"Big contests" - do they exist anymore?

[ZephyrStar]

In terms of sheer audience, AWA does not seem to have deteriorated in the least. I think it's just editor participation that has, which makes things seem smaller, but that Sunday showing has consistently been PACKED every year I've been there.

[Ileia]

In terms of sheer audience, AWA does not seem to have deteriorated in the least. I think it's just editor participation that has, which makes things seem smaller, but that Sunday showing has consistently been PACKED every year I've been there.

Agreed, and with the rooms and resources that AWA continues to provide for AMVs, I don't ever see this dropping off. Even if others don't get them, I get tons of comments about seeing my videos at AWA (or seeing me there D: but not talking to me, creepers!). For as much as it's the cool kid thing to say "such and such con is gonna be the next AWA!", there's really no reason for a "next" AWA since the one we have is already so good to AMVs, both to the viewers AND to the editors.

[ZephyrStar]

Everyone.... everyone... come back to AWA ;_____;

[godix]

Akross has 2 stages. On the first stage, "the administration" who are indeed believed to be only two persons separate entries into two groups, A and B. Group B instantly loses. Group A advances to the second stage, "the finals". The finalists choose winners in the AWA Pro manner by circle voting. But all votes are equal.

I thought I remember some vote to go from group B to A?

Oh well, for not speaking the language and not caring all that much anyway, I'm happy I managed at least 'less wrong'.

[ngsilver]

Everyone.... everyone... come back to AWA ;_____;

x2

[Castor Troy]

Everyone.... everyone... come back to AWA ;_____;

Working on it..

[Nya-chan Production]

Thanks to godix and Lirinis for correcting me - now I remember the public voting and feel kinda ashamed for forgetting that ;x

[trythil]

At least AKROSS evolves. There are a lot of well designed and well crafted videos. To be honest I would consider hiring a bunch of people for commercial projects, if they would live in my area. It's state of the AMV Art. At least effectwise...

That's exactly what I said. Entries in that contest are often slickly produced, often highly praised, and, to me, absolutely forgettable.

I compared AKROSS output to clothing catalogs, and I stand by my simile. The kind of photography you get in fashion these days is very eye-catching. The composition is edgy, the lighting is specifically designed to smooth out skin (or, for males, make them appear more chiseled / feminine depending on the clothing line), the colors are vibrant, and I only care about seeing it once, because there's nothing beyond the visual. The photography is there to sell you products by dressing it up, and once you've made your purchase decision, it has nothing more to offer.

Empty calories.

But there are some (many?) people out there who like looking through catalogs over and over again. I'm not one of them. You might be, and that's fine.

(All this is beside the point that when visual stimulation is desired, there's far more astonishing examples of that out there. Motionographer and Art of the Title are two such places to go.)

[godix]

I'll agree with trythil here. AKROSS seems to have very high technical standards, and very low artistic standards. There are exceptions, and Crossfade's fairly simple but well done AMV did a lot better than I expected it to, but still I generally consider AKROSS entries to be Michael Bay. Highly polished and totally worthless.

[TritioAFB]

Personally I'm opposed to participate in Cons, though is true that one of the purposes of an AMV is to entertain people, no matter if it's by internet or real life. The only Con I really like is the AKROSS Con, although this year...