Anime Expo 2018 AMV Competition - DEADLINE: April 28th

[XStylus]

Submission Guidelines and Rules
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Deadline: Saturday, April, 28th, 2017
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Visit the following link for the official event rules and registration form:
http://www.anime-expo.org/amv-competition
Visit the following link to register to participate:
https://goo.gl/W6ZcfA

To check the status of your AMV submission, visit the following link:
http://goo.gl/NGhlXD

Please direct any questions or comments to:
amv(AT)anime-expo.org
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Most important changes compared to 2017's rules:
1) The freshness rule has been adjusted. Entries exhibited prior to November 1st, 2017 are ineligible.
2) There are now detailed descriptions and definitions of each category.
3) A few minor clarifications, but no major changes this year.

TL;DR RULES
If you read nothing else, please at least read these.

1. You can send us a total of NINE(!) videos this year, but only in the following combination:
   1. You can send one Action, OR one Drama, OR one Sentiments video. Pick one only.
   2. In addition, you can also send up to three Rhythm, Fun, or Humor videos (any combination is okay, but no more than three total).
   3. And in addition to that, you can send up to five Trailer Parodies, TV Commercials, or TV Intro parodies (in any combination).
2. If your AMV publicly existed prior to November 1st, 2017, we consider it an old video and won’t accept it.
3. Don’t use source material that has studio logos, watermarks, or subtitles. Avoid using text, and don’t put in anything that breaks your anonymity.
4. Quality matters a lot. If your video quality looks worse than what you'd see on a retail DVD, it will not be accepted.
5. Read our Technical Standards, PLEASE. If you don't follow them, we will adjust your video to conform to them, and the result likely won't be good as if you'd done so yourself.
6. Do not pitch shift your audio or it will be rejeted. This isn't necessary for us. We’re not YouTube.
7. Read ALL the rules.

THE RULES:

Technical Standards:

Spoiler :

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. We recommend MP4 or MKV file formats. We also accept AVI, MOV, M2TS, or MPG, but they are not recommended. Any other file format will be rejected.
2. We recommend H.264/AVC 8-bit codecs. We recommend against using antiquated codecs such as XVID, or bleeding-edge codecs such as 10-bit or H.265/HEVC.
3. We recommend file sizes of 300MB* or smaller. We reserve the right to reject files that we deem to be ridiculously large.
4. We recommend inserting one second of empty black silence to the start and end of each entry.

BE ADVISED: For the convenience of our judges, we reserve the right to adjust any entries to conform to the above recommendations. This may impact the quality of your entry as presented to the judges. To ensure that the judges experience your AMV in the most ideal way, please follow the recommendations above.


QUALITY METRICS:

• The following video issues shall be considered technical flaws:
  1. Interlacing
  2. Squashed or stretched aspect ratios, or improper letterboxing/matting
  3. Chunky/blocky video
  4. Color banding (i.e. Color gradients caused by video re-compression)
  5. Blurry video
  6. Heavily aliased/jagged lines
  7. Low resolution entries
     1. 720p is the minimum if using sources that were released on Blu-Ray or HD.
     2. 480p is the minimum if using sources that were never released on Blu-Ray or HD.

• The following audio issues shall be considered technical flaws:
  1. Audible distortion
  2. Levels that are overdriven or clipped
  3. Levels that are too low.
  4. Low sample-rate/bitrate
  5. Audible discontinuities or jumps caused by flawed audio edits
  6. Pitch-shifted or speed-adjusted audio (unless by obvious artistic necessity)

NOTE: Entries that require a strange or unusual degree of difficulty to work with shall be considered technically flawed.

Subject to Disqualification:

Spoiler :

1. Technical Standards Non-Compliance
   • Entries that do not sufficiently satisfy our technical standards may be disqualified.
2. Submission Freshness Requirement
   • Your entry must not have been available for public view at a live event** or online prior to the freshness cut-off date of November 1st, 2017*. (We do not impose an exclusivity requirement.)
     
