Obligatory, annual, elitist AWA 2019 Pro AMV review!

[troubleclef]

Here is the link to the google doc. Notes were taken by Mango, Sean.PNG, ObsidianZero and I. As of posting there are 8 videos that haven't been watched during a call, so don't worry if you don't see yours.

I highly recommend joining in on the calls to hear the discussion and listen to the feedback - you can learn a whole lot even if the video isn't yours.

[Tigrin]

Alrighty, here are my reviews. First I want to say that I think it takes a lot of courage to enter this contest because it's tough sometimes to hear the people you look up to criticize something that you worked hard on, so thanks everyone for sharing your videos with me and your thoughts on mine! I tried to keep my thoughts for each video well-rounded but that wasn't always possible. If you have more questions about my thoughts or would like more specific feedback, feel free to hit me up after voting ends.

Personal favorites of mine are marked with:
Songs I added to my AMV playlist are marked with:

Spoiler :

001 – haha this was better than I was expecting. I feel like some of the scene selection could have been better but I’m not familiar with the source to say.
029 – Love this parody, so funny, much lol – I’ve watched this several times and I see something new every time – To be fair I think there was some moments of internal sync that could be tightened up a bit
039 – I love MMVs and this must have taken an incredible amount of work. I think the combination of live action and manga edits is really unique and gives the video an melancholy atmosphere. I think this song is such an appropriate one for Yashiro. It’s difficult because this is a very explicit series and it’s hard to communicate exactly the sort of pain Yashiro is suffering in relation to love without quickly tipping into NSFW territory. But then it feels like it’s missing that essential element for the storytelling. I also wish there was a bit more of his relationship to Doumeki and how experiencing real love causes him a different kind of pain than the type he’s used to being able to control.
040 – Everyone else will probably say this but your sound is low; I’m not sure what program you’re using but look for an option to normalize your audio. Other than that I thought it was a very clean edit that flowed well. The song is a good fit and the pacing keeps up well, there are some really enjoyable moments of internal sync.
043 – I’m very concerned for the person who made this song, this anime, and this video. I can tell you worked really hard on this and I just wonder why. This may sound odd but I think if you’re going to try to pull off humor like this, go all in and bring in other dead dog sources. But in any case this sort of humor is just not going to go over well because of how innocent dogs are seen as being. I think this video is a good example of pulling off this kind of black shock humor to distress an audience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTYUDRP8_v0
048 – Some of the technicals need some cleaning up like the crossfades but I like the atmosphere of this. Some of the clips are kind of strobey but that’s probably native, still wondering if there’s a way to clean that up if it could trigger epilepsy/migraines? An odd nitpick.
049 – I’m not crying, you’re crying. I think some of the cuts particularly towards the beginning are too fast and might need another look. I’m waffling on whether or not to recommend crossfades because of how old the live action footage is.
055 – A beautiful video that gave me chills, though I’m not sure I follow the story and found myself being pulled out trying to figure out the narrative. The lyrics feel a bit incongruous, particularly the repeating line at the end “who would want to be around me”. The depressed and negative attitude of the lyrics don’t seem to match the uplifting hope of the last images. But the general mood of the song seems to fit well enough.
064 – PUSH THE BUTTON! The song choice was funny but this drags on quite a bit for a 3 minute video, it could be a lot shorter to get to the joke faster. I think maybe part of the issue is the low production value of the anime and the limited animation; there’s a lot of static shots. You’re doing a lot of heavy lifting trying to make it interesting and create a strong narrative (such as the prolific use of zoom transitions), and it just doesn’t keep up. The strongest parts are probably the very end and the “push the button” reveal in the lyrics.
065 – The video flowed well and a rap song is always a difficult choice. If I didn’t already know the premise of Death Parade I’m not sure I would have followed it, but it’s still very dramatic and interesting.
066 – I liked the effects and thought it flowed well, not sure if I follow the story, there’s a demon camera? The lyrics talk a lot about the world being cruel but we don’t see much of the world of the story, just a few individuals. I’m not sure I want to see this source.
068 – Really cute and clean edit with a great scene selection, well done.
070 – Audio mixing needs some work, but this was an unusual combo, very entertaining. The video quality is great. I think you missed an opportunity to include The Incredibles’ “NO CAPES” in relation to that first clip, but I get you’re focused on Marvel/DC sources. Absolutely do not lose the America’s ass clips, they are vital.
071 – Would like to see better sync than pump zooms – the mood is strong, but the pacing is too slow. I’d like to see a clearer narrative maybe to explain the frequent repeated shots. Bring people who aren’t familiar with the source into this world. Otherwise, it just feels like a lot of disconnected shots that don’t flow well with the ups and downs of the music.
073 – There’s an aspect ratio issue that looks like you stretched it vertically to fit a 16:9 aspect ratio, this should be fixed. I thought it had a solid mood with the song. I’m not really sure about giving particular characters a lot of focus, such as Hawkeye in the middle, just to try to hit lyric sync. If the section about cheating in the song doesn’t fit you could potentially cut it out, especially since this is fairly long. I’d focus more on the Avengers dealing with the aftermath of the snap and coming together to fight what seems like an impossible fight. Just a suggestion though.
074 – I like this song pick for Miles a lot, but I think the poor scene selection squanders its potential. The video quality has some issues; it looks a bit blurry and probably shouldn’t be letterboxed. I think you have the editing chops so give your storytelling another look.
077 – I’ve been wanting to watch this anime! There are some technical issues in this, like stray frames in the crossfades and such, but I think it’s pretty solid in general. I really don’t like the noise overlay for the flashbacks, I’m assuming that’s not native. If you’re going to go with noise, I’d do a monochrome noise with a bigger grain, on another layer where you can maybe fade it a bit. But I’m not sure what the limitations are of your software. If you can’t adjust the grain I’d go with a different effect, such as: deasaturated colors with blur around the edges or a blurred white around the edges of the frame. Or sepia tone. Anything but the color noise.
079 – Love the overlays and masks, interesting song pick for a Death Note vid. Some of the images are a little hard to see because of the overlays. The mood in this was very solid.
086 – Surprising song combo, well done, good sync, scene selection, and narrative structure. I think overcoming the meme status of this song just makes the combo feel even stronger and makes this video stand out.
087 – A very well-done Avengers tribute, loved the overlays and audio mixing, very solid video overall. Some of the internal sync moments are great.
089 – Solid sync and action flow. I liked how you used cuts to black in this. I always have trouble judging videos where I can’t understand the lyrics.
096 – Really loved the use of audio in this, very clean – the mood is sinister – it was interesting and surprisingly good
097 – hahaha, love the lyric sync. Really disturbing and well edited for something so horrifying.
098 – You had to do a lot of work to fit the lyrics so I appreciate that. Could use some Ken Burns maybe to keep the flow going. I think I’d come up with some way to standardize the random letterboxing in the series but that’s a tough decision.
099 – Cute and nice mood, it took me a couple watches to get some of the lyric sync and the general narrative. I think the editing is generally solid in this and it flows along well.
100 – Didn’t get the connection between the song and source. The narrative was unclear (who are the characters being spoken about in the song?) – the masks were nicely done but might not have been necessary. The video footage looks great and the editing was nicely done though.
103 – I loved it because it’s different from most Fate vids I’ve seen, it has a strong feeling of dread and the internal sync is lovely. I especially like how ramping is used in this.
104 – Reminded me of old school KH videos, made me really nostalgic. I think the editing is okay, but the effects and transitions are a bit distracting and might not be necessary. I really liked how the song switches protagonists to fit the voices singing.
105 – Not digging the song, just not my thing, but the mood was solid. I like how some of the internal sync fits the moments in the music, especially towards the last third of the video. The transition effects sometimes came across as corny.
106 – Really good flow and sync, liked the structure and storytelling. Really great energy and emotion. I personally liked the shift to Zenitsu and Iroha’s struggles in the middle and then bringing together all three in the end; this is the sort of structure I like to do myself, haha. It’d be nice to see this video with better quality footage when it’s available.
108 – you tried and I appreciate you
109 – Too short!! I was expecting more at the end to explain the “bullshit” remark and it just ends. For what’s there, the scene selection is great.
110 – This is a risky song to pick because it’s so fast and has been done successfully a few times. The video is very hit or miss keeping up. Not surprisingly it’s most successful in the dancing sections. But it makes me happy to watch the characters expressing such joy to the music. It just exudes joy. The ending is strong.
112 – Personally I liked the black humor. Despite how serious the subject is, I really enjoyed this combo. I laughed at some of the lyric sync. I’m going to hell.
118 – I get you love Digimon and this must have taken a lot of work with so much footage, so I really respect that. Definitely use the shorter version of the song and focus down your footage a bit.
119 – I liked this cover and the melancholy mood of this, though the bright and happy colors of One Piece feel like a tonal mismatch. I don’t have any particular nostalgia for One Piece so it doesn’t strike a particular chord with me, but I can see how it can tug at the heart strings of fans. I love how the intensity ramps up with the music.
120 – I really liked the sentimental feeling, it felt different from other Monogatari vids. The mood fits the song well. Some of the blur transitions like at :21 and :26 have bands of lighter coloring at the top and bottom where the blur isn’t affecting the edges of the frame. Some of the cuts feel too fast and unmotivated.
121 – Lyric sync was kind of funny in this. The lip sync needs to be tighter for a video that relies so heavily on lip sync. It needs to be faster mostly.
123 – I mean it’s a solid commercial
124 – I hope you can find a better quality audio for this. I liked how some of the shots synced to the music. The lip sync is also nice. I actually think this could be a solid trailer if the text were redone. The beginning of the trailer also drags a bit and could be more dramatic.
127 – I thought it flowed well and had a good energy, very cute and well structured. I think my only criticism is that the scene selection sometimes felt a bit random, like an action vid.
130 – Cute, loved the scene selection. I wanted more when it suddenly ended. There’s some interlacing in the footage it looks like (around :37). The audio also sounds a bit off balance.
131 – So great, I laughed, I really want more of this but I love that meta ending.
132 – T_T Good Hopper profile, love that choice of song. I guess my only criticism is that it’s a bit unclear who the protagonist of the song is (is it Eleven and Joyce thinking back on Hopper, or is it Hopper thinking of them?), and sometimes it’s unclear what’s meant to be a flashback or not (assuming the desaturated scenes are flashbacks). Since nothing is really in order it’s hard to follow sometimes. Since you end with Hopper’s letter I wonder if you can start with that and frame the whole thing from his point of view. More minor but you could probably also crop off the letterboxing.
133 – It’s kind of funny, I actually like the letterboxing in this and the lip sync. The scene selection is good too. Not much else to say about this one. It’s nice, I enjoyed it.
134 – Expected a parody and was confused to see it played straight. The lip flap is kind of distracting in this. Some scenes are held too long and others fade away too fast. You show the “I want to eat your pancreas line” a lot on his phone and such, I can read it but I wonder what meaning you want it to have for the audience if they don’t know what it says?
135 – I like this source combo and I thought it had a good mood. This is going to sound weird but I’d cut the “Labrinth” audio out of the beginning and just start with the guy.
136 – I liked the mood of this and the flow of the clips, thought it was solid
137 – Better than I was expecting, the text work was good, “lip” sync was solid. The scene selection keeps it very clear. The video quality could be better, it’s very compressed.
138 – Not as dramatic as the audio? Some of the voices have no context. Some of the black flashes could be slowed down a bit.
139 – Nice Kubo vid, liked the scene selection and the mood of this. A little hard to follow the story here even being familiar with the source, I think maybe because you sometimes try to sync to the lyrics but the lyrics are very specific (like forming a tiger’s eye). So since none of the scenes have much context it just seems mostly for mood. Could crop off the letterboxing. Really love the ending.
140 – Liked the choice of the moody cover for these characters. Some of the transitions and sync need work. There are some nice moments of internal sync though.
141 – I didn’t love the overlays or light leaks, and I’m not sure I understand the connection to the song. I really love when the music kicks in around :54. I think the video is structured really well and I love the intensity towards the end.
144 – Amazing sync and flow, loved the mood in it, just really well done.
145 – Audio could be hard to hear since it’s fighting with the music. You should probably duck the song if necessary. I get it’s a parody but I can’t tell if it’s meant to be funny or not. Maybe crop off the letterboxing. I honestly think this might be better off not as a trailer, like a sincere video about Thor with “Hurt” might be moving.
146 – Cool visuals from the film and a quirky atmosphere. It felt a bit samey, like all the same pacing, if that makes sense.
147 – Good masks, liked the silly tone and the sync was good. The duet between the two is fun. Lightning sync is A+.
148 – A Linkin Ball Z video in the year of our lord 2019. If you’re being sincere, the fight scenes are probably the stronger parts but they’re getting by on cruise control thanks to the amount of animation and camera movement. But it’s just all fight scenes and the scenes that aren’t fight scenes aren’t motivated by anything. I’m guessing by the 30 seconds of black at the end though this is just a bad joke.
149 – Good audio mix, very disturbing, gave me nightmares, thanks a lot.
150 – Doesn’t quite work for me, the sync is off and the scene selection is confusing (“she’s got everything” and showing an empty room?). Why is the video so small? The cuts are so fast, too, for such a slow song, slow down.
152 – Very odd pacing? Needs a lot more editing to match the fast pace of the song; many shots are held too long, or don’t cut at the right time to fit the music. In the future you probably want to avoid shots with the characters speaking unless they are meant to be speaking the lyrics. Some of the cuts have stray frames (a frame or two of the previous shot).
153 –The ending had a good payoff for the slow buildup of tension. The video quality is a bit inconsistent sometimes.
154 – Song choice is unusual, I dug it. I liked the pacing of this and the lyric sync was on point. It was a solid character profile.
155 – I was really excited for this combo since I love both sources. It’s such a good fit. Some of the sync could be tightened up (such as the claps), and I think maybe some of the scene selection could be better (like Al doubting whether he’s real seems like such a good fit for “these days you tend to lie” and yet he’s transmuting the radio for some reason?). The section at 2:42 is SO STRONK.
156 – It’s too linear? You’re using footage from maybe only the first half hour of the film. Why not use more different footage to play around more with the lyrics and the pacing of the song? You’re leaving some cool stuff on the cutting room floor. The mood seems like a good fit, I’d just like to see more variety.
157 – I have mixed feelings, like some of the scene selection is good, but then sometimes certain sound effects or something get missed, and some of the choices for the speakers seem inappropriate if it’s meant to be drama. I think it could use some trailer hallmarks like fades to black and such to make it feel a bit more like a trailer. Some of the shots are really static so don’t have the drama of the audio. All that being said I like the text work you did, and I think this is a good combo. The music especially made for such an eerie fit with the scenes you chose.
158 – Great sync and lyric sync, I liked the mood of this. In terms of critical feedback, I think sometimes the frequent black fades felt a bit distracting. I also think sometimes the shots felt a tad too static for the music. But I think if you didn’t change anything it would still be a good video.
159 – This is a nice little video, the story is pretty straight-forward and easy to follow to me. There is some screen direction confusion sometimes, such as at 1:17/8. I think it could use some small zooms and stuff to keep the footage flowing, and the hard cuts can feel repetitive. I’m a little confused by the end since it looks like the friend is destroyed, but then the last shot has the character holding his friend, so I wonder if it’s possible to end the video instead with the moment of the friend being destroyed and fading to white? Just a suggestion.
160 – I, um. I actually really like this. Go all the way. Have her lip sync. I unironically love this song though.
161 – I expected this to just be funny but I think it’s actually pretty sincere and fits their relationship well?? I think some of the technicals need some work (some moments of lip flap, and the pacing is a bit slow for this song). But I understand the footage of these two is pretty limited and static, so I think you did a good job for what’s there.
164 – It’s a cute song for this source, though the “calling” aspect is lost. Maybe vary the pacing more, like when the beat drops. There seems to be a frame rate issue that might have been caused by a difference between your source and your sequence settings that’s causing a sort of jittering effect, check to make sure the sequence has the same frame rate as your source. The video seems to just go through the movie, so it doesn’t really stand out or seem to have a connection to the music.
165 – Kind of a natural combo, I liked the timing/sync for showing Voltron form for the first time. The beginning shows a lot of Pidge which made me expect it was going to be about her for a bit. I know the song has a specific protagonist but I think if you can focus on the whole team as much as possible that’s best, it’s most of the way there anyway. I see what you were doing but I wish the bridge section at 2:18 were a little more active. The ending is a little abrupt, it’d be nice to hold on that shot of Voltron just a bit, is the sound being cut off too?
166 – I think this combo of source and music could work REALLY well with quite a lot of revisions to your scene selection and sync. I’d frame the story from Mom’s point of view if you can and create more of a sinister atmosphere. As it is, the storytelling is a bit muddled since it often shifts viewpoints. Some of the moments are good, but then some sequences play out too long in a way that just doesn’t fit, like the extended sequence of the escape at 3:38. The editing doesn’t quite have the energy of the song either.
168 – Really liked the sync and flow in this, it had an interesting tone with this music. There are lots of really nice moments, like the sync with the propeller and black fades around :50. I don’t really follow the story so to me this is more of a mood piece.
169 – Man, this is so creepy and the build-up to the end is quite something. The effects are nice. I’ll admit that even after a couple viewings I’m noootttt entirely sure I understand the story in terms of the relationships between the characters and who is who. It took me a third viewing to start to understand it. I think it’s just a lot of issues with establishing the character relationships and how the scenes fit together.
173 – If you’re going to do lyric sync, do more of it. Like the little bits of it are funny but you might as well go all the way. Could probably lose the letterboxing.
174 – I like this Tanjiro/Nezuko focused vid, I think the story is pretty clear and the scene selection is well chosen. I think it’s just a solid video all around.
177 – Not wild about the source combo, the tone of the song doesn’t really fit this anime. If you were going for the religious subtext then maybe show some of the praying scenes or something? The Ken Burns is maybe a little too extreme, I sometimes find if the zooms are too intense I start to get motion sick… but as this is mostly an action vid I think it works okay.
178 – I love the storytelling, this is such a good fit and the “singers” are well chosen. I think some of the pacing of the cuts needs a little work and the lip sync also could use some polish. Otherwise I enjoyed this one immensely.
179 – I was surprised how well this worked, the variety is fun. I’m impressed how you were able to tell a story with such an erratic music source. My only criticism is that it’s kind of long so it drags a bit sometimes.
182 – what
184 – Really like the tone and how it connects to the anime, the difficulties of battle and the empathy Tanjiro feels towards the demons who were once human. The editing and match cuts are nice, very lovely flow and masks.
193 – The footage is so teeny tiny! And probably doesn’t need to be letterboxed. There are some odd fades and scene selection. It needs more variety of footage, this looks like it’s mostly just a scene or two from a movie. I think this concept could work if you brought in more footage and tried to select scenes for the lyrics.
195 – Man, the audio is really nice. I like the mood in this. I think it flows along nicely and has a good energy. I’m not typically a fan of light leaks but it works with this source footage just fine.

[CrackTheSky]

Alright, finally done. One thing I noticed this year is that there seemed to be a lot more live action/non-anime videos, and videos like that are almost never my thing, so to those who made videos like that...sorry, with a couple exceptions, none of them left any positive impression on me. I tried to be uh, less harsh than I have been in the past. I think I failed here and there, so sorry in advance. If anyone wants clarification on anything, feel free to private message me here or on Discord. I'm always willing to go into much more depth and provide specific feedback on what I thought worked and didn't on a given video!

Also -- I watched through these in numerical order (mostly), just so you have context in case I make any timing-related comments (i.e. "...so far") below.

Spoiler :

001 The Subtle Art of Shitposting AMVs to AWA's Pro Contest - This was ok, but the jokes ended up falling a little flat about halfway through. Seemed to rely too much on the song for its comedy factor.

029 Heard It Through the GrapeVINE - I was not sold on this at first, but MAN does it hit as it goes on. Really great tribute to a small slice of meme culture (whatever that means these days) and just a really fun, smile-inducing video that I want to watch over and over. Great editing, too. Excellent!

039 Up in Smoke - I liked this one, although I felt like you maybe could have done more with it. I've been spoiled by some really dynamic MMVs in the past though, so take that as you will. Great use of effects and especially negative space – you did a great job of building an atmosphere.

040 Battle of Tsunshima - I enjoyed the story you told in this one, and was totally into it from that perspective. The editing felt a little flat to me at some points, but it's hard for me to pinpoint exactly why. I'll definitely need to watch it again. Also, this anime looks great, I need to check it out.

043 Araki's Bizarre Fetish - Joke got old after...well, immediately. Didn't like this in the least.

048 Over the Moon to Gaea - There need to be more Escaflowne videos these days. I liked this. The song wasn't to my tastes which kind of limited my enjoyment somewhat, but you nailed the aesthetic that the song gave off and made a really pretty video that was true to the series.

049 The Show Must Go On - As someone who has very little sentimental attachment to Disney, this did nothing for me emotionally, but I appreciate it as a tribute to the company and its history. Overall though, not really something that resonated with me.

055 Forest Fires - Great editing, great storytelling, good sentiment; unfortunately I had a hard time getting as absorbed into it as I wish I could have because the animation style really turned me off. But, objectively – this was a top-notch drama/sentimental video.

064 Shows What I Know - This video felt really static; I feel like it was just the same scenes (or rather, the same types of scenes) over and over and over. Needed more cuts and internal motion.

065 S E A R C H I N G - This was good, but kinda felt like a lot of other Death Parade videos (those final scenes are the same as 90% of Death Parade videos out there). Good editing, just wish it stood out more from the pack.

066 Exposure - Editing was decent, but it didn't do anything for me. The lip sync in the middle was really out of place.

068 Entomophile - Cute! Not my favorite video here by a long shot but it was fun.

070 Super Models - Eh, this one felt...lazy? I don't know, the editing did not keep up with the song and the audio clips inserted throughout the video stole pacing from the whole thing.

071 Anamnesis - The editing was not nearly intense enough for this song. This didn't do anything for me, it felt like it was constantly out of sync. You missed so many opportunities for impactful sync here.

073 Everybody Knows that the Good Guys Lost - Wrong aspect ratio, and not being a huge Avengers fan meant that this didn't connect with me on any level, unfortunately.

074 What Do I Stand For - Wow, great! Editing on this was super tight and the vibe was spot-on. Loved almost everything about this, it's probably my favorite video so far.

077 Ultimatum - This was ok. I don't really have too much to say, the editing was fine, but it didn't really hit me in any way. I think the song choice had a lot to do with this.

079 Far From Any Road - Meh. I really have very little to say about this. I can't find anything about it that was particularly bad but nothing resonated with me either. Mediocre.

086 Breakdown - Excellent! It was like a lot of other Your Name videos but...I dunno, you just really got the sentiment and I felt all the feelings. Really good work!

