Individual vs MEPs

[Infinity Squared]

To tell you the truth, I haven't been as active in the org community as I have been in the past few months, mainly because it is my summer holidays (which is unfortunately ending and probably will mean my return to dormancy ). Before this sudden spurt of activity in the forums and IRC as well as other chat rooms and forums devoted AMVs, I was mainly concerned about my individual projects, always planning and constructing my ideas into something tangible.

Now though, 3 of the 5 videos which are listed on my org profile since summer started are from MEPs. I guess it's just the sense of community and having only to do a small section, but I sort of felt this summer that following MEPs was a good way to go. For the most part, it was fun.

However, this has led to me slowing down on the production of my individual projects. I mean, think about it, 30 seconds is an easier amount of time to be at a maximum level in the creativity and quality of your work than 5 minutes is. Last year 3 of the videos which I produced at roughly about this same time were all individual videos. This time around, I know I have even more ideas simmering in my brain compared to last year, however MEPs have taken a lot of my time, regardless of the initial assumption that they take shorter time to create. Many of the other ideas which I have since before summer began which I planned my holidays to do them on ended up not being done.

So yeah, the topic at hand... are MEPs killing your drive to pursue your individual projects?

Me, I reckon it's just a passing thing... or at least until after I've satisfied myself enough with this whole MEP thing anyway... who knows

[Willen]

I've noticed that many verteran editors are doing primarily MEPs nowadays. I don't know if it is because of an editor's time constraints or because of a trend in the world of AMVs. I suppose that technically MEP segments should be quicker to do because of the length. Also, there are many AMV ideas that won't make it as a full song-length AMV but fit perfectly as a clip in a MEP. Plus, many of the "Iron Chef" type competitions end up compiled into a MEP (they are short, too). It also allows people to be part of a larger group and have a feeling of participation and cooperation, I think.

Or you are all just getting lazy.

[Infinity Squared]

Since when have AMV creators never been lazy

How often are we doing the last minute rushes to hand in videos to cons?

That's also the other thing I've noticed about MEPs... association with big names... does it make you look like a better editor?

[JCD]

MEPs are quite often seductive. It's also quite nice at times to make a 30 second segment you can go all out on rather than doing all that stuff on a 3-5 minute video.

However, I myself at least don't get as much statisfaction out of finishing or watching a MEP track of my own than a stand alone video. I'm much more proud of a full video than of a 30 second track obviously, even if I have quite often a bit more fun during editing the MEP track

So I try to avoid them in order to get more full videos done. If there's a great idea with lots of potential and good editors for a MEP, I can't resist tho

[Fall_Child42]

Yeah JCD is right, MEP's are wonderful as a distraction because I'm sure like many others i've been very busy with school, work etc so putting massive amounts of time and effort into a full length video is a difficult proposal. MEPs give editors a chance to actually complete something but the end result just isn't as satisfying usually as having an entire self made project.

Another part of MEPs that makes them so alluring is being able to be a part of something big, part of a group project, especially for non veteran editors (read N00B) like myself, it feels good to be a part of something that so many great editors you respect are also doing.

ED Note.

None of this applies to Iron Chef Idol.

[Bakadeshi]

Its also fun to work with other editors and often times make new friends in the AMV world when participating in an MEP. you also learn new things and are likely to get more beta help from other members in the project than with your own personal video. So MEPs are often times a great learning experience aswell. Its also great to see how all the different tallents fall in place togehter to make a complete flowing video (when done properly anyway ;p)

However, I'm with JCD that even though I have alot of fun with MEPs, I get more satisfaction watching a complete video after its done than just the 30-60 sec track I did for an MEP.

[Kusoyaro]

I've done a bunch of MEPs lately because, well, a lot of the video ideas I get for them tend to be half-assed. But if I only have to sustain the idea for 30 seconds, maybe a minute...well, there's a good chance it'll come out looking whole-assed

[Beowulf]

Meh MEPs suck. You watch them once, half of the content is ALWAYS bad, and they usually are nothing more than a 8-12 minute splooge of effects with techno.

I don't think I've ever seen an MEP and said "Man! All those songs and animes match perfectly!"

That and they distract my favorite editors from making something worthwhile.

[[Mike of the Desert]]

Individual VS M.E.P.?
------------------------
INDIVIDUAL

Unless as MEP you mean collaboration of 2, 3 people.. There the situation can change.. ;O

[jasper-isis]

So yeah, the topic at hand... are MEPs killing your drive to pursue your individual projects?

If anything, they increased my drive to pursue individual projects. But I was devoting so much time to the MEP that I didn't have much energy left to edit my own stuff. It was a major point of frustration for me last year (AMV-wise, anyway). In a large part due to my role in Animasia, the two videos I had planned for the summer con season got pushed aside. Since Animasia was completed, I've already released two videos this year and two more are gaining significant progress. (Bakadeshi calls it a "record." )

It's been tempting to join in some of the more recent projects, and I've a few weird MEP ideas myself, but I'm restraining myself from new MEPs now - at least until ProjeKct Life is done and I've got a few more solo projects knocked out.