Anime Expo AMV Contest 2008 Rules posted.

[DigitalPanther]

YEP, they're up and we are now officially accepting entries.
Link to the (albeit really minimalist) page with the PDF of the rules and enry form is:
http://www.anime-expo.org/convention-in ... v-contest/

Link to the Contest Rules --> http://www.anime-expo.org/download/AX08 ... _Rules.pdf

Please note:
Please DO NOT send your entries to the address that was used last year. There is a new submission address. Also the email address to send to for questions has been changed as well.

Please DO read through all the rules before emailing us for clarifications. We tried to be as thorough as possible in clarifying things. We will be putting up an FAQ in the near future as well.

Thank you all for your patience and support.
Michael & Anneke

So without Further ado...

Here are the Rules:

Anime Expo 2008 - Anime Music Video Contest Rules
Ver 2.3 - Last Modified 01-16-08
Prepared by: Michael G. Underwood and Anneke Patchen
All Text is © 2008 Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

Please make certain to read the rules completely before contacting the Anime Music Video Contest Directors with questions.

The Contest: This is the chance for amateur and semi professional video editors to showcase their creativity and skills by editing scenes of animation from Japanese OVAs, Television, Movies and Video Games to the music selection of their choice. Then pit their creations against other editors to see how well they stand up in competition. While the music selection is important, it is the video content and what is done with it that will really make the creation a showstopper.

The Categories: Listed below are the Anime Expo® sponsored categories in which participants may submit their video creations.

Action/Adventure - Entries into this category focus on action packed, adrenaline filled video.
Comedy - Entries into this category focus on humorous video.
Drama - Entries into this category focus on strong emotional impact, be that love, grief, fear, etc.
AMTV-Pro (formerly A(nime)Mtv)
Entries into this category focus heavily on artistic style and extreme blending of visuals and sound. In the past the A(nime)Mtv category has been populated with Videos with extensive use of Professional appearing visual effects and transitions The AMTV-Pro category legitimizes and formalizes this process. Videos entered into the AMTV-Pro category will be held to higher technical and artistic aesthetic standard. Only highly polished Professional quality videos will be accepted into this category.


The Awards: Listed below are the Anime Expo® sponsored awards in which Semi-Finalists video creations will be judged and awarded.

Best of Show Audience popular vote for all Categories combined taken during the Live Show
Best of Action/Adventure Audience popular vote for Action/Adventure Category taken during the Live Show
Best of Comedy Audience popular vote for Comedy Category taken during the Live Show
Best of Drama Audience popular vote for Drama Category taken during the Live Show
Best of AMTV-Pro Audience popular vote for AMTV-Pro Category taken during the Live Show
AX Staff Favorite Anime Expo® and SPJA Staff popular vote for all Categories combined
Special Judge's Favorite Determined during the selection of the Semi-Finalists for all Categories combined
Creator's Favorite Participating contest entrants’ popular vote for all Categories combined taken during the Live Show

Additional Categories: Third Party Sponsors may sponsor their own category, using their own rules, regulations and judging standards, as well as awarding their own prizes. They must submit to the Anime Music Video Contest Directors the category they wish to have created and the prize(s) that they will be donating for that category. Anime Expo® must approve both the category and the prize(s) submitted. The prize(s) should be in the possession of the Anime Music Video Contest Directors by no later than 5pm on the day of the general contest judging. The third party sponsor will determine the method by which the winner should be judged, either by the special judges, or by a panel of judges determined and provided by the sponsor. Judging by panel must occur during the Live Show. In the event that the third party prize is a cash prize any such prizes are to be administered by the offering party and will NOT be held by or given to the recipient by the AMV Contest Directors or ANY Anime Expo® Staff member (the only exception being if the awarding party is an Anime Expo® Staff member).If you wish to sponsor a category of your own creation, please contact the Anime Music Video Contest Directors at the addresses stated below (e-mail or USPS).


The Rules:
1. Each Video will be limited to a maximum length of 7 minutes. Any submission that does not meet this criterion will be disqualified.

2a. Music Videos submissions via mail may be submitted on the following Tape Media or Digital Media formats:

Accepted Tape Media Formats:
Analogue Tape Media VHS, S-VHS, 8mm and Hi8
Digital Tape Media Digital 8mm, Mini-DV and DV Cassettes
Note: Tape media must be recorded in NTSC. No PAL submissions will be accepted.


