AWA 2005 Pro Contest Discussion Thread

StudioKZ · Post by **StudioKZ** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 11:24 pm

Before I even kick this off properly, I ought to ask -knowing that it's blind judging and not even expecting anybody to actually give away which video is theirs, is it kosher to even have a discussion about the contest before the voting takes place? There are a few videos I'd like to champion (other than my own :twisted: ) and a few that I'd like to talk about, but at the same time, I don't want to break the anonymity of the process or violate the sanctity of the contest itself while doing so.

So I guess the question is, can people have a discussion about the videos without completely screwing over the whole point of the contest?

Corran wrote:We don't want to see the drama that happened in the Otakon thread recently. As StudioKZ told me in a PM "The point of the Pro contest is to judge each video on its own Merits, something that seasoned "Professional" editors ought to be able to do..."

Please keep this in mind while posting.

Also, I didn't realize it but StudioKZ had another moderator fix that post right before I split it. So, here is that post for completeness sake.

Thank you for reopening the thread, Corran. I'll rephrase my intent and my 'rules for the thread' as it were and should somebody violate these, then by all means, please remove the offending posts. If it turns out that people can't talk objectively about it, then please do close the thread again.

I'm not encouraging a discussion of individual videos YET, I'm wondering if people involved can discuss - IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER - the videos and the contest as a whole without either.

A> talking about who MADE the videos -You might be able to tell based on a certain style or source, some of you might have shared beta versions with friends before the contest, but keep it to yoursel. You should still be able to judge objectively even with that information, but keep it to yourself anyway, as I'm sure not everybody will be able to.

or

B> trash talking about the videos and potentially offending the creator or tipping people off as to who you are or are not nominating or voting for before the voting takes place.

or

C>trying to influence people to vote for a particular video (whether it's yours or not)

What you should NOT do in this thread is

1. Video #62 looks like Kevin Caldwell's.

2. I hate Limp Bizkit Videos, I skipped right over them this year (you are well within your rights to judge this way, but keep it out of this forum.. and anyway, I'd recommend against doing it because - well, it's Pro, even if there's a Linkin Ball Z video, that doesn't mean it will be bad. You're Pros, you should be able to judge based on the individual video.)

3. video #84 sucks ass

4. You should vote for video #72, it's awesome

5. I'm not sure who to vote for between video #100 and #75, what do you think?

6. We should make a category for worst video and put Video #70 in it!

7. Can we make a category for best DBZ video using Linkin Park?

8. I'm voting for Video #69!

Your votes are YOUR business and you shouldn't be trying to influence anybody else. PLEASE keep them to yourself. If anybody actually does this, I will request that their post gets removed. If too many people do it, I will request that the thread get junked.

What I'm looking for is if people involved think that they can discuss objectively. For example:

1. I'm amused that there was not a trace of Eva, DBZ, Ranma or Inu yasha in this year's competition. Do you think this is becoming standard, or will we see a series of top-notch videos using these sources once they 'cool down'?

2. I'm surprised that there were only 56 entries, are people really concentrating this year on Masters instead or is it just a shallow year all around?

3. I'm not sure how I would classify what category video #xx is, what do you think?

4. What do you think are the musical and video trends this year?

5. We ought/ought not to be able to nominate more/less videos!

6. I thought the DVD Encode was really good/bad/indifferent.

If people think they can and are willing to, then let the discussion begin. If you are unwilling or think that it will unfairly influence the voting, then let me know.

genestarwind21122 · Post by **genestarwind21122** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 11:54 pm

I think the whole purpose to this contest is to judge the videos for yourself and not to have any other influences when you are watching the videos from what people have said. At least that's what I understand.

StudioKZ · Post by **StudioKZ** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:05 am

genestarwind21122 wrote:I think the whole purpose to this contest is to judge the videos for yourself and not to have any other influences when you are watching the videos from what people have said. At least that's what I understand.

That's why those of us who know each other get together to watch the pro tapes, right?

--

I agree, the judging is supposed to be blind solo judging (to the extent that we don't already either A> recognize the videos from other contests or B> recognize certain familiar styles) by the people who entered, but does that necessarily mean no discussion among the entrants?

genestarwind21122 · Post by **genestarwind21122** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:11 am

Remember the paper you recieved with your entry form I suggest emailing the address on the paper that came with the videos to make sure.

