1 for 1, my AMV needs help!

[OniZabuza]

http://www.kithedman.com/amv/AfterFINAL.avi

So my AMV is in its final stages, I need some advice on it. It's an FFX video, not terribly original, but it's a solidly editted AMV. I will op any vid if you download it and tell me...

Things that worked:

Things that didn't work:

General reasons people might give low ratings to this video:

Thanks!

[Ingow]

Things that worked:
The atmosphere and storyline. I like how you kept a certain substance to the whole thing, you didn't lose all parts of actually watching a story in the dance beats like a lot of videos do, so that's pretty good. Also it was kind of emotional and even though I've seen some FFX videos a lot of the scenes you used were pretty new to me, so it's a pretty original scene selection you did. I also thought that it was a nice touch for my eyes that you didn't overkill the entire thing with special effects. Those that you used however were nice and subtle, actually I really enjoyed them.

Things that didn't work:
I could now chronologically recall a lot of the scenes that were in the video, meaning you stayed too long on most of them. Some of the scenes just felt kinda stretched out (like the one where they're...skating in the sky...whatever...I don't play FF :s). Additionally like I said you used some of the more original scenes, but it also seemed that since you did that you left out some of the more emotional scenes that you could've used instead. Even though the atmosphere is pretty good, it maybe could've been better if you had given up on the originality and had used more of the other more often used scenes (which I don't really recommend, it's just something you have to choose yourself). Also the plot you have in your video is just retelling the game it seems (for an outsider) instead of having its own focus on a special moment or character, so even though there was something to follow it was too much of a mixup sometimes.

General reasons people might give low ratings to this video:
The black and white flashes. People will hate them, they want to see a video overkilled by effects, each beat seperately synched with a seperate effect or transition. I don't like that and it destroys pretty much every kind of atmosphere or storyline but y'know it's what people expect from a video that's using this kind of music I guess.

[OniZabuza]

Wow thank you man. I think you're exactly right on everything. I really stretched to show more video than most people see in an FFX vid. The criticism is very helpful. Do you have an AMV you want op'd?

[Cornwiggle]

I'll help you out, give me 30 minutes though, that's how long it'll take for it to download.

Here's my vid:

http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... p?v=125552

All I ask is that you

1. Read my comments
2. Listen to the lyrics.

[Ingow]

Wow thank you man. I think you're exactly right on everything. I really stretched to show more video than most people see in an FFX vid. The criticism is very helpful.

No prob, I'm glad when I can help somehow

Do you have an AMV you want op'd?

Yeah, kinda, if you can handle Shonen-Ai and a german song:
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... hp?v=77706

If you can't:
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... p?v=115310

Thx :>

[Cornwiggle]

Things that worked:

I actually really liked your white and dark flashes, they were well timed and looked very good. Great lyric synching and mood setup too. I say keep the flashes.


Things that didn't:

There were too many "cropping with black bars" parts. While that is a good effect, I think it should be used sparcely, because it would make it dramatic. If you use that a little less on only the most dramatic scenes I think you'd capture your mood a lot better.

Oh and the pixellation of the visual.


Reasons why this might get a low score:

It's FF....most are extremely tired of these vids, the same with Naruto, DBZ, or Sailormoon. That's the only reason, though I think it should be given a chance, since this is not a N00b vid.

[Kisanzi]

Things that worked:
Like InGow Said, the atomosphere is great. Even though you used the dance version of the song it was still sentmental while keeping with the beat. I liked your use of geometry and cropping at the beginning. The left/right crop flashes looked nice for the part of the song you used them for. And I always think it looks good when crop motion is used nicely.

Things that didn't work:
First off, I agree about the white/black flashes. They got very unappealing very quickly. When paired with the geometry it was nice because it was slow and looked nice, but the fullscreen flashes during the faster parts, starting at 1:18, really bothered me. Not due to the fact that they are distracting but to me it just doesn't do the song justice. There's such a nice beat and some synth to follow but you're just hitting the bass with a simple fade/flash. Not to tell you to go effect crazy on those parts, but I feel they can be alot more exciting than flashes and fades. The scenes underneath looked ok, but the flashes kinda diminished the interest after so long.

Also the ending is kinda flat. For the last 7 seconds you just dropped any kind of beat sync and just streamed two scenes and then faded away. It didn't give alot of closure to such a high energy vid. You don't need to overload the ending, but it would look nice if the video ended with a little of the energy/technique that carried it the whole way.

Other than that just be sure to make your final version with better quality. It probably becuase this was a beta but make sure to have a cleaner final encode once you finish. Seeing this video clean and crisp will really acentuate the colors and footage.

General reasons people might give low ratings to this video:
Well, the flashes would distance some viewers. The technical sticklers might get upset at your resolution. But hey, there's no way to please everyone. I think Final Fantasy fans and dance video fans will find a nice watch here. I gotta say that I was pleasantly suprised. Your vid has a good mood and energy that carries the scenes and effects nicely with the music. It just need a little more polish and balancing during the faster parts and it'll be a smooth watch.


I'd appreciate an OP on Lightspeed Rush in my sig. It's a dancy video like this one but I focused more on the variety of effects. I'd appreciate it! I look forward to seeing your finished vid!

[OniZabuza]

hey guys, just to let you know, i incorperated just about everything you suggested into the final product. it will be done today, ill PM you guys when its up