Otakon AMV Contest Pre-screenings

[dwchang]

wow, creators are really starting to lose interest in this contest it seems. We really need to sit down and figure out how to make it more appealing for next year. FTP perhaps? Posseble "Actual" awards ceremony for this event?

There really isn't anything to figure out. The main reasons are the deadline, no ftp, and mistakes that have been made since Matt left that have caused some people to loose confidence in the staff.

Is the part where I say I told you so >_>

*whistles*

Another semi-minor thing is to actually read the comments on the sheet since I can think of at least two videos that I know a majority of us felt should've been re-categorized into a different section and it seemed to be ignored.

Next year the deadline WILL be closer to the con (perhaps as much as a month), I will personally be looking into setting up an FTP server, and hopefully nothing will go wrong for people to complain about.

OH DEAR GOD THANK YOU!

I won't say anything at all about it, but I have seen one video, in this screening, that I believe has set a new standard for what a, "perfect 10," means. It's an action video with flawless syncronization to the beat, perfect visual transitions from one scene to the next, crystal clear footage and audio... there wasn't even a single out of place special effect.

Yeah, dwchang made such an awesome video this year, I felt the same way when I saw it.

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Remember? I'm trying to make sure the deadline gets moved by not entering (not really the reason btw), but in reality DID enter in sekrit so I can kick all kinds of ass!

You're giving it away!

[hackerzc]

Is the part where I say I told you so >_>

Actually...no.
You're main argument is all centered around the contest going to hell because of the deadline.
The thing you don't understand is that the deadline has little effect on the contest and it's entries. Yes it's a contributing factor, you can't deny that. However it's not as big an issue as you might believe.
You're main supporting fact for this however, is that the deadline falls on your finals. Yours maybe... however there are thousands of school in this country and around the world (remember Otakon gets entries from other countries as well), and not everyone has finals at the same time.
The point is no matter WHEN the deadline is, it's going to make it tough for SOMEONE.
But of course it's a big deal to you. It's only natural, since you're the one being affected.

The #1 issue though, is no FTP. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember the AMV contest having about the same deadline for the past whatever number of years. And each year there were more and more entries.
Then came 2004 and all the problems caused by a totally ineffective coordinator. Also as a result of this year (and in part by actions of the coordinator) we lost Quu and his FTP server.
It was after that when things went down hill (I'm of course referring to the number of entries we receive).
Conversely as we received fewer and fewer entries, the quality of those entries has risen (which is the total opposite of what you were saying would happen). We have fewer numbers but somehow are getting a better contest out of it.
Even the people at the prescreening Saturday were commenting on this.
What all this tell me is that while fewer entries looks bad on paper, it some how makes for a better quality contest. (there is something to be said about folks who will take the time and effort to mail in an entry)

To spite this however, we've taken everything that everyone has said to heart, and are STILL going to change the deadline... just to satisfy the minority who are having a problem. This is on top of the fact that Otakon is in July next year. (this will seriously handicap us... but oh well).
We are also looking into getting an FTP server back up and running.
Mark my words though. Someone will STILL have a problem with something deadline or submission related.
But ya know what... that's a year away and I'm more concerned with THIS year for the time being.
The prescreenings aren't even over yet. Let's at least wait until after the contest before you condemn it.

Oh yeah... I also remember Antonio saying that he would make special allowances for people. No one took advantage of that BTW. Just so everyone knows.

[Castor Troy]

Since people asked about how the drama and comedy entries were, what about action?

[hackerzc]

Since people asked about how the drama and comedy entries were, what about action?

Action is looking really good as well (and I think I see a winner already).

Infact the ONLY area there is any sort of problem is Upbeat as there were only 4 entries for it this year.
Oh course there are the uncertain entries that still need to be categorized, but chances are some will get moved around this year to help fill it out more, but that's gonna be Antonio's call.

Either way I expect to see a LOT of arguments about how "that video does not belong there!".

[eye]

Sorry, didn't want to get into this argument, but I can't resist. I don't even care much about the deadline since I'm not an AMV creator, but I just want to point out the following:

You're main supporting fact for this however, is that the deadline falls on your finals. Yours maybe... however there are thousands of school in this country and around the world (remember Otakon gets entries from other countries as well), and not everyone has finals at the same time.