087 We Are Soldiers - This felt phoned in. The editing was...fine?...but it's all in well-trod territory and the entire thing felt super predictable and kinda cliché.

089 Kill Your Idols - It’s good! Not usually into these types of videos, but the focus on a single character helped it stand out a bit from the typical action-heavy fight-fests that videos like this tend to turn into.

096 Rise of the Sith Lord - This wasn't...really a music video? I mean I like Star Wars and all but this just didn't do it for me.

097 A Big Dead - I'm assuming this is a comedy video, in which case – great job! If this was supposed to be sentimental – you failed!

098 My Zero 2D Wairfu - This was decently funny, I dig it.

099 With a Spring in my Step - I really liked this. Happy, sentimental, feel-good, and really well-edited. Not too much to complain about, I think you pretty much nailed this.

100 The Wavering Heart of the Unwavering Girl - This gave me good feels. Editing was tight and the message was really nice. Would watch again.

103 Hysteria - Might be the only Fate video I've seen that made me interested in the series. The editing was really good, and you did a great job of building mood and utilizing effects and color in tasteful ways.

104 Trinity of Hearts - Neither the song nor the video source was to my liking, which made it pretty hard to get into this in any meaningful way. The editing felt pretty basic too. Not much here for me to say, other than it wasn't my thing.

105 Cemetery State of Mind - This was all about mood and I really liked it for that reason. If there was a story it was lost on me, but props for editing this quite superbly and really honing in on creating a tangible atmosphere of dread and heaviness.

106 Slay Your Demons - Great energy in this one! Probably the best sync I've seen in the contest so far. Really entertaining and adrenaline-pumping and all those good adjectives.

108 The Truth About Eggplants - No, bad troll, you do that OUTSIDE

109 Inner Dialogue - Not bad! I love this series so this was a nice kind of funny riff on it

110 - AHHHH THIS VIDEO WAS SO FRUSTRATING. I appreciated the concept, and I think you used GREAT anime to realize it, but you used waaayyy too many crossfades. If those had been hard cuts (and if you did some more cutting in general, especially in the first half) this would have been exponentially better.

112 Not Great Not Terribyl - Better than I expected going in, but still not really my cup of tea. I don't have too much to say here.

118 Everybody Wants to Rule the Digital World - I don't know why but this hit on a lot of notes for me, and that's saying something as someone who is not a Digimon fan. I wish the video had more focus and better sync and was just generally...better overall, especially given how much I’m complaining about similar issues I’m seeing in other videos here, but I can sense a sincerity and a certain heart behind this one that won me over. Good stuff!

119 Sad Piece - Not a One Piece fan but this is one of the better AMVs I've seen that use it. A little heavy on the crying faces but overall, this was good and I certainly don't regret watching it!

120 Braid Girl Cry Cat Pics - Props for making a different-feeling Monogatari AMV, but the editing could have used work – definitely felt like there needed to be some more attention paid to the big shifts in the song. The video didn't really seem to dynamically change with the music nearly as much as I wish it had.

121 Kaguya's Rap - I thought this was funny! It's not the best comedy video I've ever seen but compared to what I've seen here so far...

123 One Trick Pony 4 A Canonical Fart - It's the joke that keeps on...going.

124 The Star Compass - I was ready to say this is good for what it is, but then you used like...basic white Arial font on a black background, which just completely stole the momentum this video had going for it. It’s a weird thing to care about and I didn’t realize how much the font matters in these kinds of situations until that moment, but man, it really does.

127 The Way We Fell - Yep, this is it, the video I've been waiting the entire contest for. Nearly perfect, wouldn't change a thing about it, I love every little detail here. Phenomenal. Append after watching all the videos: This is my favorite video in the contest, you killed it. I love you whoever you are.

130 Shack Up - Cute and fun! A little too much lip flap but overall a nice little video.

131 Phase 2 - Not sure how to take this one. The serious action wasn't really true to the tone of Zim, and the end didn't really transform it into the comedy video I think it wanted to be. Hard to categorize, hard for me to figure out what I think of it.

132 daughter_mother_hopper - I haven't watched Stranger Things but the message of this video came through loud and clear. Good song choice and basic but effective editing. I liked it.

133 L_histoire homosexuelle d_Homura - Super adorable, funny (mostly because of the song, but still), and well-edited. Solid!

134 When She Loved Me - I liked it...a little too much lip flap but it was good in spite of that. Not too much more to say, it was similar to other videos that use this source.

135 Lock and Key - Good, but I felt like there could have been more cuts and tighter editing all around. I still enjoyed it, but I wanted to enjoy it more.

136 A Place to Belong - Good stuff! I'm always a little skeptical of heavy drama Angel Beats videos but this one was done right and the editing in this was dope. Really good job!

137 SIB INTERDIMENSIONAL - It’s fine. I don’t care about trailers really at all so it didn’t hit me in any meaningful way but...it’s fine.

138 Craven Hill - I appreciate the effort, but it didn’t click with me, mainly because there was so much talking and none of it lined up the few times you attempted lip sync, and the other times it was pretty obvious that you were trying to avoid having to do lip sync. It just felt really obviously disconnected.

139 Origami Bones - It was good. The cuts starting at 3:12 really need to be synced better though, especially as that’s like, the climax of the video. But other than that the editing was fine, the video was nice all-around, I didn’t have much stronger of a reaction than that though.

140 Unfortunate - The source was working against you here – I’m so sick of MHA videos, and this one didn’t really add anything new to the mix, other than that it was more drama-focused than most. From an editing perspective, I think you could have stood to turn things up a bit and make it a bit faster here and there. It’s fine for what it is, just really not to my tastes.

141 Desired Hues - I haven’t seen Tomako, but I’ve seen plenty of videos that use it and this was very different from all of them – much more serious and heavy. I liked the approach, and the editing was generally good, but those light leak overlays – good Lord, way too much, they really distracted me from the emotion going on in the video. I think you need to tone them down a lot, or remove them altogether. IMO the video doesn’t need them at all, and would be much better without.

144 Revolutionized - Loved it. Weird, artsy, well-edited, and simple. It all works in an offbeat harmony that I haven’t seen yet in this contest. Great job.

145 Thor Lebowski - Uhh...I didn’t get it? I feel like there was a joke or something here kinda but this just felt like a normal trailer to me. (Full disclosure – I’ve never seen The Big Lebowski.) Didn’t care much for it.

146 Grenadine - This was awesome, in every way, but the best thing was that even though I was a huge fan of The Tatami Galaxy I somehow didn’t know that this movie exists, so thank you for introducing it to me. But yeah, this was excellent, loved the more restrained editing approach that still managed to give off a super fun, upbeat feel. Wonderful.

147 Poppycockers - The editing here was sick af but I don’t think this was my favorite Kaguya-sama video here in spite of that. The interruption in the middle of the song and some of the effects work after it changed the general tone into something goofier than it was up to that point, and it felt awkward.

148 In The End - I kept waiting for the punchline but it never came. This is an honest-to-God Linkin Ball Z video in 2019. With no actual editing. I have no words.

149 Madness - Sorry editor, this bored me to tears. It wasn’t a trailer, it wasn’t a music video, it was something in-between and it was way too long. Hard pass on this.

150 Marvelous World - Song and video source didn’t appeal to me, so this left no real impression. Editing was...eh, ok, I guess? A lot of lip flap and some attempts at lip sync that didn’t really work were distracting. It felt like a bit of a forced combination too.

152 Heavens Feel - I hope this is a troll video, but I suspect it’s not. Assuming that’s the case, there was practically no editing in this thing or any attempt to sync the visuals to the music. Lip flap everywhere, hardly any internal motion. Moreover, practically every single scene had an orphan frame at the end and I just really, really didn’t think this was good in the slightest. This felt like someone’s first attempt at an AMV using Windows Movie Maker.

153 I'm Sorry I'm Needy - The concept was good and the editing was fine. Nothing about it really stood out but it wasn’t bad, just didn’t really catch my attention at all.

154 Undertow - The editing on this one was on point but it was completely subverted by the really, really cringey lyric sync that permeated the whole video. It was just too much.

155 The Tin Man's Journey - My general distaste for both FMA and Imagine Dragons put a ceiling on how much I was able to get into this, but there were some really great moments in this video from a sync/editing perspective and I definitely appreciated it for that reason.

156 nineteen eighty angst - I really didn’t like the song, but even ignoring that this video needed way more cuts and motion in general to keep up with it.

157 PSYCHO - It worked, for the most part (the times when you tried to sync laughter were pretty off though). Probably my favorite trailer here that I’ve seen so far, but that’s been kind of a low bar so...meh?

158 Burden of the Shield - I feel like if I liked the song even a little, or had any affinity with the anime, I probably would have enjoyed this. The editing was good, I have no technical complaints or anything that I can point to that was subpar about the video on an “objective” level, I just didn’t care for the video because of the sources. So, nice job?

159 My Treasure - Sad stuff. From an editing perspective – a couple instances of lip flap that you could have removed or possibly found other scenes to use instead. Other than that, it was a decent video.

160 Chika Wants To Dance - I would have been totally on board with this if you had managed to lip sync this entire thing. As it stands, it’s impressive that you did all that rotoscoping (I’m assuming you did, anyway, and didn’t just find this pre-roto’d on YouTube or something), but why not go the extra mile and do the lip sync too? Woulda been pretty neat.

161 SarazanByeByeBye - What the heck is this anime? I thought the video was alright, but it definitely needed way more motion, it felt pretty static through most of it. Too many shots of just faces, the whole thing lacked the dynamism that would have made it a lot more fun.

164 Just Love - This had some potential but the editing was nowhere near energetic enough for the song you chose. Scenes didn’t change with the intensity many of the big musical shifts called for, there were way too many crossfades which gave the video a much slower feel than it deserved, and in general the visuals felt really out of pace with the music. I think lyrically the song worked, but the editing just wasn’t there.

165 The Voltron Brigade - I thought this could have worked, and there were a few parts that I really liked, as well as the overall tone...but the editing just felt way too loose and unfocused, and borderline sloppy in some places. This needed to have more consistent sync throughout, and a lot more internal sync all around.

166 Like Sheep - Song was a good choice for this anime/concept, but the editing here was nowhere near what was needed to make it work. Too much lip flap (and sloppy lip sync), not enough intensity/motion in the scene selection to match the tone of the music during the heavier parts...besides conceptually, it all just felt really mismatched.

168 Sisyphus - I don’t know if this is a winner in my book for this particular contest, but that’s mainly because I can see this growing on me over time. I enjoy the vibe of this video, the simple editing, etc. I think in one or two months I’ll really love it, but for now it’s not quite there yet.

169 Dopamine - Fantastic. The flow here was on point, the story was clearly told, the whole feeling of the video was really well communicated...there were a few points where I definitely thought you could have nailed some of the editing a little harder, but overall the video was great.

173 2 Bros - I’ve seen Rick and Morty, and I get most of the references, but the jokes all kinda fell flat for me. It felt like most of the comedy came from the audio, and that does not a good comedy AMV make.

174 Eternal Family - Eh, it was fine. I’m not a fan of masked transitions in general and this video had a lot of them. The editing was otherwise pretty good but it all felt pretty rote to me, idk. Honestly it may be that I’m just kind of sick of OM&M videos, but it conveyed what I think you wanted it to convey so...good?

177 Shady Gains - Some really cool internal sync in this thing. Like a lot of the videos here, I don’t have anything really negative to say about this, other than that the song did nothing for me and nothing else about the video was able to overcome that, so while this was technically a great video, it probably won’t stick with me.

178 Envoy of the End - Music of this sort is super hit-or-miss with me and I didn’t really gel with this combo (but that’s probably more personal taste than it not working from a lyrical/conceptual standpoint, which I think it generally did). Also, waaayyyy too many Ken Burns-style zooms on this thing imo.

179 Carole's Poppin' Tuesday - That was one godforsaken song, but the video totally won me over by the end in spite of it – loved the sentiment and the solid storytelling. Editing was fire too, it kept pace the whole time even though I’m sure it would have been tempting to slow things down here and there. Really good stuff, I got really into this the more it went on.

182 The Promised Bottom - Seven minutes? Really? None of the jokes made me laugh, most went on too long, and this definitely didn’t need to be even half as long as it was.

184 Scarlet Crimson Iron Sands - Good editing here, I don’t really have anything to complain about. I don’t know if this will stick with me for reasons that have nothing to do with your editing and everything to do with my musical tastes, but it was good.

193 Macho Hero - My Hero Academia in 480p? Be still my heart. Seriously though – low quality footage, orphan frames everywhere, lip flap everywhere, next to no discernible sync, this just felt like a mess. Like, I get the spirit of the video and can even appreciate it, but you need to step up pretty much everything else.

195 Limbo - Yeah, I really dug this. Similar approach as a lot of Your Name videos but it drew me in more than most of them for reasons I can’t really explain. I wish the editing near the end of the song was a bit more chaotic – it felt like you kinda lost pace there – but regardless there were a lot of really neat things you did throughout the rest of the video that made up for it. Very solid!

[MadMegatax]

You sit here reading this forward wondering why there is even a foreword for these reviews. After all, you’re here to read feedback on your video(s), not whatever rambling I am coming up with. Unfortunately, I have decided to be a pretentious douchebag about reviews this year. Instead of straightforward reviews that either indicate a simple like or dislike of the content/editing, I instead want to communicate the viewing experience as best as I can, for better or worse. I plan to provide editing notes where necessary, but for the most part it will be about how I felt. You think, wow, that’s kinda self-centered. And you wouldn’t be wrong. These reviews are selfishly for my sake in the end. But how can my thoughts and feelings be contextualized in a way that makes any bit of sense to you nonetheless?

Perhaps common metaphors can serve a good purpose in getting the general idea across.

However, it is at this point that I must reiterate my intent to be a pretentious douchebag. The common thread between these metaphors needs to be vast and expansive to cover the variety of thoughts, feelings, and ideas portrayed in these videos. The metaphor needs to be something that I have a lot of knowledge about. And a lot of strong feelings.

And so, these reviews will be communicated using Homestuck.

...

Wait.

Really?

You may be confused, or perhaps dismayed. However you feel though, you have a feeling it’s going to be a long review.

Spoiler :

Have fun!

001

Spoiler :

Your video is: Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff



Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff is a fictional comic within the Homestuck universe written by Dave Strider. It is, at the same time, a comic series that has nothing to do with Homestuck outside of vague foreshadowing that ultimately doesn’t add or detract to the core comic’s meaning. It is a nonsensical comic series that works well on its own.

Similarly, your video works well on its own. If you changed the title to something non-AWA related, it would stand strong as a simple and fun concept. However, it is the use of the title that adds a meta level to the video. Much like the desire to hunt down all bullshit meaning within SBaHJ while at the same time appreciating the main content, this video makes me laugh while at the same time reminding me that yes, I am fucked. And yes, this is how I want to suffer.

A subtle art, indeed.

029

Spoiler :

Your video is: You Can’t Fight the Homestuck



I am cheating. I am cheating. I am cheating. This is a fan video using a song parody (as performed by Kylee Henke) of “We Didn’t Start the Fire” (originally by Billy Joel) made by some random asshole (don’t even bother) that somehow became the go-to video for introducing people to Homestuck. It lists many aspects of Homestuck with accompanying visuals that flash by way top fast. This video doesn’t have any association with the comic itself, but rather the fan community surrounding it.

The only reason I am cheating is because your video perhaps cheats a bit too. It is a montage of many different vines, various random jokes shoved into one video. Even moreso, this is a parody of a (not-)parody from last year. There’s so much done with this video to make it a joke of itself. I mean, at face value, a fan video of memes? Really??

And yet. Much like I can’t fully disparage You Can’t Fight the Homestuck, I can’t disparage your video because there was obvious effort put into it. Going through all the different memes to find the best one fitting the given lyric, the timing in general, the brief history of memes…

I truly enjoyed this video. I hope whoever made this video truly enjoyed making it. Because in the end, I do think there is something genuine here, much like the video I compared it to.

let me die

039

Spoiler :

Your video is: Davekat



Davekat is the ship name of Dave Strider/Karkat Vantas. They’re canon! Nice stuff, right?

I wish I could enthusiastically say yes to that.

My issue with Davekat is that they happened without a clearer progression to their development. They have good moments, that much is clear, but the development of them as friends into the beginnings of something more took place in a montage of an alternate timeline that became the main timeline of the story. In other words, the original development of Dave and Karkat from the original timeline wasn’t about them getting closer like this, and given that was the iteration of the characters we spent the most time with, their relationship left me wanting.

And with your video, I also felt somewhat confused and lost. Emotional imagery was being displayed, and I felt the hints of something powerful and compelling within these moments. But the story and progression wasn’t clear to me, and so I never knew how to connect these emotions with a larger idea. However, I would like to emphasize that I did manage to feel something despite not knowing what was going on. The visuals paired with the song were really strong in that aspect.

And I suppose that in the end, I was happy that Davekat is a thing (I much preferred that ship to some other alternatives).

040

Spoiler :

Your video is: Scourge Sisters



Scourge Sisters refers to the pair of Terezi Pyrope and Vriska Serket. Their relationship is defined by a precarious balancing act of friendship and antagonism. Maybe even romance? Who knows. That’s not really relevant here. Overall, I really liked the progression of their relationship throughout the series, with the exception of some moments that were not really to my tastes. I can see why those moments were there, but to me it was just… “ehhh…”

That’s essentially my feelings on this video. I like it a lot, I think it covers the friendly antagonism of their relationship together, but it’s just a few editing choices that make me go “ehhh…” Ultimately, those are artistic decisions so whatever you feel is best for your video is something I’ll support, even if I don’t necessarily agree. The metaphor kinda falls apart at this point because it’s not like I can go to Andrew Hussie and say “hey I liked how Vriska and Terezi played out in the comic except for this and this, but I get what you’re going for and it wasn’t a thing I absolutely hated or anything so it’s all good.”

Editing notes: I am a bad judge of how loud a song should be. Usually I just wear headphones and when a song is playing, my mind is like “this is the volume that this song should be”. I suppose that isn’t necessarily the case after all, though. u_u

043

Spoiler :

Your video is: Andrew Hussie gloating about all the characters he’s killed.



Listen. I get it. I’m assuming you have this weird fascination with Araki’s habits, much like I have this weird fascination about Andrew Hussie’s self insert in his comic. He constantly mocks the reader, and in my given example he’s freaking out because he realizes that there are some characters he hasn’t killed yet, so he’s gotta go about fixing that! I suppose if I were to make an equivalent to your video for Homestuck, it would just be going over all the deaths. The repeated deaths. Because characters can die repeatedly. Would there be any particular point? Eh, it would be for my own amusement. Which is what I’m assuming is going on here. I can respect that.

048

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] JOHN. RISE UP.



Not much happens in this animation. It establishes a major thing about what “god tier” actually is in the comic, which is essentially receiving a huge level up of powers following your death. Ascension and such. But what this animation emphasizes is the wondrous feeling of the moment. It’s something that was built up with the reader not quite understanding what it will entail, and the animation takes its time with establishing the mood and world in order to truly achieve a moment of beauty. Of course, there are still many questions about god tier after the fact, but that’s not at the forefront of someone’s mind when watching the animation.

And, well, I think this video does the exact same thing. I don’t quite know what the plot of the show is about, but with the way this video is structured, it doesn’t matter. The plot isn’t the emphasis here, but rather the emotional journey. The visuals and the music work together to build a sense of wonder and adventure centered around this girl, and it feels like a glimpse into something truly breathtaking.

I just really like this video, and I think you did a really good job.

049

Spoiler :

Your video is: The Homestuck Epilogues



The Homestuck Epilogues are two epilogues that occur five years following the closure of the comic proper, both of which occur separately and concurrently. The details and format of the epilogues don’t matter here. Their actual status in canon doesn’t really matter either. What matters is that there were certain elements that just flat out disgusted me, and I don’t really think the writing successfully justified their inclusion.

The technicals of your video are fine, great even in the section of 2D animation. But I just could not enjoy any of it at all following the opening of your video. I’ll put it simply: Walt Disney was not entirely a good person! And while I was willing to give your video the benefit of the doubt with having a small focus on the man himself and then focus more on the Disney legacy (since there’s no denying his impact in that aspect), your inclusion of the Disney’s animators strike (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_an ... %27_strike) as an example of one of the video’s narrated “hard times” and then proceeding to showing him and his legacy in a positive light was obliviously tasteless at best or downright offensive at worst. As a result, no matter the intent, I had a sour taste in my mouth for the remainder of the video. I think there is merit to be had in exploring both the positives and negatives of his impact in the field of animation, but this video did not go in that direction.

Both the Homestuck Epilogues and this video are meant to resonate with people. And for some, this is most certainly the case. For me, I just find myself exhausted, and perhaps angry at myself for investing so much thought into it.

055

Spoiler :

Your video is: Rose Lalonde’s complicated relationship with her mother



Rose Lalonde’s relationship with her mother is complicated in that it is a passive aggressive war between the two, with her mom condescendingly showing her affection and Rose accepting it with snarky comments while trying to one up her. Except… as it turns out her mom was entirely sincere in her affection! Rose realizes that, but her mom dies before they can properly reunite so there’s no resolution on that end. Instead, she transplants that affection to her mom from another universe, who is now a teenager her age. That’s Homestuck for you. I understood this sequence of events. In theory, at least. But Rose seemed to only view her deceased mother in a positive light from that point on, and I never quite got that. Rose misunderstood what was happening, but her mom couldn’t understand what her daughter was thinking. I don’t think the blame lays on Rose, a 13 year old teenager. Also her mom was still a drunk, so??? I just never got the complete acceptance of her mom after a certain point.

For this video… I think I understood what was happening? In theory, at least. But I had to think about it, and for a video like this where the narrative is supposed to guide you through all the emotional beats the fact that I had to think about it kinda detracted from the experience. Or maybe I’m dumb. Equally possible. I’m just having a hard time fitting together the puzzle pieces of the mom, daughter, and rebel figure together. The mom and rebel figure had their moments emphasized near the end, the daughter seemed to be watching on the entire time, and it’s just, I want to better understand it. But the video didn’t present enough to help (or maybe it’s the source that was limited), so ultimately I get it but I still have lingering questions on the why of their relationship, I suppose. It’s just the remaining connecting pieces of both these family-type relationships that stops me from fully enjoying what it’s supposed to be.

Editing notes: lots of light leaks. I guess it’s fine? It’s not like I use them so I don’t know when they’re appropriate haha. But when the video is already as bright as it is adding even more brightness in specific moments distracts for me. Big shrug though.

064

Spoiler :

Your video is: Andew Hussie attempting to revive Rufio via kiss.