Castor Troy · Post by **Castor Troy** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:18 am

I hope to get my pro dvds soon... damn west coast.

Corran · Post by **Corran** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:21 am

The point of the contest is to vote blind and independantly. If people start discussing now people could potentially influence what other people think about certain videos. There is one post already that I've removed (sorry) that gives enough detail to single out at least one video and what they thought of it. For now I'm locking the thread.

If you wish to discuss the contest once final voting has concluded I would think that would be absolutely fine.

Corran · Post by **Corran** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:06 am

Ok, here's the deal. The AWA Pro rules do not specify a rule prohibiting discussion before the voting stages. As long as this thread does not get out of hand the thread will not get locked.

We don't want to see the drama that happened in the Otakon thread recently. As StudioKZ told me in a PM "The point of the Pro contest is to judge each video on its own Merits, something that seasoned "Professional" editors ought to be able to do..."

Please keep this in mind while posting.

Also, I didn't realize it but StudioKZ had another moderator fix that post right before I split it. So, here is that post for completeness sake.

Darkseid wrote:Well, I'd like to give it a shot.

Good:

There are three comedy vids I liked. One of these was the most entertaining of the entire pro contest IMHO.

As an old school mech fan, there were a couple very pleasant surprises to see in the contest as well. Seriously enjoyed these.

Also, between this contest and the upcoming Advent Children movie, I can't say I completely hate Final Fantasy anymore.

Have my pick for best technical as well. Someone out there did some excellent work.

Thank god for few appearances by Naruto and FMA. Overuse is never a good thing. Minimal use makes the vids bearable. Surprised not to see any Inu Yasha or Saikano vids.

Couple action/fighting vids were ok, but they're not my style. Still, this is about technique and effort, not just my own personal tastes Will have to judege these closely.

hmmm... lesbians... yummmm...

Still having trouble telling the difference between Maison Ikkoku and Kimagure Orange Road, but both were decently represented.

I must say I've enjoyed watching these for the most part (except for a couple which were absolute misery but I won't flame here.) This was a diverse fun collection of generally well done videos. Looking forward to voting and seeing who gets shown at AWA's Sat. viewing.

Illia Sadri · Post by **Illia Sadri** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 3:05 am

Personally I do see pro this year as being very tech minded which I think can be good or bad. I do miss simple videos and I wonder if it is seen now that a good video HAS to have well crafted effects or if it is just a trend.

But overall quality I do think is up from what I have seen thus far with nothing that stands out as being autrociously awful (one did run way too long for my liking.) in editing quality. However I do feel there are fewer standouts compared to last year where there were several notable ones.

There are a number of videos I would consider very odd. Some had bizarre concepts or quirky character focuses. Others used combinations of music and footage(not all is anime here) that are strange.

Oh yes I put in a sigh of relief at not having too much overused footage. Naruto is so far amazingly in check being used more in various videos and not peppering the entire disk. Same goes for Azumanga Daioh, Hoshi no Koe, Inuyasha, Bebop, Trigun and your other typical culprits. There is a large amount of FMA though which is endurable.

Too much drama though. Seriously....the competition will be incredible simply by how many there are this year.

Jnzk · Post by **Jnzk** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 3:15 am

Castor Troy wrote:I hope to get my pro dvds soon... damn west coast.

x2

...damn Northern Europe.

Sephiroth · Post by **Sephiroth** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 4:08 am

i was suprised at the number of comedy vids this year. Though if you went to AX you allready know who made 2 of them. I'm more interested in the vids that'll get played all night long at the VAT anyways.

Overall i say that the pro contest is ok this year, naturally id like to win but something tells me that wont happen. (out of 6 years ive only one once, but that was at AWA Expo so who knows).

The sound is the only thing that really comes up as an issue and not in the way most think. Depending on the kind of speakers the vids sound ether good or not as good . Internet is for porn vid sounded great on the 2 computers ive tried it on but not so great on my tv. Though i do beleave that all of the vids will sound right given AWAs really good speakers. Just something i noticed.

And every video is watchable which is allways a plus, though i don't think i'm going to watch the 26 minute video again (no offense).