAQs, and with your comments here, I realize I made 3 critical mistakes. 1) Though I knew the song, I hadn't memorized the lyrics...I didn't know the song inside and out. I guess that's a typical newbie mistake. 2) By not knowing the song, I didn't set out with a plan like I should have. I went with the 'feel' of the music...and then took clips that looked like they fit. I failed to do that successfully much of the time. Again...failure to plan is a plan to fail. 3) I worried a little too much about titles, intros and outtros than I should have, to make a quality video. I know now that that stuff must be left to the very end and the rest will fall into place. The titles are *THE* last thing to work on..and I made them my first.

I know now (much clearer of course) the problems that I created for myself and this video...and I have a much keener idea of how to go about this project this time. It might be a few months, but I fully hope to be back with a completely revised and redone version of this video. Thanks for the honest comments, I hope I can come back and really impress down the road...

~Dak

The mistake you made was using fansubs. havung subtitles in an amv is a cry for flamage. Its ok if you were just practicing but in the future I would suggest not doing it on a amv you want taken seriously. Subtitles distract from the AMV and also you piss off the people who make the fansubs, this is the reason why alot of fansubbers have started using copyright methods, which I totally support.

[DakRoland]

I do understand that Fansubs used in AMVs are severely frowned upon, if there is easy access to original, authorized material. Unfortunately the fansubs are the only versions that I can currently get. I was very concerned at the time about the subtitles being a distraction, but I wasn't aware of how to block them out or remove them. After some time researching online, (and re-reading the guides) I've just recently learned a few methods for removing the subtitles. If I was able to get a version of Gundam Seed without the subtitles, believe me, I would use them instead. But as this is a series that is currently airing in Japan, it's not yet possible. Of course, when the DVDs for Gundam Seed *do* come out, I would (and will) use them and not the fansubs.

I guess in a way you could say that this was a dry-run for me, the proverbial "getting my feet wet". I did learn alot about converting clips to DV streams, editing, timing, effects and transitions. I definitely learned more than I bargined for when it comes to exporting the final product to a standard format (unfortunately after I already did this video). Getting used to how all of this works is primarily what I did this for. I know I'm a long ways off from knowing all there is. With each day, however, I'm learning more and more.

When the time comes for me to make that revised version, the one that I want to be taken seriously, I think (hope, PRAY!) you'll see a dramatic improvement. Thank you though for your insight about the Fansubbers. Though I had no intention of pissing them off, I can understand why they would be.

~Dak

[bamonkey]

i was wondering if anyone has created a gseed amv yet besides me... yeah i will agree i really dont like subs in amv's but anyways keep it up cuz i know it only gets better... g'luck want to c more from ya in the future

-Mystic Wang Productions
Amvs:
excel saga - its my life
witch hunter robin - walk on water
and now gundam seed - Adrenaline

[DakRoland]

Thanks. I actually have been talking with a friend who's stationed in Japan and knows about the series. He's looking into getting me some DVDs when they become available so I should have some original, high-quality source material. Plus, I've been watching all the episodes, marking down episode number and time markers of scenes that look like they'd fit the music and lyrics, which I've been listening to for days on end now. I'm starting to see in my mind's eye the revised video taking shape. I don't foresee having it redone until later this spring, but in the meantime, that gives me a chance to map out my plan and get comfy with Final Cut Pro lite.

I've also been listening to another song that I think has alot of potential. I just need to get some DVDs of a particular Anime that I was watching on Cartoon (hack'n slash) Network. (They've decided that the viewers didn't really need to see the end of the series, we need to watch more re-runs of Lupin The 3rd, Cowboy Beebop and Yu Yu Hakusho...UGH)

~Dak

[Jace Tsunami]

or if he's stationed in japan.... why don't you just have him use a vcr and record it for you???

[bamonkey]

for some odd azz reason i posted walk on water as on of my vids.. i realize that i must have been on drugs considering i did not DO that vid... my freind did that so appoligies r in order... i have helped him in vids so i forgot my mind (BTW he just got it posted up so go check it out now)...