Favorite AMV Editing Techniques

y2kwizard · Post by **y2kwizard** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 12:40 pm

Hello, all. I've been viewing many AMVs over the past few weeks and I'm trying to figure out some recurring editing techniques people like to use in their AMV's. SO, I'm wondering if anyone would like to post what his favorite technique is.

For instance, I've noticed that many people make extensive use of transparency: they lay one clip over another and set the top clip's transparency to 50% However, I've not seen a whole lot of uses of extensive masking, with the notable exception of Dragon Bebob Z and...I forgot the other one's name..the video featuring a Britney Spears cover and a man with green hair....

One of my favorite techniques is used extensively in VicBond007's AMV of Princess Mononoke with When Worlds Collide as the song. The technique I like here occurs whenever there's a high-energy drumroll: whenever one occurs, VicBond007 cuts between 2 clips at a high rate of speed....I'd suggest downloading this to see what I'm talking about.

Thanks in advance!!

The Non-Professional · Post by **The Non-Professional** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 12:43 pm

i have no techniques, i just do it, like NIKE but not. *walks off*

mexicanjunior · Post by **mexicanjunior** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 1:34 pm

I just go with alot of lyric synch and hope it ends up halfway decent. =P

fellowhoodlum · Post by **fellowhoodlum** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 1:39 pm

Me too. I just try to match the lyrics and the flow of the song. No uber 1337 editing techniques from me

You choose Sam,the rest · Post by **You choose Sam,the rest** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 1:52 pm

Me three, although I like to sync a random beat to keep the lyrics syncing from becoming a long cut.

Castor Troy · Post by **Castor Troy** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 2:35 pm

I like pressing the x on the top right of whatever program I use to make videos.

nailz · Post by **nailz** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 3:37 pm

Digital effects. BAD digital effects, and BAD transparencies. thats what I like to use.

FurryCurry · Post by **FurryCurry** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 3:39 pm

^^ what he said.

AbsoluteDestiny · Post by **AbsoluteDestiny** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 4:00 pm

I know this is coming from completely the wrong person but I will say this.

You do not need any effects to make a brilliant video.

Now, I've got a bit of a reputation recently for using "effects" but I never really think of them as effects. Some of my videos I get an idea for a visual style that I want to create, so I do that - it's more of an experiment in visual composition most of the time (my latest video especially). However, this not necessary at all.

In some videos, effects really really get in the way. The only thing you need to know is that you have to make things fit. If that includes the techniques you have talked about then be creative and try to attain them but you dont always need these techiques to make a video work.

Truly great videos just do whatever is necessary to convey the right impression with the music and visuals - if that includes effects then you only have to think about what is right for that moment.... just remember that the moment may be much better without an effect.

Just think about what the video actually needs to make it work, and do it. If it doesn't need something and you just want to do it for the sake of it then think twice.

ErMaC · Post by **ErMaC** » Sat Sep 14, 2002 4:11 pm

Despite my similar reputation I should back up what Ian said. Any effects you use should fit into the concept of the video you are making.

Sometimes my video concepts involves lots of "effects" like Soul of an Angel. Sometimes my video concepts call for none of them, like Cowboy Blues. Sometimes they call for only a single specific effect, like Life is But a Dream.

Digital effects may be a way of "pushing the envelope" of what can be achieved in an AMV (like Vlad's Transcending Love or Tainted Donuts before it) but if you just want to make a video that's powerful or you like, you don't need them, per se. I know there's been people lately talking about a lack of innovation or the stagnation of AMVs. Frankly I think that while people may be going over some of the same basic concepts again, that doesn't mean they aren't any good.

Hell, The Matrix was a pastiche of Ghost in the Shell, Hong Kong Action, and Descarte's Meditations. Doesn't mean it wasn't a good movie. None of the big three videos I did this year I feel has pushed the envelope or explored new territory in terms of concept like I felt Soul of an Angel did, but I still enjoy them and I think they're good videos.