Beta/op xchg: my Samurai Champloo action/FX vid for your...?

leahzero · Post by **leahzero** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:50 am

SAMURAICHAMPLOO//GOITALONE
ETA: August 2008 // Progress: 5%

07.10.2008

Hi. First AMV from a long-time motion graphics artist. I'm seeking betas for this in exchange for betas/ops on your work.

Teaser is currently up on my YT page (see homepage in profile). This is an action AMV, heavy on the effects and post-processing, but not your typical mindless deluge of crap. Check out the teaser for a taste.

If you're down, reply here or on YT and let me know on what and where you want my critique in return. Be forewarned, I tend to be harsh.

dazza1008 · Post by **dazza1008** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:06 am

I was surprised - it's only 11 seconds and you're willing to op in exchange?

Anyways, here's my opinion -
I could tell it was very crisp graphics, so well done. Already high standard. Liked the record - connected the video to the Samurai Champloo style and the music was also in a similar style. Inventive method of beatsync.

To mention every possible improvement (for you to see whether you agree or not)

I'd have to look at it frame by frame, but it seems that the hole in the middle of the record is opaque - until the camera zooms through it??? It just looks solid. Like surely you can see something faint through it even when the record is on the... wall... or whatever it is.

Also, unless you meant for it to be that way, the pieces of record are falling too slowly for realistic gravity. They're falling at a constant rate, and gravity accelerates.

And... maybe I've been watching too much Naruto (waiiiiiit - don't chuck out my credibility just yet!) but the image on the wall-thing looked like the cloud country headband insignia (or the lightning country, whatever it's called - see, I'm a BAD Narutard.)

Anyway, looks like you're off to a good start. You've obviously put intelligent thought into the whole AMV.

dazza1008 · Post by **dazza1008** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:10 am

Oh, whoops, sorry - that was a teaser, not the vid? I'd be interested in seeing what you've done.

and if you want to op back, I don't mind harsh critique at all (but the more specific the better)

leahzero · Post by **leahzero** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:02 pm

Thanks dazza! Yep, that's just a teaser, but appreciate the feedback so far. I like writing reviews anyway, so no biggie. I'm hoping I can pick up a few people who will do betas for me along the way in return.

The unnatural gravity is indeed a stylistic choice (I wanted some pieces to still be falling past the camera after it pans away). And the image on the wall is the little stylized sun and clouds from the series opening. I can see the Naruto headband resemblance now though.

Good call on the opacity through the hole in the record--the background is visible but the record's shadow on the wall makes it look opaque. Will adjust.

Feedback like this is very helpful. Thanks! Let me know which of your vids I can op or beta in return for you.

Will be posting another clip soon.

dazza1008 · Post by **dazza1008** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:29 am

Thank you! ^^ Well, since you're a master of visual style, I'd appreciate feedback on this vid because so far it is the one I tried the most to make visually interesting.

Even though it's in a lower class compared to your vids, I'd still appreciate your advice for improvements. ^^

And how will you be posting the link to the rest of your vid? Adding to this thread or starting another?

Cheers!

leahzero · Post by **leahzero** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:14 pm

Op left.

Enjoyed your vid. The song is stuck in my head now, haha.

I'll be posting updated links in this thread. Latest version with slight changes is up on my Vimeo account:

http://www.vimeo.com/1342480

However, YT actually has better quality with its HD version.

dazza1008 · Post by **dazza1008** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:33 am

8D
I saw the vimeo version (I'm not too caught up on quality of footage, because I know the one you post on the org would be higher anyway)

Ooh, a lizard! XDD (yes, it was interesting)

My impression on watching it a few times was this -
I really liked the way you beat-synched the record (for lack of a better word) - you made it smash with the beat, but just before that, it SEEMED like the point the record was farthest away matched with an off-beat as well. I really liked that. It was unexpected.

The rest of it, you panned in time with the major beats, and it looked cool, set the setting, but I wouldn't want to see too many of those... or too many of ONLY those (but if you prefer to keep matching the beat that way, then go ahead)

I have no idea what the rest of the song sounds like, so I don't know where you're going with it.

Did you alter the opacity of the middle of the record? I couldn't really tell. (not that it stood out so much, but wasn't sure if it was different)

And what a crappy TV! (but suits the retro style of the vid?)

Anyway, top quality effects and graphics

leahzero · Post by **leahzero** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:38 pm

Yeah, I don't plan to do too much syncing of the camera movement to the beat...there's definitely a limit for how much of that you can take.

Haven't fixed the hole in the record yet, it's going to take a little elbow grease.

Thanks again for the feedback dazza, it's really helpful!

JudgeHolden · Post by **JudgeHolden** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:07 pm

You might want to think about replacing the imaging in the TV with the credit-less opening or a different image. Honestly, there is not enough here to give much feedback.

leahzero · Post by **leahzero** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:33 am

Minor update. Naturalized camera movements. Began incorporating character footage. Bigger update to come later this week.

Most up to date version is now:
http://tinyurl.com/goitalone01

View in HQ of course.