AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

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SeanPNG
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Re: AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

Post by SeanPNG » Fri Oct 14, 2016 6:21 pm

As far as standards for professionalism i know we had a short list of guidelines in the Discord call, mostly basic chat etiquette "don't reveal yours or other videos...others want to remain blind" "dont trash or insult a video without offering anything constructive or helpful" stuff like that. We also wrote some things down specifically about the stream (again stuff like "the stream quality wont be 100% accurate" "watch the vids yourself as well" etc) and mentioned those rules before the streams began in the day.

so maybe it might make sense that these be written somewhere everyone can see. i just figured that there are guidelines specific to chats, and other guidelines specific to streams and so on.

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Re: AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

Post by Mr Pilkington » Fri Oct 14, 2016 7:05 pm

Those rules are fine and well, but professionalism is about conduct.
That said the longer something is deliberated the more likely one is to subject themselves to such inappropriate conduct in such a way that may not expressly breach the rules. Everyone is far too concerned about being reactive no one has yet to discuss proactive measures. The main body of my wall o' text was to say that things have gone wrong and a this point are spiraling out of control on a collision course for disaster. We're not here to finger-point or police the previous contest. It's over and this is about moving on with improvements for next year. What I am simply stating is that in the name of both fairness for the participants and professionalism as the conduct guideline, any deliberation be limited and self-governed. If we're talking about entry 17-xyz for 45 minutes then there is a problem. Someone is pushing an agenda be it deliberate or not, and for the sake of impartiality and professionalism it's time to can that debate and move on. I'd go so far as to say once the discussion becomes a debate, which often occurs quickly, do as I do in ProPain: End the debate, ask for a brief word from someone who may not have been heard yet, break to refill beverages or get a 13th helping of those damn delicious meatballs, and move on to the next video. A little management goes a long way.

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Re: AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

Post by PieandBeer » Fri Oct 14, 2016 8:27 pm

yo yo yo lets take these discussions to a separate thread. jingoro wants this to be about categories. perhaps we can also wait a bit to discuss awa pro rules/viewings so that were a bit more removed and clear headed v:

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Re: AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

Post by Mr Pilkington » Fri Oct 14, 2016 8:42 pm

The flames were doused before and it's all ways lead to further release of the rules. At this point I've kept my mouth shut but if there is no middle-ground then by the time the rules go up again, the sliver of the contest that we had, is gone. If that's the case then so be it. As stated prior rules are rules and if you're going to participate do so accordingly. But It's coming to a breaking point. At closing ceremonies the take away was: if you want to get in a chat and just make this a jury decision go for it. That is not the Pro contest I have been a part of for so long. It's not expo. This is a peer review and when I see hurt feelings and distinct (though small) bias someone needs to put their foot down before that grows into a problem. I can and will be the bad guy if I must. But I'll be damned if I'm going to sit back and watch the shit show unfold without saying anything further. If there wasn't a discussion to be had the thread I left on page 3 wouldn't be at this point.

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Re: AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

Post by SeanPNG » Fri Oct 14, 2016 11:42 pm

Before we can start talking about what categories should be included i think its important we come up with some definitions for categories. I wanted to get the ball rolling on this topic but i'm going to need other's help with this. I wanted to start with a simple one:

Best Technical
Definition: Risk vs Reward - This is meant to award an editor who worked to create a unique video through the use of technical effects and editing, without any apparent mistakes or technical errors, and without taking away from the overall theme and concept of the video. While it is imperative that this be awarded to a video that is technially clean, sound and as error free as possible, it is also important to rememeber this is also meant to reward an editor who risked using unique or difficult effects and still came out on top.

(this is the part i'll need other editors help with.)
For newer editors judging here are some common mistakes or technical errors to look for: (obviously my descriptions will need to be fleshed out but here are the basics)

Fades to 100% black - is bad because it can be jarring to the eye and can cause a projector at a con to miss a frame or two while playing.
Aspect Ratio - [insert reasons why upscaling is bad]
ghost frames - occasionally there can be stray scenes that get caught in the video that werent meant to be there. usually only a frame long.
Resampling - a default setting in some programs that may need adjusting, occurs when scenes are sped up or slowed down

any additional comments or feedback on this idea would be greatly appreciated. also feel free to post your own definitions of other categories i just wanted to get the ball rolling on this idea

PS: i might get a google doc going so people can post and edit definitions for categories freely where everyone can see it.

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Re: AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

Post by ngsilver » Sat Oct 15, 2016 12:15 am

I'm going to play devils advocate here with some of your definitions of what equals technical errors. Almost all of the items you suggest could be artfully added for a technical merrit of it's own by an editor in order to come up with something else interesting, I'd reference the video as an example of an editor who basically put all the gripes and editing errors popular at the time (similar to what you've listed, as many of these are now popular as being bad) and made a video that was considered technically sound and good. As it is your definition overall seems to merrit techniques and effects that are able to be seen and noticed as an effect. I would argue that the best effect is one that is not noticed at all. That is what should be strived for.


