Anime Expo 2010 Anime Music Video Contest Rules Up

[Sephiroth]

Well I don't really plan to get in but it's always nice when it happens.

[Pwolf]

I think what gets into contests is what simply just appeals to the audience and judges. You can have all the best effects/timing/etc in the world, but if it's just not an engaging video, then an audience won't care for it.

BINGO.

While art for art's sake is nice and all, entertainment is the primary driving force of this event (IMHO). The best vids are ones that blend the two most effectively.

I don't really think anyone has a problem with the videos themselves but how the judges handled the submissions. Based only on what rider said about her video, just cutting out 2 minutes from the beginning doesn't really constitute a "drastic change" in the video... it's just cutting it down. That's something the judging staff should've picked up on and maybe they did. It was accepted afterall. Also letting a video which was just an opening to a game to different music into the finals? I know the staff isn't superhuman but it happening twice in a row by the same person? It's not very reassuring to the constants when stuff like this happens.

However, there is a point at which you just have to accept the results for what they are. I very rarely get riled up about various drama that happens during contests. there's no point in making a fuss when everything's been done. If I have a problem I tell the coordinator/s in private. However, I do hold those accountable which is why i vowed never to send a video to AX while James and Kat were running it. I've held to that even with the new crew and honestly i'm not all that impressed at the moment :\ maybe it'll change when it's over and done with and it turns out to be an amazing contest. Wont know until it's over.

[Vlad G Pohnert]

If you truly want to improve, pay VERY CLOSE attention to the contest this year and see the quality of video that made it into the contest.
Try to match your video to that quality, do a little better, and chances are you'll get in, or have a much higher chance of getting in.
Thats how I did, thats how my brother does it, and so far it has never failed us.

Please don't take this the wrong way and I understand this may work for some people, but I would like to stress that just because videos make it in as finalists does not mean they are superior nor better and must be learned from. Granted, I agree watching videos in contest to see what people have done can be a good learning tool, but don’t make it sound like those that don't make it in need a lesson from those who did or are superior... If your going to say it like that maybe then you should teach me on how to make better videos too

Anyways, as to all the Drama from all sides, AX certainly seems to have its share. Michael, sorry for all your anger there, I know how it feels as I’ve been doing cons and dealing with politics for more then 20 years myself. Honestly, I really do appreciate myself all you have done and I know you try your best and that’s all anyone can ever ask, but I have to ask if it's worth it for you with all the politics going on. Honestly, I would love to come down and talk to you over all of this (I been around 20 years in the political crap so I’m sure we’d have some “War Stories” to swap) but I know you’re busy and outside of the contest last year, the rest of AX left the same disappointment at how it was run as it did back in 2002 so I can’t say when I’ll come back

Vlad

[XStylus]

In part by why the AMtvpro category even came to fruition, as there were videos that hold effects/timing/etc above entertainment value.

You're really digging me a hole here, Ben. ^^;;;

If the kind of timing and effects you're looking for are blatantly flashy like a Nostromo vid, then yeah.

But then there's vids that are more subtle and meticulous... ...so much so that they require repeated viewing to fully appreciate. And its those vids that, I feel, we need to adjust our judging process to fully allow for. Such vids have been rather rare though.

[Kazemon15]

I for one will never change my style just to appeal to judges. I strive to be different. Going for mainstream anime/audio will only make you blend in with the rest and overall, IMO, will become boring as heck and make it even harder to get in. Do I need to mention how many people cheered when 5 Seasons of Evolution played on the big screen back in 2007 and the crickets chiripped when the Naruto AMV played right after it? It was something that we not seen on the big screen over and over again.

There are plenty of people who like my style and I'm sure there will be plenty of people who will like my style in the audience. IMHO, Judges POV and tastes does not necessarily mean it's the Audience's POV and tastes.

[Castor Troy]

Do I need to mention how many people cheered when 5 Seasons of Evolution played on the big screen back in 2007 and the crickets chiripped when the Naruto AMV played right after it? It was something that we not seen on the big screen over and over again.

