AMV Salad 4: TV Dinner (next stop - Nekocon)

[Squancho]

Gaelstrom and Moonie: you both go right ahead and collaborate on that. Make sure I have everything by the end of this weekend so I can put a new beta together to submit for your general approval. Let's try and not bother with "test" copies at this point as we're playing with time and we need what we have right now.

[Gaelstrom]

I dunno if I can come up with anything by then, but I'd rather wait anyway to see your new one as well, moonbunnychan. I don't believe this render should be considered the last one, especially with so much time. It's definitely gonna be more finalized of course, but there are some clips that could use some attention to make them as strong as they can be.

In that regard, I'll consolidate the earlier suggestions for my clips here for you:

1) By Sunday I'll do everything I can to have all logos completed, but I don't know if that'll happen unless I solve some more things. It's a couple days, but renders will take a while for a couple of these. I'll have to settle on some things though, but once they're done I'll give you the whole thing with some minor changes. I'll at least be able to get a 720x480 version of the AMVS4 logo, even if it isn't finished.

2) I mentioned removing the fades from clips. I can't stress enough that when in doubt, use a test pattern, regardless of the situation. A test pattern will make things funnier 95% of the time in AMVSs, the other 5% would be cuts, but cuts are not as funny. The audience doesn't react to this as having commercials or anything. That'd be like giving commercial breaks to commercials, so I'd just suggest erring on the comedy side with the test pattern. (If truly necessary, I can pad the end of Sony POS a bit)

3) I sent you another version of the credits clip with a quick TV flicker effect which hopefully you got, I don't know if you like that more than the original or not, but either way, please keep the credits clip as a single clip this time, and cut the music with it so it's basically like just another clip that happens to cut into the credits. If you don't want to interrupt the credits, I'd suggest tossing it at the end.

4) You should also have the DV version of the original Haruvi Baadoman clip, so that can just be replaced. Lemme know if you still didn't get it. The other one is could you to check to make sure you're using the DV of the Clannad Lose the House clip? Its lipsync was off a bit, not sure if it's the final version or not.

That was pretty much it. I look forward to the next installment.

Oh yes, and don't you need clip names and source for the credits?

[moonbunnychan]

Deuce, lemme know if you got my email with the updated stuff. (Else I'll send you a "that thing I sent you...did you get that thing I sent you" email =p)
And if you dled it last night I actually added something to the zip file today.

Also I realized I skipped something in my credits part....For the Commander in Heat one it's a sketch by Modern Humorist and it's called Movie Trailer Cliché Theater. And if you haven't done up the credits, I wanna make "Commander in Heat" the name of it instead of "Surely this will win an Oscar".

[InspZenigata]

So I've officially listed the "Barry the SlapChopper" clip as one of my favorites of all time. That and the Sony POS news segment. I love it.

Hah, glad you enjoyed them. And I think you just gave the rap chop clip its name

It's what I do

[Gaelstrom]

Yeah... I'm running into some severe annoyance, and the saddest part is it's simple stuff. I'll try to at least have the AMVS4 logo done by tomorrow, but that's the one causing me trouble. The final render is there, I just need to figure out how to alpha the stupid thing without having to render for another 7 hours. Anyway, it'll be done in time for AMA, I just need a few more days. The renders really do take too much damn time.

I'll do my best.

[Squancho]

The second beta - an mp4 that clocks in at tentatively (depending on how the credits come out) 28m 46s - is rendering now.

There will be a new download link here in probably two hours from now so keep watching.

Changes:
* Production tags precede the opening sequence to resemble production credits.
* new opening title clip courtesy of Gaelstrom.
* rearranged some of the clips so the shorter ones offset the longer ones better.
* all new versions of previous clips have been placed.
* closing credits begin after the Pokemon clip (I still have to write them in - I'll let you know if I need your clip info).
* Pedobear is hiding in the closing credits...wait for it.

Errata:
* apologies in advance to krvabo for forgetting to place your production tag in.
* I mistimed the "In association with" graphic.
* I put the wrong version or "Rubber Ducky" on the time line.
* I still need to finish my clip.
This all will be fixed for the AMA beta screening.

So yeah. I'll be waiting for your remarks and suggestions beginning tomorrow night...

[Squancho]

SECOND BETA DOWNLOAD:

http://rapidshare.com/files/393476807/AMV_Salad_4.mp4

Keep the above changes and errata in mind. Enjoy...

[moonbunnychan]

Ok...pacing wise by FAR better. It has a lot more flow to it. I also love wherever that new Ouran coffee one came from.
Not sure if I like the production tags in a big lump at the beginning...I like the idea but they're kinda long in a clump like that. The fades at the ends of clips are VERY noticeable this time...and would probably work better not fading and just going into the test pattern. And uh...I dunno...I didn't get the Case Closed one at all. O_o
It's just my own preference...but I still think the Princess Tutu Geico one ought to be the first one as it kinda sets up the joke the best (and should probably be before the halfway point to have one). I also definitely liked having the Haruhi/Birdman one as the last thing leading right into the credits

[Gaelstrom]

Sorry for length guys! First off, I absolutely love the new additions! The Coffee commercial was a class act. Absolutely drips of perfection for the source, and so well done with some great scene choices and cutting. Absolutely wonderful addition. Same with that Pokemon Money clip, moonbunnychan, great choice! The other adjustments were great as well.

Deuce, I think putting the Gurren Rock clip up front was the right decision. It is a very good clip, and I was on the fence with it, but putting it up front when everyone's got full strength is the right thing to do. The whole clip works there, great choice.

Commander in Heat just gets funnier and funnier, same with Family Guy/Death Note. That clip needs some kind of epic name. I also like most of the mixing choices of the longer and shorter clips.

