Lyrics in an AMV

f1r3s70rm · Post by **f1r3s70rm** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:46 am

Hey guys, I'm sure this might have been covered already, but I couldn't find a post to match this topic directly.

Is showing the lyrics during an AMV good or bad? I know having subtitles (if you have downloaded footage or if you just can't get rid of them for any sort of reason) degrades the video because they are distracting, but I'm wondering if it's acceptable to put the lyrics to the song.

There was another topic made recently involving Karaoke, which is similar, but not quite the same. The reason I'm asking is because I'm thinking of making an AMV but the songs lyrics aren't exactly clear. It's not a well known song so most viewers will most likely not understand the lyrics and consequently not fully understand the AMV (mine tend to have heavy emphasis on the song lyrics). I'm wondering if I can work around this by adding the lyrics either on top or bottom of the video, I suppose similar to a karaoke. I'm worried that it might be too distracting or just unnecessary.

Thoughts?

Oli.C · Post by **Oli.C** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:11 am

To be perfectly honest, I always look upon it negatively. However some videos seem to make the usage feel sorta appropriate and that will tend to me silenced. I often find comedy/upbeat videos do this a lot, which seems to make sense if your offered to take things less seriously.

mirkosp · Post by **mirkosp** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:14 am

Try to put them softsubbed. Just realease the amv in an mkv container and put an .srt or an .ass file with the lyrics in it as well... try to use VisualSubSync.

f1r3s70rm · Post by **f1r3s70rm** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:15 am

Okay, that's what I was thinking. Okay but if I submit it for a local competition, I should keep the subs out then right?

mirkosp · Post by **mirkosp** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:40 am

Yeah, subtitles out at cons. Just put them softsubbed for the org release, if needed, that's what I think would be better.

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:09 am

You have a few options:

1. Hard sub the lyrics. This is typically your only option if you want the simplest solution and are using the usual file format/containers (AVI, WMV, MP4*).

2. Soft sub the video and use a container that supports soft subs like MKV. Downside is that the viewer will need a MKV file splitter and subtitle filter (typically VSFilter/DirectVobSub) and/or play the file with a compatible player like VLC. Also, Mac users may have problems playing them, especially the subs if they are fancy enough. (I need more research.)

3. Release your video without subs but provide a subtitle file (SRT, SSA, ASS, TXT, etc.) that the viewer will have to load into the player to see them. Some players can automatically load subtitles that have the same file name as the video if they are set up to do so.

As for submitting to cons a subbed video, it will depend on how big of an issue is having the lyrics subbed. I know for certain videos, the subtitles play a big role in the understanding of the concept or the actual concept itself (more relevant for a 'gag' video like dokidoki's Lollipops, Sunshine, and rrrRRRrrr). A good video can get its story/concept across without subs, even for songs in other languages (remember the video in option 3?). So, generally subs aren't needed.

*MP4 files support Timed Text (TTXT) and SRT subtitles, but I've never personally come across a MP4 with them. They do exist, though. AVI files can be hacked to include soft subs, but hacking = not part of the standard = bad.

f1r3s70rm · Post by **f1r3s70rm** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:32 am

Awesome, that's actually pretty helpful. I suppose that if my AMV is good enough, the story/theme should be understood without needing to know all the lyrics, so I guess I won't need them after all. On the side, maybe I will release a subbed version just in case. Thanks for the advice!

JaddziaDax · Post by **JaddziaDax** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:59 am

if they are referring to the song then they don't bother me, its fansubs that bother me..

i could care less if they are hard subbed or not... however follow the bouncing ball is win O:

Ghet · Post by **Ghet** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 3:02 pm

refer to

Freyzon · Post by **Freyzon** » Fri May 09, 2008 1:46 pm

if u have seen the "Corrupted God" video uploaded by the so well known Shinnie04.. he uses some lyrics in that one... some think its distracting but I thought that it was pretty satisfying with the right fond and stuff... and also because that the lyrics matched the amv so perfectly well... anyways I made some masking with some lyrics over in a "Boom (song by P.O.D)" and I think I pulled it =D use lyrics as a onetimer and people will be satisfied =D