Convention AMVs?

[Rinny]

I'm new here... hi.. ^_^'
And I have a question that's really eating away at me. I entered the Otakon contest this year, and a lot of people told me they were sure I'd get in. I didn't. So I'm thinking it had something to do with the content, which leads into my question. I thought of a great idea I could use for next year, it fits the anime really well and I have great editing ideas. The problem is, it's a Marilyn Manson song.

Obviously, he isn't very popular. But I really like the song. My problem is, I don't know if I should take the risk of not getting in the contest again and use it, or if it really would be a problem, choose something else. Any advice? (How important *is* the anime and song when entering a contest?)

[AbsoluteDestiny]

I wish I could say to you "yeah, don't use Marilyn Manson - use <insert band name here> instead and your video will definitely get in."

Unfortunately I'd be talking rubbish.

The fact is that videos aren't chosen on the merits of the music that is used. They are chosen on how good they are as amvs.

On the other hand, a video may not be chosen because if it's similarity to other videos or general lack of originality - if your video has been seen a million times before (in other forms) by the judges then there's little you can do. Also, if two people submit with the same song it can sometimes have the side-effect of getting both videos knocked out.

I think the main thing you should ask yourself is not "why didn't they like this music", it's "why didn't they like this music video". The answer is not the music, although with a different choice of music you may find yourself making better videos.

[candre23]

The otakon is a very big, very public convention, so they have to take into account that there WILL be small children in the audience.

Personally, I think all small children should be forced to listen to Marylin Manson, Lords of Acid, and Panzi Division (it will prepare them for real life) but the people who run the otakon have to go by more conventional standards of "public" acceptability.

[Rinny]

thanks ^_^ note: this song doesnt have any bad language in it. it's perfectly acceptable in that way. the thing i'm worried about is because other contestants were allowed to evaluate them this year, they might take music and anime into account.

[The Wired Knight]

Manson is actually fairly safe as far as the AMV world goes. In regards to song lyrics most people don't really care, some cons are stingy about it but generally you are fine. It's video content that is more likely to get a video DQed.

[AlexG]

I look at it this way, if whatever particular song inspires you to make music videos, then go for it! Part of the fun in making anime music vids. is to like the music that you would like to use on as the bgm. But at the same time, if you're looking to send a music vid. to a con. contest, you have to think out what to use, so yeah it has it's ups and downs.

But for someone to concentrate on winning is a shame to me. If you think that you're making this to like it for yourself and not so much for other people's expectations, then I think you'll be a more happier person. 8)

That's what I believe anyway hehe.

[Rinny]

thanks for the advice minna.. X_X *glomps you all* such nice people. ^_^ its not really that i'm concentrating on winning, its just that i want to have it shown. the overflow screenings.... if you've ever been there, they're humiliating. not because of the videos, but the people's reactions to them. most of them are *BOOED*. >____<

*question- if you wanted to continuously put up new versions of a vid you're working on, would you use the opinion exchange forum? o.o*