Anything you can do, I can do better?

Iphigenia · Post by **Iphigenia** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:14 pm

Hey guys, I have a general question about AMV morals.

About a month ago I saw this (FFX) Amv which had the most kickass song and some of the crappiest editing I've ever seen. The AMV itself only barely worked BECAUSE the song was so good.

Anyway, the first thing that popped into my head afterwards was "I could do better" but I held myself back because I wasn't really sure if that was fair.

But the song stuck with me with plot-bunny tenacity and one day I was sitting around and began cobbling together various scraps and what ifs, scene ideas really. Before I knew it I had a third of a video done.

I would never have heard the song if not for that AMV and I intend to finish my amv that has the same song and the same footage source (Final Fantasy X and X-2) but my idea and clip use is completely different. I don't do one thing that was similar to the other artist.

So uh, now that you know the situation would you say its ok for me to go ahead and finish this?

Vancore · Post by **Vancore** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:36 pm

Go for it, If I had stopped doing my idea of Trigun done to the song Wild Wild West because I had seen another vid of that type done I probably would have never gotten into editing, never did the vids I did, and never met the people I have met. If your really into making this vid do it and be damned the consquences of haveing done a done idea, you've seen thier version, didn't like it, and now have a version of your own to show. Crappy vids can inspire great work as much as good ones sometimes.

JaddziaDax · Post by **JaddziaDax** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:04 pm

i dont see why not?? i dont get mad when people try to out do me

Niotex · Post by **Niotex** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:53 pm

i actualy asked a guy ones if i could redo his video to make it better and explained to him what sucked he said sure aslong as you make it kickass and include me in the credits... now he hates my guts cause i didnt release it

pen-pen2002 · Post by **pen-pen2002** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:03 pm

Sure you should finish it, there are a couple of reasons:

1. We are not profesionals, rules of comon courtisy still apply but you (should) be editing for yourself and the enjoyment of others. If you really want to do something, as long as it is not blatent stealing, you should.

2. We are a growing comunity, AMVs improve through the interchange of ideas, if people could "claim" combos, styles, or effects, then the comunity would stagnate.

3. Call me an idealist, but I think Concept is more important than song anime combo in terms of influencing the final product.

4. You could always say "inspired by ____" to give them some credit for the pairing.

Good luck.

Iphigenia · Post by **Iphigenia** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:36 pm

Thanks guys!

That was really helpful and I did intend to credit her for the inspiration

The song is, btw, Teenage Ange which is just beautiful for FFX

I just hope my "inspiration" doesn't send me flames

staces · Post by **staces** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:46 pm

I know what you mean.

I just recently have finished (but have yet to upload) an AMV where the song and anime combo had done. I actually watched the other one meticulously while making mine just to make sure than none of the same footage was in the same places/order as in their AMV. -^^-

Their AMV was okay, especially it being the persons first, but I counted a total of 66 clips in a 4 minute song and I had over 66 clips within the first 45 seconds of mine! 0.0 . . . Yes, I am a "sit on the suitcase to cram it all in" kinda editor. ^^

But seeing people's reactions to this sort of occurence, I may actually now upload mine. ^^;;

requiett · Post by **requiett** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:25 pm

Iphigenia pretentiously wrote:

Hey guys, I have a general question about AMV morals.

Sorry homes. I stopped taking anything you said seriously after that first sentence.

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:34 pm

requiett wrote:
Iphigenia pretentiously wrote:Hey guys, I have a general question about AMV morals.
Sorry homes. I stopped taking anything you said seriously after that first sentence.

It's not pretense, it's wanting to be accepted by the AMV community.

Insofar as such a thing exists.

-Cye- · Post by **-Cye-** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:16 pm

I would just list in your comments where you got the idea from and the previous creator or something. The only way I think it would be dishonest or whatever is if you didn't give any credit or say anything about the original creator. But that's just me.