There are many moments in Homestuck where the comic does not take itself seriously. One such moment is when the story immediately sidetracks into the tragedy of Rufio from the movie Hook after several characters have been killed. Hang on.

RUFIO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Sorry. I had just rewatched the scene and needed to share that reaction.

Anyway, what follows is Andrew Hussie (the literal author of Homestuck) attempting to revive Rufio using one of the comic’s established methods of bringing someone back to life: a kiss. Yeah. It is a dramatic closeup as the kiss happens, and it is accompanied by the thoughts of everyone reading.





Here’s the thing, though. Even though it interrupted the sad pacing of everything that was going on, it was truly amazing to see. It became a meme of course, and eventually led to Dante Basco (actor who played Rufio) reading Homestuck. Like, it was soooo dumb. But it was worth it.

I hope you can see where I’m going with this. Your video kinda drags in the first half. I know this is a competitive trivia type show, since I considered watching it because the MC looks like a certain Voltron member heheheh. But beyond that the video didn’t give me much of anything beyond the chorus galvanizing with buttons. However, when the “push the button” segment started, I got so into it. Why is this so good? I don’t know! Why did Andrew Hussie have to kiss Rufio? I don’t know!! But I don’t really care! It made me invested in a really weird way I just couldn’t help but revisit it repeatedly. This section than justifies the video’s existence, and for me it’s one of my favorite sections from this contest.

Editing notes: is there any way to emphasize the competitive trivia aspects during the choruses? Just to add more context to what’s actually going on. Might just be the source limiting you.

065

Spoiler :

Your video is: The Alpha Guardians



When the main kids have to reset the timeline, their guardians become teenagers and the protagonists of a rebooted universe, while they take on the role of guardians. The reader is given a brief summary of the shenanigans they got up to while they were alive, such as being a famous comedian, movie icon, author, corporate tycoon, or passively/actively resisting an authoritarian rule. All these things are cool and all, they extrapolate on what we originally know about the original characters and give us a hypothetical about how they would be as adults. However, ultimately these details don’t matter too much. These are cool ideas, sure, but they don’t really affect the plot in any significant way. Just nice ways to tie together some ideas. So in the end I don’t really care about them as much.

This video is similar to me in the sense that it’s cool and well edited, it’s just not anything that particularly reached out to me? Which given the source makes me wonder if this is actually a flaw that should be considered more, as Death Parade can be very emotionally compelling. The ideas here are presented in fast/vague ways to hint at the suffering, but it doesn’t really tie together in a way that makes me feel more invested in the video. It syncs to the music/lyrics well in some parts, but I just wonder if more could be done.

Now that I think about it, an intermission focused entirely on the Alpha Guardians would have been extremely cool as well, if incredibly impractical to the story being told.

Editing notes: maybe in the beginning there could be more framing of the setting to establish the games and such? It pretty much immediately goes into the activities. But that’s more of a suggestion of a different approach rather than telling you how to improve your video. It could be a worse approach for all I know.

066

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Terry: Fast forward to Liv.



The chronology of this stuffed bunny is all over the place. It starts as a birthday package, but then the mystery is what was in the box??? A bunny. Wait this bunny was regifted multiple times with different appearances??? How???? Time shenanigans. Wait who originally made the bunny??? A known character and an unknown character. Wait how was this unknown character able to collaborate on making the bunny since they’re from an alternate universe??????? More time shenanigans. Even watching this video that recaps the entire sequence of events still leaves me trying to track down what happened where (oh so the bunny was used here, oh so the bunny traveled alongside John here, oh so the bunny ended up here). And then the stuffed bunny died. RIP.

For this video, I follow it well enough in the beginning, but then a lot of stuff happens, and though on rewatching it I understand it better, I’m still trying to pick out scenes to better understand the sequence of events (oh the camera does stuff here? Oh I guess the guy and girl are bonding here? I guess the villains are doing stuff?). I am trying, it’s just really tough for me when I have no context. I suppose for a narrative based story there needs to be some pacing involved to let the viewer understand what happened.

Not that Hussie really gave that to Homestuck readers. We had to understand so much with litle breathing room. u_u

Editing notes: Lighten up on the sepia in some scenes? It’s fine to have it, but the tone was way too deep.

068

Spoiler :

Your video is: The Salamaders



Salamanders are the Consorts of the planet John ends up on. That detail isn’t really important though. These guys are just goofy and fun. I even own a salamander plushie. glub.

This video makes me feel the same as I do about the salamanders. There’s honestly not much to say, since the video is short, sweet and to the point. But I would like to mention I appreciate that this video exists as such. It knows what it wants to say and it gets it done. And it’s just really fun as a result. I probably won’t get a Pokemon plushie anytime soon, though.

Editing notes: add Misty getting freaked out by bugs heheheheh.

070

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ][A6I3] MINISTRIFE!!!



(hard to follow along because whoever recorded this official video doesn’t understand how fast a person can reasonably read…)

Essentially, two stylish troll girls with attitude face down to find out who’s gonna get the army of ghost trolls. It gets more and more chaotic as more and more dead trolls from alternate timelines (with many, many, many different outfits) join the party and everyone ends up talking over each other until the two girls finally have enough and duke it out.

I actually could have been lazy with this metaphor because one of the running gags within the early days of the comic is the kids just coming up with wardrobes based on the dumb things lying around their house. As in, they can literally use those items to design outfits. And I kinda worry that your takeaway from this might be that I interpret your video as a clusterfuck. But this isn’t the case at all! I chose this flash for your video because I loved going through all the details in the flash (all the different outfits, all the side conversations), and I feel like that captures how I feel about your video as well. You went with a wide variety of superhero movies (not just modern movies) and I had a blast recognizing all the different movies. The concept is exactly what is expected, but I don’t have any problem with that. This is just a ton of fun and I could probably watch multiple times.

Editing notes: I feel like a lot of good work went into the editing. Usually I have a hard time digesting live action videos (don’t worry other live action editors, not through any fault of your own), but the timing and focus in the shots here was spot on and just made the viewing experience really enjoyable.

071

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Rose: Ascend



This is just an animation where John fights some monsters. Doesn’t really add much to the plot, just a basic fight scene accompanied with some music. I don’t feel particularly strongly about it.

The reason I’m using this as a comparison is that while it’s easy enough to watch, it’s not particularly cinematic (at least compared to other fights in the comic I could link to). And without context, you see that something is happening, but don’t really understand what or why. Game videos are tough, I just wonder if there’s a way for this video to 1) make things more cinematic with pacing and framing and such and 2) add context to give a background of what’s going on with the story I assume is happening.

073

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] GAME OVER.



This is the most death and tragedy that has been concentrated into one moment. With the exception of three characters, everyone dies. This continuity was a bust. The story that we’ve been following essentially ends here. Instead of sticking to this awful conclusion, the characters insert them into a much more favorable storyline with everyone still alive (though their experiences vary in certain ways). For me, although the animation is awesome and the moments portrayed are compelling on their own, over all I didn’t really like how things went down. To me it came off as an excuse to languish in misery and erase all these side plots in order to focus more on a conclusion. And goddammit that wasn’t a heroic death for Rose, that was such bullshit. >_<

The feelings I just described are how I feel about your video. Through a more objective lens, it makes sense to make a fan video like this. There was a lot of tragedy in Infinity War/Endgame, and so a heart rending tribute isn’t an unreasonable thing. However, it focuses on what I absolutely disliked about Endgame so I can’t help but transplant those feelings here. If the goal is to evoke what someone felt about the movies, then it succeeded, but unfortunately in the case of my bitter ass it’s a backfire so I can’t really give it as fair a chance as I would like. And in the case of the source of this video specifically, it doesn’t feel like it ends in triumph like Endgame does (yes the death is tragic but ultimately it was also a victory over a seemingly unstoppable force), and as a result any potential of satisfaction from my end just isn’t there. So yeah. Big tragedy. Big frustrations. Big rants if anyone ever cares about hearing more no one cares]

Editing notes: other than the aspect ratio issue, there was some weird artifacting in some clips? Could be due to the video format idk.

074

Spoiler :

Your video is: the branching paths for which character to follow



Starting with Act 6 of Homestuck, the comic explicitly allows you to choose which character to follow. It’s really an illusion of choice, since you have to read the other character’s section before progressing forward, but it’s one of the larger storytelling mechanics utilized through Act 6. For me… it’s fine? Except when it was trying to be clever by giving you the illusion of choice. It also comes across as a bit overwhelming when you have four different characters to get through before moving on to the next part.

The feelings are kinda the same for your video. The dual character focus was just a bit too overwhelming for me, especially since there isn’t much pattern to who gets the focus when. And in general, the song didn’t really click with the concept for me. The moment at the end did make me feel something though, so it’s not like the concept was completely unable to reach me.

Editing notes: the cuts in the video feel kinda same-y to me, not much variation to make it more exciting. Idk. I feel like something could be done to make it more visually enticing, especially considering the source used.

077

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Descend.



Maybe I should have saved this comparison for a more action packed video. But I think it’s fine here. Homestuck has a tendency in its animations to flip back and forth between past, present, and future events, and this animation is a very good example of that. It starts with a flashback, and then flips between a variety of perspectives and events, some of which occur concurrently, and some of which don’t. It’s really hard to parse on first watch, but the general feelings for the important events get across. Subsequent viewings help to clear up any confusion about plot points.

I (hopefully) get the framing of this video, switching between past and the present scene for the kiss, and then the future when they reunite (I assume). For story based videos like this I always would appreciate more pacing to give the viewer the ability to both view and understand what’s happening at the same time, rather than watch and then attempt to understand. The feelings definitely come across, and perhaps in the end that’s the most important thing for your video.

Editing notes: outside of what I discussed above, I’m not actually against the idea of grain effect. I just feel like that for the simpler art style of this movie, the grain effect could be lighter. Less intense? However the amount is quantified.

079

Spoiler :

Your video is: Jack Noir < Black Queen



Welcome to the wild world of shipping in Homestuck. Troll society has specific relationships designated by quadrants. Kismesissitude(as designated by <) is… hmm… is best described as a relationship built on distaste/admiration for the other person, I suppose? This has always been one of the more nebulous quadrants depicted in Homestuck, since except for Jack Noir < Black Queen (specifically in the iteration of Spades Slick and Snowman), every other relationship ended up pretty abusive or kinda in one of the other quadrants instead. But I think it’s unequivocally agreed upon that the most solid kismesis relationship is Spades Slick/Snowman. The animosity, the bitter feelings… and yes, it comes down to a showdown where one has to kill the other. But I always kinda dug all that.

You may be wondering, what the fuck does any of this have to do with Light and Misa? However, I’m not claiming that they’re anything close to that sort of relationship. Not at all! But I think it’s kinda a similar feeling for me in how messy their relationship is. Light is using Misa; he has no affection for her, not really. And Misa is head over heels in love with Light, but she is willing to use their circumstances to get closer to him even if he doesn’t feel the same. I liked this video because it didn’t feel like a *pure* romance, but rather a messy romance with all those messy elements involved. Outside of that, your video has a lot of effects, but I think that it added positively to the vibe of the video? Sort of an ethereal feeling, much like the tenuous tightrope of Light and Misa’s relationship. The only thing I would reconsider is the immediate ending by trying to focus more on Light and Misa rather than the other plot elements in order to tie together the feelings more effectively.

Listen. This is the sort of vibe I like in romance sometimes. I’m a filthy shipper at heart, after all.

086

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] WV: Ascend.


This animation is rather early in the story, and when I first binged Homestuck, I actually stopped and watched it multiple times. It was the first time I felt that the comic was something larger than all the dumb jokes and quirky conversations, and it really filled me with excitement and wonder.

Your video does the exact same thing for me, though of course with more focus on the sentimental feelings. All the emotional beats were hit perfectly for me, and I just love it all. Notably, your video does something that I consider near impossibly difficult to do: make me care about A Thousand Miles. I have such a distaste for this song, bluh. But your video was so sincere and nailed the combination of song/source that I legitimately found myself emotional listening to it. This is definitely one of my favorites from the competition (maybe my favorite???), and you did a really good job on it.

087

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Make her pay.



This is the only animation for the trolls’ session, and though I wish that there had been something suitably epic to cover their battle with the Black King, this is just as fine because it focuses on the appropriate character arcs and what really matters to the plot overall.

Your video also covers everything that it should be covering, and I think this is fine as an MCU tribute. There is an equal focus on all elements from across the movies, with appropriate focus to the final battle at the end and a focus on the characters throughout the series. There was enough hype felt on my end. Really my only hesitant point is just from minor nitpicky points from my own reading of the films combined with the use of the song, but that’s not really anything to detract from the video or anything.

089

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Dave: Accelerate.



In this animation, Dave Strider is fighting on his planet after entering the session, with awesome new powers and such. It’s cool and all, but uh this seems weird since the last time we saw him, he was just about to enter his session and he didn’t have much in the way of time powers. In the pages immediately following this animation, we actually find out that this is Dave four months in the future, and he intends to go back in time to fix things that were fucked up. Oh. Welp. The whole picture makes sense, and the visuals here were super cool, it’s just that viewing this one thing in isolation doesn’t make much sense.

In your video, the editing is super solid, but I don’t know who this person is really. For me it comes across as action scenes that are trying to connect to the experiences he had in his childhood, but something’s not clicking for me. Who are the people he’s fighting? Why is his hair red for one fight? I wish there was a way to make that clearer, since it would just help me connect more. But maybe it’s a limitation of the source. But viewing this on its own just leaves me with question marks for the time being.

Editing notes: kinda weird flickering at the end with the static? Not sure what that’s about.

096

Spoiler :

Your video is: Aranea Serket’s expositioning



Aranea Serket likes stories. She likes to hear stories from the alternate universe that she never got to experience. She likes to tell stories to anyone who will listen. Or anyone who might not be interested in listening. She even has her own exposition booth. In my opinion, though she shares a lot of information, she doesn’t really tell it in an interesting or compelling way.

That’s how I, someone who doesn’t watch Star Wars, felt while watching this video. Hopefully this is something that you, who has to suffer through dumb Homestuck comparisons, will feel for my words. The mood is solid, menacing and all that, but as an overview of stuff that happens I just really struggled with watching.

097

Spoiler :

Your video is: Homosuck



A YOUNG MALE HOMO SAPIEN IS TRAPPED IN HIS ROOM. THE PREMISE IS UNINTERESTING, AND EVERYTHING ABOUT IT SUCKS. HENCE THE TITLE, WHICH IS A PORT MANTEAU. CONSISTING OF TWO THEMATICALLY APPROPRIATE WORDS.

THE MALE IS NOT VERY SMART. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT A HUMAN BIRTHDAY. AND HE DOESN'T HAVE A NAME YET? AND MORE STUPID THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES.

ALL OF THIS IS IRRELEVANT.

Homestuck is stupid. This is stupid. Therefore thumbs up from me.

098

Spoiler :

Your video is: Andrew Hussie



Andrew Hussie (the author of Homestuck) has a self-insert in the comic that does dumb narrative shenanigans. I legitimately think it’s one of the funniest things in the comic. That is just my sense of humor.

Seeing these dumb teenagers paired with a song about being dumb cuz hormones makes me laugh so hard. That is just my sense of humor. I’m glad it exists.

also is this why she’s #1 waifu

Editing notes: There’s some weird banding in the footage? Maybe has to do with encoding idk.

099

Spoiler :

Your video is: Jade Harley



Jade Harley is just a bright ball of sunshine, even if she is naive and falls asleep a lot. Tbh in the comic she’s always so refreshing whenever I read her dialogue, even if she’s angry or pissed off. She also turns into a semi-omnipotent half doggy space witch, but that’s neither here nor there for this particular comparison.

I think your video is cute! Very optimistic, plus I love Akira. I just feel like your video doesn’t have much depth in terms of struggle/overcoming struggle, but that’s partially because all of that is kinda centered around a certain person missing from the narrative portrayed heheheh. I get why this was framed the way it was, though, so in terms of an upbeat look at Akira it’s very nice.

100

Spoiler :

Your video is: The Beforus Trolls



These trolls are the descendants of the group of trolls we follow, but they’re from a failed timeline. There’s a whole bunch of them with a lot of weird traits and backstories! Honestly though they’re all irrelevant except for two of them. They’re fun if you want to get more into troll shenanigans, I suppose. But they’re all kinda flat honestly.

I can tell what your video is going for, but I had some trouble following the character arc of the girl. I liked the beginning where it was focused on her being inspirational to her younger self, but it didn’t feel as focused in the following parts. Especially when other folks were introduced, and their emotional connections to main girl weren’t as clear. If that could be made stronger (whether through emphasizing emotional beats more or making the story clearer somehow), I think this video would be more impactful.

103

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Collide.



This animation is the dramatic climax to all of what Homestuck was building up to. All the dramatic fights, all the anticipated showdowns, it was all mostly all tackled in this 18 minute animation extravaganza. And things play out as expected! Really, it played out as expected. There were many conversations about how the fights would be broken down, how each opponent would be fought, and, well, it happens as that. I certainly got hyped watching this, but in the end I kinda wished for something unexpected to kinda blow my mind. Don’t get me wrong, this animation is still top tier, but with nothing spectacular to go against what the comic itself outlined, I couldn’t help but feel a bit… whelmed at the end.

Your video is a really good, really well edited AMV. It shows off the disturbing, intense emotions and imagery of Fate well. But while it’s amazing, I feel it has the potential to be spectacular and it doesn’t reach that for me. If you want to leave your video as is, that’s fine! It’s a great video that will rightfully be applauded as such. But what I wish (and it is a selfish wish because perhaps it only applies to me) is that your video has something to tie it all together. An emotional core that leaves the viewer feeling hollow, or attached, or truly unsettled when the video finishes. It’s really up to you how you want your viewer to feel, if you’re interested in pursuing that at all. As it stands, for me this is a great AMV, but I would like to feel overwhelmed, if at all possible.

Editing notes: I wish Kiritsugu shot Illya on the beat lmao

104

Spoiler :

Your video is: The Beta Kids



HOW COULD YOU NOT HAVE SOME DECENT FOCUS ON THE BEST KH TRINITY AKSLDHGNASNGKLAS;DGLKSJHHKJSKGJNASJKLDGNKASLNFJKSADFJKHALSJKFHAKJLSF

Okay right I’m supposed to talk about Homestuck. Uh. Your video is the Beta Kids (the main four kids of Homestuck) because I love them but also the dynamics between some of the combos of characters within this group are lacking (damn did Rose and Jade really only have 4 conversations in the entire comic?? Wtf Hussie).

Your video could use some more balance in the focus of the different trinities (and no I don’t just mean with Sea Salt Trio BUT PLZ THO). I think there’s too much focus on Xehanort at parts when it should really be more about these groups of friends. Though maybe you were limited with the opening scenes you were using? Which strikes me as odd since you also used a cutscene of Terra at the beginning. Idk. Anyway as a KH fan I still find myself getting into your video a bit but I think some improvements could be made to make it stronger.

105

Spoiler :

Your video is: Murderstuck



When the trolls are stuck on the meteor, just randomly talking to the kids, it’s pretty chill for them. Until murder starts happening. And when it kicks off, it really kicks off. So many trolls die one after the other. It’s rough. It’s a big oof. It’s a really dark and anxious time in the comic, and when focusing on the kids’ side of the story, things aren’t that much better. I really liked this arc in the comic because even though everyone was dying presumably to make the cast less big, it was really good at making me feel things.

In the same manner, I really dig your video. It’s eerie and menacing and slowly building, and the way you built that mood was fantastic. Things seem to slowly get more and more dire. I don’t entirely understand what’s happening, but the visuals are enough for me to understand that none of it is good. Big time kudos.

Editing notes: some artifacting or footage banding? Idk? Is it just my player? It is entirely possible I am just speaking into the void on this.

106

Spoiler :

Your video is: Davesprite



I like Davesprite. He’s a doomed timeline version of Dave that merges with a bird and becomes Dave’s sprite. I always found his story compelling, but the plot sort of kinda drops him off without letting him talk all that much after a certain point. And then he kinda transforms into someone else and his issues get resolved cleanly. Wasn’t a huge fan of that part.

In your video, the editing is on point, good action and all that! I dig that aspect a lot. I’m not sure about the direction and the focus on pig guy and yellow haired guy though. At least it was harder for me to understand what their deal is. I guess I would just appreciate more focus on the main characters? But the beginning and ending were super strong. With a tighter focus (or maybe better integration of all their plots together? idk) I would definitely be 100% behind your video.

108

Spoiler :

Your video is: Karkat Vantas’ wonderful vocabulary

http://www.generatorland.com/usergenerator.aspx?id=3970

Eh I’m too lazy to find a proper quote so just enjoy this insult generator.

109

Spoiler :

Your video is: Karkat imagining Jade making out with herself.



Wait no stop imagining that.



It’s a cute joke. Nice lipsync. I was on the verge of cringing but I persevered!!! Not much else to say?

110

Spoiler :

Your video is: Any time the kids play a refrain on their instrument of choice.



John plays the piano, Rose plays the violin, Dave uses turntables, and Jade plays the guitar. They all have such talent. It’s just one of those random things that’s done continuously for them all, but I think it’s a nice thing that connects them. Music transcends everything, after all.

Your video is a lot of fun! I think in some sections though, the editing doesn’t quite match the energy of the song. In the beginning and the middle sections, the scenes feel rather static and there isn’t too much variation in cuts. Perhaps ken burns would help with some of that? Maybe consider a more dramatic zoom as well, but it’s hard to suggest that because that has to be done with purpose and in moderation.

Editing notes: less crossfades plz

112

Spoiler :

Your video is: the fact that we’re all gonna die once someone starts playing SBURB



Through the actual mechanics in which the mysterious video game SBURB comes into being, once someone starts playing it, the world’s gonna end. Homestuck is a story that starts out with John playing SBURB, and guess what, the world ends. Welp.

This metaphor is more about my feelings about the world ending, whether through fictional bullshit or nuclear explosions or whatever. It’s a touch of anxiety and nervous laughter. But honestly I don’t have much to say about this one. The editing is sound. The concept exactly as expected in that it matches the song exactly. If there had been a lyric sync category perhaps this would have been a contender there.

118

Spoiler :

Your video is [ S ] DD: Ascend more casually.



“I’m a Member of the Midnight Crew” is kinda a recurring element throughout Homestuck, especially as it relates to the Midnight Crew. Here… it is used to create a dumb montage of various events throughout the comic? This song could have been used in a much more meaningful sense, but it’s just dropped here with little rhyme or reason.

…

Wait... was this Hussie mocking fan videos somehow?! Excuse me while I mildly freak out about this as that thought had legitimately never occurred to me.

