AWA 2010 - Pro downloads active; Expo 4 days left, August 20

[Prodigi]

I see where you're coming from but I personally disagree. I think it's less of making the statement "I won't even give this a chance" and more like making the statement "this is something I'm not comfortable with, and for that reason I can't in good conscious leave feedback, either positive or negative, on this piece of work".

The point I was making wasn't what they're thinking, it was the message that it sends to me. I can honestly say that's how I would feel if someone skipped watching a video I've made based solely on its content.

I don't care what anyone else thinks, but I won't be forced out of my comfort zone. If that means in future a "you must watch all entries" rule is enforced then I guess I won't be entering Pro anymore. That's just how I feel and I won't be forced to change.

That's my point exactly, if you feel uncomfortable about hentai, then don't enter a contest that allows it.

Well I'm gonna keep entering for now, but if they turn around and enforce that as a rule then I'll stop. But for now I see no reason to,

[CodeZTM]

I think with most people who won't watch the H videos it's less because they don't like H vids, but rather that they make them uncomfortable. Should we really have to put a rule around it saying "if you enter then you have to watch everything" and either: a) lose all editors who are uncomfortable about H vids, or b) force people to be put out of their comfort zone?

I see the merits in H vids. I think a lot of editors who don't watch them would agree that it's less because "H videos suck" and more because "I'm not comfortable with the content". H videos are just like any other type of video, and they have their merits and they do deserve feedback. But I think forcing people who aren't comfortable to provide feedback is just counter-intuitive.

I don't care what anyone else thinks, but I won't be forced out of my comfort zone. If that means in future a "you must watch all entries" rule is enforced then I guess I won't be entering Pro anymore. That's just how I feel and I won't be forced to change.

Hate to add fuel to the fire, but I really agree.

Personally, I think sex and the graphic representation of it can have artistic merit in videos. Not all videos that use hentai are just immediately bad. However, what bothered me is that there were several entries that seemed to focus just on the sex and didn't have much beyond shock factor. The one with Caramelldansen especially disturbed me, and I was not only uncomfortable having seen it, but I also really don't feel safe with it on my hard drive.

Frankly, I'll probably not come back to pro because of this reason. I agreed to judge the videos this year, so like i said, I judged all the videos, for better or for worse. I take most commitments seriously. But, when I saw the 18+ thing, I didn't honestly think the graphic nature of it would go beyond a certain level. It's just something I'm not comfortable seeing, and now that I know that this is what Pro allows in, I'll remember it for future references. That's one thing that I really think the other cons do a lot better with, having separate divisions for different content ratings of videos.

[SailorDeath]

There's one thing I can honestly take away from all of this. If someone creates a hentai amv and it actually wins in a major category (and not not made for just hentai entries) then that creator truly made something epic.

[Scintilla]

I'm not keen on flagging videos. But the comfort zone comments are one of the reasons disclaimers exist. It sounds like they flagged more than just 18+ vids though? I keep posting all this junk in here because I think if a bunch of people are being made uncomfortable and this is not working out and submitters have been turned off then maybe it's time to segregate the 18+ videos to a separate contest?

I'd support this.

But, when I saw the 18+ thing, I didn't honestly think the graphic nature of it would go beyond a certain level. It's just something I'm not comfortable seeing, and now that I know that this is what Pro allows in, I'll remember it for future references. That's one thing that I really think the other cons do a lot better with, having separate divisions for different content ratings of videos.

I always thought the reason AWA Pro always gets certain 18+ videos was because almost no other conventions will take them?...

And if I remember correctly, in 2004 and 2005 we did have a few 18+ videos but nothing nearly as offensive as one or two of the videos from last year.

[SailorDeath]

And if I remember correctly, in 2004 and 2005 we did have a few 18+ videos but nothing nearly as offensive as one or two of the videos from last year.

That hentai I entered in 2004 was honestly made because I thought it was a hilarious idea. Legend of the overfiend with DaVinci's Notebook's Enormous Penis? It was a combo that had a lot of people laughing when they saw it for the first time.

EDIT: Fix'd in bold, just in case people thought I was talking about this year's contest.

[outlawed]

Not to sound elitist or "better then thou" but personally don't really get anything out of watching videos or judging them. The only reasons I like entering pro are because it's blind and there's a level of participation outside of just being a contestant. But I don't expect every editor who enters the contest to watch every video or to submit a video that's never been released. My whole argument about this is that I think that's an unreasonable expectation to put on someone. That's my opinion.

