Batou: A Users Manual

[Davis 51]

So this was my Otakon Entry, though it didn't make it to finals, I'm still pretty proud of it.

It's by far the longest damn thing I've ever edited, as well as the most surreal. I'm really curious as to what you all think of it, so please don't be put off by the length. I'm a firm believer in not shortening the song.

Lastly, this is possibly the highest quality video I've ever released, so if you can, download it as preview doesn't nearly do it justice.

[Kevmaster]

First of all: Let me say that I wasn't put off by the length of the video at all. I've tackled a song that surprasses the 7 Minute as well and I enjoy watching long videos. I'll always encourage people to not cut their songs if it's a length-issue only.

However, this video left me quite puzzled. I am not sure if it's one of those "have to see the anime"-things but I just didn't really get what was going on. There was a hologram-card of some girl, a dog, some guy observing a murder...and a emotionless seeming man. And then there were guns at the end. I just couldn't follow how any of these conect and the more I was trying to grasp a context, the less I felt I could get it.

However, what I did enjoy was the calm and relaxing mood not only due to the song, but also the looks of the scenes used.
Considering this song is rather repetive and without many changes in itself, I felt it did have some sort of length-issue though. The first part seemed to drag kind of on and I felt reliefed when the gunshot came in and the video changes its pattern and the song catched up. I'm not sure I could have watched this video to the end if it wasn't for that change.

I'm not fond of the cookie cutter in the video. It could have probably been portrayed in a different way and I didn't like the way it looked.

In general, I am not exactly sure what to think of the video. At times I felt it was nice to look at, but the fact how confused it left me makes me feel uneasy.

[Davis 51]

However, this video left me quite puzzled. I am not sure if it's one of those "have to see the anime"-things but I just didn't really get what was going on. [snip]

Actually, that's exactly what I've been finding, is that people who have seen the film enjoy it alot more. Probably a failure of mine to get across the point, but the film delves heavily into the philosophy of man vs. machine, from the perspective of a cyborg. If you ever give it a watch, I'd be interested in seeing if it changed your view of the video.

Still, means I need to try harder to unify my video.

However, what I did enjoy was the calm and relaxing mood not only due to the song, but also the looks of the scenes used.
Considering this song is rather repetive and without many changes in itself, I felt it did have some sort of length-issue though. The first part seemed to drag kind of on and I felt reliefed when the gunshot came in and the video changes its pattern and the song catched up. I'm not sure I could have watched this video to the end if it wasn't for that change.

There were times when I toyed with throwing out like the first 30 seconds or so, because it really didn't add anything except pretty visuals, but I kept it because I thought the pretty visuals would seriously help set up the atmosphere.

I'm not fond of the cookie cutter in the video. It could have probably been portrayed in a different way and I didn't like the way it looked.

I assume you're talking about the pure instrumental flyby section in the middle? That's a shame, because that was one of my fave sections to put together. Ah well. Note to self: get better at that sort of thing.

In general, I am not exactly sure what to think of the video. At times I felt it was nice to look at, but the fact how confused it left me makes me feel uneasy.

Well, thanks for the feedback anyway! It was very helpful, and shows parts I could have improved. I was kinda afraid people would react this way, but that's the risk one must take I guess.

My next vid will be a lot more, erm, traditional. I promise.