The Replacement for AWA Masters

[Freeptop]

I kinda like the idea of the unsigned music contest... but the problem with that is that some unsigned artists are unsigned for a reason.

I wouldn't want the audience's ears to bleed for an hour and I'd be worried that without any songs people knew they might get bored. I wouldn't cause I love all types of music and especially like hearing new good music but I think alot of people are uncomfortable or (worse) bored by music they don't know. Which is really sad and depressing but yeah it happens.

Or you could just make it "non-RIAA label artists". The complete list of RIAA labels can be found at: ( http://www.riaa.com/about/members/default.asp ), and that acts pretty well as a list of major-labels. So, they wouldn't be unsigned (though they could be), but you pretty much wouldn't get anything that gets played on commercial radio.

To go along with this, perhaps there could be a list of "most popular anime series" that are disallowed from being used (i.e., no Eva, no DBZ, etc vids; perhaps just take the top 10-50 most used anime series from here to use as the list). In other words, try to get more unusual songs and anime used for the vids.

[trythil]

that is to say, only unsigned and non-major record label artists could be used.

Maybe something like only music under a Creative Commons license.

Well, actually, that's political.

Never mind. Can't get involved in that, now can we.

[bloodyfang]

I kinda like the idea of the unsigned music contest... but the problem with that is that some unsigned artists are unsigned for a reason.

I wouldn't want the audience's ears to bleed for an hour and I'd be worried that without any songs people knew they might get bored. I wouldn't cause I love all types of music and especially like hearing new good music but I think alot of people are uncomfortable or (worse) bored by music they don't know. Which is really sad and depressing but yeah it happens.

Or you could just make it "non-RIAA label artists". The complete list of RIAA labels can be found at: ( http://www.riaa.com/about/members/default.asp ), and that acts pretty well as a list of major-labels. So, they wouldn't be unsigned (though they could be), but you pretty much wouldn't get anything that gets played on commercial radio.

To go along with this, perhaps there could be a list of "most popular anime series" that are disallowed from being used (i.e., no Eva, no DBZ, etc vids; perhaps just take the top 10-50 most used anime series from here to use as the list). In other words, try to get more unusual songs and anime used for the vids.

That may be a good limitation resource...

I've never cared much for the idea of not allowing a certain anime just because it's used frequently. Always seemed elitist to me. I've just always seen it as a general rule that if you are going to use a commonly used source, then you better make it something special or not expect to win.

As far as music goes www.purevolume.com has a rather large listing of unsigned bands and phade's new website could be used as well once it starts getting up on it's feet.

[jbone]

An 'idea' I had for a challenge/contest...

The editor is limited to 1 episode of whatever Anime they want to us. Limit it to shows that are 30 minutes long. Basically they have to make 3-5 minute video with only 20 mins of footage, which is a challenge.

That was my Masters video this year. With the concept, I ended up with around 15 minutes worth of footage for my 4-minute video.

Re: 30 min source.... I'd worry about how many people would want to compete in something that awkward....

It actually isn't too awkward, IF a person has the right concept.

[Zarxrax]

How about a contest where the videos follow an unexpected theme based on the source. For instance, a dramatic Azumanga video, or a yaoi Berserk video, or a comedic grave of the fireflies (ok, ok, that last one has been done to death, but you get the idea). This could also encompass crossover videos that tell an original story.
The idea is basically to just go somewhere with the video that is totally original and unexpected--no naruto action videos, or excel saga comedies.

The videos could be judged by a panel of judges or something, not only on how well the video is made, but it would also be scored heavily on how well it fit the theme of doing something original and unexpected.

[AMV_4000]

a studio editor Contest, get this, It'll be awarded like masters, the losers play first then the winner, but what it is, for all of the studios out there, they all collab on 1 video and enter it. a lot like masters in the way that 1 video per studio, best video wins, and all that good stuff.. maby even add that only 1 person from your studio had to win a contest to enter...

also when giving the award, tell the audience that you have picked one of the following 3 videos, and play all 3 vids and then announce the winner, for suspense! then the winning studio comes up, says a little something about their video, and departs!


or you could have the (ones that we liked but since they didnt fit any categories we just wanted to give them a staff award!)

speaking of Guest awards.. .you could always just play the guest award videos then....

[Rozard]

I just had a thought. Looking at this year's program, we have an EGL panel, Ballroom dancing clinic, several drawing panels, Fanfic seminars, doujinshi panels...why not have an AMV related panel?

I mean, not like the panels we already have. I was thinking something like a workshop, or a roundtable discussion. At JACON, we have a panel featuring many of the editors who attend, and they're asked questions from the audience about whatever. I wasn't able to make last year's panel, but the year prior's was very fun. One of the best parts was a story Corbo told about an encounter he had I'm trying to remember how many people were there for it, I thought there was a good amount. Maybe Hsien or someone could remember.

Another idea would be a panel workshop, like Intro to Editing or something. Maybe even a specialized deal, like Vlad showing how to do some masking, dwchang revealing the secrets to romance videos Or we could show how to use different platforms (Premiere, Vegas, Ulead, Magix, WMM, etc.)

Just an idea, let me know what you think.

[MCWagner]

Lotsa stuff to reply to here. Sorry all, normal world caught up with me an beat me to a turn. Let's see...

Re: Unsigned artist

I'd have to be convinced that this is a good idea, 'cause I know nothing about the music scene. (Hobby I can't afford.) If I understand correctly, it would be a pretty random assortment too... no connecting theme, so it would essentially be a more rarified Expo.

Re: Computerized random-sort

Pretty certain this wouldn't work. A random assignment would mean that some people get lucky and others get complete crap matches, and they're all to be judged on the same basis? Really more of a stunt than an opportunity for real creativity.

Re: 1 episode challenge

Sounding more feasable... would we exclude OAVs and movies?

Re: Unexpected theme

Nice idea, difficult to adjudicate. Would work well as a challenge... might have two final awards, best video and best play-against-type that would allow for recognizing a really unexpected match that just <i>couldn't</i> be pulled off as well as a less clashing idea.

Re: Studio Challenge

A nice, workable idea, but really similar to Masters'. Kinda like to try something new and out-there.

(Oh, and the Guest Awards are rarely known in total before the end of the convention. Can't really line them up before then.)

Re: Panels

Panels and the like are set for the VAT room. We skipped panels this year because of a schedule fustercluck, but they'll be back for next year. The reason we can't run them in main is because of the hard timelimits I've got for the room. We're not allowed to run over, and panels really don't pull in the numbers of people to justify taking over main for them. Sorry.


So the general thing I'm hearing is a preference for some kind of clever theme (of one form or another) or individually-assigned challenges of some sort. Hmm...

[MousePotato]

OR! we could bring back the Masters....

[Pie Row Maniac]

OR! we could bring back the Masters....

The man has a point.