I wonder if dwchang will ever see this.

[Sephiroth]

But then there's vids that are more subtle and meticulous... ...so much so that they require repeated viewing to fully appreciate. And its those vids that, I feel, we need to adjust our judging process to fully allow for. Such vids have been rather rare though.

Yea using effects is one thing. Using them to enhance your video rather then having them draw attention to them is more difficult.

[Niotex]

If possible I'd like to ask some of the judges [if possible] for feedback on the video at least. Considering the amount of work that went into it I'd like to know what exactly I've been doing wrong.

What Troy said as well, but honestly guys, for those that didn't make it into the finalist list.
If you truly want to improve, pay VERY CLOSE attention to the contest this year and see the quality of video that made it into the contest.
Try to match your video to that quality, do a little better, and chances are you'll get in, or have a much higher chance of getting in.
Thats how I did, thats how my brother does it, and so far it has never failed us.

a good way to improve is to also, have people beta your video. get people to watch your amv and critique. make the changes you feel are good ones and do it again.
creating an AMV is lilke writing an essay, freak if you could write a stunning essay on the first draft you got talent, but chances are this isn't the case. revise it multiple times and fix up the errors.

i guess lastly, and probably the hardest part, is to improve your technical skill. video editing is not easy. take some free time and learn some new techniques or even some motion graphics.

I'm having a hard time keeping my calm with someone telling me this. I would kindly like to inform you that you are completely off course. I'll leave it at that..

While I'm not going to go into detail, those were not issues with Niotex's submission, so please don't assume.

Thank you..

I think what gets into contests is what simply just appeals to the audience and judges. You can have all the best effects/timing/etc in the world, but if it's just not an engaging video, then an audience won't care for it.

That or people don't realize.

Nio's one of the best editors I know and I'm also surprised he didn't get in. I was also confident in my entries this year as well.

I'm flattered to have you say that Castor. Hypeo for life =]

OH i know! i was just giving general advice.
i may quote, but i was speaking for the masses as a generalization.
Hence the plural usage in my sentence. "but honestly guys, for those that didn't make it into the finalist list."

No that seemed pretty directed to me.

true that, maybe instead of the word 'quality' in comment. try matching 'style'. (this would including an amv that has appeal to the judges/audiences/etc)

Why would someone conform to the norm if what he's doing is moving the medium to a new composting quality level? That seems absurd to me. Just because pop music is popular doesn't make it good. The vast amount of popular garbage outweigh what we call actual music. The fact that you're preposing such a thing suggests that you have no intention of looking at anything on fair ground.

BINGO.

While art for art's sake is nice and all, entertainment is the primary driving force of this event (IMHO). The best vids are ones that blend the two most effectively.

I think you need to update your category definitions then. And not have AMTV-Pro stand for 'Best Nostromo imitation'. Art for the sake of art aside. The fact remains that a category that was deemed specifically for technically advanced video's with a professional level of composting. Not to mention a very heavy emphasis on art. Get's shafted and ends up becoming 'what the mainstream likes'.

In part by why the AMtvpro category even came to fruition, as there were videos that hold effects/timing/etc above entertainment value.

There is so much wrong with this statement..

I suppose you just have to swallow your pride and go mainstream audio/video with more public cons.

unfortunately, i kinda feel that sometimes

...

But then there's vids that are more subtle and meticulous... ...so much so that they require repeated viewing to fully appreciate. And its those vids that, I feel, we need to adjust our judging process to fully allow for. Such vids have been rather rare though.

Yea using effects is one thing. Using them to enhance your video rather then having them draw attention to them is more difficult.

Amen.

[Brad]

So, I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record but I still haven't gotten a solid answer. Can I still submit my video? :\

[Niotex]

So, I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record but I still haven't gotten a solid answer. Can I still submit my video? :\

Yes just give it to me and I'll bring it with me