-
2005-02-09 21:53:23
I'm not sure why, but for some reason I really feel like making a video again. This happens once a year for me, I'm not sure what brings it on, but I really, really want to make something.
It's so early in the process. I've worked out a couple different ideas. Now I'm just widdling down my song list. Right now, there is just way too many potential candidates, but the early front runner is "ghost' by neutral milk hotel. Hopefully, by the end of next week, I'll have some source ready to go, and move along with this idea.
I'm also tempted to just up and remaster the last video I made from the reccomendations of some friends. The truth is, that vudeo was never as good as I wish it was. I like it, but I feel like it could have been so much more with some extra effort, and with the patience to work out the problems that arose after my computer died. But I was a dumb ass, and wanted to get it done in time for otakon consideration and rushed it. Truth be told, I don't really believe in remastering a video unless it is a total overhaul. I don't want to just make an edit or 2 here and say "OH WOW LOOK NEW VIDEO." The video is done, and it's gonna stay that way. The thing is though, it's one of those ideas that I really loved. The theme I think is fairly strong, and I just wish my editing skills were on the same level. In that sense, it's really disapointing, because I couldn't live up to my own expectations. But, that's the only way to learn. I'm sure I'll get some new good ideas soon, and hopefully my skills have improved since Warmth. We'll see with this new video.
-
complete
2004-05-17 22:46:50
Well, after too much drama, my second video is finished. The completed version I had, I thought was really damn good, and exported well. Then my computer died, and I had to reformat everything and start from scratch.
Well not entirely, I still had a beta that was pretty much the exact same thing as my completed video on someone's server. Of course, this version had no sound, and gross video quality. So yeah, that is the video, and it is done. I added the audio, and then I noticed that well, it's about a fraction of a second ahead. I fucked around with it endlessly to no improvement, and then decided, what the fuck, it's over, and closed it out.
So even though it isn't as good as I would have liked it to be, it's done, and I'm happy with that. I entered it into Otakon. There is a 99.99% chance it does not make it in. For one thing, the music choice will turn off just about everyone because it's slow and droney, and mixed with layer upon layer of noise. Heh, in my mind, the song is practically perfect, but a few friends I sent beta versions of the video to pretty much hated the song. What the fuck? Is shoe gaze really that obscure, or outside of every convention? It can't be. Meh, their loss if they can't try out bands like slowdive, ride, my bloody valentine and the jesus and mary chain.
If it makes the con, I'll be thrilled, if not, eh well. I'm tempted to put it out on the .org right now, but I'm thinking against it because someone told me it is best if I keep it off at least until after the pre-judging. Makes sense. So I'll wait till I get home from Europe in July and upload this bad boy, and put it out onto the video announcement forums.
I'm just glad the video is done. I have one more video idea currently in my head. It's not that great. It seemed great when I thought of it a few years back, but now it's only so-so. I'll still make it though, I just need to be reinspired to edit after this near catsrophe.
I should probably go to AWA. -
smiled at you
2004-04-22 14:37:04
After 2 months of not touching my new video, I decided what the hell, and started back up with it. I have about a 1:48 of it left to complete. I really want to enter it into Otakon. Badly. So I'm working hard and rushing to beat the clock.
It's annoying for a few reasons. I hate rushing videos. I like editing videos, leaving them for a little bit, coming back, reworking some parts, adding more, then leaving for awhile again. I'm totally skipping those parts to get into this contest. It's also annoying because, while my concept I think is pretty good, it's generic. While my last video (Which I recently uploaded last night on the carrot) had pretty bad execution, had a cool concept, this video just has boring execution.
I'm going for a super simple editing style with this video, because thats really what I should do. I'm trying to sell some "moving" or "touching" story here, but I feel like I'm just fucking it up, and that it isn't really all that emotional at all. Maybe it's because I'm desensitized since I've seen the scenes I've picked so many times now, they mean nothing, but I'm seriously afraid people would just be bored out of their minds by this. It really takes no risks, and the more I look at it, the more I feel like it's just a retelling of spirited away, which isn't what I was originally going for.
Whatever though, I'm being too harsh on myself. When it's finished, it's finished, and it will be finished within a few weeks, and hopefully I send it into Otakon's contest by the May 8th deadline. If it makes it into the contest, I'll be really excited. If it doesn't I'll be totally fine. My friend was right when he just said do what I can, and if people don't dig it, well fuck em. -
Brick wall
2004-03-03 23:02:12
I have about 3:30 left to go in my newest video. Which means I've done about a minute and a half so far. I usually edit at a slow pace, so that is decent progress. The problem is though, that I've put the video on hold for now. Papers and exams are picking up, and on off nights I'm out at a bar or going to see some bands.
This hasn't left much time to edit, which is frustrating since I was so gung ho about the video only a 2 weeks ago. Hopefully, next week I can get back to work.
I feel like my idea for the video needs some tweaking. I thought (And still do think) that the premise is solid. It's just that right now I can't find the right footage to make that idea solid. It's not like I'm rewriting the book on spirited away. I'm taking general story elements, and reapplying them to make a somewhat different story. The footage HAS to be there. I really don't mind taking clips out of their original context. I think that's one of the best parts about making an amv. But man, I remembered Haku being in the film a lot more before I started working on this video.
I'll finish this before the otakon deadline. I'll make sure of it. Hopefully sooner than later. I feel like the more time I have to revise the video, and work out some the kinks the better. So far, I really like what I've done, but it's still gonna take a lot of work. I might not be very competitive with AMV's. I really don't care if I win a contest or not. I do care about putting some pride into it. I don't like piece of crap videos. I don't want to make one. -
only 293 more seconds to go
2004-02-17 20:42:50
New video is started. It's exciting to be editing again. Even more exciting is the fact that I actually figured out the guide with the help of my buddies. The guide has made my editing exponentially smoother and faster. It's amazing actually.
I think I have the idea down right on paper. Basically just what I want to accomplish. God the song is difficult to edit to. My last video had very strange music, but it had a really nice pattern. It almost was asking to be edited to. This song though, it has so many different streams of sound and flows, it is really difficult to get something I'm satisfied with. 26 seconds in, and it's not too bad though. Needs heavy touching up.
Also, I'm watching far too much lost in translation. It kinda helps. My song is from the soundtrack, everytime I see the scene, I want to get back to work on the video.
Went to Katsucon and saw the AMV contest. This video better come out good enough to send to a con. I'd love to see my work on a big screen like that.
JOURNAL: moooooo (Mike )
Current server time: Dec 25, 2024 03:34:35