Don't worry you don't sound elitist to me. You do seem to contradict yourself here though. You say you like the Pro contest because there's a level of participation outside of being a contestant. If that participation is not judging then what is it? If you say it's judging then how do you logically claim to be a good judge if you don't watch all the entries (presume no 18+) ? One of the best things you can take out of judging all the entries is achieving a state of supreme patience/bliss or gouging out your eyeballs. It's a mental challenge =p

I'm a cynic so I don't expect they will watch all of them either. I will advocate it though. Is it unreasonable to ask this because you don't want to do it (and let's presume once again there is no 18+ stuff in the contest) ?

I know it may seem like I'm picking on you but that's only because you're the only one so far who has had the balls to broach the judging problem. It touches on how I see some of the community viewing AWA Pro. My take is I see lost opportunity every time I see some people rail on about "oh god Pro sucked this year I don't know if I will bother next time".

[godix]

Ya know, if someone doesn't watch all (or any) of the videos and doesn't vote, fine. If you don't want to watch, then don't. But also don't pretend you can judge fairly when you haven't even bothered to see all the videos.

[NS]

You bring up a good point, If the video offended in an extreme way, I would say it'd be ok for them to skip it, but I would even say it would have to be pretty severe...

I do agree that I was kind of a douche, and I didn't need to call him a faggot, but he was still being nit-picky. Changing a word from "Ask" to "Require"... It's kinda like, Ask is a less serious word I suppose, but I'd imagine the general meaning is still the same.

Also, yah.. I suppose I could be constructive and Not just argue to argue... I do apologize, scott, for just fucking badgering you instead of talking in any intelligent way.

[Prodigi]

You bring up a good point, If the video offended in an extreme way, I would say it'd be ok for them to skip it, but I would even say it would have to be pretty severe...

I do agree that I was kind of a douche, and I didn't need to call him a faggot, but he was still being nit-picky. Changing a word from "Ask" to "Require"... It's kinda like, Ask is a less serious word I suppose, but I'd imagine the general meaning is still the same.

Also, yah.. I suppose I could be constructive and Not just argue to argue... I do apologize, scott, for just fucking badgering you instead of talking in any intelligent way.

And after you said that I just wanna say thank you for not being a trolling jackass like a lot of people can do on this forum and actually being cool about it

[Pwolf]

Not to sound elitist or "better then thou" but personally don't really get anything out of watching videos or judging them. The only reasons I like entering pro are because it's blind and there's a level of participation outside of just being a contestant. But I don't expect every editor who enters the contest to watch every video or to submit a video that's never been released. My whole argument about this is that I think that's an unreasonable expectation to put on someone. That's my opinion.

Don't worry you don't sound elitist to me. You do seem to contradict yourself here though. You say you like the Pro contest because there's a level of participation outside of being a contestant. If that participation is not judging then what is it? If you say it's judging then how do you logically claim to be a good judge if you don't watch all the entries (presume no 18+) ? One of the best things you can take out of judging all the entries is achieving a state of supreme patience/bliss or gouging out your eyeballs. It's a mental challenge =p

I'm a cynic so I don't expect they will watch all of them either. I will advocate it though. Is it unreasonable to ask this because you don't want to do it (and let's presume once again there is no 18+ stuff in the contest) ?

I know it may seem like I'm picking on you but that's only because you're the only one so far who has had the balls to broach the judging problem. It touches on how I see some of the community viewing AWA Pro. My take is I see lost opportunity every time I see some people rail on about "oh god Pro sucked this year I don't know if I will bother next time".

Part of it is the judging, at least in the past that was the case, but the "level of participation" is more on the lines of going through the process of submitting and watching the videos while not knowing who did what. There's a kind of addictive touch to it I think even though I don't like watching videos that much. I think the idea of finding a gem and not know who made it is what I like. I've never claimed to be a good judge and I wouldn't consider anyone to be a good judge. Everyone has a bias so I never go into a contest thinking it'll be fair. It would be great, but it's not realistic IMO (because of exactly what we are discussing).

I'm all for advocating that everyone watch all the videos. When I finally sit down and watch them, I hope I can watch them all. But don't get upset if i don't watch them all, that's all i'm saying.

No worries about the picking on me thing, it's all discussion. As long as it's kept civil, it's all good

Changing a word from "Ask" to "Require"... It's kinda like, Ask is a less serious word I suppose, but I'd imagine the general meaning is still the same.

Yes, maybe it is nit-picky but it's important to distinguish what the coordinator really wants to happen. It's like giving someone advice and then expecting them to do what you say. That's just stupid. That's why it's called advice and not something else. I interpreted the statement as, "By entering the contest you can expect to watch and judge 6+ hours of videos." Nothing in there says I have to watch all 6+hours. if the statement said "You will be required to watch and judge as much as six hours of videos" then we have a rule that says you must watch all videos. If you want people to do something the way you want it you have to specific. Here's a great idea... on the waver, have a line saying "I ______________ will watch all of the videos and judge them without prejudice or bias." You can argue all you want then