Top AMV creators crossover to mainstream media?

Hephaestus · Post by **Hephaestus** » Sat Jan 03, 2004 11:52 am

Currently I'm in the process of looking to cross over to making videos as a my career. I've done a little bit of freelance work but not much.

RichLather · Post by **RichLather** » Sat Jan 03, 2004 7:56 pm

I've been editing professionally for the local network affiliate's TV news for almost 7 years now.

madbunny · Post by **madbunny** » Sat Jan 03, 2004 11:42 pm

I used to work in the 'film industry' out in north hollywood at an effects shop. I have to tell you that if you tried to spend the same amount of time on a project as we do on AMVs then you would probably be taken into an alley and shot. The amazing thing about the industry is that you are surrounded by people that are at the top of their game... and plenty more ready, no EAGER to replace you. Your work had to be GOOD and FAST. Well, actually mostly fast.
If I wanted to put in some extra stuff to make a project more interesting they were like "hell no just put some damm boxes on it, it's just a damned data-pad" or Klingon bleepy thing or whatever.

Sure doing this is a kick ass way to learn, and develop skills... but it's more like a demo reel than an actual job.

A demo reel is done to highlight your skills, and sell yourself.
A job makes money.
AMV is a hobby.

Don't get me wrong though, everytime I go see a movie trailer that sucks ass I wind up thinking that they should have hired dokidoki or omnistrata, or even that guy that always does linballZ videos.

A better question I would have thought would be how many people HAVE had their work showcased in a professional environment as a result of this? There was a thread recently about someone that had one of their videos as an easter egg on Noir.

Pissed me off too, because I'd just rented and returned that episode.

/rant
/soapbox

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Sun Jan 04, 2004 12:00 am

madbunny wrote:A better question I would have thought would be how many people HAVE had their work showcased in a professional environment as a result of this? There was a thread recently about someone that had one of their videos as an easter egg on Noir.

Well, those were ADV-commissioned pieces if I remember correctly, so the creators were somewhat constrained. I know Absolute Destiny did one of the four, and I think Doki Doki might have done one, but I can't remember who else.

madbunny · Post by **madbunny** » Sun Jan 04, 2004 12:20 am

I actually wanted to see them, when I heard but had just returned the disk. Do you know if they were uploade to the .org?

dokool · Post by **dokool** » Sun Jan 04, 2004 12:27 am

madbunny wrote:I actually wanted to see them, when I heard but had just returned the disk. Do you know if they were uploade to the .org?

They can't upload them to the 'org because the vids are actual property of ADV. You gotta buy the disc in order to see them.

-DOKool

SQ · Post by SQ » Sun Jan 04, 2004 12:20 pm

Back on topic...

I agree with what most of the other people have said here-- time constraints.

It doesn't matter what the hell you do with the editing as long as you od it in the time they say they want it done.

For example, I've seen some BAD commercials in my time, like the one about weightloss where the dude is talking but the lips are moving WAY out of synch. It makes you wonder "Just what IS he saying?!"

But anyway, I haven't actually done a real job, but I've been in a work-based enviroment. It's called Video Productions class. Yar, it's like you're at work, and when the teacher says "Use Casablance AVIO, the shittiest editor EVAR that makes you love WMM and do a 30 second commercial in 7 45 minute intervals!" then you better do it.

I've gotten a lot of slack from my teacher because he likes the way I edit(and I'm kinda his pet) but he never neglects to tell me after every project that if he had graded me the regular way, I'd have had a 60, no matter HOW beyond belief and good the editing was. Because of the time constraint.

The thing is, in the real world, you get like a week to edit something, and regardless if you're done or not, that commercial/whatever HAS to go on the air, so it better be as complete as possible, even if it sucks ass. People have actual schedules to maintain, and they can't change those schedules just so the commercial/show has the best editing in the world.

And although this probably isn't the case for a real job, in Video Productions class you get 7 days(of class time, not actual days) to storyboard, film your video, and edit.

If you're doing a short movie, then you damn well better have that script worked up and the actors memorizing their lines on the first day, and be done shooting the next day, so you have the rest of the time ot edit.

So if you like taking your time and making AMVs, you probably won't like mainstream editing, if only for the time constraints.

trigunvash · Post by **trigunvash** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 1:01 pm

As mentioned before, doing AMV's is a whole lot different then editing "in the real world".

I worked as an assistant news editor for a few years, in the news business you have to be fast, you have either 2 or 3 stories that need to be started on immediatly after video taping is done. Most of the time you work with the reporter's themselves to see which is the best.

The stuff isn't digital adobe premiere, its old fashioned block editing using Beta format, believe it or not, its fast, and quality loss is nil when working with the professional equipment.

It's totally different when one goes from a "hobby" to a career.

trigunvash · Post by **trigunvash** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 1:05 pm

Sorry I couldn't find the EDIT button.

Someone mentioned it before, when editing, you're working for the "client" or boss, and whatever they want goes, or you go. When working with AMV's you pretty much have the freedom to do whatever you want.

I've known folks who wanted the blandiest promotional video ever made, I made a few suggestions, but if they want yellow text on a white backround, I'm not to argue with. LOL.

Hope this information helps you out.

Kracus · Post by **Kracus** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 3:12 pm

Time is a bitch.

Its not Video editing, but I can relate when I was designing a site for someone, that I'm currently not done doing. But when they don't give you any direction, that can be a plus or a minus. Plus, cause you can be more creative. Minus, cause letting the juices flow eats up hours and if they are complaining about price that ain't good.

What I've done so far, he's liked and I'd like to tweek here and there but I have to wait so I can cram everything into one session.