No, not everyone has finals at the same time, but that's not a very good counter-argument (even though you've mentioned it more times than I can count). The fact of that matter is that, while not all are the same, a very large majority of American schools have finals in the same 2-week span (things are different in other countries, but we're talking majorities here). You can pretend this isn't the case all you want, but it's still going to be an issue as long as the deadline falls within or directly after that span. If Otakon was in mid-July instead, people would be more understanding, but alas it is not.

As I mentioned, I personally don't have a problem with the deadline since it doesn't directly concern me, but I can certainly see where dwchang and others are coming from.

That said, I really enjoyed the contest last year after the 2004 debacle, and I'm especially looking forward to the contest this year.

[suberunker]

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Remember? I'm trying to make sure the deadline gets moved by not entering (not really the reason btw), but in reality DID enter in sekrit so I can kick all kinds of ass!

You're giving it away!

Man, Daniel. I just can't get enough OMG to 80's sap. I guess I'll have to call you to thank you!

[hackerzc]

As I mentioned, I personally don't have a problem with the deadline since it doesn't directly concern me, but I can certainly see where dwchang and others are coming from.

As can I, however I do not appreciate people making smart remarks like "I told you so" after contest staff has already agreed to change things next year in order to help people out.
In DW's defence he did slightly misunderstand my meaning, even so, a few of my buttons were pushed.

I did some searching myself and found that most finals take place over a 3-4 month time span. The majority of which fell AFTER the deadline of May 17th this year (all the ones I could find dates on at least).
By all means search for yourself if you don't believe me. I would use ask.com, you seem to get more good hits than from google.
Either way, using finals as your excuse this year was not a valid enough reason. Both dates for the contest and anyones finals were known well in advance. These are the rules of the contest, you must plan accordingly. If you can't decide between the contest or finals then you seriously need to reevaluate your priorities (finals first).

Even so Antonio DID ask anyone with extension issues do to flood or finals to come to him to try to have something worked out... I still don't know of a single person who actually took advantage of this. I've noted this before, however many seem to keep ignoring this fact.
So to be quite frank, those complaining about THIS YEARS DEADLINE need to stop. It's over with, and changes will be made for next year to help accommodate those who were having problems.

[Illia Sadri]

What is really going to determine the response next year will also determine if at con things go without a hitch. The last several years has been plagued with such issues and it leaves a bad taste in the mouth of creators when coupled with the no ftp and deadline.

My advice is you cannot do anything now about rules. You can adjust for next year. However, you absolutely HAVE to test all equipment you are using at least a week before the convention. Play it all through, and check for any significant problems. If you can at con, make sure all equipment is working prior to letting people seat.

[hackerzc]

What is really going to determine the response next year will also determine if at con things go without a hitch. The last several years has been plagued with such issues and it leaves a bad taste in the mouth of creators when coupled with the no ftp and deadline.

My advice is you cannot do anything now about rules. You can adjust for next year. However, you absolutely HAVE to test all equipment you are using at least a week before the convention. Play it all through, and check for any significant problems. If you can at con, make sure all equipment is working prior to letting people seat.

Exactly (screwups are the #2 reason for fewer entries, right after FTP). From what I was told last year everything was working fine before the convention. I was also under the assumption the coordinator was using a Netstream 2000 (if it plays correctly once, it'll play correctly a hundred times).
However a Netstream was NOT being used and that's what caused the problem at Fridays showing. I was told everything else ran fine the rest of the weekend.
In 2004 I don't remember any at-con issues (aside from me not being able to do the AMV Workshop), though there were a LOT of pre-con problems. Mostly the coordinator that year wasn't doing anything, was never around, and even I could not get a hold of him.
Now Antonio, while he may not be very public is at least easy to reach, and actually does the job. The only BIG issue he's ever had was the tech issue on Friday last year that I spoke about above.
That being said, the contest has bought a Netstream 2000 and I personally gave it to him. I also got one for myself so I can proof things before they go to him (a double check system).
With any luck, the only thing to screw up this years contest will be either loosing power to the BCC, or if the contest computer is stolen. Neither of which are even remotely likely.

[ReligionX]

I was just wondering what the policy is on uploading videos to a-m-v.org now that my video has screened.

Meaning, am I not supposed to upload the video until after Otakon? Or, does it not really matter?