Digital Audio/Video Codec(s) and Media
Accepted Video Codec(s)/Format: Submission Media Type Required:
DVD DVD-/+R (SL or DL) or DVD-/+RW Media only
Mpeg2 encoded file on:
CD-R/RW, DVD-/+R (SL or DL) or DVR-/+RW

HuffYUV
DV
H.264
Accepted Audio Codec(s):
PCM (Uncompressed)
Note: All digital video formats submitted to the contest are required to follow NTSC Standard of 720 by 480 pixels resolution at 29.97 frames per second interlaced or 720x480 pixels resolution at 24 frames per second progressive. Videos submitted in 24fps will be converted to 29.97fps. The 3/2 pull down conversion (to make 24fps video NTSC compliant for presentation) may cause entry video to appear jittery in fast action scenes.
Please note: For the 2008 Anime Expo Anime Music Video Contest HD-DVD, Blue-Ray, 720p, 720i, 1080p or 1080i resolution submissions will NOT be accepted.


2b. Only one (1) Music Video will be accepted per each tape media submitted.

2c. Contact the Anime Music Video Contest Directors if you wish to submit your video(s) via FTP upload. Music Video submissions via FTP upload may ONLY be submitted in the following Digital formats:


Digital File Submissions:
Accepted Video Codec(s)/Format: You may upload your entry data as:
DVD • CD or DVD image files (.iso, .img, etc.)

• the files from the VIDEO_TS directory of your DVD

• or just the video file (audio file too if it is separate from the video file)

Files/Directories may also be compressed before uploading as .zip, .rar, .sit or .gzip (note: This is not recommended as artifacting or possible file corruption, though rare, can be introduced. Neither Anime Expo® nor The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation will be held responsible if entries submitted in a compressed format are corrupted or cannot be opened upon receipt. Compression of the files is done at the creators risk)
HuffYUV
Mpeg2
DV
H.264
Accepted Audio Codec(s):
PCM (Uncompressed)

Note: All digital video formats submitted to the contest are required to follow NTSC Standard of 720 by 480 pixels resolution at 29.97 frames per second interlaced or 720x480 pixels resolution at 24 frames per second progressive. Videos submitted in 24fps will be converted to 29.97fps. The 3/2 pull down conversion (to make 24fps video NTSC compliant for presentation) may cause entry video to appear jittery in fast action scenes.

3a. A total of eight (8) Anime Music Video Contest Entries are allowed per team, studio, group or person. Entrants wishing to compete in multiple teams, studios, groups and/or as an individual can enter a MAXIMUM of eight videos. Any additional submissions will be disqualified.

3b. Only two entries per person/group/studio will be allowed, per category, to move on to the finals.

4. Video intros and exits must be free of any and all text that does not directly relate to the video content itself. This means no intro or exit overlays, bugs or similar devices. Specifically designed banners and titles will be inserted into the videos to present a uniform look for the contest. The creator(s) names and title chosen for the video will be cited on these banners so as to identify the video properly. [This rule is intended to ensure that every creator(s) video, regardless of talent, has a uniform "look and feel" for the contest thereby leveling the playing field for all entrants.]

5. The entrant’s AMV Contest entry(s) must be of sufficient audio and visual quality to be viewable on a large screen and audio system without significant distortion or other quality issues.

[What does this “must be of sufficient audio and visual quality” phrase mean?]
In the past we have received videos that were terrific concepts, but when we projected them on a 30 foot screen as a test they looked like a big blur of color blocks; or the audio was so badly compressed it made our ears hurt. (This is of course a most extreme example and not the norm.) Regardless of severity, if we feel the video will not present well at the live show due to significant quality issues we will disqualify it. The reason we disqualify it is so that it can potentially be submitted to the contest again with better source material in future contests. Should you turn in such a video before the deadline we may accept re-submissions of a corrected entry presuming the re-submission can be received and reviewed by the contest directors no later than the original entry deadline. In the event a re-submission is warranted only one re-submission will be allowed per entry after disqualification.

6. All entries, regardless of submission format, become the physical property of Anime Expo® and will not be returned to the creator(s). So send in the best copy you can, but do NOT send us your original masters.

7. By submitting your video to this contest you affirm and agree to grant the contest sponsors and organizers an unconditional license to publish, reproduce, distribute, and otherwise utilize your submission without restriction, in entirety or in part, in print, on the internet, in exhibitions, advertising, media or wherever may be deemed necessary for promotional purposes.

