The 2008 genre challenge

[PaperIsland]

I'm not sure if you're being facetious requiett, but no-one here is saying a video has to be only one genre or even look like every other video of that genre. I don't think godix initiated this challenge to encourage editors to be constrained by expectations. I'd hate to see this challenge get written off so easily. Although it might be interesting to see a video whose only genre is "other."

[DriftRoot]

Ok, so what if we have an AMV Hell-like AMV in the works that showcases a bunch of different genres? Doesn't that count as stabs at multiple genres? Or is does it take a full-length AMV to prove stabbing? In which case what's to stop us from uploading a bunch of 40-second stabs that would otherwise be in an AMV Hell-like AMV?

Generally speaking, I think it would be easier for people to do a multi-track genre showcase than eight separate videos. If nothing else, they'd be able to put more work into each individual segment. I'd rather make an outstanding effects-whore 40-second track than an "I don't have time for this 'cause I've got seven more AMVs to finish" effects-whore 3-minute AMV.

The idea here is to prove we can work outside our comfort zone, not prove we can edit at lightning speed, right?

[Kitsuner]

Generally speaking, I think it would be easier for people to do a multi-track genre showcase than eight separate videos.

Isn't the point for it NOT to be taking the easy way?

[MomOxShirO]

I'm not that good at all but I thought I should try. I just started doing these like 3 days ago. ENJOY!!!!!!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DxmDbiO_2KI

[RedKnightRevolver]

YES!

[dreamawake]

...loool

[Copycat_Revolver]

The idea here is to prove we can work outside our comfort zone, not prove we can edit at lightning speed, right?

Yes, but more accurately, the point is to actually challenge yourself. I think you're thinking too hard about the number of videos. Sure, eight videos is a lot. Hell, I only released six last year and the year before that. But if you know you're not going to be able to do eight then just do what you can. We'll still watch it and give feedback.
There's not really any solid rules to this challenge when it comes down to it, so do what will give you at least some fleeting sense of self accomplishment.

And for everybody who's posted so far (except the youtube poster, shame on you) you'll get quick comments from me sometime soon.

[DriftRoot]

Generally speaking, I think it would be easier for people to do a multi-track genre showcase than eight separate videos.

Isn't the point for it NOT to be taking the easy way?

Yes, but the meat of the challenge is in the genre - otherwise it would just be a challenge to make eight/some other # of AMVs within a year of any genre.

Yes, but more accurately, the point is to actually challenge yourself. I think you're thinking too hard about the number of videos. Sure, eight videos is a lot. Hell, I only released six last year and the year before that. But if you know you're not going to be able to do eight then just do what you can. We'll still watch it and give feedback.
There's not really any solid rules to this challenge when it comes down to it, so do what will give you at least some fleeting sense of self accomplishment.

I suppose I should duck out of this conversation, as I'm not stuck in any sort of genre rut (as is being discussed here). Think of my fussing as a public service announcement for other people who might want to challenge themselves but are being frightened off by the standard being set for how many AMVs it's going to take to prove one can successfully tackle multiple genres. I realize it has to be done, there's got to be many multiples of something, but I think a multi-track/genre AMV could expand one's horizons just as well as a bunch of separate AMVs, while not strapping someone's schedule nearly as much.

[godix]

I'm not that good at all but I thought I should try. I just started doing these like 3 days ago. ENJOY!!!!!!!!

http://boochsack.com/watch?v=DxmDbiO_2KI

Oh look, it's a large and somewhat pink thing. What could it be? Oh! It's the palm of my hand. It seems to be getting larger for some reason. Yes yes, it definately is.




It's coming closer now.




Wait for it....








*facepalm*

There's not really any solid rules to this challenge when it comes down to it, so do what will give you at least some fleeting sense of self accomplishment.

QFT.



The 8 videos are there mostly because I was trying to show which genres are truly different as opposed to say romance and drama which both work with the exact same editing style. Partially it's also to provide a goal since most people, myself included, do better when there's an end goal in mind than an open ended 'do whatever you want'.

