Archon 32 AMV Contest

[Garylisk]

Archon 32 AMV Contest

General Information

Archon is one of the oldest Sci-Fi/Fantasy conventions in the USA. It features 3 days (Sometimes 4 days) of events, panels, and other programming geared towards fans of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. The convention also has the largest Masquerade in the Midwest, and one of the largest in the country. It has two 24 hour video rooms (Plus a 3rd video room that runs during the day only), 24 hour gaming rooms, sanctioned tournaments for many tabletop games, a huge LARP, as well as great gaming guests (Such as Steve Jackson) who run games they have created.

For more info visit http://www.archonstl.org

That is just general information on the convention, here comes the specifics for the AMV contest...

AMV Contest Specifics

I am in charge of what is known as Video 2, which is mostly anime, but also includes any other Asian films we want to show. This includes an AMV contest, although less prestigious than many other conventions.

Because there are not many AMV editors who attend Archon (Either due to their lack of interest in the complete line of programming, or because of the convention's closeness in date to AWA.), we accept AMV submissions from editors who are non-attendees.

We also allow videos that have already premiered at other conventions, since again, the prestige of Archon is not that high in the AMV community, but we still want to put on a good show for the audience.

Contests in the past have had prize support provided by ADV Films. I have yet to contact ADV's PR department, so I can not say anything regarding prizes for this year yet. This year we do intend to have certificates to award as well.

The contest does not have different classes, such as Begimmer, Intermediate, Master, etc... We operate strictly based on categories. Categories, generally, are: Action, Drama/Romance, Comedy, Horror, and Dance/Upbeat. We sometimes split Drama/Romance into 2 categories, depending on the entries recieved. Judges reserve the right to move videos in Drama/Romance into the appropriate split category if the split happens.

Official Rules

1. Any rule is subject to change at any time.
2. Each editor may submit one (1) AMV to the contest per category, with a maximum of two (2) videos total.
3. Only videos completed on or after May 1st, 2008 are eligible for entry.
4. All entries must be recieved by September 20th, 2008.
5. Entries must contain no bumpers, credits, watermarks, logos, or subtitles. (Unless pertaining to the video itself.) Videos containing these things will be disqualified, no exceptions!
6. Entries must be no longer than 5 minutes and 15 seconds in length.
7. Entries must be at least 80% anime footage. Anime is defined as Japanese animation or animation done in the same style (i.e. Avatar)
8. Entries may be disqualified for containing excessive violence or sexual content. No video will be accepted if it depicts any sex act of any kind.
9. By submitting your video, you are handing over your rights to Archon, and are authorizing it to be shown or used in any way we see fit, including advertisement or exhibition somewhere besides the AMV Contest.
10. We reserve the right to disqualify your video for any reason.
11. Qualification does not guaruntee your video will be played.
12. Videos will be screened and pre-judged, depending on the number of entries recieved. Only videos that get past this step will be shown that the convention.

HOW TO ENTER

1. Email garylisk@gmail.com and include the following information:

Your name.
Your "editor" name.
Your studio name (if applicable)
The name of your video
The video's genre (Which category it is competing in)
The video's anime source
The video's audio source

I am not some kind of stalker or predator, it's OK to include your real name. If you do not want it published, please say so, and it will remain a secret. Entries that do not include a real name will be disqualified, and yes there is a very good reason for this.

If entering more than one video, send separate emails for each entry.

From that point, correspondence will be made via email, and arrangements for how you will be sending your entry in can be made.

FORMATS

1. Videos must be in one of the following formats:
MPEG-2 (High quality)
DivX/XviD (Quant 4 CBR or nice looking 2-pass.)
H.264 (In mp4 or mkv container. No H.264 in AVI will be accepted!)
HuffYUV
Lagarith
DVD

2. Videos must be at least 640 pixels wide and in their proper aspect ratio.
3. Audio must be at least 192kbps mp3, 128kbps AAC, or uncompressed WAV (Recommended)

SUBMISSION

1. Videos may be submitted via FTP. The FTP address will be provided via email.
2. Videos may be submitted on CD or DVD at the following address:

Archon 32 AMV Contest
C/O Gary Littlejohn
8670 Engler Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63114

3. Again, all videos must be RECEIVED, not postmarked, by September 20th, or they'll be disqualified.

CATEGORIES

1. Action
2. Comedy
3. Horror
4. Drama/Romance
5. Dance
6. Trailer (Tentative, if enough entries are received.)

In addition, all entries will be competing for "Best of Show", "Judges' Choice", and "Best Effects". Make sure you specify which category you are entering for when you enter.

Any questions can be directed to the coordinator: garylisk@gmail.com

Questions can also be asked here in this thread, if you wish.

[NightHawk]

3. Only videos completed on or after June 1st, 2008 are eligible for entry.

Kinda limiting...unless that's a typo.

[Garylisk]

3. Only videos completed on or after June 1st, 2008 are eligible for entry.

Kinda limiting...unless that's a typo.

Actually, it was not a typo, but I counted backwards wrong. I wanted to put that date 5 months before oct 1st, that's only 4 months, so it should be May 1st. Hopefully I can edit.

[NightHawk]

Actually, it was not a typo, but I counted backwards wrong. I wanted to put that date 5 months before oct 1st, that's only 4 months, so it should be May 1st. Hopefully I can edit.

Bah, my video was completed like 6 days too early.

I'm pretty sure you can edit it.

[Garylisk]

Well, ya got 5 months to make a new one