8. Anime Expo® and its judging methods are final; prizes will be awarded only to those in attendance at the convention. Any video that is submitted will be entered into the contest. Anime Expo® will not ship prizes, though proxies may claim the prize for the author with a signed proxy form. Proxies must present this form to the Anime Music Video Contest Directors before the start of the general contest. Anime Expo® sponsored Anime Music Video Contest Award Trophies will be shipped to winners.

9. Each video submitted must contain at least 75% Japanese animation or video game footage. This is not a "live" video contest, nor is it for U.S. or other animation originators, but these formats may be included in the video.

10. Each video must contain at least 90% music to video footage. Any video that falls below this rate will be disqualified.

11a. Any video deemed by the Special Judges to be a "Troll" will be reviewed by the Anime Music Video Contest Directors, and if upheld will be disqualified from the contest.

[What is a Troll?]
1. A video that is submitted to the competition for the purpose of obtaining a ticket to the event, without regard for rules or requirements of the competition.
2. A video that has little to no editing of video footage
3. Any music video that has been accepted into the Anime Expo® Anime Music Video Contest in a prior year: Rule 11b lists the only exception to this definition of Troll that is allowed.

11b. Significant modifications may be made to a video that would be disqualified for the reasons stated in Troll Definition 3 in order to enter the current contest. However, qualification of "significant modification" is determined by the Anime Music Video Contest Directors. Allowance of a modified music video into the contest must be requested via email prior to sending in the entry. The entry must be mailed to the contest on or before the postmark deadline to be accepted. The Anime Music Video Contest Directors will review the entry upon receipt and a final decision regarding eligibility for entry will be made at that time. If the entry is received, reviewed and rejected before the postmark deadline, the music video creator may, with permission from the Anime Music Video Contest Directors, resubmit the music video again with further modification for review/approval. As before, the resubmission must be mailed to the contest on or before the postmark deadline to be accepted. As entries are accepted or denied via a judgment call on a case-by-case basis, no submission of this form is guaranteed entry into the contest.

12. This is a music video contest, not a parody video contest. Music videos that are parodies in context and conform to all music video contest rules will be accepted.

[Parody Video vs. Music Video: What is the difference?]

Intent and the end result are what separate a music video from a parody video. A music video no matter how you look at it will always be viewed as a music video. Whether it is funny, dramatic, or action packed, a music video will rarely be confused with a different type of video, such as a Commercial, Trailer, or TV show. Occasionally there are Music videos which stylistically parody different types of videography, and even other music videos, but they are still identifiably music videos due to the focus on music in combination with the video. These types of videos can be accepted into the competition.

A parody video is a video in which editing has been used to create something other then a music video, and the music involved acts only as a soundtrack or background element. Videos of this nature can look like music videos, such as Commercials, Trailers, opening/closing themes to TV shows, and more, but they focus on subjects other then the music and video relationship. Videos found to be edited in this format will not be accepted into the Anime Expo® Anime Music Video Contest. The Anime Music Video Contest Directors reserve the right to show a submitted video that has been deemed or stated as a parody or other type that doesn’t fit into the criterion of the 4 main categories if it is of exceptional quality and after informing the creator of their intent to do so. However, in such a case the video will not be presented for judging purposes in the 4 main categories. (If a third party judge wishes to include a video presented in this manner as part of their criterion or prize award they are free to do so.)

13. By submitting your video to this contest you affirm and agree that the submission is entirely and without condition your own creation, does not contain any material which may infringe on any intellectual property rights or other rights of third parties, or if it does, proper authorization and/or license have been obtained from the creator, distribution company, or owner of such rights. SPJA, their subsidiaries and affiliates, their officers, directors, agents, insurers, employees, and volunteers, assume no responsibility or liability whatsoever for damages, loss or injury resulting from participation in the contest or acceptance or use of any prize.

In consideration of participation in a contest, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the participant, on participant’s behalf, and on behalf of participant’s heirs, successors or assigns, administrators and personal representatives, does hereby COVENANT NOT TO SUE, INDEMNIFY, FULLY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE SPJA, and each of their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries, affiliates, partners and related entities, their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, insurers, attorneys, shareholders and representatives, and each predecessor, successor, and assign thereof, from and against any and all actions, charges, claims, losses, costs, damages, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities of any kind or character, whether known or unknown, in connection with, arising out of or in any way related to participant’s participation in the contest.