Anyway, there’s a lot I don’t understand about this video. Perhaps it was better suited for people who are knowledgeable about the series? Believe me, I’ve been there with some of the stuff I’ve made. But as someone who knows nothing, I have no context about characters, monsters, the significance of the actions they’re taking, the significance of any emotional moments, the significance of pairing this song with the video. There’s just a lot I don’t understand. It’s just all a montage to me.

Editing notes: too loooong

119

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Cascade.



Cascade is my favorite animation in Homestuck. It’s one of the common choices admittedly, but there’s just so much I love about it. It’s the first time the comic expanded past the 650x450px bounds of the typical comic panel to take up more of the screen. It played with the idea of sliding panels and boundaries between images that was amazing to watch. And the events themselves were so spectacular that it left me reeling after I watched it. There’s actually a funny story to how I experienced this in high school but that’s gonna be way too off track for this review haha.

Before I talk about your video itself, I have to say: this is a legendary title. It rivals a certain title from last year. Big time kudos. But in general, big time kudos for this video. I don’t know anything about One Piece, but I was able to get invested in the emotions nonetheless. That’s all I ask. Editing was on point as well. Everything synced so well! This makes me happy. I’m not going to call this my favorite video in the contest, but I feel like it deserves the comparison to my favorite Homestuck animation.

120

Spoiler :

Your video is: all my ships that didn’t become canon

Well, I’m not gonna provide examples in order to maintain my own sanity. If you’re interested, that’s something you could probably sleuth out a bit. But why would you do that lmao

But every time I watch an AMV for this show, I can only ask, “wait these two aren’t canon??? Wtffff????” And I always ask that because AMVs make the relationship seem so heartfelt and deep (don’t know if it’s quite the same way in the actual plot). This video is no exception. I don’t know if I can even really explain it. It makes me feeeeeeel. And it makes me feel sad that this couple from a show I’m not invested in isn’t canon.

Editing notes: some clips seem a bit jittery during transitions? It could be your personal editing choice idk

121

Spoiler :

Your video is: Vriska Serket



Vriska Serket is a character in Homestuck. Uh. It’s really hard to describe her. I guess it goes anywhere from 8LUH 8LUH HUGE 8ITCH to the most complex character in Homestuck. She’s killed people, controlled people, forced others to act for her because she believes what she’s doing is the way to get the best outcome. Stuff like that.

I feel like Vriska would be a fun match to this song. Just like Kaguya! Is there any particular reason to choose Kaguya over other characters? Meh. But the editing was solid and the shots did enough to justify the choice. Honestly though, what justified the choice the most was Ishigami’s solo near the end. That was perfect. Editing was really good too, no complaints there.

123

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] ACT 6 ACT 6



You’re welcome.

Editing notes: Make OTP a cinematic universe. DO IT.

124

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Jane: Enter



This animation is of Jane first entering the session. It goes as expected, and then it doesn’t. Some major reveals occur, including the fact that half the kids are currently hundreds of years in the future. WELP. But it feels like it dramatically raises the stakes of a story that had otherwise gone as expected so far.

For your video, the combination kinda teeters for me, but ultimately I think I fall on the side of “it works”. It does a good job at establishing that sense of adventure, and connecting the ideas of the compass with the star… thing (forget what it’s called haha). Perhaps me being okay with this combo is because of my familiarity with both sources, but it’s just fun to think about. I’m not sure how to make the combo feel more solid though.

Editing notes: well I’m not the best person to critique on text considering that’s not my area of expertise… but at the very least maybe decrease the zoom amount? It comes across as too much.

127

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Terezi: Remem8er.



This animation focuses on Terezi and Vriska’s relationship throughout the years, and two ghost versions of themselves who are left searching the afterlife sad and alone until they find each other. It also give brief glimpses into the post deaths of other dead characters, but those don’t matter all that much. The main focus is on these two girls, and how they find each other despite being apart for so long. A simple yet emotional animation (and the last animation before the big climax).

For the most part I really liked this video a lot. I just got a bit confused with the friends in the middle and how they factored into the drama. Is it love triangle type stuff? Ultimately in my mind that stuff doesn’t matter too much in terms of the overall feeling the video was going for. Still, it takes up a third of the video and it doesn’t feel like there was a moment to give me a chance to figure that out with my one dumb romance brain cell. But outside of that, it was a very heartfelt vid.

130

Spoiler :

Your video is: The Mayor



The Mayor is pure. The Mayor is beloved by everyone. Except those who are not nice. They are not nice because they do not like The Mayor. (Truthfully, I feel like making his character entirely The Mayor as all the characters see him vs. the character who led a failed rebellion and a quirky carapace who got up to quirky shenanigans did a bit too much disservice to him, but that has little to do with your video. He is still quite lovable.)

Your video fills me with pure feelings. It makes me go d’aww. It makes me smile. I quite love them. There’s only so many ways I could describe this fluffy feeling inside, but your video made me feel that.

Editing notes: the audio feels kinda off balance? If that’s how the original audio was then oof, since it makes me worried that I’m slowly going deaf in one ear. >_>

131

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] ACT 6 ACT 6 INTERMISSION 1



We were promised new features. Animations with higher stakes. And through dumb shenaigans involving pixie dust shoved into the game cartrage, this animation (and subsequent story) was glitched to all hell and back.

This is more of a literal comparison to your video because it was an artistic decision to have your video cut off like that. At least, I assume so considering you used footage from the entire movie (rather than certain sections indicating you couldn’t finish in time). It was definitely awesome, and yet I still feel myself going “aww, that’s it? “ But regardless. You won. You won in my heart.

132

Spoiler :

Your video is: John’s Dad/Rose’s Mom



Ah yes, parents. There for their kids. But they also have lives outside of their kids! And so these two adults lost in this weird universe find each other and go on a fancy date. And then they die.



Whoops. Well, it’s not like they were ever the focus of the story. I assume these two adults in your video are the same? I don’t know, I’ve never watched Stranger Things. I just know that it centers around the kids and weird stuff. Or something. And then the guy dies. I think? Sometimes I struggle with understanding live action narratives, though that’s not necessarily a fault of your video. I do appreciate what I assume is a different focus than what would be expected from the show, though.

133

Spoiler :

Your video is: Homestuck’s love for playing with the format of its comic’s boundaries

Wait. What the?! My Homestuck comparison is actually relevant for one video?! Huh!

Homestuck (especially in the latter comic) LOVES playing with the appearance of the website in order to fit the narrative. In some animations, the aspect ratio scales up past the expected boundaries in order to create a larger than life feeling (see https://youtu.be/BHb_KpVY1mQ?t=56 for the first time this happens within the comic). It’s always something I’ve really enjoyed, just pushing the boundaries of how the story is displayed.

For that reason, I appreciate your video’s effort to play with the video’s physical boundaries between fantasy and reality. There’s like one moment where it’s inconsistent with that idea, but Kyubey flying in and out of the fantasy, breaking through those nonsense ideallations… well, that’s just the sort of thing I really like! And this video is pretty funny. Overall, I applaud the creativity.

134

Spoiler :

Your video is: Death of the Author



Andrew Hussie (the author of Homestuck) gets killed in his comic by the main villain. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. It’s supposed to be silly but still NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO why did this have to happen. I got sad about it even though I had no business doing so.

I think… I think I got emotional from your video, and I don’t quite get why. I don’t particularly think the song fits the story, but the entire thing just makes me sad nonetheless. I’m not even sure that changing the song to a cover so that it’s a guy singing this and matching the POV in your video would help, since it might lose some of the emotions. Maybe it’s just the overwhelming feelings from both the source and the song that creates this huge explosion of FEELINGS in my face. But there were feelings, so good job on that.

135

Spoiler :

Your video is: Rosemary



Rosemary is the ship name for Rose Lalonde and Kanaya Maryam. Look at these two snarky girls. Their relationship starts off in mutual snark/antagonism/general confusion but soon enough they get closer and then they end up together. Instead of snarking at each other harshly, it’s a lighter, teasing tone. Yes. Good. My only wish was that we could have seen more of their romance proper without certain plot elements getting in the way. :<

Anyway, I really liked your video a lot! Out of all the Kaguya videos, I feel like this one captured the feeling of dumbass high IQ teenagers challenging each other. I think the editing was also on point, and overall this video is a really good combo of fun and romance. My only complaint is the use of the ED at the end because I always thought that the ED was rather silly/out of place compared to the rest of the show, but at least you combined it with the fireworks scene so it’s not totally out there.

136

Spoiler :

Your video is: The Dream Bubbles



The Dream Bubbles are where ghosts can hang out in Homestuck after they die in their timeline. A sort of life post-death, in a way. But it’s a way to make amends with those you didn’t get along with while living, or a place to even influence those still living even in death. They serve plot purposes as well, but ultimately I always liked to focus more about their role in the Homestuck afterlife.

I made this comparison on a symbolic sense of the feeling of bittersweet feeling of making sense of your life after all the suffering you went through. But uh. Now that I think about it, that comparison kinda works on a literal sense as well haha. Anyway, Angel Beats is always kinda weird for me as an editing source because you have to balance both the realistic trauma with the action and other visuals that may throw off folks not familiar with the source. But ultimately I think you made a very good call in making it an ensemble focus rather than a focus on one character. As a result, the entire video comes across as more of a general support for everyone, rather than lingering too much on the tragedy. It’s optimistic, and a very nice sentimental piece.

137

Spoiler :

Your video is: John’s Dad



John’s dad is just a normal guy who likes pranks and dad stuff. He gets caught up in this weird adventure and although we don’t really get his side of the story, he still manages just fine on his own. I think he’s kinda cool?? Even though he’s just a normal dad???

Well anyway, this combo is unexpected for me, but I think you pulled it off really well! I didn’t really feel like there was an awkward part in the trailer, so really good scene selection. You did a good job convincing me of the appeal of this crossover.

138

Spoiler :

Your video is: Lil’ Cal



This puppet is creepy AF. It torments Dave throughout his childhood, and it actually kinda turns out to be the cause of many, many events within the comic. It also ends up being one component of the main villain. So yeah. Creepy puppet. But. Well. I tolerate the puppet? At least there were more disturbing elements in Homestuck.

In the same sense, I tolerate your video in terms of the horror factor it’s trying to portray, but I’m not even entirely sure that it’s supposed to be read as a straightforward horror. I’m not familiar with either source, but the footage used seems quirky enough that I don’t know if it’s supposed to be a bit of a parody too. It might just come down to me missing the appeal of this combo.

139

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Enter.



This animation is when Rose enters the session, along with John, Dave, and Jade doing their own things. The song used in this animation was originally just the theme for SBURB starting up, but for this a full version was created. And honestly, that theme wasn’t just for SBURB anymore. It was the adventure these kids were embarking upon.

It’s a bit hard to explain in that aspect I suppose, but for me your editing ended up creating a video that added more meaning to both song and source through their combination. The lyrics matched so well with some scenes. When you had “your bones” set to the strings I just went YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. The only thing I would reconsider in your video is having the shot of the mom during the second verse, since according to the narrative you built (and the narrative I know from the movie heheheh) this should be after she died.

And thus ends part 1 because WTF apparently there are character limits. WTF.

[MadMegatax]

And here's part 2 because CHARACTER LIMITS.

I MEAN REALLY.



Starting at 140 in this post.

Spoiler :

More fun whee!!!!

140

Spoiler :

Your video is: Dave’s relationship with Bro



Dave Strider and his brother (just called Bro) lived together in an apartment for 13 years before they entered the session. Their relationship is introduced as Dave being startled/creeped out by all the stuff that’s in their apartments, including the shitload of puppets, the bots that fight him, fighting each other with swords, and other details that I’m forgetting because it’s been a longass time since I read through the beginning of the comic, but it’s all played off as quirky. Dave just accepts it as irony, it’s how their relationship goes. Except. Well. Once Dave actually hangs out in person with other people, he realizes that Bro may not have been good at all? That Bro was actually abusive and kinda fucked him up? This reveal comes near the end of the comic so uh there was a long gap in time between seeing their relationship originally and Dave admitting this to the alternate universe teenaged version of Bro, but it’s still an oof.

I’m NOT saying this is like Deku’s relationship with All Might. But uh. I’m having a hard time parsing how exactly their relationship is supposed to be portrayed in your video. The lyrics comes off as a negative reflection of their relationship, but I’m still not sure if it’s supposed to be more sad about the downfall of All Might. There’s just something about it that is nebulous enough that makes me feel it could be interpreted in multiple ways, and that’s not really to the video’s benefit.

141

Spoiler :

Your video is: The whole Karkat/Terezi/Dave mess



During their 3 year journey on a meteor, mostly isolated to interacting amongst themselves, these three deal with RELATIONSHIP SHENANIGANS. Terezi and Dave get close, Karkat gets jealous of Dave because of his feelings for Terezi, Terezi becomes a mess because of outside influences. It’s uh. It’s not pretty. It ultimately results in Dave and Karkat becoming friends though, and trying to help Terezi out with her issues. Then they all die. Welp. In the retconned timeline though, this all doesn’t happen. Karkat and Dave get together instead, and Terezi gets to focus on her other conflicting feelings (Vriska). But, y’know, sometimes romance drama is good. Even if it’s all fucking stupid.

For that reason, this is a video I can get behind lol. Gimme love triangle. Gimme spiteful feelings from opposite ends of the triangle. Gimme that anguish. Gimme less light leaks though. I suppose in terms of story, I wonder if there’s the potential to allow for a bit more room to breath in some points. No big deal though.

144

Spoiler :

Your video is: The Midnight Crew Intermission



The Midnight Crew originally comes from Andrew Hussie’s former work, Problem Sleuth. They’re a gang of mobsters, and in this comic they’re introduced as trying to take down The Felt and their boss, Lord English. Even though it seems like a complete detour from the plot being told prior, Lord English is in fact the ultimate baddie of Homestuck, so uh. This random detour that has a bit of a different feel to the current comic ends up introducing some important stuff. When I first read this section my reaction (especially with the confusing time powers of the Felt) was one big question mark, but after reading Problem Sleuth I gained a better appreciation of everything that happened here.

Your video is kinda similar in that it takes me a rewatch to appreciate the elements more. The source to audio match isn’t what I would call a perfect match, but the almost stilted mood used in the video to depict Anthy carries over even without full understanding. Plus it’s always interesting to see Utena AMVs that focus on certain elements rather than the full story. It’s still a bit of a tough watch, but a nice enough job with the character focus.

Editing notes: fix lip flap in one point?

145

Spoiler :

Your video is: Gamzee Makara



Gamzee Makara starts as a goofy juggalo troll. Then he snaps and becomes a huge threat and a murderer. And then he wears a codpiece at some point. Idk. His timeline is all over the place. But… I mean… I miss the goofy juggalo troll. But I can’t even enjoy that initial character anymore because of all the awful shit Gamzee did. Big sad.

I bring that up not to say I dislike Thor or anything, it’s just that your character focus isn’t really what I expected or would want when thinking about Thor. I don’t know if I particularly like the focus on Thor as a tragic character. He’s got tragic elements, sure, but that’s not really what I enjoy about him. I also don’t know if I like the focus on just Infinity War/Endgame, when that’s smaller in the large scheme of who Thor is. In general, your video feels more like a character overview than a trailer (which was what it seemed to be built as). So that confused me as well? It would have been cool to give it a narrower scope/plot in order to add a bit of weight to it all, even if I didn’t particularly like the angle used for Thor. I guess a lot of things about this didn’t click for me.

146

Spoiler :

Your video is: John Egbert’s reunion with Dad



This is one of the final panels of the comic. John, after having had his dad for the past three years of his life, finally gets to meet the alternate universe version of Dad! And they hug! It’s a truly heartwarming moment. However, one thing kinda sours the moment for me. This version of Dad is actually the father of another character currently present, Jane. And instead of hugging her missing dad whom she presumed dead, she instead watches along with everyone else.

...Why. It probably doesn’t bother others as much as me, but damn did she get shafted. The moment is still heartwarming, but it’s just a bit tainted by me expecting something that did not happen.

Well for the most part, I really like your video! It’s a source I was hoping to see in this contest, accompanied by a song I know from a band I like! Lucky for me! But still, I kinda wished you played into the intensity of the song a bit more at the end. The song kinda builds up, but the cuts stay relatively the same without too much variation. Changing it up a bit at the end could add to the excitement of your video. Of course, like with my example above, this is all likely due to my own personal expectations. Probably unreasonable, but it’s just a little sad note for me.

Editing notes: you should probably remove the sound effect at the end of the video. I know it’s part of the original audio source, but it doesn’t particularly add anything.

147

Spoiler :

Your video is: When Vriska mind-controlled Tavros for romance





Vriska has complicated feelings about Tavros. Feelings of disappointment, of expecting so much more from him. She wants to guide him to be what she thinks he could be (even if it involves forceful methods). But uh he doesn’t really live up to her expectations. Also she paralyzed him so that’s not good??? No one expects this romance to work, or really wants it for that matter. Vriska still tries, first by trying to get him to kiss her and then by trying to manipul8 him with her psychic powers. No one wants the romance to happen, but NO ONE wants the romance to happen like that! It wouldn’t be Tavros acting of his own free will, it wouldn’t be Vriska managing to keep someone’s affections. It just wouldn’t be them if she had followed through on that manipul8tion.

As for your video. Hmm. Hmm. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Well your video is well edited. But it certainly isn’t my favorite Kaguya video in this contest. Though even if there weren’t other Kaguya videos in this contest, I wouldn’t be too fond of this video regardless. It just removes all personality from Kaguya IMO. Get ready for me to apply my SOURCE KNOWLEDGE. Kaguya and Shirogane usually have a balanced dynamic, with each of them being dorks and each of them getting wins. But this video feels more like it’s playing off Shirogane as a casanova and Kaguya as either a blushing shy girl or a wily temptress. The latter can be true of Kaguya, but focusing on that alone removes the appeal of their dynamic to me. It just feels generic. So big shrug.

148

Spoiler :

Your video is: This quote on irony from Dirk Strider

“The upper echelons of irony should always include measures of sincerity. And if the satirical practice is executed faithfully it will achieve something bona fide in its own right regardless. Through an intense commitment bordering on religious devotion to the absolutely inane, absurd, or plain fucking stupid, a very different kind of sincerity begins to materialize. One of reverence to the ridiculous. You begin to "mean it," but what exactly it is you mean is never quite what appears on the surface, and is utterly inaccessible to obtuse and literal minds. That you "mean it" then becomes inseparable from the joke, and additional rich strata of humor may be stripped aggressively from this irreconcilable truth.”

If anyone wants to know my stance on irony, this is it.

I enjoyed the fact that this video was entered in the competition. There were a lot of things that I found charming. The one frame scenes before going on to the next clip, the run on scenes, even just the combination of source and audio. I’m not gonna go over how to improve the video, as there are many other people who can do that better than me. But I mean it when I say that this is a worthwhile entry. Keep on editing.

149

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Caliborn: Enter.



For me, this animation is kinda the most horrifying, dread-inducing thing in Homestuck. Half of it is the main villain as a teenager (Caliborn) entering his session to start fucking things up. The other half is the main villain as his big, buff future self (Lord English) finally encountering characters we have come to meet and know, and fucking decimating them. It’s the latter half that terrifies me. For you see, these characters were already dead, and were just chilling out in dream bubbles, enjoying their afterlife in peace. But Lord English’s attack completely eradicates them, and the idea that even in death they couldn’t find peace in the end just made me upset. I thought they’d be safe dammit. T_T

Your video is the most unsettling video in the contest for me. As in, I actually struggled to watch it. I just couldn’t deal with the imagery. I guess I’m a wimp. u_u It’s also a really long series summary, but I just struggle with revisiting it at all. Just imagine my emotions described above but multiplied by 1000x because it’s real life imagery rather than crappy drawings.

150

Spoiler :

Your video is: Feferi Peixes



Feferi Peixes is a sea dweller and the future heiress to the troll race (don’t worry, my reason for this comparison isn’t as simple as Little Mermaid comparisons). She’s joyful, happy, energetic, and wants to unite the land and sea dwellers despite mutual prejudices. So she ends up getting killed by a jaded ex-friend. Welp.

The reason I’m making this comparison is that it felt like the story kinda rushed to that conclusion of her death, and ultimately it didn’t make much of an impact overall. For your video, I got the combo of song and source until the end. It kinda sped through the whole breakup aspect of the plot quickly, which didn’t quite fit the pace of the song, and also made me go “okay huh alright guess that’s happening”. The idea is nice, but it doesn’t really feel like it comes together in the end. Just there, I suppose.

Editing notes: is this aspect ratio correct?

152

Spoiler :

Your video is: the multitude of ongoing gags in Homestuck

https://mspaintadventures.fandom.com/wiki/Ongoing_gags

I assume that’s what the repeated shot was of Saber smiling desperately in the right side of the screen. A running gag. Right?

...Right?

Editing notes: lots of random frames that needed to be cut, lots of long scenes that needed to be cut, etc.

153

Spoiler :

Your video is: Eridan Ampora



Eridan Ampora is an arrogant troll who feels entitled to relationships. No one really gives him the time of day, and he’s kinda treated as a joke. And then he murders his ex-friend, in addition to destroying the trolls’ one hope for bringing back their race from near extinction. He wasn’t really treated seriously until that moment, both by his friends and by the narrative, so when it happened it was kinda a shock for me, like “wait this is really happening?”

For your video, I think this video errs too much on the sweet side of things when there could probably a bit more dose of menacing in order to better establish Yuno and who she is. Perhaps through lighting? Quick cuts to something more unsettling? Idk these are just ideas I’d play around with if you were interested in pursuing them. Though I get it’s all from her point of view, I do think that establishing the dissonance is something worth considering.

154

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Jade: Wake up.



Jade has a habit of sleeping a lot. She even wears colorful bands around her fingers so she can remember all the important stuff she learned while she was asleep. Except in this case, she kinda died in her dream. So now she got to experience something dark and threatening and hard to discern. Very unsettling.

And even though Saki doesn’t do much in terms of actual dreaming in your video, the same sense of something looming over her, unknown and unsettling, is certainly there. There’s not much in the way of narrative, but I think this suits your video just fine. It feels more about being caught in something hard to understand and being tossed around. Which to be fair is a lot of what happens to Saki in the show. If I wasn’t familiar with the source it might have been a tougher sell, but as it is, I’m really loving the vibe.

155

Spoiler :

Your video is: John Egbert



John Egbert is the main character of Homestuck! Man I’m getting basic with these comparisons. But despite all the bullshit that happened within the comic, I think John’s arc is pretty solid. Except for one area but I’m not even sure that counts. Well, in the comic proper I think his arc is pretty solid. He’s done well.

It’s in that same vein that I liked your video. I think it’s a good character profile of Ed. The song fits pretty well. I think that the choruses feel a bit unfocused at times, but then again I’m not sure what I would do about that. In the choruses it’s about fighting the enemies, but I wonder if there’s just something else (or perhaps something added) that could be done to create a stronger connection with Ed’s journey. Just something with a bit more focus.