     • (*) Bonus Category entries are exempt, but must not have been sent to a past AX AMV Competition.
       (**)We track official contests and formal exhibitions at live events. An informal preview shown to a small live audience under non-contest circumstances would not count against this.
3. Restricted Material
   1. Corner watermark logos or other trademarks. *
   2. Subtitles, karaoke lyrics, and superfluous text (including credits from a show's own intro/closing). *
   3. References to non-SPJA contests or events. *
   4. Introductions, closings, titles, credit slates, and self-promotion. *
      • (*) Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis if such usage can be deemed necessary and relevant to your entry’s concept.
4. Video Length Limits
   • Entries that do not adhere to the following video length limits may be disqualified:
     1. All AMVs: 1min 15sec minimum, 5min 30sec maximum.
     2. Movie Trailers: 1min 30sec minimum, 3min 30sec maximum.
     3. TV Intros: No minimum, 1min 30sec maximum.
     4. TV Commercials: No minimum, 1min maximum.
5. Content Standards
   • The content and context of each entry must be suitable for an age 13+ audience. This includes (but is not limited to) gore, vulgar language, nudity, heavy sexual innuendo, and material that is demeaning or demoralizing.
6. Non-Anime Content
   • The video content of all AMV entries must primarily consist of anime-styled or manga-styled content. *
     • (*) This definition includes non-Japanese content made in the typical Japanese anime style, such as Boondocks, Korra, RWBY, and Voltron (but not My Little Pony). If there is a non-Japanese anime-styled source you wish to use, contact the coordinators for approval.
7. Non-Music Content
   • The audio content of all AMV entries must primarily be music. Entries with substantial narration or non-musical dialogue (either spoken or via subtitles) may be disqualified. *
     • (*) Bonus Category entries are exempt from this rule.
8. Excessive Submissions
   • Entrants who have exceeded a category’s submission limits shall have their excess entries disqualified. This includes entries re-categorized by coordinator review.
9. Micro-Vid Reels
   • Entries that are primarily a reel of multiple unrelated and random micro-AMVs (i.e. AMV-Hell styled entries) are not eligible to compete.
10. Incomplete and/or Minimal Effort Entries
    1. Entries that mostly consist of largely uncut video segments from the original source may be disqualified.
    2. Entries that have a minimal effort title (e.g. “My Naruto AMV” or “Timmy’s AMV”) may be declined until and unless given a proper title.
    3. Entries that start or end mid-point in the song for no artistic reason may be deemed incomplete and may be disqualified.

Category Choices

Spoiler :

All entries must be categorized under one of the nine choices listed below. Certain categories receive more submissions than others, and therefore have stricter limits.

LIMITED CATEGORIES

• 1. Drama
  2. Action
  3. Sentiments

Category Limits:

• One Limited Category entry per entrant (I.E. One Drama or one Action or one Sentiments, etc.)

NON-LIMITED CATEGORIES

• 4. Fun & Play
  5. Rhythm & Beat
  6. Comedy & Humor

Category Limits:

• Three entries maximum, in any combination.
• Entrants may send one entry to each category, or multiple entries to a single category. In the case of the latter, only one may qualify for the finals.

BONUS CATEGORIES

• 7. TV Commercials
  8. TV Intros
  9. Trailers

Category Limits:

• Five entries maximum, in any combination.
• Exempt from Freshness Rules, provided that the entry was never sent to a prior AX contest.
• Multiple entries may be sent to a single category. Each has a chance of qualifying for the finals.

The total number of entries each entrant may submit is: One Limited Category entry, plus three Non-Limited Category entries, plus five Bonus Category entries, for a total of nine entries.

All entries will be inspected by the coordinators for proper category fitment. If it is determined that your entry is mis-categorized, it will be moved to the appropriate category. Your preference is given heavy consideration, but the coordinators have the final decision. Rule 8 still applies, even for re-categorized entries.

Category Descriptions:

Spoiler :

The information below will help you decide how to categorize your entry.

Please be aware that certain categories receive vastly more entries than others, and are therefore judged far more strictly than other categories. We encourage you to try the less competitive categories, but only if your video would be clearly appropriate for them. (I.E. Don’t try to put an obvious Drama video in a less competitive category in the hopes of improving its chances.)

