Are we in another slump of amvs?

[» AceMan]

Ok, as for main topic - I don't see any slump here.

Look, if there was like 50 editors in the world left, from which 10 would make something good once a year - that would be a slump. As long as there are many editors that do quality stuff, and there are many, there is no slump or anything, just your taste and high expectations which determine which vids you're seeing as worthy watching.

[ngsilver]

WE NEED MOAR HENTAI AMVS!

I'm working on that.

[Castor Troy]

meh

I wouldn't say a slump, but rather a hill that has a steep initial slope, but is steadily declining [a logarithmic curve... +5pts to anyone who can draw one... with correctly labeled axis] because the moment someone makes something new, it can't be new again. So as time goes on, the amount of original/creative things that haven't been done before become fewer, and more scarce. The more I watch amv's the more jaded I get, but that doesn't mean nothing new will come around. Nor does that mean I'm tired of them... I just don't get my hopes as high.

However, I see two things editors can do about the 'slump':

i. Try to be creative, and do something new...

Yes, that's the obvious answer... which will be hard... [editing-wise, I don't see much room for innovation since editing is basically all the same... it's about creating intentional alterations to the footage... whether it be via a cut, fade, zoom, synced, color, texture, combo thereof...ect.]
The only area I can think of that allows for something new, would be incorporating different story-lines/plot into an amv... the possibilities are pretty endless there... so no, we are not burned out on good ideas. I think people should just start working on their storyboards more... and make a concept that viewers wouldn't expect. A sense of unpredictability within the video is what makes amv's interesting IMO. Keep this element in amv's, and they will never grow old, and you'll never grow tired of them because you will always want to know what happens next... no matter if it's because of some underlying storyline, or even if it's about "oh, I wonder how the editor is gonna sync the next guitar riff..." you still don't know what's going to happen next, so it will keep you watching. This is the same premise of why it's sometimes hard to stop watching a wtf vid.

ii. Use existing aspects of amv's and perfect them, or take them to the extreme...

This might be a more feasible option for some editors [if they care to be successful in the first place...], since it's mostly tied-in with effort and skill... whereas the above mainly relies on a hit-or-miss idea, including a bit of luck. I think when people realize this, they shy away from even attempting to build a good idea, and this contributes to the "growing effects trend" you speak of, because editors have more control over technical aspects. Doing this would have the effect of impressing the viewer, but never really wowing them... after all, it's the same thing we've already seen, just more/better. I don't think this is a bad thing though. It does push the boundaries, and potentially creates new experiences that would otherwise not exist. Experimentation, and a general pushing-of-the-envelope usually lead somewhere.

It's logical to do both.

/pseudo-random thoughts

Good answers!

As for incorporating different storylines/plot into a video, Beowulf's Dead to the world is a good example. The video is quite long and may not suit everyone's tastes, but there really hasn't been too many videos like it after it's premiere.

I probably see the scene heading more towards taking existing aspects of amvs and improving them. One example has been the comedy genre which used to rely on "funny scenes to funny music" and it's really evolved quite a bit. Maybe a talented editor out there will redefine the drama genre of "sad scenes to sad music" in a unique way.

[CorpseGoddess]

We've *ALWAYS* been in a slump. Most AMVs really really suck. You get like two good ones a year. We all remember Odorikuruu or I Wish I Was A Lesbian or any of the other great ones but do you remember all the pieces of shit that were released around the same time as them? Face it, finding a good AMV is like wading through a river of shit looking for a rose.

Godix, your consistent cantankerousness is comforting, like a kitten dipped in warm tea.

[godix]

We've *ALWAYS* been in a slump. Most AMVs really really suck. You get like two good ones a year. We all remember Odorikuruu or I Wish I Was A Lesbian or any of the other great ones but do you remember all the pieces of shit that were released around the same time as them? Face it, finding a good AMV is like wading through a river of shit looking for a rose.

Godix, your consistent cantankerousness is comforting, like a kitten dipped in warm tea.

Difference is instead of scratching you I'll just piss in your tea.

[Bauzi]

Maybe, maybe not. There already were a lot of good answer. I just want to say that you can find fun in amvs if you just lower your own bar and don´t expect every amv to be a new hit and give other different things a chance.

Some ideas are done to death like FF:AC. That´s true, but I think that simpel drama romance or character profiles can still entertain.
The amv that attracted me the most in the last months, wasn´t flawless or with effects. It just had a good concept that was well executed and touched. You can say that the creator nailed an aspect of the anime and of a subpart of society.

Mood ftw. If you can attract a mood and atmosphere at the viewer you can entertain him a lot of times. Too bad that something like mood is too much subjective to please everybody.

[Scott Green]

Stop the Meps!!!

[Bauzi]

Stop the Meps!!!

Do you think that people will come up with more high quality solo projects if there were not that many MEPs? I think it´s an interessting question. In a MEP you can try out many things and you only have to edit a relativ short duration. Maybe people get too lazy for a good solo project wich consumes a lot of time and will to edit (yeah you all know the feeling when you just lose your lust for a video in progress).

Ah I don´t think that MEPs play a big role, but it could be a small part. At least we all know that most of the MEPs are nothing special anymore because there are already a lot of them.

[DeinReich]

Like was said earlier, who cares if we are in a "slump" if one enjoys their own work? I like my stuff, if it entertains one other person, then great. If not, I still like my work. Isn't that why we got into this in the first place?

[Moonie]

Like was said earlier, who cares if we are in a "slump" if one enjoys their own work? I like my stuff, if it entertains one other person, then great. If not, I still like my work. Isn't that why we got into this in the first place?

X2