Editing notes: the transitions bounce a bit? Idk about that.

156

Spoiler :

Your video is: Alpha Dave killing the Insane Clown Posse



Alpha Dave (as in adult Dave from the Alpha timeline) rebels against the rule of the alien Empress, and does so by battling and killing the ICP (she had made them Presidents). Listen. It sounds really weird, and it is kinda weird, but it makes enough sense in context. I swear. But DUDE YO THAT WAS LEGIT.

In that same sort of vein YO THIS WAS SO COOOOOL. You did so much from only a short section of the movie! The mood was on point, the scenes were on point, everything was just really cool. And stylish.

157

Spoiler :

Your video is: Caliborn



Caliborn is the main villain of Homestuck. Well, rather, he will grow up into the main villain of Homestuck. For right now, he’s just an obnoxious alien who’s extremely unpleasant, violent, mean, etc. But occasionally there is still something funny about it. I guess I tolerate him enough. I guess. But still. Couldn’t we have focused on someone more charismatic and pleasant to read?

I can see where you’re going with your video, and I think that the themes generally match. The trailer pushes my willing suspension of disbelief with the smile at times, but I suppose it’s fine. There’s enough clips for me to go “oh yeah that’s a smile, this works well enough.” Plus the other visuals to help boost the connection go a long way. Could there have been another source you could have used? Sure. Is this one fine enough? Sure.

Editing notes: lmao at the mask sucking back onto his head

158

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] WV?: Rise up.



This animation focuses on the battle occuring on Skaia, which the main kids don’t really get involved in as much. It introduces the idea of the battle between the white and black chess pieces, and introduces the basic backstory for our beloved Warweary Villein, sick of all this fighting when he just wants to have a farm. He creates an uprising against the tyranny. But well, then things get fucked up a bit. It’s all elements that are newly introduced, but the animation demonstrates the idea very well (at least compared to some animations that a viewer might need more time parsing).

I think your video does a very good job at worldbuilding. It creates a sense of what’s corrupt about the world, what the heroes might be fighting for, and even if there isn’t any concrete plot to help understand specifics, the general feeling of injustice for this tyrannical rule comes across very well. There’s enough breathing room for the emotional beats as well, so good job editing a video that comes across well. Also, down with tyranny and all that.

159

Spoiler :

Your video is: Calliope



Calliope lives a very tragic life. She shares a body with her brother (who is quite awful and mean), and they’re forced to fight for dominance over their body. Her brother wins, an outcome she had seen coming, and she dies as a result. She doesn’t appear in the comic for quite some time, and it all strikes me as quite sad. u_u

Your video hits me with the same sort of sad feelings. Poor Nanachi and Mitty. Their circumstances were awful, and they suffered horribly. I think though that your video could do with some framing. Perhaps establishing a bit at the beginning who Nanachi and Mitty are, and then delving into their story. I only say this because it cuts immediately from Mitty’s transformation to Mitty’s death, and I think some emotional impact is lost there.

160

Spoiler :

Your video is: this sequence of unusually animated gifs of Tavros dancing






Dance!

161

Spoiler :

Your video is: John’s love for Con Air



It’s a running gag in Homestuck that John is ridiculously in love with Con Air (a movie starring Nicolas Cage, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Con_Air). He says quotes from the movie repeatedly, some concepts actually kinda become plot points, and honestly the animation above says it all. I too love Con Air, but it’s because I was introduced through Homestuck. Is it a good movie? Big shrug. But I love all the moments in the same way that John does.

I am not the best person to ask about the quality of your video. It could have been godawful quality and I would still love it. It could have been constructed masterfully beyond compare and I would love it just the same. All I need are gay otter cops dancing in an AMV and I am more than satisfied. Thanks for making it, it’s all I can ask for. :’)

164

Spoiler :

Your video is: Vriskan



Okay so honestly the idea of Vriska ending up with anyone romantically is a bit of a disaster in the making, but my favorite ship for her was always with Kanaya (who had been crushing on her quite a while prior to their introductions). Vriska uh doesn’t really pay attention to her or treat her or her feelings well so yeah it’s not surprising that it doesn’t go anywhere. Kanaya ends up with someone who treats her better and Vriska is Vriska. But listen. I still have quite a fondness for it.

I do get emotions from this source (I’m a sucker for it). Do I think they should get together? Probably not. And they don’t, not really. But it’s a movie and I’m a sucker for romance at times so big shrug. I don’t think the song really matched the feeling you were going for in some aspects, though. Especially during the first chorus, when the synth music stuff starts (idk) but there isn’t really anything visually exciting to compare to that moment in the music. And this is just me being weird, but since the song is “call you” I figured a better match would be something involving long distance and phones. I don’t think that is necessarily a mark against your video, though.

165

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] John: Take bite of apple. (with a random clip from [ S ] ACT 7 thrown in there)




The first animation is the conclusion to the first act of Homestuck. The second animation is the final act of Homestuck, the conclusion to it all (well, ignoring credits). Now get ready for OPINIONS from someone who has watched the show. I honestly get wanting to focus on mainly the first two seasons. The story is more self-contained, and the idea gets across pretty easily. But whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy did you have to include the kiss. As a fan, it makes me go 1) what the this isn’t really in line with the rest of the events being shown and 2) aaaaaaaaaaaaugh man the last season sure was a thing wasn’t it??? That second point doesn’t really mean much in terms of the video, but honestly it took me out of it. Outside of that, good editing.

Editing notes: footage quality kinda iffy? Though I don’t remember if I had those issues too…

166

Spoiler :

Your video is: The Condesce



The Condesce is the Empress of the troll race, and she was forced by the main villain of Homestuck to work under him in order to influence places that he could not. So she became Betty Crocker in our universe. Yup. She raised the grandparents of the main kids across two separate universes, and she ultimately intends to recreate her lost troll empire and overthrow the main villain. Her actions play out more in the background with two exceptions, but I was always a bit dissatisfied with her, since we never got to see what she was like personally. We only ever saw her henchmen and what they were ordered to do. Her actions would have felt more impactful if we directly saw her interacting with the kids at some point.

Don’t get me wrong, she’s still plenty menacing, and it’s the same kind of menacing that comes across in your video. It’s a big scary world for these orphans. Your video follows the plot of the show pretty much, but I’m not sure that’s playing into the song’s best strength for this combo. The song to me is more about the threatening forces, so more focus on Mama and her menacing presence would have been to the video’s benefit. At the very least, I felt like Norman’s dream sequence dragged too long.

168

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Dirk: Synchronize. and [ S ] Dirk: Unite.




A two part animation! I think this animation is one of the cooler ones in the comic. Dirk is going high speed to save everyone, and it uses such a good song too! This was at a point where everything seemed fucked, but through some mindblowing stuff he manages to save everyone.

Your video isn’t high adrenaline like the example I gave, but even so it makes me hype. Just a lowkey hype. Man your sync to the song was so gooood. The gunshot. So good. It’s the suspense that pulls me in, I suppose. You knew what you wanted to show, what you wanted the viewer to feel, how you wanted the song to play into, and I do think you succeeded with all that. I also was sad at the end. That wasn’t hype, but still. Emotions.

169

Spoiler :

Your video is: Trickster Mode



If a human licks a certain lollipop, all their inhibitions run free. They want everyone else to join in on the fun, to be happy with them! They also get these weird powers. Idk. The point is everyone becomes colorful and saccharine!! Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!

But YOOOOO the visuals were so creative in your video! There’s a lot of interesting things visually in the show, and you leveraged it to really build that feeling of obsession. Plus the song was such a bop, I’m glad the edit was rather upbeat instead of edgy like it could have been haha. In general, I really liked this a lot. It makes me wish I actually followed through on my own HSL video instead of trashing it halfway through lololololol.

173

Spoiler :

Your video is: Terezi’s comics that she draws for Dave



Just an example of one of the masterpieces that she crafts.

Your commercial is also along these lines, though I do think you left that clip in the middle going for too long.

174

Spoiler :

Your video is: Dave and Rose’s sibling relationship



Dave and Rose have always had this snarky, playfully antagonistic relationship with each other, though it isn’t until they enter the session that they find out they’re actually brother and sister. I think that once that happens, something in their dynamic shifts in that they’re willing to risk themselves to make sure the other is safe. Or maybe I’m just reading too much into this interaction where Rose forcefully makes Dave stay behind while she goes on her suicide mission, while Dave follows after her because he doesn’t want her to be alone/wants to protect her. Man.

This is the video that probably gets closest to the heart of the plot between all the Demon Slayer AMVs entered, and yeah I’m a sucker for family stuff. They’re protecting each other. T_T In terms of the plot, I didn’t quite get the beginning stuff that happened leading to the family massacre. It’s probably just one of those things where I’d have to watch an episode just to remove the remaining confusion. Outside of that, yesssss sibling bonds I’m always a huge fan of that.

177

Spoiler :

Your video is: Homestuck Classpects

https://mspaintadventures.fandom.com/wiki/Class
https://mspaintadventures.fandom.com/wiki/Aspect

What kind of class is a person assigned, and what does that say about a person? What aspect is a person assigned, and what does that say about a person? Any sort of combination has something interesting to say, and it’s really fun to think about. What can I say? I’m a sucker for thinking about stuff like that. I’m a simple person.

And guess what? I’m a simple person. I see the sword glows blue when the chorus kicks in, and I get really into it. And then it goes red in the final chorus. Ooooo powerups!! Though I think the bridge and final chorus lose focus a bit. Is there a way to have a good ending that ties it together? The season ended recently so idk. I didn’t watch Demon Slayer. But you don’t need to have watched the show to get the good action vibes here.

178

Spoiler :

Your video is: The Alpha Kids godtiering




So usually when there’s an important event like this, the comic has a cool animation to accompany it. However, for this set of events, for some reason, it’s all just images. I wished so bad that it had been an animation, because this event really felt like it deserved it, but things can’t always go how I want.

So this is a good song to go with this source. I know this because this is something that *I* wanted to do. T_T T_T T_T As a result, ultimately my complaints with your video come down to how the characters were casted/what the scenario was in your video. Just me wishing that what I would like to happen actually happened lol. But I suppose that leaves the door open for me to do my own version eventually.

179

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ] Rose and Dave: Shut up and jam



Rose and Dave hang out for the first time in person, and what do they do? Dance it out! There are a bunch of songs involved in this (keep in mind that this was originally a flash), but I’m partial to tihs one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOkeFOkE7No

I’m not sure how to feel about your video. It feels like both a good combo and a poor combo at the same time. There’s enough variation in scenes to make it feel like the video is keeping up with the lyrics and different songs. But I really don’t know if making it more narrative focused works too much because it requires the viewer to pay attention to 1) the lyrics 2) the scenes 3) the song changes and 4) the narrative that’s being built with the prior three points. If your video had been just a general focus on the show maybe I would have had an easier time with it.

182

Spoiler :

Your video is: all the random references to horses throughout the comic.



Is this Hussie’s obsession? A joke? Who knows. It’s weird.

I do appreciate that this was only one source matched with audio clips to Spongebob. It feels like your video was crafted with purpose, not just thrown together just because you felt like it. It’s a really random combo, but I’m glad we had a video like yours in the competition.

184

Spoiler :

Your video is: [ S ]: Wake.



This animation focuses on two characters: Aradia Megido and Vriska Serket. Aradia is resurrected by the rampage around her, and turns god tier (essentially immortal) while Vriska transforms into her previously attained god tier outfit and murders Tavros (whose relationship with her has been going downhill to this point where they confront each other). In terms of plot it’s not a whole lot. It’s two important moments, each portrayed in different ways, one epic and uplifting while the other tense and tragic.

I think your video is a really strong action with a good emphasis on emotional beats. And the flow is very good too. I kinda wished it only focused on the main character rather than who I assume are his allies at some points in the video, just because most of the focus throughout the video seemed to be on him and his sister. I guess it’s not the biggest deal though, since those scenes don’t necessarily tip the video over too much into an ensemble piece.

193

Spoiler :

Your video is: Equius Zahaak



Look how STRONG he is. As STRONG as the decision to use one scene for your video.

195

Spoiler :

Your video is: The fact that the Beta Kids couldn’t reunite for THREE YEARS WHY MUST THIS SUFFERING HAPPEN




After the Beta Kids (and trolls with the meteor group) escape their destroyed session, they’re in the process of traveling to a new universe with a new group of kids they can meet up with! However, it’s revealed a bit after they start this journey that they will be traveling for THREE YEARS. NO. THAT’S SO LONG. It made me really frustrated/sad that they wouldn’t be able to talk for so long, after all that they’ve been through together.

However, unlike the YEARS UPON YEARS for the comic to finally have them reunite, that suspense is nowhere near as killer for your video (or the source material for that matter, since it’s a movie). It’s done in a much more tolerable dose, heheheh. In short, I like it! I think it captures the feeling of their paths never quite crossing until the very end, but in the end the wait feels worth it for them just to meet once more.

Editing notes: Okay so I don’t use light leaks, but I feel like they were a bit too strong in some places? Some were fine, but there were others that were really bright and for a long duration, it’s distracting.

And finally,

AWA Pro

Spoiler :

This contest is: Homestuck

Remember when I said I was doing these reviews for selfish reasons? They were more for my sake than for yours. I suppose I should actually explain what I mean by that.

In general, I have a lot of Opinions. I have a lot of Opinions about Homestuck, some of which you were unfortunately subjected to. I have a lot of Opinions about AMVs, things that I like and don’t like, things that I want from my viewing experience and things that really don’t factor in so much for me. And I have a lot of Opinions about AWA Pro. This contest is full of editors, and it’s a really unique opportunity to get that type of editing perspective applied to your own work. But I don’t think that this contest is the best place to evaluate the worth of your video. It’s not this Holy Grail to set your sights for, unless your video was made specifically to be enjoyed by other editors.

“But MadMegatax,” you may say, “maybe you’re projecting! Maybe you’re just saying that out of saltiness!”

“Sure, I guess?” I reply with a big shrug. “But that’s part of the whole Opinion thing I’m doing here.”

Ultimately, it shouldn’t really matter to you what my opinion is, for your video or for this contest. I’m just this random editor who might not even know you, and who decided to do this incredibly dumb review format. I’m not who you made your video for. Now, I don’t actually know why you made your video (for this contest specifically? Because it’s something you’ve wanted to make for a while? Because you felt like it?) but no matter my opinion stated here I would much rather hear that you were happy with what you made. And even if not, then I still hope you found the editing experience for your video worthwhile.

And much like I hope your editing experience was good for you, I hope you understand that this whole review experience was just about making things more fun for me. Thinking about videos in ways I might not normally, giving each video some thought to how I would compare it to something in Homestuck, even thinking about Homestuck in critical terms again after quite some time... All of it turned my feelings for this year into something I could appreciate a lot more. It’s also just my own way of making sure I got something enjoyable out of it at all. Because like I mentioned before, salt is still a thing. Much like my frustration with Homestuck, it comes and goes in waves. So in that way too, all of what I did here was rather fitting.

And really, it’s just a way for me to roast myself in the end. Did I really just invest all this time and energy into reviews like these? Yes I did. For AMVs, which have repeatedly been referred to as “bullshit”? For Homestuck, which isn’t even relevant anymore? Wow. I sure did. Man, what a loser.

Wait I should probably end this with something Homestuck related.



Later.

[sasukechanx]

My AWA Pro Peer Review Submissions:
Hello! This is my first time on making a written/typed peer review on AMVs so bear with me! I am not that advanced in AMV editing; I kind of just pop up here and there/ do my own thing. The way the reviews will be delivered is that I will do my best to critique everyone’s video and to also leave something with a good note. I will be blunt, but I also will give some reassurance and say something nice because it gives a balance and it is always good for people to have their work reviewed with a good note. There are some cases where I may think there is nothing wrong with the video and some cases where I may not find anything good about it, but I will try to see everyone’s intentions when they made their videos. A will be a personal favorite!
P.S.- My reviews will contain a lot of syntax/grammatical errors; not the best at writing out things.

P.S.S.- If you catch me saying “I would watch it again!” in your review, means your video was superb and within my tastes.

Spoiler :

19-001-The Subtle Art of Shitposting AMVs to AWA's Pro Contest-Pop Team Epic-Ylvis-You're Fucked
Haha that was a good concept to use. I think there were some sync mistiming just by a little bit but that does not ruin the whole video at all. I like the concept, it was funny in some cases, and it was a great performance; the video delivered the message very clearly. Thanks for letting me know I’m F—ked.


19-005-Can You Feel It-Little Witch Academia-Sheppard-Geronimo
Ok, this was a really fun concept and paring of the song and anime! However, watching the first minute or so, I realized that the footage could be of better quality; it looks kind of blurry or wherever you downloaded the source from did not look that clear in terms of quality. With it, I think it would have been more enjoyable; though I did see scenes towards the end that were more clearer so that escalated my viewing experience. I need to watch this show. Overall the timing was pretty solid, I like how smooth the blur transitions were, and this was a cute concept/pairing!

19-029-Heard It Through the GrapeVINE-Vine Videos-My Chemical Romance-Na Na Na
LMAOO, this video gave me lowkey nostalgic feels from the 2013-2016 era where Vine was popping and saw vines that I seen before but was deep in my memory to recall whenever I reference vines (I always reference vines to my friends). This was hilarious, it was totally on point with the lyric sync. Not sure if I dig the transition at the very end after the parakeet but that was the only thing; this transition could also be intentional- if so, then no criticism here! Everything else, it was hilarious, I would show this to my friends after the con, I would re-watch it, you showed one of the greatest vine montages/music videos. Good stuff.

19-039-Up in Smoke-Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai-NF-If You Want Love
Wow, that got me…emotional. MMVs are definitely under-appreciated because of how hard they are to make! I feel like and this was a solid one. Using realistic background images and the rain drops/ smoke enhanced a lot of the quality of the video. One thing I would say is that some images felt rather small, there was all this black space kind of. Not sure how to feel about that but I am pretty sure it was intended that way. Maybe zooming the images would ruin the quality/line of the image or you intended that you wanted all of that negative space in the back. But this was definitely a good song to use, very slow and upbeat, heart-pounding. I loved how the hands were tied and the tear drop happened in the beginning and end. This was beautiful overall.


19-040-Battle of Tsunshima-Kaguya-sama Love Is War-ONE OK ROCK-Bedroom
Yes! The song and anime pairing was on pointttt. I honestly don’t have anything bad to say really; the ending kinda flopped by like…20% out of a 100?? But also, the audio seemed lower than others; it’s a common thing its whatever. It didn’t ruin my watching the video it was cute, the timing and sync was there loud and clear, the delivery of the anime with the song, it was amazing. I love this show and honestly the cutest, but most frustrating couple ever but I am really glad this video was made. I would probably watch it again because it is such a fun AMV!


19-043-Araki's Bizarre Fetish-JoJo's Bizarre Adventure-Ogden Edsl-Dead Puppies
Ummmmm, whoever made this song can fight me lmao. I can see why you thought the pairing was good and there was NUMEROUS of scenes that works with the song. Wished you used a karaoke sing-a-long animated text/ball/whatever when you did the text at the bottom; it was kind of plain like that. Overall, you made your point across and it made me very sad ☹ bc I love puppies so much. (you didn’t have to do em like that!)


19-048-Over the Moon to Gaea-The Vision of Escaflowne-Bear McCreary feat. Raya Yarbrough-The Skye Boat Song (Extended)
That was beautiful. The source/footage was crystal clear and enhanced my viewing experience by a lot. The song relaxed me and it had a view build ups; I think it was solid. You know I had my fair share or viewing AMVs using older sources but this killed it, never saw anything that bright and brilliant. You definitely showed passion in using this source and the song together because it fit.


19-049-The Show Must Go On-various-The Greatest Showman Ensemble-From Now On
I’m crying. I got the chills, the outraging bursts of emotion, the nostalgia, everything hit me like me running into a door. I will say ONE thing tho; the last Disney title you use felt like it could be in better quality but that was me being picky and similar to saying you got something on your face but didn’t want to say it. But that’s not a problem at all, ignore that comment all you want to. You really DELIEVERED and the build up was so freaking worth it! I did a history project/presentation on Walt Disney recently, so I recognized a lot of the animators and the girl actress from when Disney started and everything. Absolutely beautiful. One of my top favorites. You are awesome for making something that beautiful and on point (the transitions, sync, everything was so smooth!!)


19-055-Forest Fires-The Prophet-Lauren Aquilina-Forest Fires
That was a good video. It was clean, the sync was good, the story telling of it all; honestly I don’t think I have much to say about it. This video could have flopped but it didn’t, you made it work. It provoked some emotion from me, and the pairing of the song and scene choice was straightforward and beautiful. Nice job!


19-064-Shows What I Know-Fastest Finger First-The Chemical Brothers-Galvanize
Haha, ok I was so lost the first 30 seconds (like why this song??) but it makes all sense now. I love it. The “Don’t hold back” repeatedly was nice and then the “don’t push the button” kicked butt even more and I love it. I never knew there was an anime like this; I don’t know what it’s all about but looks like playing trivia competitively. The sync and cuts were nice and clean, I love the part you did on 2:36. The flow was nice, I don’t think I have anything to criticize about this video! It’s unique and tasteful


19-065-S E A R C H I N G-Death Parade-NF-The Search
Oh how I love NF, his music is great. I think this was a pretty good video. Some places I kind of felt lost and the order of scenes in some cases did not add up or…did not have the right build up. There were very good moments I was like okayyy, okayyy, I see you; and other moments I kind of felt like the scenes were chosen at random and the goal was to match the music at that point. Don’t think there was much of a lyric sync to it either. Your cuts, transitions, quality in editing was super smooth! I love how you are incorporating the intro and ending with the elevator enter/exits from the show. Nice!


19-066-Exposure-Speed Grapher-Tommee Profitt-Cruel World
Ok, first of all I really want to grasp on what this show is about because I was all over the place; first I thought it was a war AMV, then it was a lot of girls in it, then it was a guy with a camera and that does something apparently within this thriller/action genre. Your clips could use some movement a bit more (slow pans/zooms/zen burns); the cuts were timed. I felt like some clips were staggered a bit not sure if it was you or the clip itself tbh. The song and anime somewhat work together and I have to say I was dying over that transition at 1:33; that was brilliant- that’s stuff I look for in watching AMVs!


19-068-Entomophile-Pokemon-Weezer-All My Friends Are Insects
This was short and sweet and everything nice! It was cuteeeee. The lyric sync was super strong and this was a fun concept to use with Pokemon and the insect Pokemons! The quality is great, cuts and transitions were on point everything about this video was perfect! This was a very solid idea and you knew what you were doing when you used the song/source together.