1. Drama
   • There are two types of entries appropriate for this category. The first type are entries that focus on theatrics, performance, and/or artistic expression. The second type are entries that are emotionally heavy or serious in tone. Our judges are instructed to inspect each Drama entry based on how well one portrays an interesting story and evokes an emotional connection (with emphasis in that order). Be advised that due to the immense overabundance of entries that this category regularly receives, our judges are instructed to be harsh, and any imperfection is grounds for disqualification in this category.
     (Competitiveness Level: Over 9000. Recommended for expert editors who seek bragging rites.)
2. Action
   • Entries in this category tend to be more adventurous or adrenaline inducing. The focus of such entries is on the thrill of a battle, challenge, or adventure, and the music for such entries should accentuate this.
     (Competitiveness Level: 5 out of 5. Recommended for adrenaline junkies.)
3. Sentiments
   • This is the less intense and more light-hearted side of Drama. These entries focus on romance, reminiscence, nostalgia, or other uplifting sentiments. Similar to Drama, it should evoke an emotional connection and portray an interesting story (with emphasis in that order).
     (Competitiveness Level: 4 out of 5. Recommended for hopeless romantics and storytellers.)
4. Fun & Play
   • Though not to be mistaken as "Comedy-Lite," entries to this category consist of whimsically clever, playfully silly, or light-hearted fluff.
     (Competitiveness Level: 3 out of 5. Recommended for the young at heart.)
5. Rhythm & Beat
   • If it makes you want to dance, tap your foot, or nod your head, it's doing something right. Such entries generally have a catchy rhythmic beat matched to flashy on-screen action.
     (Competitiveness Level: 2 out of 5. Recommended for technically skillful music fans.)
6. Humor & Comedy
   • This is the category our audience craves the most, but also the category we often receive the fewest of. This is the home of hilarity, ridiculousness, absurdity, silly extremes, and utter wrongness. If it makes you laugh or chuckle, it belongs here. An ideal entry breaks the minds of the audience through laughter, shenanigans, or plain “WTF!” If you somehow get the audience to play along with your insanity, all the better.
     (Competitiveness Level: 1 out of 5. Recommended for crazy people.)
7. TV Intros
   • These are parodies or re-creations of an opening credits sequence from any show (anime or non-anime) edited using video material from a different anime show. Such entries should mimic the typical style of a television intro by using credits and title logos where appropriate.
8. TV Commercials
   • This category is ideal for those who want to make something quick and fun. These can be short parodies or remakes of popular television commercials using the actual audio from such commercials, or they can be completely original commercials using anime footage and your own original audio in a way that promotes a fictitious product or service. All entries must either be exactly 15 seconds, exactly 30 seconds, or exactly one full minute in duration.
9. Trailers
   • If you’ve ever thought a Hollywood movie would be so much better as an anime, this category is for you. These entries are anime parodies or remakes of actual motion picture promotional trailers. Such entries may repurpose the audio of a genuine motion picture trailer, or (if you’re feeling brave) you can make your own from scratch, so long as it mimics the typical editorial style of a movie trailer. We recommend adding a custom “green-band” slate typically seen in most movie trailers (We’ll add our own if yours is missing one). Entries that use audio from a video game promotional trailer are also appropriate for this category.

ABOUT OUR PRE-SHOW
Pre-Show is a non-competitive “coordinator’s choice” block selected from the list of competition non-finalists. It is shown during audience seating just before the AMV competition starts. If your entry does not advance to the finals, there is a chance it may instead be shown during this block.

The final four videos that play in the Pre-Show are considered “Honorable Mentions”. It is also considered a special honor to be the last video of the Pre-Show.

Policies and Conditions

Spoiler :

1. You unconditionally grant us eternal, irrevocable, and limitless permission to use, copy, share, and exhibit your submission(s) in any way, including for purposes and usages outside of or unrelated to this event, and you grant this permission with no expectation of compensation, remuneration, or any form of obligation from us of any kind.
2. All entries are subject to category review. The judges and coordinators may change the categorization of any entry at their discretion. Any re-categorizations will still be subject to all category limits and rules.
3. Entrants may re-submit a revised version of a current entry at any time before the deadline, but no more than twice per entry. Once the deadline has passed, resubmissions require coordinator approval.
4. The coordinators reserve the right to decline further entries or re-submissions from entrants who have had three or more entries disqualified.
5. The coordinators and judges may accept or reject any entry for any fair and justifiable reason not foreseen in these rules.
6. The coordinators and judges are the final interpreters of any rule. Their decisions are final.
7. Dishonesty, plagiarism of other AMVs (in whole or in part), or any actions that cause grief or dishonor to the event or to others may result in the offender being excluded from future SPJA AMV activities. Severe cases may result in banishment from all SPJA events, as well as a notification of your conduct to other AMV events we are affiliated with.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER
For the sake of the entire “Submission Guidelines and Rules” document, the terms “we”, “our” and “us” refer to the SPJA, Anime Expo, its subsidiaries, affiliates, associates, staff, and volunteers. The terms “you” and “your” refers to the participant as well as anyone acting on the participant’s behalf.

In consideration of participation in a contest, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, you, on your behalf, and on behalf of your heirs, successors or assigns, administrators and personal representatives, do hereby FOREVER DISCHARGE, FULLY RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE SPJA, and each of their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries, affiliates, partners and related entities, their respective directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, insurers, attorneys, shareholders and representatives, and each predecessor, successor, and assign thereof, from and against any and all actions, charges, claims, losses, costs, damages, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities of any kind or character, whether known or unknown, in connection with, arising out of or in any way related to your participation in the contest. By providing a submission to this contest, you agree to comply with and be bound by all rules, policies, requirements, and conditions outlined in this document.

[XStylus]

Edit: 6/12/2018
It is our pleasure to announce the roster of individuals whose work we will be exhibiting this year!

We continue to be humbled by the thunderous number of submissions each year, and whittling the roster down to just a select few is a painful task. The level of excellence continues to astonish year after year.

