Kevin Caldwell Set The Standard...Now I'm Gonna Break It...

The_Mad_Hatter · Post by **The_Mad_Hatter** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 1:03 pm

SSJVegita0609 wrote: Well, if you looked at my D avatar and my Berserk sig. Along with my top 10 anime on my profile, you'd see that you were mistaken.

I would have noticed it, but I never got into paying attention to opinionless little guttersnipes and probably wouldn't be able to appreciate your *so* obvious varied interests and talents. And you must admit it is rather pretentious of you to assume that anyone like me would even bother to pay that much attention to you considering you don't even take the time nor intellectual curiosity to try something new, to take a chance, try and see something in a new way...hey uh...has anyone spotted the irony yet? ^_^

Dannywilson · Post by **Dannywilson** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 1:04 pm

The_Mad_Hatter wrote: As far as pure editing the boy slacks off major. In all his videos every single clip is straight forward, no edits besides lip synching, he doesn't even use something as simple as reversing video segments or altering frame rates.

God is borne in simplicity. You have premiere 6.5, _AT MOST_ he had premeire 3.5-4. The point being effects like frame rate changes and video reversals (essentially the same tool) weren't quite as simple as changing a little percentage in Premiere.

The_Mad_Hatter wrote:See you'll see things in the video that never even happened in the series and yet, you won't even see it unless you're a die hard CCS fan.

Who over the age of 11 wants to wants to be a die hard CCS fan?

The_Mad_Hatter wrote:Name a single other video besides mine which uses frame by frame photo editing in order to alter a setting, scene, plot, or character movement.

There was a wicked video at AWA 8 where the editor spent over 400 hours putting 3 different series together editing frame by frame, to create a _Good_ emotional video. If you want to talk frame by frame editing with me, we can talk about "Not Another One!", as I've alredy stated before, was 50 hours of lip synching.

The_Mad_Hatter wrote: I'm bettin you're gonna have a hard time coming up with one, and even if you can I doubt it's anywhere near on par with what I did....

No I didn't.

Though I admire your tenacity, edit more, and talk less, that way it seems less like arrogance and more like pure skill.

The_Mad_Hatter · Post by **The_Mad_Hatter** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 1:23 pm

VegettoEX wrote:I always hate to say things in a bad light, and I hope this doesn't come across as that, because it's not meant to...

Not at all, in fact that's part of the point of this thread...I mean...what, you think I chose the subject line just for the hell of it? LOL I'm tryin to get input more than anything, the more negative the better, because it only serves to make to me work harder. If I really did think I was the best I wouldn't even bother finishing the video.

But in terms of lip-synching alone, I'm not impressed with the file you've put up for download, and that's only been accentuated by:

a) the claims of perfection
b) the general demeanor of your responses in this thread

Are you sure those aren't the ONLY reasons?

It still looks VERY forced. If you're lip-synching, you want it to look natural, as if the character is actually speaking it. It's SO forced, that to me, *that's* when I realize I'm just watching a digital video someone's made, instead of a story being told through a character's voice.

Hrmmm, an interesting opinion.

Something I think a lot of people forget when lip-synching in videos is that we're using anime as a source. OK, that's fine. Take a good look at mouth movements when you're watching anime, though (be it dubbed or subbed.. or raw... heh). Not EVERY syllable goes with a mouth flap. Sure, it should be relatively close, but not EVERY SINGLE sound that comes out has SOME kind of movement to fit it. I think THAT is what makes it look SO natural when we're watching the show, that it allows us to forget that there's just some man or woman in the booth doing a voice to some 2D drawings.

So in essence you're saying that it's actually better to slack off a little when doing lip synching? Don't take it so seriously? Hrmmm...I'd be VERY interested in hearing other peoples thoughts on this. Personally I've always thought that it was most believable when it was as accurate as possible, otherwise it's like watching a bad dub/Americanized hack job shown on Kids WB...

And I'm not sure if that's being accurately reflected in this kind of video. Of course, to do the exact same thing as anime would be to not do something original, but like I said, it just seemed WAY too forced.

I'll take your ideas under consideration, but I will also keep in mind that your opinion may be largely influenced by the two things you listed before.

It also really irks me when people continuously try to compare / contrast / poise themselves in relation to Kevin Caldwell videos. You're talking about using similar techniques, out-classing him, etc, etc, etc.

LOL, as I mentioned in another post, out classing Kevin Caldwell isn't something THAT hard to do. He's good at slapping pretty clips together with music, but other than that he's WAY over exaggerated.

You're also forgetting that Kevin was doing this kind of stuff YEARS before you started attempting it.

THAT says a lot for talent and vision.

I don't think the instance of time really has anything to do with it. Especially since you can't even truly judge that without knowing the particulars or a persons life. For all you know Kev grew up on anime watching it ever since he was like 6. I didn't get into anime until...a year ago, and considering the point I've reached so far, I'd say that I progressed much faster than most, but as I said, I don't think that's really extraordinary or anything.

It's very accurate to say that some of the things Kevin Caldwell did in his video could easily be done (better?) today by a wide range of individuals, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to go back a few years to the actual times of the mentioned videos and find the same amount of individuals with enough skill, imagination, and general ability to pull off videos like "Believe" and "Engel" that to this day I see as standing out as "good" among what is producded today.

I think the tools and media available also contribute to that though. I mean say 5 years back, how hard was it to make a music video? First DVDs weren't really prevalent, distribution of media over the Inet was in the stone age, and editing software was piss poor at best. I don't think imagination and skill had so much to do with him being one of the few, rather it was his access to materials and tools that others didn't have.