19-070-Super Models-various-Lady Gaga-Fashion
AHHH! This was a unique and cute concept to work with. I hardly hear anything about the clothing designing when it came to making the Marvel and DC films and how outfits throughout each film release is transformed (something I would like to learn about in depth on my free time). I love the commentary that happens in between, it gives a mild comic relief. The quality of this video was clean and your scene choice was great for the most part! I give it a huge fashionable thumbs up! I would watch it again!


19-071-Anamnesis-Warframe-Really Slow Motion-Antiproton
Well that was interesting. It always kept going back to that one scene with the cherry blossom deco on the wall (I think that’s what it was)?? Definitely some meaning there. You didn’t really build up/make it dramatic until the VERY end which was kind of a let down for me. I think you could have used more dramatic scenes, cuts in the music at least halfway in the video. Overall, the quality and editing was good! The ending was my favorite part.


19-073-Everybody Knows that the Good Guys Lost-various-Sigrid-Everybody Knows
I was able to get the pattern that was going on with this Avengers video and the dramatic moments got me at some points; others, kind of don’t fit but I can see why this song was used. I wish the quality of the video was better in some cases. I do like the tone however and the pattern you put out there among characters from the avengers and gave them a personal tribute throughout the video.


19-074-What Do I Stand For-Into the Spiderverse-FUN-Some Nights
I appreciate the use of this song with this film; it works very well. Although, I do feel like the quality of the video (the source) wasn’t the best- could have found a more HD version of the movie for sure. The sync was great, cuts on time, your strongest points of the video was definitely in the beginning and the “what do I stand for?” in the song and I think around 2:30 gave a nice build up. This was a cute video and gave a lot of character profile!


19-077-Ultimatum-Doukyuusei-James Snyder & Matt Doyle-Bare A Pop Opera
Ohh myyy goossshhh, I need to see this damn movie! Ugh! I love a good romance AMV. I don’t know if it was just me but at some points within fades, the video staggers/lags a bit and I am hoping that is just my video player- checked and replayed it over and over and it still occurs so I am unsure so I can’t say. With that note, this was a very cute, lovey romance video and I like the grainy effect that was put in the beginning/some areas of the video.


19-079-Far From Any Road-Death Note-The Handsome Family-Far From Any Road
Wow this was a good, edgy song and it fits with the anime/style of editing you are using. I am dying for those overlay transitions/effects you do especially in the beginning of your video. I honestly haven’t seen a Death Note AMV this high of a quality so kudos to you for that it definitely enhanced the watching experience overall. I love the dark theme you incorporated with this video its what matches the song. Good job!


19-086-Breakdown-Your Name-Vanessa Carlton-A Thousand Miles
That was an amazing piece of work! I never knew this song could pair so well with this film! The timing, the speeds, the quality, editing; everything was almost flawless. I am speechless really. This was such an amazing AMV and makes my heart flutter. The scene selection, the technical, all of it was edited gracefully. Definitely my top favorite! I could watch it 10 times in a row and never get tired of it.


19-087-We Are Soldiers-various-Otherwise-Soldiers
Wow, honestly one of the best Avengers fan-made videos I ever seen. The quality of the source was so sharp and clean, the editing was clean, and you made a very good song choice to bring out the intensity with the song and scene selection. My favorite part was the ending where you did the overlay/transitions were multiple scenes were combined; I am surprised the editing there was crystal clean; and the snap of Iron Man at the end that was golden! Keep it up!


19-089-Kill Your Idols-One Punch Man-BTS-Boy Meets Evil
Not gonna lie I like BTS so I was dancing hearing this. What can I say; I see your aim with the character profile and the song name/lyrics, but I wanna say maybe it’s too soon for that? I don’t think season two of One Punch Man really gave him a lot of good screening time until the end where he is fighting everyone. Pretty much half of your video was solely on one or two episodes because of that. It would be a cool idea if it was an MMV with some scenes from the animation because I bet there are a lot of scenes with him in it in the manga (but also would be a spoiler alert so who am I to say this?). So your idea works, but I don’t think it was going to work enough because there’s not a variety of scene selection for this guy (don’t remember his name rn). Your editing is clean however and the sync of the cuts were good! And either way, you did great on some of your scene selection like in the beginning and the end and gave some build up/calming moments.


19-096-Rise of the Sith Lord-Star Wars-Greg Dombrowski-Stronger Than Fate
This was nice, you’re probably gonna hate me because I have not really seen most of the Star Wars films but this gave me an outlook and actually taught me about what beholds in the “dark side”. The music was good, the quality was clean, I think some scenes that were slowed down made the frames choppy (just a little bit), and it was overall solid! This was a good tribute and you honestly would do well when it comes to making tributes or fan-made trailers even for films.


19-097-A Big Dead-Terra Formars-The Greatest Showman Cast-This Is Me
God, I hate roaches but y’know it was their time to fight back for the many squishes and stomps we do on them (we had to do it to em). The 5 seconds bank/black in the beginning threw me off- watch out for that next time. This brought such an interesting character/species profile and I definitely feel the wrath/revenge. The song paired well with the source to make it meaningful but also blow out mild humour which you nailed on with your scene selections. Other than that this was solid!


19-098-My Zero 2D Wairfu-Darling in the FranXX-Philip Labes-Ignore Anything
This was interesting in many levels; this was a parody. Wished there were some panning/zen-burns going on with the still images. The ending cut off weirdly but I am okay with it. You did well on trying to lyric sync and use the objects from the song (the shoe, etc.); the lip sync could be better (just by a bit). Overall this was a well done paring and this can be seen as humorous a few times throughout the video.


19-099-With a Spring in my Step-After the Rain-Mindy Gledhill-Pocketful of Poetry
It was short and sweet! I love the slow pace that starts between the main girl and then meeting her friend/somewhat crush. And I know what and who the original relationship this character has so to switch things up was nice! The edits were solid and clean! I don’t have much to say about this really besides it being adorable!


19-100-The Wavering Heart of the Unwavering Girl-Kamisama Kiss-P!nk-F__kin Perfect
I loved how you used this show and song among a character profile/self-love theme to it! It’s adorable and loving! There were some scenes that I zoned out of especially in the middle but the beginning and end was strong! It was a good concept


19-103-Hysteria-Fate Series-AuRa-Panic Room
Umm WOW!! The editing FX was spectacular! I never saw Fate Stay but this isn’t like any other Fate Stay video I’ve seen, not from a horror perspective! My favorite part was toward the climax, that transition when she was in a candy/wonderland and then to horrific reality covered in blood. The quality of the effects were so clean and to use those illusional images made your editing/FX look so natural and smooth. For sure a favorite! This was flawless! I could watch this over and over!


19-104-Trinity of Hearts-Kingdom Hearts-Amaranthe-Trinity
Ok, I will start with that I wasn’t a fan of the beginning or the first 20-30 seconds. Some of the effects looked old-school but I can dig it. The build up and quality of the video got way better later so good for you! There was ups and downs with this video I think, but overall I think you made it solid for most of the way through


19-105-Cemetery State of Mind-Fate stay night-Parkway Drive-Cemetery Bloom
Wowww; I love the song choice. I love the dark moments and the choir singing in the background (bc I assume this anime has some themes relating to holy/faith/religion) and I love how slowly it picked up. I am not sure if I dig the second half of the video I felt a little lost. Is that twixtor you used in some clips in the beginning?? (just curious). Overall, this was an intense video and I love the vibe it gave watching this!


19-106-Slay Your Demons-Demon Slayer-Icon For Hire-Demons
ALL THE HYPE!! The song is so perfecttt (how are you guys doing this and finding the perfect music?!? Lmao) I love the “fight your demons” and you did a bunch of areas in the video synced with the lyrics; it was action packed, and even the show is still ongoing, you made it work 100%. The editing was clean/technical was great. You kept the mood and fire going throughout the whole video. You got my heart pumping! I would totally watch it again!


19-108-The Truth About Eggplants-Umaru-chan-George Carlin-George Carlin
Since this video was short, obv my review is gonna be short. All I can say is……………lol.


19-109-Inner Dialogue-My Love Story-First Date cast-Allison's Theme no1
HAHAAHHH. That was good. Lip sync on point. It was short and sweet (bullllshittt!) No, but seriously, that was good lol. Awesome song/anime pairing.


19-110-various-Macklemore-Can't Hold Us
I love the concept! I do think it was a biiiit dragged out/long. This is a very fast paced song, continuously too, and I felt like there were some parts of the video that could not keep up with that pace and kind of looked bland. There were a lot of other scenes especially the dance scenes where it was within the pace and it was exciting! It had its ups and downs. I love the scene selection for the dance parts, and I admire the idea you had going on!


19-112-Not Great Not Terribyl-Chernobyl-Elton Britt-Uranium Fever
If someone were to make a video with this song, it would have to be the film you used. It was perfect, lyric sync all the way through beginning and end. A joyful song for such a terrible cause. I dig it. The quality and editing was super clean. I enjoyed it for the most part!


19-118-Everybody Wants to Rule the Digital World-various Digimon-Tears for Fears-Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Firstly, I am gonna say that you started and ended with the video very well; there were a lot of parts in the video that brought out with the song. Secondly, I think you could have ended the AMV with a bang if it was cut down in half; I think viewers nowadays just want the editor to get to the point of things and dragging it out for that long loses its consistency/excitement. Some scenes were in lower quality than others. I would get rid of those zoom/bumps that you make with the beat, I think its too much when you do it for every transition. I love the song choice and I haven’t seen the show when I was a kid so it definitely brought back some nostalgic feels and some I haven’t seen before I think because of the new show that came out recently.


19-119-Sad Piece-One Piece-Seth Bowser-Come Sail Away
Wow, I don’t even watch One Piece and you freakin’ delivered when you build up/climaxed the video. Great scene selection; I never seen an emotional video with this anime. This was a piece of work. (thanks for making me teary eyed even though I have no idea what the f—k is going on in the anime). Felt like the quality of the footage was uneven in SOME areas; nothing bad. Great job overall and I probably would watch this again tbh.


19-120-Braid Girl Cry Cat Pics-Variousmonogatari-Marianas Trench-Death of Me
Ok, so! Love the choice of song and anime/couple (my favorite anime btw). I feel like when the beat drop it was SUPER-anti-climactic. I know there are more intense/moving scenes from the Nekomono series and even the first season of the show and all that happened in that were very still images. The ending is what really worked well for me. Not sure if the beginning was good (10-20 seconds). Overall, I think this was a good video in terms of editing, song choice/pairing but I think scene selection could be worked a little more to give that uuumph!


19-121-Kaguya's Rap-Kaguya-sama Love is War-The Lonely Island-Natalie's Rap
This was a cool concept! I see your intention using her as Natalie and I love the lyric sync throughout various parts of the video (especially the POV smoking weed clip you added on); you definitely got creative with this and your choice of scenes were good; I am not sure if the concept hit the wall though like it did 80/100 hitting that character profile but we all know she’s a sweet little demonic baby who just needs to be loved. BUT with your editing and scene choices, you made it work you really did. I liked it the whole way through.



19-123-One Trick Pony 4 A Canonical Fart-Your Lie in Aprl-Gas X-Thin Strips Commercial
Lmao, nice.


19-124-The Star Compass-Made in Abyss-The Golden Compass-Trailer
The concept was amazing. I think the lip sync could be worked on a little more, and the font could be different- it totally threw me off. Everyone hates text nowadays and want something more original but I think that was too basic of a font. Your timing and sync was spectacular and I felt like this was a solid concept to the trailer audio. Nice!


19-127-The Way We Fell-Toradora-Marianas Trench-Only the Lonely Survive
The tears ohhhh! This was truly amazing. The editing was perfect and your scene selection was actually super unique and I love the Christmas star/tree shattering in between intense moments you definitely put out meaning and moments of symbolism in a lot of places which makes the emotion of the video even twice as much. This is one of the first couples I fell in love with and always will and I’m glad they are brought back. This was truly fantastic, it was made with love. I’d definitely watch again.


19-130-Shack Up-Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid-Ben Platt-Share Your Address
That was so cute and the pairing you made here was great. I like the transitions you created, it made the video look smooth. Not much to say, I think was just super super super super super super super cute.


19-131-Phase 2-Invader Zim Enter the Florpus-Sick Puppies-Going Down
That ending was so sweet. I hope that’s not what really happened while you were working on this video and had to come up with a way to end this video. The video went from action to a comedy real quick. I love the unexpected-ness out of this. The editing was clean and solid and this movie was good!


19-132-daughter_mother_hopper-Stranger Things-Journey-Faithfully
Ahhhhhhhhhh I am crying all over again. Hopper was one of my favorites and seeing a tribute-like video like this reminded me of all of those feels ;_; . I like the editing for the most part and there were some build ups- but for some reason I didn’t feel connected with this or wasn’t powerful enough. Im not sure if I’m hard to please lmao but that was basically all. All I can think of that this was a bittersweet video, especially for those who saw the show.


19-133-L_histoire homosexuelle d_Homura-Puella Magi Madoka Magica-Flight of the Conchords-Rambling Through the Avenues of Time
Lmaaooo I loved it. I wish the quality of the source was slightly more clear but nothing to complain about really. The characters and scenes fit every person in the song and it the images you put out made it more comedic. It was really good. I love gay stuff.


19-134-When She Loved Me-I Want To Eat Your Pancreas-Sarah McLachlan-When She Loved Me
EXCUUUSEEE ME I DIDN’T ASKKK TO BE IN LITERAL TEAAARRRSSSSSS!!?? This was so powerful!! The images were still and straight forward but the song, the SONG made it hit you too. That was so sad. I wanted to see this film too and now I know there’s gonna be tears involved watching this. The editing was straightforward, cuts and fades—I wonder if you were to create transitions, or if you had, to make more it would pop because this was a very simplistic style of editing; but it works either way. This was a beautiful piece of work and I admire it so much. I would definitely watch it again if I want to cry.


19-135-Lock and Key-Kaguya-sama Love is War-Sia, Diplo & Labrinth-Genius
So this is something I would never see together, the song and the anime. I felt like it wouldn’t fit together exactly at first but your editing and choice of scenes especially in the chorus and towards the end, you made it work. It all works and this is a fun video overall!


19-136-A Place to Belong-Angel Beats-Thriving Ivory-Angels on the Moon
This was so pretty. Your editing in terms of sync was so good and the instrument sync in between was so nice. I haven’t seen this series since it first came out so it was pretty nostalgic for me I miss this show ;_;. For someone who hasn’t seen the show would have their thoughts all over the place wondering what this show is really about lol. But you made great lyric and technical sync! Nice


19-137-SIB INTERDIMENSIONAL-Spiderman Into The Spider-Verse-Men In Black International-Trailer
Ima be honest, the idea using MIB with spiderman works but also doesn’t work simultaneously. HOWEVER, your comical text and design to keep in touch with the Spiderman theme definitely brought you up by a lot and made it look more original! Some scenes that were slowed down looked laggy just a teensy bit. I dig the concept overall and I really can’t say no to this. Your editing and design made the trailer come out so naturally so awesome job!


19-138-Craven Hill-The Ghost & Mr Chicken-Crimson Peak-Trailer
I, personally, never seen anything like this before. A trailer within a trailer. Neat. Even the lip sync looked close to accurate/legit. Using the idea of people talking from behind was good too; can’t mess with lip sync with something like that too much and you did exactly that. I’m not familiar with either sources and the footage made the trailer look goofy at times which was cool; all older horror films look a little funny to us nowadays. I dig this, the editing was neat and the amount of lip sync, text font was balanced and just right


19-139-Origami Bones-Kubo and the Two Strings-Of Monsters and Men-Your Bones
Your intent and ideas for this video is strong. I am not sure your technical/editing was strong on this one though. The flashes towards the climax didn’t look that great and when some scenes were slowed down the frames of the source gets choppy a little. I like this idea and this was a sweet storytelling video.


19-140-Unfortunate-My Hero Academia-Chase Holfelder-Fortunate Son
This video was SUPER strong in the beginning, middle and end. Anything in between that, I am not sure how I feel about it. The editing and sync was all there the whole way through. I am not sure if some scene selections were the best; I felt like there could be better and make more of a bigger connection between All Might and Deku- it was strong in the beginning and end. Overall it was a clean video and your editing was pretty good.


19-141-Desired Hues-Tamako Market, Tamako Love Story-of Monsters and Men-Hunger
The video actually didn’t hit me emotionally until later and I was not expecting that at all whatsoever. I love and admire the color gradient overlays you do in transitions and during the chorus it looks so pretty! I felt like some scenes were a bit dark in terms of brightness/contrast. I love how you developed the love triangle, friend/lover relationship with this show and you really delivered with that idea. It’s awesome!


19-144-Revolutionized-Revolutionary Girl Utena-Mother Mother-Oh Ana
Holy s—t now that’s style right there. That was amazing. You simply made the cuts and transitions so short and choppy just like the music and that looked very nice. I felt like there was a music cut within a minute of the video. I haven’t watched this anime but I seen a good amount of AMVs with this show and this is simply one of my favorites. You left such psychological vibes, surprisingly with this video. The lyric sync and timing was 110% on point. I would watch again


19-145-Thor Lebowski - The Dude-Endgame Infinity War-Johnny Cash-Hurt
This was a nice, simplistic concept. It would be considered a character profile-like trailer and it works. The text of the video was solid, and everything seemed pretty laid out. However, I don’t have much to say about this video.


19-146-Grenadine-The Night Is Short Walk on Girl-I DON'T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME-Do It All The Time
I’ve been meaning to see this film all for the sake of it being the animators of Devilman on Netflix. This was a very extravagant pairing of the song and source and you fit it very well and tight. The cuts and sync were good, lyric sync was awesome and I honestly would watch this again. It is a fun concept and it makes me want to look up and watch the film now. Awesome!!


19-147-Poppycockers-Kaguya-sama Love is War-Fall Out Boy-Irresistible
I like this. I wouldn’t say I love this though. Your transitions and editing are really nice and laid out, and you got creative in some parts. Your scene selection was great, some were okay. I think this was a fun video that turned out a little more comedic than I thought it would be. And there was lip sync a lot and you did well!


19-148-In The End-Dragon Ball Super Broley movie-Linkin Park-In The End
Ermmm…I don’t know. Everything was thrown in together in random bits and pieces. Fighting scenes even during the calming moments of the song. It was just constant fighting scenes, and then the video ended way before the song did. At least the source you got was high quality and clean. Wished there was some backstory to this though. No offense lowkey think that this could be a video entered as a joke; but if it wasn’t, I think there’s a lot of things that can be worked around this. Good try though.


19-149-Madness-Hannibal-ZhayTee-Absconditus
This was a nice overview and character development video in relation to the series. Images were perfect and clear, the editing was clean and timed, it gave out a horrific story as well. There was a good amount of symbolism in the video and the song made the music video low-key throughout. I think this was structured pretty well and the idea delivered.


19-150-Marvelous World-The Marvelous Ms Maisel-Jodi Benson-Part of Your World
THIS WAS SO ADORABLLEEE! The ending got me emotional too. I am not sure about that still image that was taken at the end. I love, love the transitions of this video; I did think some cuts in the beginning were a little too fast, but it was way better throughout the middle and end of the video. The audio is a little low, I think. The lip sync does not bother me that much if I am being honest because no one can really perfect a lip sync with live action that accurately, but I thought it is the facial expressions that mattered and it worked really well for me. This concept was cute, and I live for it.


19-152-Heavens Feel-Fate Stay Night-Within Temptation-What Have I done
I think there could be a lot with this video that can be worked on. I do feel like there was minor errors in terms of flashes of clips not meant to be on the timeline, and it felt somewhat anti-climatic. Audio is low. There would be action scenes in calming moments of the song and calming scenes from the anime in the chorus. The quality of the source is O.K. The idea seemed cool, a very generic action video. Hopefully feedback on this video will help you in any other future videos you make, as the Peer Review contest is a good way to get your videos reviewed/beta-tested by many editors.


19-153-I'm Sorry I'm Needy-Future Diary-Ariana Grande-Needy
This was a very lowkey, and good concept to use with this anime and song; it works! It seems the video looks pale however and some sync issues. It would be great if there were a lot more movement in the video, but your choice of scenes was pretty good, and you gave off a more realistic vibe than what the actual anime series did. I am surprised there was barely any violence in this video even though this show contains a lot more gore and action, but I think that is a good thing since the song is very low-toned and the beat of the song is on the same level.


19-154-Undertow-From The New World-Third Eye Blind-Narcolepsy
This was a cool pair to use (the song and anime). It didn’t really grab my attention until the chorus dropped but it held most of my attention all the way. Your editing and cuts were very strong in some points. There were a few downs in this video I feel like but more ups than downs. I like the concept over all


19-155-The Tin Man's Journey-Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood-Imagine Dragons-Amsterdam
The lyric sync and technical sync was super strong throughout the whole ride and it was amazing. The scene selection was so perfect in terms of lyrics of the song, emotional moments, and the climax of the song really brought out the best of this video. There were cute moments such as the “train to Amsterdam” and the clapping hands technique. I think there were very, very minor technical errors but what you made overall was a great piece of work. I haven’t even watched FMA but you brought out a lot of the dramatic moments of this show that got me emotional. I love it!


19-156-nineteen eighty - angst-Akira-Rich Brian-Dat $tick
Lol, I am with the vibe you laid out. I think some scenes with the music are a little random or confusing and I am thinking you made this solely for the edgy vibe; and your editing made it flow for the most part. I think there could be a better choice of scene selection as there are scenes in the film that could have been used perfectly with the song and the order of scene selection wasn’t 100% for me. I love the quality and pairing you made overall; it didn’t bring much reaction from me but it’s a solid video.


19-157-PSYCHO-Mob Psycho 100-JOKER-Trailer
Dude, that was a terrific pairing. I love the pairing and I would never have thought of something like this personally. I think some images were too still, if you used zen burns with the climax of the trailer and your text, especially your text- I think it would have made it more dramatic adding movement to those images. Overall this was a great trailer!


19-158-Burden of the Shield-The Rising of the Shield Hero-Katie Garfield-Gallows
When I was watching this, I was like “just what is this animeee??” I didn’t think it would actually end that well. Your transitions are so smooth and very effective throughout the whole video. Your editing/technical is fantastic on this video and you really brought out the relationship/companionship between the two characters. I really love this.


19-159-My Treasure-Made In Abyss-Mimi Olesen-Lucky Charm
Whatever idea you had with this….sad storytelling….message received. Interesting that you used an instrumental song. Everything was straightforward for the most part. Short and bliss.


19-160-Chika Wants To Dance-Kaguya Sama Love Is War-Rick Astley-Never Gonna Give You Up
You know what. I admire you. I bet masking all of that was f—king torture. And yet, you made it look great and on sync with everything, it all matched up. Amazing….