Anyway, on to the suggestions:
General something: I noticed the clips had some very odd scaling going on. For example my Genshiken and Haruhi clips felt really confining because they were scaled up. Not sure if that was an accident but could you check for what's causing that? Also there's that Cowboy Bebop clip that was strangely scaled compared to the rest.

AMVS4 Logo on Sony POS: If everyone thought it worked, I'll add it into my final render when I finish the recheck of the Lucky Channel logo. Also, Deuce, are you going to send a better version to Otakon? It looks like you're rendering at 24 FPS rather than 29.97 or 30, because the animation looks really choppy in the intro logo.

Credits at beginning: Unfortunately I think it kills the setup completely. It also changes the entire layout of the salad compared to the previous ones. I felt the Sony POS clip worked to bring everyone into a general state of parody, but then the credits killed the setup. Besides being dead space at the beginning, it also leaves people bored during the credits with a black screen and scrolling words. I'm just gonna say succinctly that it was a worthwhile experiment but a complete failure and I'd strongly suggest reverting to the original credit layout. As for Deuce Loosely Production, if you wanted to keep that, you could put that over the black screen of the AMVS4 logo with the Space Odyssey tone going for a few seconds with a dramatic fade in and fade out.

Rubber Ducky: You mentioned this one in your notes, so I'll assume that means you chose this much longer version accidentally. Definitely way too long. One thing though I noticed is this one is quite slow and calming. I'd almost go so far as to say put it right after Gurren Rock, and get 2 or even 3 longer ones in off the bat so this one doesn't calm everyone down too much.

Money Running Gag: Think you may have put them all a bit too late to be considered a running gag. They felt like they were all in the second half. I believe moonbunnychan mentioned somewhere that the princess tutu one may land better first since nobody is expecting it, and I'm inclined to agree. In general though, I'd suggest making the 4 equal distance throughout the whole thing.

Captain Planet: Length = awesome. Ending = not. I'll have to stick with my original thought here. Trying to insert a completely unrelated and unnecessary joke from strongbad is superfluous here and actually distracts. The monitor around it draws the audience out of the actual thing for a moment to collect their bearings. Also the thing's hilarious enough on its own with just cutting after "...I am CAPTAIN PLANET!-*test pattern*". I swear, it doesn't need to be more than that. Its simplicity was what made it epic.

New Case Closed: I've never seen Psych, so it took me twice watching the clip to catch the reference. This clip was very nicely cut, and whoever did it did a great job. The music is catchy and upbeat and the visual source has a lot of movement. I'd just strongly suggest making sure that 'Psych' is somehow referenced in the ending title screen. I have never even seen an episode, but I know what the show's like because of what trailers and commercials I have seen, so I think this can expand to even audience members who haven't seen it with just a nod to the source.

Birdman/Haruhi: What was mentioned before about this has been proven to me with this test. I agree, I think the Haruhi/Birdman clip should be the last clip, because even I had to take a moment to catch what was happening, and I made the damn things ^^ Honestly Deuce, I'd rather the ending clip were in the midst of the credits, but not too far in. Seeing this version helped me realize that it will work, I'm sure of it. You said before you're ready to trust me in what I send in. I was wrong before about how far apart the clips could be, but please trust me that that clip will be strongest cutting in about 15-20 seconds into the credits. I'll even do a test for you and post it so people can tell me if they think I'm wrong if you'd like.

Pedobear: I admit I like how you did this. Hate the fading of course, and the music starts too soon, but it was creatively done. My honest thought is that I'd rather the Haruhi clip were in its rightful place and this one were used to help breaking up the longer clips in the actual main production. I'd say if nothing else put this at the very end, full screen, as the last thing the audience sees, since we seem to be lacking an "end" clip. But this year we really have an overabundance of longer clips that really need the assistance.

Ace of Cakes, Hallmark and Baywatch: Ace of Cakes for some reason I loved it near the front in the earlier version. Couldn't tell you why, I just did. I can't give a better reason than that, but I'd love to see it closer to the beginning. Baywatch and Hallmark I still strongly believe need to get consolidated a bit, but for Hallmark, I would suggest moving it forward more as well. Something about it feels pretty good for a center-of-the-production clip. Feels like it and Brady Bunch would fit well near to one another.

Commander in Heat: Since this one and Family Guy/Death Note are probably in the top strongest clips in the whole thing, I'd suggest moving Commander in Heat more toward the end. Like if Sony POS starts it off, Death Guy Family Note would be great at 1/3rd through, Commander in Heat great for 2/3rds through. Almost like bridge supports.

Small clips: Small but hilarious clips should probably be given special placement. Like I honestly think the Naruto Firefly clip will cause people to laugh through half of my One Piece one currently ^^ I'm wary of this because with AMVS3, when "Yikes and away" was right before Beck "Didn't learn any songs" the audience nearly laughed through the entire clip, and the Beck one kept them laughing nearly halfway through the "FUCKING JUMP!" clip. It was actually scary how well it ended up working, because as soon as they calmed down, they lost it again. So it worked beautifully, but it made me remember to be cautious of such things. If we could pull that type of timing off again as a finale? Hoh boy that would be awesome!

Upbeat longer clips closer to end: It's generally already like this, but it may be worthwhile to have more of the longer clips that are more upbeat in the second half to keep people aware through their length. Maybe even baywatch.

Sorry for this length again ^^ I'm totally committed to trying to make sure every little thing comes off as strong as it can.

[moonbunnychan]

Wow, I'm really flattered that you like the Commander in Heat one so much. O_o

The Rubber Duckie video I'd originally made as a joke for a Princess Tutu fan community I'm in, who were teasing me that all the videos I ever made were depressing and real downers. I cut it for the Salad, and then had sent him the long version when it was looking like he wasn't going to have enough material....which isn't the case anymore.