Making AMVs

[sairus]

Just a general thread for all you directors out there.
What programs do you use to edit your creations?
How long does it generally take?
What makes you settle on a particular series and song?
Any tips for those who are just starting their AMV making careers?
Planning on entering next year's competition?

[Denzin]

we're actually holding an amv class next year here in DCU AMS. held by our very own AMV winner Greyden!!!

i use windows movie maker, generaly hear a song i like or tells a story then think of an anime that you can mould around it. (worst comes to worst, find something angsty and just put it to Death Note, those AMVs make themselves :awesome:)

i only started last year and made about 4. a tip is watch a lot before and pick a style you like. i'm beginning so it takes me a good while. a few days of layed back work.

since i'm committee i can't enter but i'll make one anyway:icon_e_biggrin:

[E K Dante]

I used Windows Movie Maker for AMV making (just doing it for the hobby xD)
It can be fun if you get the right idea--- songs, certain clips, effects bla bla bla--- cuz if you don't, AMV making can be time-consuming.

I'm crap at picking the right format when I want to convert raw file into movie format, like AVI, WMV etc. What's the standard format? What's the best format to pick? I'm a n00b anyway, so help.

Is the AMV class only open to DCU AMS members?

[greyden]

I'll just answer the questions. Where can I go wrong?

What programs do you use to edit your creations?
Windows movie maker for the simple stuff. Heavy editing is done in Premiere and After Effects. It's a lot more awkward to sort clips and push clips back and forth in Premiere. They all have their ups and downs.

How long does it generally take?
It takes weeks to months to get the right clips.... After that it takes about 12 hours to edit the video, well, depending how long the song is and what your doing. Lip syncing's a bitch. Last time I used lip syncing was for the Gurren Lagann AMV at Eirtakon 2008.

What makes you settle on a particular series and song?
It normally spurs from an idea i get listening to a song. The anime just comes to mind for the song. I tend to make my videos based on a single part of the video that I think makes the whole thing. In the Copacabana one, it was the sequence where Paprika's falling from the sky. In the Metal Gear Solid one, it was the Rex and Ray fight during the 3rd chorus. The rest of the videos made themselves from those points. That's how I roll anyway.

Any tips for those who are just starting their AMV making careers?
Don't do clichés.... Like Linkin Park songs or using clips from Final Fantasy... It's practically impossible to be original then. Originality works! Make a video with a concept of some sort in mind. Build a video around a single idea, if it's a good one, the rest should fall into place.

Planning on entering next year's competition?
Fuck yeah. Gotta defend my title!


I'm crap at picking the right format when I want to convert raw file into movie format, like AVI, WMV etc. What's the standard format? What's the best format to pick? I'm a n00b anyway, so help.

Is the AMV class only open to DCU AMS members?
WMV works like a dream. It requires the least amount of fiddling around when it comes to settings.

Non AMS members can come for all I care. I'm running the thing! Apparently...

[Denzin]

Non AMS members can come for all I care. I'm running the thing! Apparently...

i've no problem, the more the better :awesome:

[chaobreeder16]

Havent figured out how to use anything other than windows movie maker so far and since I am a geography student dont have access to anything else.

It varies depending on the amv how long it takes I think. could be a weekend or could me a month. I actually think lipsynching is the easiest thing to do, the integration of effects I have trouble with.

I think a song just hits you up the face and then you usually find an anime to match it. Think you need inspiration though and be motivated it cant just appear out of nowhere.


I'd say cliche did work for me when I entered eirtakon contests I mean my I'm a bitch and stuck in the moment amvs won first prizes where as my flight of the conchords and manic street preachers amvs got shunted to the side it seems and those were my favourites that took the most work and I thought were the most original. I would say as tips use an anime you know inside out makes it easier to synch, also use a song everybody knows the words to so it catches them, so far songs from the 90s have worked for me.
Follow the criteria for contests if you ate entering. Make sure the song actually synchs with the scenes dont want a random scene to run on throughout a full minute. Make sure your video and music quality are high quality.

Indeed I shall compete next year, wont have my dissertation either so will be far more focused and can take my time with my entries more.