19-161-SarazanByeByeBye-Sarazanmai-N_Sync-Bye Bye Bye
Whatever is going on here, I ship it. The lyric sync was strong in the beginning and end; a little confusing in the middle. I think there was some technical issues here and there. I wish the quality of the source was a higher; it kinda looks fuzzy in some parts. I dig the concept though and I really can’t say no to this because of the pairing.


19-164-Just Love-Garden of Words-Cash Cash-Call You
So this video was good in terms of quality and film choice. However, I don’t think it fits the song the whole way. The beat drops were anti-climatic. I also think the frame-rate change was ok when you sped up some scenes but when some scenes are at normal speed, it looks choppy so I recommend to just use the standardized 24 fps as that is the original frame rate for most anime. I like the video during its calming moments and the scenes during those moments felt good, other times it felt dull and still while this is a very upbeat song. This video has its ups and downs but I’m down for what you were aiming for.


19-165-The Voltron Brigade-Voltron-TWRP-Starlight Brigade
This was a really fun concept and pairing! I’ve been waiting for a Voltron video to come through! This video grabbed my attention through the end and it never really got dull for a moment. I love the technical sync you do with the ship/lion’s lights here and there. You overall made a nice and fun representation of the Voltron gang


19-166-Like Sheep-The Promised Neverland-A Perfect Circle-Pet
I liked the beginning a lot. Then it started to die off for me later, I think it is too long making your point across. I don’t think the storytelling side of this did well either. I think your editing is solid, and your video does work in the very beginning. A lot of scenes are very still. I just think if it was cut short and get to the climax sooner, it would have worked.


19-168-Sisyphus-The Sky Crawlers-Andrew Bird-Sisyphus
I like it?? I really do, it was nice. Some transitions and technical edits were very well done. I think it’s a pretty good video. I don’t think I have much to say about this video. Can’t say there is anything wrong with it either. Good job?? :’D


19-169-Dopamine-Happy Sugar Life-OK Go-Obsession
Ok this is amazing. I loved how you used the opening title scenes to get artsy and edgy and use those to make very amazing transitions. Your editing is amazing and you made this video work so well with the song! Id watch again! Honestly a fave.


19-173-2 Bros-various-Rick & Morty-Two Brothers Trailer
The idea was working so well; then, I think it crashed somewhere. I think there could have been better sources to use for this and it would have worked so well. You were this close, I think. The audio was low. I think this was a very good idea overall, so I applaud you for it.


19-174-Eternal Family-Kimetsu no Yaiba-Of Monsters and Men-King and Lionheart
Your editing is what made this video flow so well. It took me a while for some moments to hit me emotionally for some reason that I do not know of. Your transitions are amazing especially in the beginning. The speeding up of the clips were so smooth and was synced to the song and you did well on lyric sync. Something about this video seems off but I can’t tell what it is. Honestly if it wasn’t for your amazing editing, I think the video would be a bit bland. You made it more enjoyable and let everything flow right through.


19-177-Shady Gains-Kimetsu no Yaiba-Panic at the Disco-Say Amen
I am not sure how you came to think this was the song to use with Demon Slayer; but you made it work. Your editing is clean, the transitions are smooth, and everything flowed through; there was not really a dull moment. I realized this is a very good anime to use for AMVs because the animation has so many added frames especially in slow motion, so it works easily. I am not sure what else to say about this; it was solid, but I am curious why this song specifically?


19-178-Envoy of the End-Code Geass-Rapunzel cast-Ready As I'll Ever Be
That was awesome I totally dig this concept and the song/anime paring are epic/dramatic sources on their own, so it goes together really well. The sync was great, editing was smooth, a lot of movement going on, continuously too. I think the lip sync at the end wasn’t the best. I think I would watch this again for how good and short it is; gets the point straight across


19-179-Carole's Poppin' Tuesday-Carole and Tuesday-DJ EarWorm-United States of Pop 2009
I watched this video at the wrong time (personal problem) I just started watching this show. I think the song choice wasn’t the BEST but I did like/enjoy it in certain levels with the variety of artists performing on stage definitely matched the song but other parts I felt a little lost and I don’t understand if you were trying to do some storytelling between the girls and that one famous singer; some moments they were just having fun, some moments were competing other artists- it was just a gray area there. My favorite moments were the beat sync with them dancing in the laundromat and you were syncing their dance moves and such that was awesome. Your editing is pretty good. I also thought the video was long a little after the second half. Overall this was pretty good!


19-182-The Promised Bottom-various-various-various
I think this was a pretty….neat layout. In various ways that it actually works in some cases but I do believe that in others that it didn’t. A lot of technical issues especially lip sync. I high-five you for a lot of the things you pulled off. Your creativity and craftmanship in this video really shows; I think I would omit some things that took too long however. The title sequence and ending were my favorites.


19-183-Everything ReStarts-Erased-Vance Joy-Lay It On Me
I think this could have worked really well if the quality was better. The quality of the source is not good and there are much higher definitions of this anime available than what you have used. I did some areas of lyric sync here and there, but some scene choices didn’t fit with the song, I think. Some clips were sped too fast, I think I like the middle-end more than the beginning. I enjoyed the short cuts and other scene choice with this song. I think this was a pretty O.K. video overall; minor fixtures can make this video amazing.


19-184-Scarlet Crimson Iron Sands-Kamitsu no Yaiba-Svricina-Battlefield
Wow your transitions are amazing; just gotta say. I think some parts of this anime did not work with the song and I expected more of an emotional hit but I don’t think some areas of the video did that. The strongest moments were really the beginning and end where demons/Tannjiro were crying various times. Some action scenes worked but some didn’t. I concluded that it was the song choice that wasn’t 100% or your scene selection could have chosen more sad, and dreading scenes than action/fighting. I do like this video overall and your editing is marvelous


19-193-Macho Hero-My Hero Academia-The Village People-Macho man
I see your intent with this video and the Idea works. What bothered me a lot was the sizing of this video; wherever you got these episodes from- this ain’t it. Most parts look random. I definitely to love and think this concept as some mild humor/fun tastes to it.


19-195-Limbo-Kimi no Na wa-Airports-Limbo
I looveeee thiiissssssss! This was such an adorable pairing and I think you made most scenes work with the music even within the beat drops. Your editing was fantastic, and I die for your scene selection; you used similar clips (based on character placement and background) to transition with and it flows harmonically. There were only one or two areas where I think a little movement could have been more involved. Overall this was glorious and the quality in your editing and video is amazing. I would watch it again.

[Pikapwn]

Spoiler :

Probably don't have the time to write full reviews so I had a bot do them for me.

Spoiler :

I'm sorry https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PGJ ... sp=sharing

[Opner]

This is my first time entering AWA and I loved it! The videos were amazing and fun to watch and the anonymity adds flavor to the contest. Though I absolutely suck at guessing people's videos. I'm not a really critical person since I am easily pleased, but I did try to give some feedback on a few things. I added a relevant picture of Red on every review. Please enjoy!

A simple guideline:
= Favorite, = Will Remember, = Fuck You
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_Kl ... sp=sharing

[PieandBeer]

HEY GUYS sorry this is so delayed i procrastinated u_u but here are my reviews. let me start by saying i have a blatant drama/sentimental bias because i'm a softie. i'm also a disgusting hipster so if i didn't vibe with your video that may be why. i'm mostly doing sync/flow/general reviews because i don't have enough brainpower for storytelling critiques. these are all the reviews i can do right now because i'm an adult and life is hard so pls don't reach out to me asking for more detailed feedback. I'm gonna start with some general tips because you guys made me download 14 freakin gigabytes and some videos were really hurt by quality issues :'(

edited because i skipped 49 when copying it over lmao

Spoiler :

First: If you haven't done so already, download a tool like AMVpack/AMVtool or zarx, it'll help you convert your footage and encode ur vids. Unfortunately it can't make terrible footage look good, so stop ripping from youtube and sketchy sites. i can't tell you where to get your footage because it a journey you must go on alone. AMVtool changed my life tho. if you have enough space on your computer, using avis makes it so much easier to scrub and sync because the program can handle the footage better. (don't correct me meatwad i didn't verify any of this fuck the police)

Second: Please always consider cutting your songs. Like legit, always at least consider it. A lot of songs have structures that work for when you're just listening to it but that doesn't always translate to an enjoyable amv experience. If you have sections with a lot of repetition, especially on faster/harsher sounds, it can get boring or even tiring to watch (tho there are def exceptions!). Same goes with slower vids. Generally the 2-5 minute lengths are fine, though ppl might complain after 4 minutes, especially if it isn't a drama/sentimental vid. You can certainly do longer videos, but there needs to be shifts in the video to keep the viewer interested. It can't just be the same style of sync and similar footage. There needs to be a reason for the length. Easiest way in my opinion to cut most songs is to just cut after the first chorus and go straight to the bridge. Just make sure to listen closely and pay attention to the beat when matching up the audio clips! i've found that tapping out the beats on my leg helps a lot when cutting slower songs

Third: Honestly visual quality matters /a lot/ especially if you're entering convention contests. Your editing could be the best in the world but if your source quality sucks or you're exporting incorrectly, it probably won't make finals. Now don't fear, getting decent quality footage isn't the hardest thing in the world, you just need to know what to look for (like 720p, raw, not full of artifacts for anime).

Fourth: If i rip you to shreds about the problematic-ness of your vid, pls be aware that i definitely have a tumblr shaped stick up my ass. i'm still going to be hella honest with my reviews but just understand that what i find tasteless might not be the same as /the masses/

Fifth: Bonebone

NOW WITHOUT FURTHER ADO
= nice vids but not my faves, i liked a lot of vids so this is more for the second place winners to my heart
= my faves ;-;

Spoiler :

19-001-The Subtle Art of Shitposting AMVs to AWA's Pro Contest-Pop Team Epic-Ylvis-You're Fucked.mp4"

Spoiler :

the cuts are solid and i appreciate the bits of internal sync, but the pacing was a bit too slow for the music and the scenes felt a bit too random at times. i do appreciate how you shifted the mood of the clips with the song though. overall pretty solid vid! pls don't actually be a shitpost vid i don't want to look pretentious thanks

19-029-Heard It Through the GrapeVINE-Vine Videos-My Chemical Romance-Na Na Na.mp4"

Spoiler :

i really wanted to hate this on principle but you edited it so well i couldnt. great lyric sync and i loved how you went a different direction with the intro and build up and it was overall a very pleasant and funny watch +A+ great job!

19-039-Up in Smoke-Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai-NF-If You Want Love.mp4"

Spoiler :

i really enjoyed this! i really like the pacing and the compositions you set up. however i felt like some of the motion added was a bit clunky at times. additionally, i think the added effects and backgrounds look a bit too pasted on in the sense that theyre super smooth and crisp compared to the manga. i'm not sure what could fix that aside from film grain or maybe an overlay? but overall i thought the mood was reeeeeeeaaaaal neat and i thought there were some really cool moments

19-040-Battle of Tsunshima-Kaguya-sama Love Is War-ONE OK ROCK-Bedroom.mp4"

Spoiler :

great combo! i really like the lyric and internal sync. total backseat editing but i think the mask starting at 0:29 could be cleaned up and a blur towards the end of the mask, it would blend better with the scene underneath. i liked how you kept up the pace of the song overall, but i think if you slow down the second verse, it would let the faster parts stand out more. the slower sections towards the end really work tho!

19-043-Araki's Bizarre Fetish-JoJo's Bizarre Adventure-Ogden Edsl-Dead Puppies.mp4"

Spoiler :

why would you make this 2:15? ;A; this would be a better as an amv hell type deal imo but really this subject is gonna turn off a lot of people, its just not a thing people want to joke about. sorry, i can see the editing put into this, it's just not an enjoyable vid for me.

19-048-Over the Moon to Gaea-The Vision of Escaflowne-Bear McCreary feat. Raya Yarbrough-The Skye Boat Song (Extended).mp4"

Spoiler :

i absolutely loved this ;A; it was smooth af. i was fine with the crossfades because it reminded me of like cheesy 90s intros if that makes sense? though i do think they would benefit from a bit of blur. the mood is so good and the action type bits when the bagpipes hit were /fantastic/. i really the like felt mystical mood this vid was going for and i think the editing really drove it home for me. this is honestly my favorite in the contest. like other editors might have issues with the crossfades, i just /felt/ this video yo ;A;

19-049 - The Show Must Go On - various - The Greatest Showman cast - From Now On

Spoiler :

this was beautiful ;3; i literally just went to disney world and /hated it/ but this still captured me in the nostalgia feelings. loved the transition to the cartoon bits and how thoughtful the clip placement. great internal sync too ahh i just really loved this ;3; really kind of disagreed with the use of the song of the south tho, like u coulda sold me on walt disney not being sort of a bad person had you not reminded me of that film hahaha.

19-055-Forest Fires-The Prophet-Lauren Aquilina-Forest Fires.mp4"

Spoiler :

i loved this so hard ;A; though i think the lyrics don't always fit the scenes being shown, the emotions really fit and you matched the rise in intensity so well. great tiny bits of internal sync and flow too. the painting section at 1:10 legit gave me chills. def one of my faves in the contest! edit: IM SO SALTY ;A;

19-064-Shows What I Know-Fastest Finger First-The Chemical Brothers-Galvanize.mp4"

Spoiler :

really glad you edited to this song! i think the pacing was a bit too slow for the song tho. the sounds you're syncing to are just a little bit louder than the ones around them and there's not enough motion in the clips to really match the song of that makes sense? but i appreciate the lyric sync and can see that there was a purpose for the source pairing! i can also see the work you put into the internal sync, i just think it the pacing really hurt this vid. if you have footage, adding more cuts might help and maybe even strong motion and light effects? just something to liven things up a bit between cuts. overall pretty good work tho!

19-065-S E A R C H I N G-Death Parade-NF-The Search.mp4"

Spoiler :

solid sync! neat combo but i think there's a disconnect between the lyrics and the scenes being shown at times. like there is definitely lyric sync at points, but for the slower parts in the middle it looked like you just went with the closest scenes you could find. i totally understand and do that a lot with my videos too, i just think that the style of this song and with how understandable those lyrics are in the middle, to not have strong lyric sync there is a bit of a distraction. but the pacing and flow were great!

19-066-Exposure-Speed Grapher-Tommee Profitt-Cruel World.mp4"

Spoiler :

i appreciate the use of the older source and i dig the mood and editing. i think the crossfades could be cleaned up the big with color correction or blurs. i think the "oh can you help me" lyric sync was a bit corny. i also think the end of the vid can't keep up with the pacing of the song unfortunately. the song ups in intensity but the series doesn't have the native motion in it to match it. i think adding some stronger motion in that section would help. overall super solid edit though and unique vid!

19-068-Entomophile-Pokemon-Weezer-All My Friends Are Insects.mp4"

Spoiler :

this was beautiful. no real criticisms just cute, /great/ sync and unique concept. nice job!

19-070-Super Models-various-Lady Gaga-Fashion.mp4"

Spoiler :

this was cute! i think the concept is clever and i appreciate you didnt just use Marvel. i think the cutaways were a bit of a distraction, i think if they were more impactful- especially in the middle (except america's ass, that was perfect), then they would've been more enjoyable. i also think some of the older sources stuck out a bit too much. overall editing is solid though, good job!

19-071-Anamnesis-Warframe-Really Slow Motion-Antiproton.mp4"

Spoiler :

this footage is gorgeous +A+ i think the pacing is a bit too slow for the music though, especially during the fighting segments. i also feel like the cuts back to the tree happened at weird moments in the song. i appreciate the unique source tho!

19-073-Everybody Knows that the Good Guys Lost-various-Sigrid-Everybody Knows.mpg"

Spoiler :

oh no the footage got smooshed! pretty sure your source footage isn't 1280x720. i think if you fixed the project or render settings to match your source footage, this vid would improve a lot. i can see you really thought out your scene selection. you did a great job avoiding people talking for the most part but there are still a couple moments that lip flap was a bit distracting. i really like how you structured your video though. nice job!

19-074-What Do I Stand For-Into the Spiderverse-FUN-Some Nights.mpg"

Spoiler :

i don't quite get the source combo i'm sorry :C the editing is really solid, i just think the tone of the song doesn't quite match the movie. like the lyrics fit and i see the lyric sync you did, but it doesn't really match the emotional arc of any of the characters, especially at the slow part around 2:00. it was like you were matching tiny bits of the song that fit, but i don't think it had the emotional progression or build up that Miles' or Peter B's stories really had if that makes sense. i feel so bad for criticizing so hard haha like the vid is sync well and the editing is solid even tho i didn't vibe with the tone or combo

19-077-Ultimatum-Doukyuusei-James Snyder & Matt Doyle-Bare A Pop Opera.mp4"

Spoiler :

a fave of mine ;-; on my player there were awkward glitches i don't know why. I had a similar issue with premiere on my last computer, where it just would repeat frames randomly and i would have to export a vid multiple times trying to find a version that the glitches were not super noticeable. i think the film grain was a bit harsh at times too but aside from that, i really dug this a lot! i got the feeeeeeeelings

19-079-Far From Any Road-Death Note-The Handsome Family-Far From Any Road.mp4"

Spoiler :

This was really neat! I loved all the transitions and scene overlays. However, I think the part with the blood at the beginning was a bit too muddy. I could be wrong since i don't know this source, but to me it looked like there was color correction done and while a lot of it worked, but some of it sort of cheapened the look of the video a bit i feel? Like with the first shot, i like what you're doing with the levels but keeping it that saturated or the blacks that low kind of reminds me of a camrip if that makes sense? but like overall this vid is really interesting and unique. A lot of the effect work looked great to me and there were a ton of excellent little moments like with the stained glass window sync. super creative! nice job!

19-086-Breakdown-Your Name-Vanessa Carlton-A Thousand Miles.mp4"

Spoiler :

this is so cute! i can see the internal sync you were going for. the scene selection was super cute too! i think the video is just a bit too underpaced for the song though, like the motion in the clips are a bit too gentle or slow for the sounds they're syncing to. the exceptions to this are the parts at 2:08 and 3:00, that soft sync worked so. well. i really loved it. though the eye zoom after that last section would really benefit from a blur. overall i think this is solid and does what it needed to do. nice job!

19-087-We Are Soldiers-various-Otherwise-Soldiers.mp4"

Spoiler :

super clean editing! i think some of the character shots at the beginning felt a bit too random, like i can see you were going for a representative selection but some of the more intense lyrics fell on secondary characters. the sync is great tho especially in the instrumental! and the shoulder to shoulder lyric sync is so good. the build up overall is awesome too. overall super well made, but the second half is stronger than the first but not just because there's a climax.

19-089-Kill Your Idols-One Punch Man-BTS-Boy Meets Evil.mp4"

Spoiler :

it's ambitious to make a video with (i think??) a side character! you did a good job keeping the focus on him. the sync was really nice and i can see you thought out the structure of the video. the bookend shots really worked here. I think if i knew this series/character and understood the song i would like this more but overall i think its solid!

19-096-Rise of the Sith Lord-Star Wars-Greg Dombrowski-Stronger Than Fate.mp4"

Spoiler :

i honestly thought this was a shitpost vid when i heard the beginning. reddit has forever ruined that speech for me hahaha. i really appreciate the scene selection. the audio blending was decent too. i thought this was a neat survey of the star wars series through these two characters, but i honestly don't know star wars that deeply so that opinion is entirely built on cultural osmosis hahaha. but i think the way you kept going back to the speech at the beginning really kept the story on track. i think deciding to keep both his death and the end of his speech tied it up super neatly so that even someone not familiar with the universe could get the irony. overall nice job!

19-097-A Big Dead-Terra Formars-The Greatest Showman Cast-This Is Me.mp4"

Spoiler :

i'm voting this for comedy just to torture pantsu. solid parody, clean cuts and clever source pairing. i appreciated you still went for lyric sync that the original didn't have because of the source limitation. it's a nice flex. the yelling at the end is hilarious. not much else to say, solid!

19-098-My Zero 2D Wairfu-Darling in the FranXX-Philip Labes-Ignore Anything.mp4"

Spoiler :

clever and cute! the cuts are solid, but i think the video drags on a bit. the song isn't really interesting past the lyrics, so the choruses just felt like filler if that makes sense? i think if you cut the song this video would be much stronger, like just cut out the first chorus and jump directly to the second verse. the editing is pretty clean though. and i think the choruses were edited fine too, maybe a bit slow, but the song cut suggestion is just because the song haha. overall solid vid and i can see you put thought into how you were going to approach the jokes. nice job!

19-099-With a Spring in my Step-After the Rain-Mindy Gledhill-Pocketful of Poetry.mp4"

Spoiler :

ahhh this is so cute and well done! really adorable mood and sync. i think the clap sync at 1:53 is suuuuuper cheesy tho hahaha. i think some of the motion was a bit too strong too, like in the scenes in the restaurant. it becomes a bit dizzying with visually complicated scenes like that - like trying to find her in the shot again after a cut. overall really pleasant tho!

19-100-The Wavering Heart of the Unwavering Girl-Kamisama Kiss-P!nk-F__kin Perfect.mp4"

Spoiler :

solid af! the pacing was great and the emotions are def there! i think the only criticism i have other than cleaning up the masks would be to have a more distinct speed shift at 1:48, like focusing on the orange hair girl for both the verse and the beginning of the chorus is totes fine, i just think you either need to slow down the verse/speed up the chorus cuts or have the clips be a bit more different from each other between the two sections. overall i think this was well done and you kept up with the song most of the time. nice job!

19-103-Hysteria-Fate Series-AuRa-Panic Room.mp4"

Spoiler :

YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO FLEX SO HARD. WE WEREN'T READY ;A; actual critique tho - it's so smooth and pretty. however, i think the slow part at 1:24 was too fast for the song. especially at 1:54. i can see what you're syncing to for the most part, i just think because you've synced the intro so slowly and smoothly, you've sort of set up a baseline for how the pace will go with the music. if you slow that middle section down, maybe syncing to a different sound and replacing some shots or doing your effect magic, it would give more contrast and make the end more satisfying. overall amazing job tho!

19-104-Trinity of Hearts-Kingdom Hearts-Amaranthe-Trinity.mp4"

Spoiler :

this was solid! i really appreciate how you synced and structured the vid. i think some of the stock vegas effects, like the tv simulator (and i think the numbers at the beginning? i never had a version with vegas with it but ive seen it in so many vids) looked a bit too tacked on. same with the zoom transitions. if you add a /slight blur/ to the footage while you do those it should blend a bit better. but i can see how much thought you put into the vid and the scene selection. overall nice job!

