Otakon AMV Contest Pre-screenings

[ReligionX]

But going back to the number of entries, having fewer this year is a two edged sword. On one hand there are less entries than usual (though still more than enough for the contest). On the other hand having fewer entries is what's making it possible to switch over to DVD for prescreening and overflows this year (a decision was handed down that all con programming this year would be DVD based). Also, those entering the contest have the best chances of making it to the finals than they've had in years (I know that sounds like a spin, because it is... but it's a good thing for creators).

I don't quite understand all of this whole, 'getting upset at people for things that are beyond anyone's control,' thing. Some AMV directors just don't want to make videos for the contest or can't make the deadline, and that's fine. The only reason I really even go to Otakon anymore is to SEE the AMV "screenings" or "contest," or whatever you want to call it. It's something to talk about. It's an event. Some vidoes you'll only ever see once. And that's unique.

With all of this crazy, "the internet," most of the anime that you can see at Otakon, you can download months ahead of time. It's not like, "next year there won't be an AMV contest at Otakon," or anything. Everybody knows when Otakon is going to be held. It's not a secret. The AMV contest comes with it. So, deadlines aren't a valid excuse in this case. Any video that you work on between August and May can be submitted to Otakon, as long as you don't (gasp) upload it somewhere first.

I for one, am always highly anticipating and excited about the AMV contest at Otakon. And if I could, I'd shake the hand of and thank every individual who submits videos to the contest, and every person who helps make the screening possible. It's definately one of the highlights of my year.

I have a suggestion about the number of entries, if there aren't enough entries to have a real "voting" process to make it into the contest, and it's more of a "cut out 3 of the very worst videos" just to make it exactly a 2 hour contest. Or maybe having fewer entries submitted will work out better this year--I don't know. But if there aren't enough, try a "We have just enough, but we could use more entries, so the next 10, (20, or however many more you need) people to get back to me, by e-mail, have 1 month to get a video to me." This way, people who complain about the deadline still have a shot to get in, and the people who made it in have an actual contest, instead of a showing of "what made it in on time."

That was much longer than I had meant for it to be. But I felt like saying something about it. - ReligionX

[anneke]

If they want more entries they simply allow creators to enter more then 1 entry. Most contests allow 2-3, while Otakon allows 1. So Otakon is really not hurting from entries if you think about it. (Shrugs)

Anneke

[hackerzc]

Well, there are 68 competing entries this year (73 including non comps), and there is only room in the contest for about 32 of those.
There are MORE than enough entries to warrant pre-screenings this year, as less than half can make the finals.
It's just that the AMV contest typically has 100-200 entries and people are use to seeing those kind of numbers (I too was expecting more).

Also regardless of if things are beyond our control or not, when stuff goes "wrong" (like low submission numbers)... it's the staffs fault.
Exactly why it's OUR fault for people being unable to make deadlines that were set last year I have no idea, but that's how it's viewed.

The biggest problem is that the entire thing has become far too competitive for it's own good. Too many people are taking everything WAY too seriously.
There was a time when this was all about fun, and getting to show your work at the con, and entertaining people (at least that's what I was told when I started).
Now it seems to be about getting your video on the Main Events screen, impressing people, and winning stuff.
Mind you it's not everyone, but year after year I see more and more people going to the "dark side" if you will.
Yes is it a CONTEST... and that implies competition, but some take it too far in my opinion.

*EDIT*
anneke is right... we aren't hurting for them at all. I would have liked to see more though because that would have made you guys happy to see more stuff.
In the end we try to make the creators happy, but compromises always have to be made, and it doesn't always work the way we want.
A great example is having the contest winners shown during the Cosplay intermission. For some reason they just won't let us do it.
It just doesn't make sense to me.

[Adv1sor]

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 great, take away all our excuses why don't you?

This is my first Otakon, (not my first con, just my first time at this con). I've been to a few others and seen the good, the bad, and the rest.

There are always problems of some sort. The better ran cons have good conscientious people, as you certainly seem to be yourself, to deal with these things as best they can.

So, on behalf of everyone who enjoys the AMVs at Otakon this year, thank you in advance for your work and effort.

[MousePotato]

I think its time for another "I love the amv conest coordinators" thread.

[hackerzc]

Thanks Adv1sor, but honestly some people have a right to complain about some stuff. Maybe not as much as they are... but some is understandable lol.
Being contest staff is a bit like being a member of the MiB.
For instance, none of you realize how close the contest came to destruction today. Well... the prescreenings at least. I'm not gonna tell either...but it was close.

Now Black... when you say "LOVE" the contest coordinators... we talking like super secret massage or what?
If that's the case I'm down like Charlie Brown.
How far down?
ALL THE WAY DOWN! We all see you up there with that bottle. YOU WORK IT!

[ReligionX]

I made it to my first AMV screening yesterday. The event was leaps and bounds different from what I had imagined it would be. It was substantially smaller than I had anticipated, and I'm not sure why I had thought an entire room would be full. I am thoroughly relieved to find that everyone is as big of a dork as I am. I wasn't sure I had walked into the correct room until I heard someone say the words, "critical failure," and I knew I was at home. I got lost looking for the room, and just so no one else makes the same mistake I did, the event is not being held in room 122, as that is the Electro Magnetics Lab.

I found the event to be educational beyond my expectations. I haven't ever seen other people, sort of a few friends, react to AMVs. The showing at Otakon is full of way too many people to keep track of. A few videos, that I thought were at least entertainig, I saw a few people yawning or looking around instead of watching the video. There were a few clappings and cheers for videos that I feel should have been disqualified. It's interesting to see how certain videos make it to the contest.

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.

Since I have subsmitted my first AMV to this screening, I was so nervous when it was 'airing,' I held my breath for half of it, and thought my heart would fail from the increase in beats per second. At first I was a little annoyed at where my video was placed chronologically in the screening, but I've come to realize since then, that for my own benefit, it's really good to know how people react at that point. I feel inspired to finally get to working on my next AMV.

To all of you who haven't made it out there, it's definately worth the trip. I drove down 2.5 hours, and drove back 3.5 hours as I ran into the torrential rain around Baltimore and beyond.

[hackerzc]

One of us...one of us....

One of us...one of us....

I'm glad you had fun (I didn't realize anyone had come from so far this weekend).
In the past we have had more people (a little more) but the room has NEVER been filled. The room we were in (as you saw) can hold more people than a small cons video rooms can.
Just sorry we started a little late. We usually run everything from the rooms built in player, but we didn't get the rooms card. Good thing I had MY player with me and we could hook in through that one pannel.

The one thing I hate about prescreenings is it always puts me in the mood to edit. Figures that the one time of the year when I CAN'T start anything new, is when I get motivated the most.

[Parodic Productions]

Let me tell you, ReligionX. I had that same feeling three years ago.

It's that feeling in your stomach that makes you feel nauseous without throwing up. That feeling of morbid fear in your head, whether or not your vid responds with cheer or hiss. That feeling in your heart as if you were actually holding it in your palm, getting tighter with each squeeze. And no matter how tight you grip, it just keeps beating faster and faster. I know that feeling. Of course, sitting through a seven minute Max Payne/Linkin Park video just before mine doesn't really help the situation either.

But, as your work finally shows onscreen, the gasp of relief you feel is completely worth it. A piece of your own work is being presented in front of a live audience, and, at that moment, you feel you've made a connection to everyone in the room. Even if the video was nearly banned for using the word p****. I also learned how to censor that year.

Last year, when everyone clapped to the rhythm of a part in my video, I thought I would never be able to achieve something so special like that ever again. But, you know what? I've learned that there is always something bigger that has yet to be conceived; there is always something fresh to learn that makes this such a fun hobby. And, I've found that as you continue making AMV's, the possibilities become limitless.

Unless you want to make another Linkin Park video; then you just pick a number. No offense to anyone.

Anyway, I haven't been down there yet, but I'm hoping to catch some time on the third weekend to check it out. Did Doki Doki compete again this year?

[hackerzc]

Even if the video was nearly banned for using the word p****. I also learned how to censor that year.

LOL!!!

Oh and yes, Tim did enter. He has a battle on his hands though. Comedy this year is going to be brutal.