Basically... I just wanna say... take it easy, and try and re-evaluate the reasons you're working on what you're working on, and how you're working on it. If you're simply going out of your way to prove yourself, I guarantee you that you're going to fail. No "revenge video" or "[insert creator name] - killer" video has ever been given a second thought (mainly because.. well.. they suck).

He, he, he...no, that's not the point. The point is to make a video where I actually put the maximum amount of effort into it. I mean most of my videos score in the 8 to 9 area and that's putting in usually not more than 20% of my effort, imagination, and skill. This video, despite the scores it gets, will be a true testament to my skill, imagination, creativity, etc.

I think you've got a GREAT idea for your video, and a really neat way of telling that story, but I also think you're going about it in a poor fashion.

You obviously don't know me very well, I enjoy stirring up a bit of controversy every now and again, it helps me a lot to better myself. I'm inherently evil and thus I can use other peoples negativity to increase my skill, knowledge, and abilities.

By the time I actually release the video I doubt anyone will even remember this thread. ^_^

jonmartensen · Post by **jonmartensen** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 1:44 pm

leathelanime wrote:Jesus.....can we go a year with out this guys name?

No

and by the way, Jesas hates us.

mexicanjunior · Post by **mexicanjunior** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 1:45 pm

The_Mad_Hatter wrote: By the time I actually release the video I doubt anyone will even remember this thread. ^_^

Agreed...

The_Mad_Hatter · Post by **The_Mad_Hatter** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 1:47 pm

Dannywilson wrote: God is borne in simplicity. You have premiere 6.5, _AT MOST_ he had premiere 3.5-4. The point being effects like frame rate changes and video reversals (essentially the same tool) weren't quite as simple as changing a little percentage in Premiere.

Actually I'm using 5.5, although I'm relying mostly on VirtualDub, Paint Shop, and my own custom made VirtualDub filters (which reminds me I should probably release my subtitle removal filter at some point, it really does an outstanding job).

Who over the age of 11 wants to wants to be a die hard CCS fan?

Typical. I used to have the same view, but unlike most I do silly things like indepthy study things that I wouldn't ordinarily like. Which would explain why Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club" is one of my favorite books.

CCS is one of the most beautiful and emotionally indepth animes ever produced...and I've watched most of em...except for Oh! My Goddess, I'm saving those 5 episodes and the movie for a special rainy day. ^_^

There was a wicked video at AWA 8 where the editor spent over 400 hours putting 3 different series together editing frame by frame, to create a _Good_ emotional video.

Ahhh, now see that's what I'm talking about. The creator of that video obviously peaked out on his true artistic talent, that's what I'm in the process of doing.

If you want to talk frame by frame editing with me, we can talk about "Not Another One!", as I've already stated before, was 50 hours of lip synching.

Haven't seen that, I'll check it out today in my free time. I'm not just talking about frame by frame editing though, it's what you do in that frame by frame editing that counts. Simple lip synching effects aren't really THAT hard to do. Does the video you mentioned do more than just lip synching?

Though I admire your tenacity, edit more, and talk less, that way it seems less like arrogance and more like pure skill.

The most difficult part of the video is clip harvesting...and the hardest part of that is waiting for the recompress. I'm on an old PII 233Mhz system and my source is DVD rips done in like 640x480, which don't play on my system without hiccuping, so first I have to do a quick mpeg4 reconvert to 352x240 just so I can watch the episode (writing down time points for clips I want), then afterwards I have to go back and recapture Huffyuv clip segments in VirtualDub from the 640x480 originals, removing subtitles, etc, etc. That's what I'm waiting on right now, for the next 5 episodes to get done being converted into mpeg4..

OmniStrata · Post by **OmniStrata** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 2:09 pm

ROUND 1

announcer is OMNISTRATA

JAY R. LOCKE VS. KEVIN CALDWELL!

^_^

[bets money on J...]

I've walked the bumpy road known as the "dance" video thanks to Locke, I was amazed by specialty themes thanks to KC...

Still, in all regards, "perfect" lip synch isn't all that. I'm not saying it's hard, but not everyone "worships" the lip synch...

much less that which deserves worship: DA MAD! ^_^

make a MAD, [solo] and THEN I'll kiss your feet...

[gag note: all MADs I've seen thus far are so complex teams are needed. And it makes total sense...]

The_Mad_Hatter · Post by **The_Mad_Hatter** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 2:16 pm

OmniStrata wrote: Still, in all regards, "perfect" lip synch isn't all that. I'm not saying it's hard, but not everyone "worships" the lip synch...

So what did you think about VegettoEX's comments on lip synching? Do you think it's best to make it as real as possible, or do you think half assed suits the 2D environment better?

Castor Troy · Post by **Castor Troy** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 2:37 pm

The_Mad_Hatter wrote:Name a single other video besides mine which uses frame by frame photo editing in order to alter a setting, scene, plot, or character movement. I'm bettin you're gonna have a hard time coming up with one, and even if you can I doubt it's anywhere near on par with what I did...of course the best has yet to be seen. I've got a few other clip segments done, but I won't share those just yet. Like the one where Sakura is talking to Yukito and he hands her some flowers...only I replaced him with Sakura's mother (from flash back sequences), the hands and the flower of Yukito were left in but Sakura's mother was superimposed and blended in on top, again using frame by frame editing. In the end I created a scene that never even happened and won't be found nor recognized in ANY other AMV, making mine TRULY original in every repsect.

There's Eric Kobet's Tainted Donuts, my own Dragon Bebop Z, Vlad's Transcending Love, Dokidoki's Senshi on springer, and a friend of mine is doing some pretty intense frame by frame editing for his new video.

Nappy · Post by **Nappy** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 2:47 pm

geez, thinking you can make better stuff cuz you got better equipment is probably what lucas said before he made episode 1 @_@