It appears some have decided they'll only do videos of genres they haven't already done before and they'll skip the genres they have already done. That reduces the # of videos needed and still fits the idea of challenging yourself with something new. So if 8 videos is really a problem for someone I'd recommend doing this.

Personally I don't like the AMV Hell like idea. Consider the differences between a 30 clip and a full length video. A full length video requires learning pacing, presentation, and basically keeping the audiences attention the whole time. A hell clip is just jamming as many good bits in as quickly as you can. I could toss some kissing scenes to some sappy ass song for 30 seconds and call it romance but is it really? Isn't a romance video more interesting if it shows the two characters meeting, interacting, and falling in love then builds up to the mushy stuff at the end? After all there's a reason Dirty Dancing is a couple hours long instead of 5 minutes of making out then credits roll. Romance is more than kissing, action is more than just fighting, comedy is as much the setup as it is the punchline, etc. I can't think of any genre that is well represented by just jumping straight to the good bits and skipping the buildup.

In short, to do a genre justice I think you need to learn how to deal with the whole song, even those shitty ass 'oh god this instrumental goes on forever what the fuck do I do with it?' parts. A hell clip is a cheap ass way of saying 'I have no idea what to do with this part so we'll just cut it'.

In the end though let me quote myself from earlier: "The 'prize' for this is whatever self satisfaction you get from challenging yourself and succeeding. The price of failure is whatever self loathing you get from challenging yourself and failing." If you do a hell like video odds are I won't like it and I'll tell you that when I comment on the video but in the end it's your opinion of your work that matters not mine.

[Serv0]

God dammit. I didn't even realize that people had posted vids here already.
I'm checking out your guys' vids right now.

EDIT:

TO EVERYONE: Since this is godix's post, he's the one who will have the last word on this. And if godix already brought this up, then I apologize for bringing it up again. I suggest that when commenting on a vid, that the commenter first "quote" the editor and his vid id so it's easy for us to know what's being addressed. Yeah it may be enough to just say the person's name, but I believe quoting the id will add more organization to the thread.

I'll start off with PaperIslands.

Below are my comments from 'Take Your Seat's' Announcement Thread.

Not bad PaperIsland. The beginning was really cool with the silence. Once the music kicks in, it really packs a punch (no pun intended).

First of all my complaint is that half way through the vid, I started to doze off. But fortunately, I was able to come back into attention towards the end.
0:55 and 1:02 has lip-flap and is often a little uncomfortable for the audience, especially when the character isn't finishing the lyrics.

The content in this video is all about the fighting and the hard techno.

You've got a nice set up in the beginning with Ippo training. Not only does the beginning set the mood, but I also knew what the overall vid was going to be about. Something about most AMVs is that editors fail to get their audience to know the idea of the vid. It's nice to see you were able to overcome this obstacle.

You have a nice character profile going on for Ippo.
1:51 - 2:06 is my favorite part because it gives us the audience to slow down and take a break. Also this little segment shows a little emotion for Ippo.

One note about this vid, is that there doesn't seem to be any real climax. The energy in the vid is very intense, but doesn't feel dynamic. Hence why 1:51 - 2:06 is my favorite part, because the energy is a bit different. In the future, be sure to shape your vids with dynamics. Make everything feel balanced, and make your climaxes clear. This isn't easy to do for an AMV, but it sure helps.

3.5/5 from me. Thumbs up PaperIsland.

I think it's also important to note that the editing feels a little sloppy towards the end, compared to the beginning. One of the causes of this is an editor's stress over a project and their rush to get a vid done. In the future, if you need to take a break or put in some more time to clean things up, go for it because it's well worth it in the end.

SECOND EDIT:

Seeing that this thread also addresses genres, I would also like to point out my interests in an action genre.

Personally, I'm a fan of action and fun vids to a degree that they:
1) Energize me and get me excited.
and
2) Feel unique, fresh, and well defined. I like caring about characters even in action vids.

'Take Your Seat' accomplishes both of these goals in a good amount, but not fully.