AMVs brought up on ANN

shumira_chan · Post by **shumira_chan** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:09 pm

The only response from that Zac dude on the ANN thread is
when someone called him on the fact that he himself is using
anime banners. He then gives a bullshit argument about AMV
editors being pretentious. Someone should point out to him
that copyright infringement laws don't give a rat's ass whether
the infringing party considers the derivative work a masterpiece
or not. On the other hand, if that Zac individual receives any sort
of remuneration to spew his rants then his banners are much worse
examples of infringement than the not-for-profit AMVs people make.

Current copyright laws blow, and if you're going to base arguments
off them nine times out of ten their Draconian nature will bite you in
the ass. Hell, even his avatar is a copyright violation.

Jebadia · Post by **Jebadia** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 5:07 am

So, did this guy write this up back in 2000 and forgot about it till now? He stated the obvious throughout the whole thing.

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 5:07 am

I read his article whenever it comes out. I often don't agree with his viewpoints, and he seems to have a 'holier than thou' attitude, but sometimes there are amusing moments in his column. Plus, the pictures of the kitties, puppies, and bunnies are cute.

I'd also agree that the writing has gone down in quality. Of course, I don't expect him to know much about AMVs or even watch them on a regular basis (it's not like there's a member here with the name 'Zac' or 'Answerman'). And for most people that don't know much about AMVs (or that the music video that they are watching is even called an AMV (or MAD)), the most common place to look for something like that nowadays is the 'tube. And I'm sure that he's pretty close in his estimate that out of a thousand AMVs on the 'tube, maybe one will be good. I personally have yet to find an AMV there that is what I consider good that isn't one that is already here and posted for a wider audience or another case of video theft.

Which brings me to the other issue, the 'rant' in the article complains about how people get all worked up because someone 'steals' a person's AMV. And how since AMVs are basically using 'stolen' footage and music, it hypocritical of AMV creators to say stealing is wrong. I get the feeling that the 'rant' author is also pretty ignorant about AMVs.

But now that I've typed all that down, I'm wondering why I did so. Because ultimately, I don't care what Zac or anyone else thinks about AMVs. And it would be a waste of my time and bandwidth to start an argument over there or on any other forum about this topic.

Yok/0 · Post by **Yok/0** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:18 am

This guy talks about how there is no creativity in amvs but his topic is very uncreative since he photoshoped a naruto filler with naruto's head not drawn and saying it's studio peirrot's fault for not drawing it AND yea it seems he's beating on this amv topic already like a dead horse.

Something tells me though he watches his amvs on youtube....He ain't even looking in all the right places.

Niotex · Post by **Niotex** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:43 am

According to answer man I'm nothing more but a uncreative pedophile... Someone hold me

TheShaggyFreak · Post by **TheShaggyFreak** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:10 am

The thing about art is that it's all subjective to the watcher/listener/viewer etc. One persons view can not deem the worthiness of anything. What does it matter if one person enjoys it? There are a lot of arguments about the legitimacy of modern day music/stories etc. Some people believe that all the music that there ever will be has already been written and that we're just manipulating them together in new ways. I'm not sure I put much stock in theories like that, though. As far as music goes, I do what I do because I enjoy it and that's all that matters to me. I think it becomes a problem when people start believing in their own hype and I believe it's that sort of thing that makes a mockery of art whether it be an AMV or a piece of music. Everyone has something worthy to offer. You can learn something from every single person out there. You loose once you stop believing in that.

Yok/0 · Post by **Yok/0** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:22 am

ANN should be thanking amv editors for even going to that site. We're probably the few that keep that site going. If i ever see an anime That I might like I would go to that site normally and check it out and read of it if if it's something I want to watch more of.

x_rex30 · Post by **x_rex30** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:26 am

No matter what he says he seems to have a narrow outlook on things, so don't take him seriously. Don't even bring your opinion to his attention.. discuss if you think he's wrong or not.. but don't go preaching to him. His thoughts about everything seem very conservative, they won't change, no matter what you say to him. It's funny if there are folks out to change his mind because it's a waste of time, it wont happen.

JaddziaDax · Post by **JaddziaDax** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:43 pm

Niotex wrote:According to answer man I'm nothing more but a uncreative pedophile... Someone hold me

maybe i should send you some of my 10 yearold fangirls? O.o that is unless they are too old for you? O.O

/me hides

Moonlight Soldier · Post by **Moonlight Soldier** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:06 pm

I tried to post this on ANN's forum, but so far, it hasn't appeared. When I went to post, it said it would be moderated first, and someone else who posted after me (I think), has been added first. =/

the post I wrote wrote:Since confusion about copyrights is still spewing out into this thread, Zac hasn't answered anything. Yes, AMVs are illegal are about as far as the answer goes.

Zac also shouldn't be putting words in peoples' mouths about how they, record companies and the anime industry, feel about AMVs. And he was very vague about it. There are a lot of examples he could cite to make his column fair comment, but he does not. Specifically, I point you to, <a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/phpBB/v ... 0">here</a>, as an example.

I find it very irresponsible of him to write about a community that he doesn't seem to know much about and clearly didn't care to look into.

A quick google search could have returned results about <a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/phpBB/v ... 73475">the effects of youtube (word filtered as boochsack on a-m-v.org)</a>, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/15/techn ... .html">the NYT also has a stint about Youtube,</a> which mentions Kusoyaro, a popular video creator. (I'll post the excerpt at the bottom of this post for those who can't log in).

On the other hand, there are examples of companies and artists who have sought out <a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... 26272">AMV creators for commercial purposes</a> as well. And companies will offer prizes for AMV contests at conventions.

So, do your readers a favour Zac, give them the full answer. As much as your opinion might be entertaining to read, a column isn't a review. You're still expected to provide some information and sources to back up what you say. And the great thing about new media is that you can provide context with a link.

And if you don't think you can answer a question fully, state that. Be responsible for your readers and urge them to find the answers themselves.

Thanks.

From the New York Times, Jan. 15, 2007.

One video posted last March, credited to Kusoyaro Productions, includes clips from the 20th Century Fox film "Napoleon Dynamite" that have been cleverly edited to create a new music video for Eminem’s song “Lose Yourself" from "8 Mile."

The two movies’ heroes couldn’t be more different: Napoleon Dynamite is an awkward teenager in rural Idaho who stuffs his pockets with tater tots, while Eminem’s character in "8 Mile" finds refuge from his trailer-park life by rapping in clubs. The video has been watched more than 60,000 times.

Ron Wheeler, a senior vice president of content protection at Fox Entertainment Group, said that even though Fox was not being paid for the right to use the "Napoleon Dynamite" clips, the company had not asked that the video be taken down.

"We are not in the business of just saying no, but we do consider it unauthorized use," Mr. Wheeler said.

He predicted, though, that the studio would be saying "no" more often in the future. Fox is working on a policy that will address the issue of mashups in a way that those creating them can understand.

"We will offer as much freedom as legally able, but at the same time it will be less than some people are doing now," Mr. Wheeler added. "It won’t be ‘anything goes.’ "

Brian Grazer, a producer of "8 Mile," said some of the mashups he had seen were "pretty hip." But he said he, too, viewed them as a form of piracy: "It bothers me artistically. Here’s this thing where you have no control; they are chopping it up and putting your memories in a blender."

Directors may have a tough time accepting the wild world of mashups, particularly those who have been given control over the final cut of their movies. Mr. Grazer said he believed that Curtis Hanson, who directed "8 Mile," would not be pleased. "Something like this drives an auteur nuts," he said. Mr. Hanson did not return calls seeking comment. Eminem, through a spokesman, declined to comment.