Hey... do we have qualifications?

Arcane Azmadi · Post by **Arcane Azmadi** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 8:38 am

I was just wondering... considering the incredible talents of some of the AMV makers out there, don't you think they'd count as some kind of industrial qualification, especially in the field of video editing? I don't mean beginners like me and my friends, I mean people like Fluxmeister and Zarxrax. A dream of mine (a stupid one, but a dream I like to believe in, especially since I have no other skills I can use to make a career) is to make previews for an anime distribution company. I mean, a really good preview is an AMV- has anyone seen the Berserk trailer, set to 'Berserk Forces'? It's cool as (almost made me actually want to watch Berserk!), although compared to a really professionally done AMV it ain't got nothing. A lot of companies (like The Right Stuf, Tokyopop and Bandai) have really poor trailers compared to the likes of ADV (who are pretty cool, if uncreative). So does anyone see a career opportunity here? If not in making anime previews, then in some other area? (Of course, for all I know a lot of the best AMV makers actually do work professionally in video editing already.) What? I'm an idiot? Probably... eh heh.

trythil · Post by **trythil** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 9:02 am

Sure -- just tell a company that you'd like several months to prepare a good bit of work, or that you just don't feel like editing something right now because nothing strikes you as inspiring.

The kinds of things that are demanded in the real world, not happy-go-lucky-AMV-world, are results. It doesn't matter if they're not the next mindblowing thing in floating overlays or spazztastic inverts of retinal rape. There are deadlines, and by the end of that deadline there better be something usable, otherwise you're going to find yourself hogtied on the highway in high-definition while someone else completes your job.

There are also other, lesser problems, like the fact that you can't really do very much to the footage as far as manipulation goes.

Therefore, I think it's the constraints of the real world, not incompetence, that best explain why some of the productions you see don't "measure up".

For what it's worth, there is at least one video professional registered on this site. Check his stuff out; it's pretty good.

NicholasDWolfwood · Post by **NicholasDWolfwood** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 12:21 pm

Kusoyaro and AbsoluteDestiny have also made a commercial trailer (both for Noir DVD7)

Voices_Of_Ryan · Post by **Voices_Of_Ryan** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 12:33 pm

They both said ADV provided them with the release of the first 5 dvd's,
Wonder if they let them keep them.

dokool · Post by **dokool** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 12:45 pm

Voices_Of_Ryan wrote:They both said ADV provided them with the release of the first 5 dvd's,
Wonder if they let them keep them.

Duh... if your work is getting distributed to 10s of thousands of people, the least they can do is let you keep the source material.

And if not, I'm sure they were smart enough to backup the VOBs =)

dokool · Post by **dokool** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 12:54 pm

Arcane Azmadi wrote:I was just wondering... considering the incredible talents of some of the AMV makers out there, don't you think they'd count as some kind of industrial qualification, especially in the field of video editing?

I wouldn't tout my AMVs as qualification to work in the field of video, unless it was to an independent studio where this kinda stuff *might* be seen in a good light. I imagine that for the most part, corporations (big production houses, major TV networks, etc) wouldn't take someone whose portfolio consisted of fandom works very seriously.

Arcane Azmadi wrote: A dream of mine (a stupid one, but a dream I like to believe in, especially since I have no other skills I can use to make a career) is to make previews for an anime distribution company. I mean, a really good preview is an AMV- has anyone seen the Berserk trailer, set to 'Berserk Forces'? It's cool as (almost made me actually want to watch Berserk!), although compared to a really professionally done AMV it ain't got nothing.

It's not unheard of for AMV-makers to take part in the process: as mentioned before, AbsoluteDestiny and Kusoyaro, along with two other editors, were invited to make AMVs for Noir disc 7. However, they were restricted to using cuts and fades only, with no other alterations to the video.

Arcane Azmadi wrote:A lot of companies (like The Right Stuf, Tokyopop and Bandai) have really poor trailers compared to the likes of ADV (who are pretty cool, if uncreative.)

The reason I *believe* this is true (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) is because the companies aren't allowed to alter the footage in any way, shape, or form, because it violates the licence. What we're doing by making AMVs is technically illegal, and the reason that our videos may look immensely superior to, say, a trailer put out by ADV or Pioneer, is because they have to hold to the law. It's the same reason that their trailers are always to the opening theme of the anime: we may have free reign enough to use whatever music we want, they aren't so lucky.

In the end, AMVs aren't really a qualifier for editing competency. I use this hobby to practice my editing skills: I don't expect it to get me anything more than spots in a few contests and maybe a fan or two. However, I do take what I learn while making AMVs (principles of editing and timing) to try to improve my filmmaking.

-DOKool

Voices_Of_Ryan · Post by **Voices_Of_Ryan** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 12:57 pm

I think dokool's saying "it's a hobby, don't get into it with the idea you're gonna make money".

Fungie½ · Post by **Fungie½** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 1:07 pm

First of all, it's not a stupid dream by any means ^_^ I'd like to become a professional video editor in the future. If trailers is your things, by all means, go for it! Don't ever think you're not as good as any other editors. The way I see it, we're all equals, and there shouldn't be any reason you should be nervous about it.

You might want to talk to the company you want to work for (I think you mentioned ADV) about how to apply for a job and the different fields that you can apply for. There may be some requirements and they may ask for a portfolio of your work or some such collatoral. You may want to take some courses in film studies and editing.

Like trythil said, there are definately going to be some deadlines. I'm sure with enough time, you could pull off an amazing trailer but most of the time, you're given a matter of hours to make it. That's why a lot of professional videos aren't that great. I think the best one I've seen is the Sol Bianca AMV on the first disc.

Keep your goal high and I'm sure one day you will get your job ^_^

AbsoluteDestiny · Post by **AbsoluteDestiny** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 1:10 pm

(a reason why a lot of commerical AMVs arent very good is because they dont have the rights to much music. For the noir one we could choose the op or the ed and that's all.)

Nightowl · Post by **Nightowl** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 6:19 pm

Tim Park (dokidoki) and I were the other two to do Noir videos. I forgot to give them my insurance form, so I didn't get my $50. But I made my money back off those DVDs - we did get to keep em - I made more off selling the discs than ADV was actually willing to pay. There are a lot of people on this site who have similar stories - cutting trailers for DVD release is a pretty sucky job... and because they farm it all out to any non-union editor willing to do it, they can pay whatever they want.

Anyway, I wouldn't suggest using AMVs as portfolio pieces unless the company is a bunch of crazy upstart kids - and even then, you've gotta make sure they actually like anime. The only two videos that have ever gotten me jobs are Love is Flowers (which showed that I could do split screen... oooooooh, technical...) and Playground Love (which actually did get me some pretty decent work). That's all I have to add. I'm going back into my hole.

-N

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