Keep in mind that I would also argue on the fade to black thing, any proper encode, playback system, projector included, worth it's salt should not have any issues with black frames, especially not eating them. Black and the absence of video can and should be used to highten the effect of certain types of scenes and ideas no matter how you get there, fade to or cut to.
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Re: AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

Post by SeanPNG » Sat Oct 15, 2016 12:34 am

Yea i can see your point on alot of those things. I definitly agree that there are alot of effects that, when done correctly, will be hard to notice at all, and its going to be difficult to teach newer editors to have their eyes out for those sorts of things. I suppose the simplest way of putting it is to look for effects that seem jarring or out of place, but so long as it doesnt take away from the theme of the video it may not be a big deal. like with the video you mentioned those errors didnt take away from the concept because they WERE the concept (which actually makes me rethink my original complaints about Into the Langire).
Likewise with the fades to black. i'd assume your right that the projector issue may be a bit outdated. Sometimes though a cut to black that only lasts a frame or a few frames can be jarring to the viewer but it depends. then again i dont want to be hypocritical as i do love using full black scenes during quiet or silent moments in songs XD

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Re: AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

Post by Kireblue » Sat Oct 15, 2016 1:05 am

***I think that the main categories should be the following: Action, Drama, Romance, Upbeat, Best Video. These categories should be main categories because they are almost certain to receive the most entries and meet the minimum number to make a competitive category. These categories should always be in the competition, and its unlikely that there will ever be a need to remove them. But just in case, all of these categories can be listed on a single page during the category selection process. And instead of giving participants the ability to vote for them, they can be given the option to vote to "remove this category from the available awards" or "opt out" of them. If more than half the voters vote to remove a main category, then it is removed for that particular year.

Best Action
Best video that excites you, and fills you with adrenaline.

Best Drama
Best video that captures and conveys heavily dramatic events, emotions, or situations.

Best Romance
Best video that portrays a romantic feeling or relationship in the most compelling way.

Best Upbeat
Best energy filled video that typically leaves an overall fun and good feeling with the viewer.

Best Video
Video that best demonstrates all characteristics that go into making an excellent anime music video.

***I feel that there should also be provisional main categories that aren't guaranteed to receive enough videos, but usually do. These could be on a separate voting page, but could also have a "opt out" instead of a "opt in" approach to nominating them.

Best Sentimental
Best video that explores sentimental themes like nostalgia, friendship, adventure, and wonder.

Best Comedy
Best video that made you laugh the hardest.

Best Technical
Video that showcased the highest level of proficiency and expertise in editing.

Best Storytelling
Best video that expresses a plot or narrative in the most compelling way.

Best Character Profile
Video that best portrays a specific character.

***I feel that the following categories are the most likely to receive a handful of videos but lack the number to make a competitive category. Unlike the main categories, they can be voted "yes" on or "opted in". If x% of the voters "opt in" for these categories, then they can be added for that particular year.

Best Trailer
Best Video that uses or creates a cinematic trailer audio/ experience.

Best Parody
Best video that imitates or satirizes a known genre or piece of media.

Best Live Action
Best video that uses live action footage as its main video source.

Best Horror
Best video that creates a frightening or creepy atmosphere.

Best Artistic Endeavor
Video that best showcases a unique concept, creative idea, or unconventional editing technique.

Btw, I stole most of these category descriptions from the VCA threads that dokidoki made a few years ago http://www.animemusicvideos.org/forum/v ... m.php?f=91

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Re: AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

Post by Kireblue » Sat Oct 15, 2016 2:09 am

Actually just thought of an addition to my idea

Since my previous post simplifies the category selection process by deciding the main categories in advance and making most of them "opt out" instead of "opt in", I think that it opens the door for jingoro to streamline the finalist selection process as well.

How about using the survey monkey site to also send the link and password for the video hosting site. This allows the first email that he sends us contain not only the videos, but also the category selection survey.

And to streamline the process even more, the category selection survey and the finalist nomination survey can be all in one. Pages 1 & 2 can be for confirming the main categories. Page 3 can be for opting in for the extra categories. And pages 4+ can be for nominating finalists for every possible category mentioned on the first 3 pages. This means that people will be voting for finalists at the same time that they are voting for categories. If you don't feel that there should be a XYZ category a particular year, you can vote "no" for it, and still nominate videos for it just in case. You also have the option to abstain from that category and not nominate anything. If all of these features are implemented, it will allow the video distribution, category selection, and finalist nomination process to be completed in 10 days or whatever X number of days that jingoro would like to set the time limit as.

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Re: AWA Professional Awards 2017 Category Selection

Post by Kionon » Sat Oct 15, 2016 5:38 am

Okay, there's a ton I just had to catch up on, so let me be very bullet point oriented:

1) I have entered Pro multiple times. Pro, as all AWA contests and other aspects of AWA in general are, is historically important to me, but...

2) I have not entered Pro recently. That said...

3) Pro Drama is Pro Drama is Pro Drama, I have seen nothing in 2016 that wasn't in 2006 and all years in between. This isn't about old or new. This is just Pro.

4) I like Ileia's moderator/beta idea. I would support that. I also don't mind choosing one or the other. I'd like to enter Pro next year. I might not. If we set a decision deadline for either entering (blind) or being a moderator/beta tester (public) for Pro, I think this is a good idea.
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