19-105-Cemetery State of Mind-Fate stay night-Parkway Drive-Cemetery Bloom.mp4"

Spoiler :

really solid sync and flow on the verses. i think the zoom transitions at the beginning really need a blur added to them to be less jarring. there was some awesome tiny internal sync in this vid that really helped the creepy mood. overall really interesting and delicate. i like!

19-106-Slay Your Demons-Demon Slayer-Icon For Hire-Demons.mp4"

Spoiler :

solid sync and flow! nice combo too but lord howdy is that lip sync cheesy. the first one wouldve been fine (though def should be tightened up!) but having lip sync right before the chorus is a very daring move. i don't think it really worked for me. the song has a female singer so it's a bit jarring coming out of the main character and on top of that, the lyrics "you can't make me play along" just seem weird when being said holding a sword if that makes sense? unless that is a specific reference to the series i'm not getting. i also think there are a bit too many shots of characters swinging swords from a middle distance in a row in the first and last chorus. it just got a bit repetitive. the inosuke part was nice i love that boy you did a good job including that boy. i appreciate what you did putting the characters in their own little sections too. overall solid vid tho!

19-108-The Truth About Eggplants-Umaru-chan-George Carlin-George Carlin.mp4"

Spoiler :

mood

19-109-Inner Dialogue-My Love Story-First Date cast-Allison's Theme no1.mp4"

Spoiler :

so short ;A; i think the lip sync can def be cleaned up a bit, especially with that first clip with the beginning but the cuts were pretty clean. not sold on the clip on the "bullshit" line, i think you might need a more dramatic scene there but overall solid af and a cute concept!

19-110-various-Macklemore-Can't Hold Us.mp4"

Spoiler :

why is this 4 and a half minutes long ;A; cute scene selection and sync! it felt a bit too slow for the song, in the sense the cuts were coming right after the sound they were syncing to and i think a lot of them had a short crossfade on them. def improved in the chorus dance sections, but this song just needs harder and quicker cuts to keep up with it in my opinion. overall this was super cute though and the sync is def there, i just think the song is tough. you handled the song shifts very well though, which helped keep me interested throughout.

19-112-Not Great Not Terribyl-Chernobyl-Elton Britt-Uranium Fever.mp4"

Spoiler :

agh the editing is clever and i really appreciate it, i just disagree with the concept. like if it was a fictional disaster or not so recent i feel like you could pull of this tone but as it stands it just feels kind of uncomfortable hahaha. it's sorta like someone making a light vid about fukushima;; i appreciate the editing tho!

19-118-Everybody Wants to Rule the Digital World-various Digimon-Tears for Fears-Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World.mp4"

Spoiler :

this is so earnest and i love how much work you put into this. neat mood and combo! i just think you really needed to cut the song in order to keep the viewer's interest. the scene selection was solid. i really liked how you used all those digimon sources, even the ones that weren't popular in the states. i can tell there was a lot of love put into this and i really appreciate it.

19-119-Sad Piece-One Piece-Seth Bowser-Come Sail Away.mp4"

Spoiler :

hello i'm a sucker for really heartfelt series profiles. solid cuts, great mood, great scene selection. that sync with ace at 1:27 and then the cut to mr skeleton man (brook? is his name brook?) with the violin sync was so good. i felt /in my heart/ and ive never even watched this series. wasn't a fan of the light leak on nami at 2:49 though, it was too opaque and the color didn't blend well. but overall really nice pacing and sync. awesome job!

19-120-Braid Girl Cry Cat Pics-Variousmonogatari-Marianas Trench-Death of Me.mp4"

Spoiler :

super clean cuts, especially with the beginning. it's tough getting soft cuts like that and you did it! solid internal sync too. i think the first chorus might be a bit too underpaced and it makes it so the tone shift on the verse after it isn't as dramatic as it could be. if you speed up that first chorus it'd help a lot. the faster section towards the end works in terms of pacing though! this was really neat and had a lot of really pretty moments like the hair transition.

19-121-Kaguya's Rap-Kaguya-sama Love is War-The Lonely Island-Natalie's Rap.mp4"

Spoiler :

cute pairing, cute lyric sync! solid editing too. i think the fact she's wearing the same school uniform as the other characters makes it hard to buy her as a celebrity being interviewed. i also think some of the lip sync needs some tightening up, especially towards the end. that last shot with them facing each other at the table was a strange way to end it too. but i appreciate the added jokes and it was solid overall!

19-123-One Trick Pony 4 A Canonical Fart-Your Lie in Aprl-Gas X-Thin Strips Commercial.mp4"

Spoiler :

fragrant

19-124-The Star Compass-Made in Abyss-The Golden Compass-Trailer.mp4"

Spoiler :

the editing is super clean in this. though i think the audio is a bit low? i loved the sync and scene selection. really creepy but def not to the point of considering this a horror. the title text /realllly/ hurt tho. you gotta use something more fitting to the sources and professional looking D: but overall nicely done!

19-127-The Way We Fell-Toradora-Marianas Trench-Only the Lonely Survive.mp4"

Spoiler :

super clean! pacing is great, scene selection hella strong. bird sync 10/10. i think the cuts to other characters, like the red hair girl and the fight scene, really distract from the mood. like they sync is great and see how they fit in pacing wise, i just think it just made the video a little too scattered in focus. but overall strong vid!

19-130-Shack Up-Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid-Ben Platt-Share Your Address.mp4"

Spoiler :

so cute ;A; the black flash at 0:08 just looked like a gap between the clips on the timeline tbh haha. it wasnt the tightest vid but really fresh feeling mood and springy sync and pacing. great work with the emotions too. overall just super enjoyable for me

19-131-Phase 2-Invader Zim Enter the Florpus-Sick Puppies-Going Down.mp4"

Spoiler :

SO SHORT so cleanly edited too. really solid. don't have much for critique, it was felt polished

19-132-daughter_mother_hopper-Stranger Things-Journey-Faithfully.mp4"

Spoiler :

this seems super heartfelt! ive never watched the show so i got a bit confused with the jumping around but i'm sure it makes sense to someone who watched the series. i feel like you kept focus on the characters super well and i loved the internal sync you had going on. only critique would be the door unlocking scene felt a bit late for the sound it was syncing to. but overall real neat combo and concept and the editing was real solid. great job!

19-133-L_histoire homosexuelle d_Homura-Puella Magi Madoka Magica-Flight of the Conchords-Rambling Through the Avenues of Time.mp4"

Spoiler :

pretty clean editing and lip sync imo. real cute concept too! i really appreciated the jokes added to the footage. i feel like the letter boxes fading revealing the clip underneath at 1:13 and then coming back 3 clips later was a bit odd looking. i also think the mask on kyubeys tail got a bit pointy at times but overall real cute vid and unique concept. hella enjoyable!

19-134-When She Loved Me-I Want To Eat Your Pancreas-Sarah McLachlan-When She Loved Me.mp4"

Spoiler :

really nice combo! i think the crossfades would benefit from some blurring, seeing outlines on top of outlines from another scene can be a bit distracting imo, especially with the length of some of your crossfades. i think you did a good job with the pacing in general, but i think the part at 1:38 was a bit too fast, like with the tone change and important plot points going on there it would be improved by making it veeeery clear what is going on. i'm totally backseat editing, but if there are enough clips of her in the hospital, you could use those instead of cutting to the guy for the lyric sync. overall this is solid though, i enjoyed the emotional editing and lyric sync. it was well put together nice job

19-135-Lock and Key-Kaguya-sama Love is War-Sia, Diplo & Labrinth-Genius.mp4"

Spoiler :

solid af and unique combo! you did a great job structuring your vid so you could go ham on the choruses while still hitting lyric sync. however i think some of your sync hit a bit too "soft" in a couple spots if that makes sense? like the cuts are happening not quite on the sound, which is totes fine but there were some points in this song that wouldve been hella exciting had those cuts been a bit tighter. biggest example would be the section at 3:00. if those cuts came in a bit sooner, i think the sync would have much higher impact and fit the song better since that's the climax of the song. another example is 1:57, the cut to her sitting needed to be sooner to not lose momentum. overall really solid and clean though!

19-137-SIB INTERDIMENSIONAL-Spiderman Into The Spider-Verse-Men In Black International-Trailer.mp4"

Spoiler :

the pairing really didn't work with this one for me D: sorry. the editing is pretty solid, like you kept pace with the audio really well towards the end. i just think there's a disconnect between the suits they reference in the audio, the situation that is being sort of acted out and the suits/imagery of spider-verse. but the actual editing was fine for the most part. i'm not a fan of the 3d text at the end, it looks just a bit too smooth and simple compared to the rest of the more detailed things around it.

19-138-Craven Hill-The Ghost & Mr Chicken-Crimson Peak-Trailer.mp4"

Spoiler :

having no understanding of either source, i didn't quite get the combo but the editing was super clean and i appreciate you using unique sources! lip syncing live action will always look strange, but i think you did a good job overall finding scenes that fit the audio without having to show a character talking most of the time. nice job!

19-139-Origami Bones-Kubo and the Two Strings-Of Monsters and Men-Your Bones.mp4"

Spoiler :

this is clean! total backseat editing but i think if u make the fadeouts longer at the beginning, it would match the smoothness of the song more. but the sync and pacing is g r e a t. the scene selection too! i wish the snake wasn't talking during that slow part, but i understand if there just wasnt footage of him not talking. awesome job! edit: im so salty this didnt make finals ;-;

19-140-Unfortunate-My Hero Academia-Chase Holfelder-Fortunate Son.mp4"

Spoiler :

ohhh i wish those transitions weren't used at the beginning. the scene selection is solid and i liked the silly american flag all might shot. awesome pick up with the song once the action parts came in too! the pacing and impact of this vid are great, i think it would help to just make those transitions less noticeable and smoother

19-141-Desired Hues-Tamako Market, Tamako Love Story-of Monsters and Men-Hunger.mp4"

Spoiler :

ahhh i really loved a lot of moments in this. really neat concept and awesome sync. i think the light leaks need a bit more massaging. i also think the bi flag, while really cool, needs to be adjusted slightly to blend a bit better with the series. the storytelling is clear imo and you did a great job mixing in mood and sync moments. minor but i think the orange/yellow? filter at 2:34 is a bit too strong. i think if you just adjust it so the outlines in the scenes are closer to black it might help. i really really love the pick up towards the end. overall real real nice job and ambitious concept!

19-144-Revolutionized-Revolutionary Girl Utena-Mother Mother-Oh Ana.mp4"

Spoiler :

great sync, really interesting mood and focus that helps differentiate it from other utena vids. you also made good use of the dramatic imagery. overall no real criticism i freaking loved this

19-145-Thor Lebowski - The Dude-Endgame Infinity War-Johnny Cash-Hurt.mp4"

Spoiler :

this is solid. not sure if the letterboxes were an artistic choice but i think i'd prefer the vid without them. the concept is cute and the title was clever. titlecards were solid too imo. i think my biggest gripe is you have black widow talking about the world governments being in like shambles or something before talking about the snap and i feel like that just is out of place in a thor centered vid. like i think at this point he's probably more concerned about the future of asgard than earth's problems but pretty minor gripe i saw what you were going for. i just wonder if there is a better soundbite to use. overall solid work tho!

19-146-Grenadine-The Night Is Short Walk on Girl-I DON'T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME-Do It All The Time.mp4"

Spoiler :

internal syyyyync :Q loved the mood and scene selection. really clean too! only real note is that i think the scene changes at 2:08 are coming in slightly after the noise theyre syncing to? either that or before, so the sync comes in softer than i think the sound and scenes really need. but overall great job!

19-147-Poppycockers-Kaguya-sama Love is War-Fall Out Boy-Irresistible.mp4"

Spoiler :

JUSTICE FOR COCK i really enjoyed the silly mood and literal lyric sync, i think it gave it a neat feel that is different than other vids with this source. i think the lip sync needs to be cleaned up a bit. i was fine with the song cut but i think you gotta make the static on the screen less smooth if that makes sense? but overall clean edit and fun vid

19-148-In The End-Dragon Ball Super Broley movie-Linkin Park-In The End.mp4"

Spoiler :

hmmm i can see the sync you were going for, i just feel like you have a lot of real fast clips on slower parts of the song. the footage looked sped up waaaay too fast at parts imo but i think its a neat idea to use the newer dbz with this song. i just wish it wasn't so fast :C

19-149-Madness-Hannibal-ZhayTee-Absconditus.mp4"

Spoiler :

This is really nicely made! it doesn't quite feel like an amv to me but thats not a big deal because i honestly appreciate the editing. the sound editing seems solid to me and the bites are placed well imo. i don't quite see this as a horror video as much as a drama/series profile of a creepy series. like there's def horror imagery but i dont think theyre placed in a way to be scary as much as theyre artistic if that makes sense? i also think it dragged on a bit too long, but i have no knowledge of the source so i dunno if all the parts shown are necessary. overall real nice job though!

19-150-Marvelous World-The Marvelous Ms Maisel-Jodi Benson-Part of Your World.mp4"

Spoiler :

ahhh lip syncing live action always ends up looking a bit weird, sorry! but the editing and scene selection is really cute. solid cuts! cute combo too! overall solid vid

19-153-I'm Sorry I'm Needy-Future Diary-Ariana Grande-Needy.mp4"

Spoiler :

solid and clean editing! the vid didn't really drag on, i just think the song and the editing are so like gentle that i feel i need to have a better understanding of the source or like the song more to really enjoy it. but overall, solid and the concept is clear

19-154-Undertow-From The New World-Third Eye Blind-Narcolepsy.mp4"

Spoiler :

i loved this, it was gorgeous but in a way unique from other vids with the same source. i think you really captured a unique feeling with the combo and scene selection. some of the clips were a bit too fast for the song like 1:48 and i think it would have def benefited from some motion. but overall awesome job! edit: IM SO SALTY THIS DIDNT MAKE FINALS

19-155-The Tin Man's Journey-Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood-Imagine Dragons-Amsterdam.mp4"

Spoiler :

great job syncing! you matched the tone of the song real well just with the speed of the clips you were using. def one of my faves. i think some of the zoom transitions were a bit too noticeable. i think some clips were made too dark as well especially towards the end. but overall gorgeous vid with clearly a lot of thought put into the structure and pace ;A; awesome job!

19-156-nineteen eighty - angst-Akira-Rich Brian-Dat $tick.mp4"

Spoiler :

i can definitely see the internal sync you were going for, i just think it's too "small" like in how much it takes up of the frame if that makes sense? so like, it just felt a bit too light and delicate of a vid for the song and its just kind of disatisfying to have heavy impact scenes on lighter sounds in the song while the louder sounds aren't used. but that's my backseat editing the pacing is real interesting and i appreciate the interesting source pairing. def see the flow you were going for i just wish it hit a bit heavier at times

19-157-PSYCHO-Mob Psycho 100-JOKER-Trailer.mp4"

Spoiler :

interesting combo! the editing is real clean and you captured the creepy feelings. i think the text just didn't fit the look of mp100 or the creepy mood of the audio. dunno if that is the text style in the real trailer, but it just really didn't blend well here. i think the white is far too bright compared to mp100's muted colors. but overall solid editing! not super sold on the combo but that's because i have a lot of attachment to that series and that sweet angel boy ;-; he aint no joker he a babey so it was just hard for me to really get onboard with it

19-158-Burden of the Shield-The Rising of the Shield Hero-Katie Garfield-Gallows.mp4"

Spoiler :

nice sync and really nice flow! good pacing too! overall solid vid not much to say!

19-159-My Treasure-Made In Abyss-Mimi Olesen-Lucky Charm.mp4"

Spoiler :

it was ambitious to go for an instrumental song like this! i think you told the story well, but sometimes the talking was a bit of a distraction. i think some of the slower sections would benefit from some motion as well. but the ending pacing worked real well and the story was very clear. good job!

19-160-Chika Wants To Dance-Kaguya Sama Love Is War-Rick Astley-Never Gonna Give You Up.mp4"

Spoiler :

>8C

19-161-SarazanByeByeBye-Sarazanmai-N_Sync-Bye Bye Bye.mp4"

Spoiler :

https://twitter.com/angeban93/status/11 ... 92384?s=20

19-164-Just Love-Garden of Words-Cash Cash-Call You.mp4"

Spoiler :

so smooooooooth +A+ i dont think the video picks up quite enough for the faster bits of the song but i know this source is only like 40 minutes long so i def feel the struggle for clips. i think if you cut down the song, you'd have more flexibility and could include more cuts in the faster sections. perhaps even motion added to the clips like those in the build up before the end the slow parts worked super well though! nice job!

19-165-The Voltron Brigade-Voltron-TWRP-Starlight Brigade.mp4"

Spoiler :

Solid editing! i think this video suffers from the vocals being too quiet in the audio mix, but i get that is an issue with this artist. really solid lyric sync and you kept pace with the song well! i think the vid dragged on for a little bit and would benefit from a song cut since the audio does get a bit repetitive but overall nice job!

19-166-Like Sheep-The Promised Neverland-A Perfect Circle-Pet.mp4"

Spoiler :

why is this 4 and a half minutes long ;A; solid cuts, i can see the sync you're going for but i think overall the vid was too slow for the song. adding slight zooms/pans can help but i think you honestly may need more clips. i think if you cut the song, you wouldn't have to stretch your clips as far. i can see the lyric sync you're going for too, i just dont think the anime is fast or fluid enough to be cut at this speed for this song. i really liked the key moments like the fire towards the end. overall i can def see the effort and there were some cool decisions made, i just think the difference between how fast the song was going in between drum beats and how slow the anime and the cuts were hurt this video.

19-168-Sisyphus-The Sky Crawlers-Andrew Bird-Sisyphus.mp4"

Spoiler :

ohhhh i really like the mood on this one! i felt like there were some great moments of internal sync too. some of the hits felt awkwardly off but i enjoyed how you kept pace with the song. i also liked the quiet slow parts. i honestly didn't get the story aside from planes, them screwin' and him dying but it felt complete

19-169-Dopamine-Happy Sugar Life-OK Go-Obsession.mp4"

Spoiler :

the editing is so great in this i just disagree so hard with the concept, even with the psyche angle and unhappy ending. i get that this sort of thing is accepted more in japan, but i just don't think it's in good taste to make a vid with it. it's still sort of making light of it and normalizing it because we know weebs love their psycho girlfriends.

19-174-Eternal Family-Kimetsu no Yaiba-Of Monsters and Men-King and Lionheart.mp4"

Spoiler :

other people are probably going to mention the masks at the beginning but im gonna do it too. i feel like hard cuts in those sections would do the job just fine. i think the beginning in general would benefit from being slowed down, it would make the faster section coming after stand out more. i'm a total hypocrite cuz i've edited this song and did the same thing with the sync, but now i regret it hahaha. overall this vid is really solid though! the pacing is pretty good once the song picks up and you did a great job keeping the focus on the characters. the ramp up near the end (and that heartbeat sync ahhh!) was great. the arm sync at 3:08 was a bit corny to me though. i also think the eye opening sync at 3:23 needs to come in a little earlier. overall nice job!

19-177-Shady Gains-Kimetsu no Yaiba-Panic at the Disco-Say Amen.mp4"

Spoiler :

b i r d s y n c. i have the same issue a lot of people have with the weak source combo but that sync and flow was t i g h t. nice job!

19-178-Envoy of the End-Code Geass-Rapunzel cast-Ready As I'll Ever Be.mp4"

Spoiler :

really solid editing. i don't quite get the combo not knowing either sources but i appreciate really appreciate the sync and scene selection. nice job!

19-179-Carole's Poppin' Tuesday-Carole and Tuesday-DJ EarWorm-United States of Pop 2009.mp4"

Spoiler :

agh you def heard this from other reviews but i'm gonna repeat it, cutting your song would do this video wonders. in the second half, there isn't really much being added that wasn't already done in the first half other than just having more scenes. but overall this vid is so cute and the i see the effort put into the scene selection and sync. you did a great job matching the different moods of the song. you also did a great job with the pacing! overall real nice job i just recommend cutting out a good portion of the song. keeping the focus more on carole and tuesday and the other girl would probably help a lot imo

19-182-The Promised Bottom-various-various-various.mp4"

Spoiler :

this video left me speechless. it has changed me as a person.

19-184-Scarlet Crimson Iron Sands-Kamitsu no Yaiba-Svricina-Battlefield.mp4"

Spoiler :

gorgeous sync and transitions. i felt like some of the verses got a little repetitive with the motion on the character in the middle of the shot. like when you got to the "face to face" lyric, it didn't read as like strong of lyric sync because you used so many face shots already. but overall i think you varied the sync well and there were a lot of nice flow moments. nice job!

19-193-Macho Hero-My Hero Academia-The Village People-Macho man.mp4"

Spoiler :

great start and combo. i think this idea is real cute but i think there were some technical issues that hurt this vid. one tech issue that was distracting was the letterboxes. i think you either have your project or render settings set to the wrong resolution. you want that to match whatever your source is, which you can tell by looking at the file details by right clicking on it or looking at its info in your editing program. i thought this vid had good energy at the start tho, it just felt like it was just a part of the movie with a few cuts in it. there was also at least one stray frame, at 1:07, where the next scene is seen for like a frame before the cut. those are really important to clean up because they can make a video look unfinished and distract the audience. i liked the sync you were going for, it had a real jaunty vibe. i also saw the bits of lyric sync you had going on. i just wish this vid was either more than a small part of the series or that the vid was shorter. i really dig the vibe you were going for though and i think if you just clean up those cuts and used a bigger variety of footage you can make real cool things

19-195-Limbo-Kimi no Na wa-Airports-Limbo.mp4"

Spoiler :

this is so clean! really solid! i loved the internal sync and there were a lot of neat moments. no complaints other than maybe the light leaks felt a bit strong. i think if they were made a bit more transparent, it would really help smooth the video out. but overall great job!

[Kirbygal]

Now that my second AWA pro vid was revealed (and it won Best Comedy, thank you all btw!), I can now do my reviews without revealing what I made. In other words, I give you my reviews but they're Vines.

Things to note before watching:

-The messages/images of the vines do not reflect my opinions of the video. I picked the vines based on their source material, song choice, and whatever themes that were present in the video. My ranking systems will just be the Kirby and Snail stickers which represent my personal favorites and videos that had catchy songs.

-If you don't get either sticker, that doesn't mean I hate your video. I personally liked a majority of the videos this year, and the stickers are for the videos that I had a personal connection with. I stink at reviews, but if you want my thoughts/opinions on your vid, feel free to message me.

-Some vines may not have an obvious connection to the video. There were a lot of Demon Slayer and Kaguya-Sama vids so it was hard to find vines that matched all of them. There were also some videos where I don't know the source material, so I had to guess on meaning based on the videos themselves. Also some were picked because I personally love the vines so take that as a compliment!

-I made this video before most of the reveals.

With all that out of the way, here's my (sort-of) reviews: