TsunamiX wrote:The pattern for Otakon video voting has always been really standard. Comedy rules all. The best way to win a category like Romance/Sentimental (which the audience always gives a collective groan to) is to get as much comedy into your video as possible without being moved out of the category. The most blatant example of this was 'Sailor Love Story' in 2005, which was a blatant comedy video that managed to convince judges to let it compete in Romance/Sentimental. This year's winner in that category was an excellent video, but the comedic presence ensured it's victory. The audience just doesn't care for the category otherwise.
100% agreed. I've seen it happen at Otakon as well as other AMV Contests for years now. Unless the folks choosing what goes where properly place videos, it'll continue to happen and you can't blame the audience too much. They vote for what they enjoy, even if it has nothing to do with the actual category. We gotta keep in mind that this discussion is by editors who take the hobby more seriously and (I'd like to think) put thought into our votes. The audience isn't like that and again, you can't blame them. They have a fairly simple voting algorithm:
"Which video did I enjoy the most?"
Rather than:
"Which video was the best AND most appropriate for the given category?"
I've actually voted for videos that were "weaker" than others because I felt the better edited ones didn't necessarily fit the category.
Cyanna wrote:What about dwchang's model for a winning romance AMV? They're not usually funny...
I think with the audience it's less about actual comedy and more about being something that they can relate to whether it's a comedic romance or a more tug at your heartstrings kind of video.
To reiterate TsunamiX's assertion, I lost to the comedy video he mentioned earlier and it wasn't even close. And that year I made the sappiest video possible so I don't agree
. When they go head to head:
Romance <<<<< Upbeat < Comedy
I remember thinking "Hmm...I wonder if other editors will figure this out?" back in 2005 when the video TsunamiX mentioned won. Looks like they did.
TsunamiX wrote:Keep in mind that not every year does someone make the Romance finals with a video containing comedy (as well as dwchang's wins being 6 and 7 years ago now).
Now to be fair, my last win was three years ago, not six or seven so I'm not THAT old school. Even if my first Otakon win was 7 years ago...OK maybe I am that old...thanks -_-;;.
In any case, I've seen this pattern of editors editing something with as much comedy (or upbeat) as possible and submitting into another category (it's not only romance) for awhile now. It's unfortunate, but you can't blame editors who want to win going for the path of least resistance. Especially when it's so obvious.