One quick announcement -- If you've informed us that you will be attending AX this year, you will receive a separate message from us within the next couple days. That message will contain information on where to pick up your AMV Competition tickets as well as other useful information. If you do not receive that email by this Saturday, you're not on our roster and should contact us immediately.

And now, without further delay, here are the list of finalists whose work will be exhibited this year:

THE FINALISTS!
In alphabetical order:

AntaresHeart07 (2 Main Entries)
BecauseImBored1 (1 Main Entry)
BioticAMVs (1 Main Entry)
DL (1 Main Entry)
DopplerDo (1 Main Entry)
Eleanor Uyyek (1 Main Entry)
EnergyPants (1 Main Entry)
FanEditz (1 Bonus Category Entry)
Gina Nelson (1 Main Entry + 1 Bonus Category Entry)
Glitzer (1 Main Entry)
Hiroto Sumi (1 Main Entry)
Justis (1 Main Entry)
Kazemon15 (1 Main Entry)
King Redeem (1 Bonus Category Entry)
Kirbygal (1 Main Entry)
Kireblue (1 Main Entry)
KushiiSmiles (1 Main Entry)
Kyci (1 Main Entry)
Maboroshi Studio (1 Main Entry)
MadMegatax (1 Main Entry + 1 Bonus Category Entry)
MrShmucker (1 Main Entry)
Mycathatesyou69 & King Redeem (1 Main Entry)
Nekokitkat (1 Main Entry)
PaNTSU oF d00m (1 Main Entry + 1 Bonus Category Entry)
Pieandbeer (3 Main Entries)
Shin (1 Main Entry)
shorisquared (1 Main Entry + 2 Bonus Category Entries)
Speedy180 (1 Bonus Category Entry)
TheDestineeAMV (1 Main Entry)
Tigrin (1 Main Entry + 1 Bonus Category Entry)
Trenzilla (1 Main Entry)
UnluckyArtist (1 Main Entry + 1 Bonus Category Entry)
Xophilarus (1 Main Entry)

Lastly, we'd also like to bring attention to our Pre-Show exhibition which takes place during audience seating just before the main event. If you didn't find your name in the above list, there is still a chance that your entry might be played during our Pre-Show!

Though the Pre-Show play roster has not yet been determined at this time, it is determined based on the following parameters (each entry must beet any two of these three):
1 - The entrant is highly likely to be in attendance to see their entry play.
2 - The entry scored well in the judging.
3 - One of the coordinators really liked it and selfishly wants to see it play.

Please keep an eye on the submission status roster. If your entry is selected for Pre-Show, we will note it there. The status roster can be found at the bottom of the following web page:
http://www.anime-expo.org/activity/amv_competition/


Once again, we thank you all, and we look forward to hosting more of your great work next year!

[Scintilla]

You can send us a total of NINE(!) videos this year

[Cirera]

Your entry must not have been available for public view at a live event** or online prior to the freshness cut-off date of November 1st, 2017*.

So wait, does the date apply to both of these or are videos that have been in conventions AFTER November 1st allowed? So, the video doesn't have to be exclusive to AX, just fresh?

Sorry, probably a stupid question but

[XStylus]

Your entry must not have been available for public view at a live event** or online prior to the freshness cut-off date of November 1st, 2017*.

So wait, does the date apply to both of these or are videos that have been in conventions AFTER November 1st allowed? So, the video doesn't have to be exclusive to AX, just fresh?

Your understanding is correct. AX does not have an exclusivity requirement, only a freshness requirement.

[Yuusharo]

Jason here, manager of the AMV Department at Anime Expo.

My apologies to anyone who has registered in the past few days and has not yet received an entrant code. The same goes for anyone who has tried to email us since this past weekend and have not received a response.

Due to a personal matter, we have been delayed in sending out new codes out and receiving new entries. Sorry about that!

We will resume sending those out starting later today. Rest assured, we are still accepting new entrants and AMV entries, so keep 'em coming!!

Feel free to send any questions or concerns to amv@anime-expo.org, and we'll respond to you as quickly as we can.

Take care!

-Jason

[Rider4Z]

(This personal matter was a serious health emergency, btw.)

[maidmisachan]

I've tried checking the status of my amv on the drive document, but it says "Protected file," and won't let me view it.

[Yuusharo]

I've tried checking the status of my amv on the drive document, but it says "Protected file," and won't let me view it.

Hi there,

We had a brief hiccup with the submission system this morning, which might have caused some issues for some. I apologize to everyone if you were impacted.

The submission status page is online and should be open for anyone to view. Please check using the link below, and let me know if you're still experiencing any issues.

AX AMV Submission Status Page: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... LYYyQAKKU/

Take care!

[maidmisachan]

If our video was disqualified for technical reasons, are we allowed to resubmit it if we have fixed it?