14a. All mailed entries must be submitted with the Anime Expo® 2008 Anime Music Video Contest Entry Form April 30th, 2008 and ARRIVE no later than May 5th, 2008.
They must be sent to the following address:

Anime Expo 2008
Attn: Anime Music Video Contest
P.O.Box 41660
Santa Barbara, Ca, 93103

14b. All entrants submitting via FTP upload must also submit the Anime Expo® 2008 Anime Music Video Contest Entry Form via mail. Mailed Entry forms must be POSTMARKED by April 30th, 2008 and ARRIVE no later than May 5th, 2008.
They must be sent to the following address:

Anime Expo 2008
Attn: Anime Music Video Contest
P.O.Box 41660
Santa Barbara, Ca, 93103

NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE CONVENTION, NOR WILL ENTRIES BE ACCEPTED IN PERSON AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

15. Videos will be placed in the category that best suits the video itself. The Special Judges will make this determination, with consideration made for the category specified (if any) by the creator.

16. All Videos must conform to standards of decency. Videos containing excessive violence, explicit sexual behavior, or excessively explicit lyrics will be disqualified. Reasonable violence, brief nudity and adult language are allowed in context and moderation. Standards are determined by the Special Judges in consultation with the Anime Music Video Contest Directors; the decision of this body is final.


All rules, prizes and methods of judging for the Anime Expo® Anime Music Video Contest are subject to change without notice.

SPJA reserves the right to cancel, terminate or modify the contest if it’s not capable of completion as planned for any reason.

SPJA, in its sole discretion, further reserves the right to disqualify any person for (i) violating any of these rules, (ii) tampering with the entry process, (iii) gaining an unfair advantage in participating in the contest, or (iv) engaging in otherwise un-sportsmanlike, disruptive, harassing, or threatening behavior.

The Anime Music Video Contest is scheduled to take place Thursday July 3rd, 2008 and will be a ticketed event. Judging will be conducted via ballot at the Live Show presentation and the winner announcements will be made during award ceremony which will conclude the event.

For ALL questions, suggestions, issues or requests for confirmation regarding the Anime Expo® 2008 Anime Music Video Contest please contact the Anime Music Video Contest Directors at amv@anime-expo.org or via the following USPS address.

Anime Expo Anime Music Video Contest 2008
Attn: AMV Contest Directors
P.O.Box 41660
Santa Barbara, Ca, 93103

USPS, Fed-EX and UPS packages are all accepted. DO NOT send a package with signature required. Packages may not be delivered by the deadline if signature is required.

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to an exciting contest!

The Contest Directors,

Michael and Anneke

END PASTE OF RULES

There you have it. We are looking forward to your entries!
-M

[CrackTheSky]

Edit: -_-

[SharinganBlue]

So there are more prizes if you attend and only a trophy if you don't when they ship it to you? Ok...

What prizes are there?

[DigitalPanther]

All of the prizes haven't been determined yet. Trophies are of course planned but other prizes haven't been determined yet as we haven't had a chance to lock down possible sponsorships and such. Our first focus was to get the rules done and out on time. unfortunately we were still a little late but now that the rules are up we focus on the other bits.

-Michael

[Koopiskeva]

/me ponders while stroking chin... among other things. |:

[The Wired Knight]

Well hopefully I can get all my entries done by the end of April, I'll be entering as usual.

[Castor Troy]

I'll be sending out my entry out within a month or so.

Maybe I'll consider attending despite what happened last year.. I dunno yet.

[dwchang]

Maybe I'll consider attending despite what happened last year.. I dunno yet.

Don't do it!

[Kitsuner]

I'll be sending out my entry out within a month or so.

Maybe I'll consider attending despite what happened last year.. I dunno yet.

That's the best way to get free prizes, I hear.

[DigitalPanther]

Maybe I'll consider attending despite what happened last year.. I dunno yet.

I know this may not mean a hell of a lot but there are new directors this year. One of the key things we have been focusing on is keeping things on schedule and putting several plans into effect to prevent what has occured in the past (not just last year) from happening again. Including but not limited to there being at least 4 copies on site in 4 different peoples hands as well as Harddrive back up and (if I can manage it) DV-Cam tape of the videos that make the show) The current plan is to have all of this done no later than one week (preferably 2 but I am a realist) before we even get on site for con.

I am right there with you in not wanting to have things go awry. But I also know that at this point they are just words in the eyes of most. so all I can say is I will do my best and time will tell.

-Michael