Already been done problem...

[TheGreatFox2000]

So I had a fairly good idea for an AMV (that situation where both the song and footage to be used just clicked in my head at the same time), but someone else (hereafter referred to as 'the creator)' has already used the exact song I was thinking of and the exact same anime to make an AMV.

Now then, the messy stuff. Reasons for me to continue as planned:

- The video has received the lowest number of hits of the six videos the creator has made and has no official comments.

- As of the time when I would be debuting said AMV-in-my-head (hey, that rhymed), the existing one would be over a year and a half old.

- The concept reasoning behind the video is different (although the song is the same, the creator's concept seems to be more drama-based whereas mine would be action).

- I would use different timing in my editing phase (granted there are some major beats in the song that would end up being the same, but for the most part it'd be different).

- He edited down the song (very well, to be sure), but I wouldn't.

Reasons for me to not continue as planned:

- It's already been done.

- While the concept is different, there is no disputing the fact that, in my mind, I would be using the exact same clips for certain parts of the song that the creator did. I estimate, after watching his AMV, that this would apprise roughly 13-15 seconds of footage that would coincide nearly exactly.

- In terms of footage that 'almost' corresponds to what has already been made, the last 10-20 seconds of the creator's video correspond to what I would be doing (the footage would be different, but it's from the same scene kinda-thing).

Now all that being said, one last monologue before I let you all pass judgment. I'm not a plagiarist, this is an unfortunate predicament I'm in where I supposed to have a very solid and quality concept for an AMV, except it had already been done.

I remember reading somewhere once (might've been here, might've been on a fanfic site, I don't remember), not to do something someone else has already done unless you are 100% positive you can do it better. That said, I'm positive I can do it better - I have 8 months to devote to it, whereas the original was created in one.

So then, I leave to you all, should I, or should I not create this video? As it stands right now, I'm slightly inclined to make it, but my only worried is having 'come up with your own ideas' yelled at me (which, as I said before, I did). Thoughts?

[Bauzi]

#1 Don´t give too much about ratings. You can like a video so much, because it´s you personal taste, but there still can be many who just don´t get it or who don´t like it the same way you do.

#2 This is an unnecessary discussion. You WANT to make the vid? Now go and fuckin´ do the stuff you like!

Just do it as long as you enjoy it.

[TheGreatFox2000]

#2 This is an unnecessary discussion. You WANT to make the vid? Now go and fuckin´ do the stuff you like! Razz

While I agree this should be the case, I just want to make sure I'm not in violation of global rule #9 "thou shalt not steal other people's AMVs".

[TheGreatFox2000]

EDIT: Thou shalt not steal other video creator's ideas.

Got the wording wrong, and this makes it more relevant.

[CrackTheSky]

EDIT: Thou shalt not steal other video creator's ideas.

Got the wording wrong, and this makes it more relevant.

Pfff, I explicitly did this once. It's not a big deal. If you think you can do it better, then do it. If the video in existance isn't the way you wish it was, then do it. If you want to do it, then do it.

Almost every idea has been done. Total originality, especially in this hobby, is all but dead. Don't overthink it.

[Jasta85]

EDIT: Thou shalt not steal other video creator's ideas.

Got the wording wrong, and this makes it more relevant.

Pfff, I explicitly did this once. It's not a big deal. If you think you can do it better, then do it. If the video in existance isn't the way you wish it was, then do it. If you want to do it, then do it.

Almost every idea has been done. Total originality, especially in this hobby, is all but dead. Don't overthink it.

QFT, look at how many linkin park songs are used DBZ amvs, maybe ten, now how many dbz amvs are there using those songs, maybe 10 thousand, lots of things have been done and redone, so long as you are not copying and pasting another person's exact footage and music i dont think there will be an issue.

[JaddziaDax]

if you are going to do an anime/song combination that you know exists already its always best to not watch the other one first. just make yours anyways, then when you are done watch them and compare them. Watching the other video usually makes you shift your own editing.

I'd brain bleach anything you saw in that video (if you can) and do yours anyways, don't let the other video effect your editing.

Also you wouldn't be stealing their ideas if 1 you hadn't seen their video and 2 you got the idea before you decided to look it up.

[Krisqo]

I ran into the same problem with my Cardcaptor Sakura video a few years ago. But I still did it because I wanted to do it. But do as Katie says and try to erase the original video from your mind so there is less chance that it looks like you copied it.

[JaddziaDax]

i had that problem once, and it made me switch my editing to make sure it looked like i wasn't copying even though I was going to originally use the same scenes...

Watching other videos using the same sources will usually effect your editing, that is why I say not to watch them... both because if you choose the same scenes you look like you are copying, also it can effect you to choose different less fitting scenes to make sure you don't look like you are copying... its double sided.