Themes and how they are overrated

WhereNext · Post by **WhereNext** » Wed Jun 25, 2003 9:50 pm

well here are the definitions then:

theme: the basic ideaor the principal object of attention in a discourse or artistic composition

Concept: what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation(as of a plan)

Plot: The subject that drives a story with conflict and resolution

ok, so this is just to clear things up, mad a few a little more clear for myself as well.

and by the way a couple of these definitons came from a dictionary and the other from a book on film making.

Alucard_FoN · Post by **Alucard_FoN** » Wed Jun 25, 2003 9:51 pm

In my opinion, any kind of video is good as long as the person who made it did a good job with it. I don't think any type of video is superior to another type, it all depends on skill and effort by the creator.

Evildeaddave · Post by **Evildeaddave** » Wed Jun 25, 2003 9:58 pm

Well all videos have a theme, if it is a DBZ video then the theme its a Dragonball Z video, if it is a Vampir Hunter D Bloodlust vid, it has a theme that it is Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust. The real question is whether a video has a plot or not. Like Caffeine Encomium(using this as an example since it was mentioned earlier), while it has a theme(cuz all videos do like i stated), it has no Plot, and if somebody thinks this vid has a plot, please tell me cuz i don't see it!!

Zarxrax · Post by **Zarxrax** » Wed Jun 25, 2003 10:03 pm

It's not got a PLOT persay, but it does have structure. It starts out very quiet and peacefull, showing a sleeping sana-chan early in the morning. Then BOOM this little girl wakes up and starts out on her day full of energy like a wildcat! Finally, it ends with her tired out from all of the things she's gone through, and goes back to her peacefull slumber

Evildeaddave · Post by **Evildeaddave** » Wed Jun 25, 2003 11:43 pm

Ok first off let me state ( so i don't get bashed here) i'm not saying that cafe is a bad video or anything, it seems like a fun upbeat video, but calling that "good structure" is silly. Just take a clip of the beggining of a day, shoe fast paced clips throughout the day and show he tired at the end, not too hard, and doesnt take a rocket scientist to set that structure up. Good video, but your giving it good points that don't apply to it.

Also i would like to know how many of you just do this for sheer pleasure and how many of you plan on trying to land a job editing profesionaly.

For those of you who want to edit for a living you must approach and view AMV's from the point of view of the industry standard as far as structure goes.

Theres no flashy effects or plots made up by the AMV creator in AMV's made by Anime production compan'y who showcase their animes by making amv's and placing them on as trailers for the anime they own rights too. It's always about what the anime is really about.

Now if you just want a editing job in the industry in general and not doing or only doing AMV's then thats not a big deal cuase you just want to showcase your editing skills and creativity.

Just trying to help you guys out here, I attended a film school and learnd a few things so trying to help pass on the good info to see you guys susceed out there.

So wether or not your AMV has a plot to it or not, as long as you put your heart and soul into making it and don't half ass it, it will be great, maybe not in everyones eyes, but you know what sweat was put into making it.

zalas · Post by **zalas** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 4:29 pm

Theres no flashy effects or plots made up by the AMV creator in AMV's made by Anime production compan'y who showcase their animes by making amv's and placing them on as trailers for the anime they own rights too. It's always about what the anime is really about.

Not saying that these trailers *need* effects, but I've seen some pretty shoddy trailers that look like they just stitched some random clips together and threw on music. On the other hand, there *are* some really nice trailers/promo vids out there that have good editing technique. Of course, they probably don't need to have a nicely done AMV to show case a product, but I feel that if they did use one, their showcasing would seem more effective.

BTW, using effects can be useful if you do decide to go into the industry actually compositing and editing the actual film/animation.

fyrtenheimer · Post by **fyrtenheimer** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 4:36 pm

Evildeaddave wrote: Just trying to help you guys out here, I attended a film school and learnd a few things so trying to help pass on the good info to see you guys susceed out there.

A lot of people say film school is shit, evil ..dead ..dave.

WhereNext · Post by **WhereNext** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 7:23 pm

fyrtenheimer wrote:
Evildeaddave wrote: Just trying to help you guys out here, I attended a film school and learnd a few things so trying to help pass on the good info to see you guys susceed out there.
A lot of people say film school is shit, evil ..dead ..dave.

well you'll know if you attend one

fyrtenheimer · Post by **fyrtenheimer** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 7:29 pm

You kiss your mother with that mouth?

Fluxmeister · Post by **Fluxmeister** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 1:43 am

I don't do themes. I prefer my DBZ with Sinatra using motion masks and techno back beats videos...

I don't think you can make a decision based on a video type... you really have to evaluate each video as it comes. I don't think it gets any more simple than that.

If you are worried about winning contests etc, then yes the whole issue of themed (or whatever type) is a huge concern. We better have an in depth study of how to win!

...as opposed to making something you want to see... I guess for some people this is the only reason they edit... popularity.