Other Considerations
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"...hmmm...I didn't think of that." |
Other Considerations
Here are some things you should probably consider
before starting your project. I'll try to expand on each of these later. But for now you can check out the
RELATED LINKS section.
I strongly encourage you to do so.
- AMV Concept
- Anime Choice
- Music Choice
- Fit (how well do the two go together)
- AMV Genre
- Motivation
- Your Audience
- Collaboration
- File Organization
Other *Other* Considerations
AMV Concept Map (circa 2009)
(I suggest downloading and viewing it with an image viewer like FastStone)
[+] Know what you are trying to accomplish
Simply wanting to 'make something cool' is usually too broad of a goal since
there are a million different ways this can be achieved.
Getting specific makes everything much easier to work towards.
Even if you just want to compile a bunch of cool scenes set to a song you like...
...once you say it out loud, everything becomes much more focused.
[+] Flow
Whether it be flow of your audio/video/concept/whatever...
This could mean synch, movement, storyline, or even the setup to a joke... etc.
Whoever is watching should have an easy time seeing the natural flow/progress of your AMV.
(Especially if you have a particular goal in mind.)
ie. This happens, then this happens, then this happens...
There doesn't necessarily have to be a story, but there needs to be some cohesion.
[+] Patterns
Music has many patterns. Keep track of them.
It reeeallly helps if you organize and keep track of the structure of your music in your timeline.
I know some people like doing this as they go along, but if you do this before starting
your project, you can get a better overall sense of how your AMV is going to turn out.
Then, simply tailor your AMV around those patterns:
Dedicate certain ideas of your AMV to certain sections of your song.
Place your coolest scenes at pivotal moments in your music.
It's far easier to conquer many small sections than trying to do everything at once.
It's also easier to determine sections of 'downtime' in your AMV.
AMV's do need downtime... sections to just connect different parts of your video.
If you don't have that, there are no natural raises/falls for your audience to follow.
[+] Predictability/Unpredictability
As much of a paradox as it is, people Expect to be Surprised.
The audience should be able to expect certain things to happen at certain
times based on the flow of your music and visual patterns.
Whatever you do at those moments is where the unpredictability comes in.
... but try not to be so unpredictable that it get's confusing,
and not so predictable that it get's boring either.
To get around this I usually try to "Be Unpredictable in a Predictable way."
[+] Technical Understanding
Know how to use a computer.
Know that certain formats are better-suited for editing; others are better-suited for online distribution.
Know about things like framerate. It helps with timing and frame-accuracy.
Know how to maintain good quality.
Know what you are doing.
It always comes in handy.
[+] Study
Study good AMVs.
Study your own AMVs.
Study your Audience. Put yourself in their shoes. Get in their heads ^o^
Study
Contest Guidelines (Requirements? does it fit into a certain category?)
Study your Footage: How did the creators lay out the scene? or make cuts the way they did?
Study Visual Literacy: Color Theory, Cinematography, Comics/Manga, OMG Rule of Thirds, Minimalism etc...
Study Audio: Know the difference between
Beat and
Melody; Listen to a range of genres; develop good taste. Study Guides. They are everywhere, including the
RESOURCES Section.
Then Experiment. Constantly. But budget your time reasonably.
Be Efficient. Smart. Focused.
Practice making full AMVs too, so you are comfortable with the
whole process.
(It'll give you a completely different perspective on things.)
Be brutally honest about the moments when you think the audience [whoever it is] might be either bored or confused. This could save you a whole lot of embarrassment when you realize what it's like to be on their end of the video.
[+] Workflow
Be aware of how much
time and
effort you want to
dedicate to certain aspects of the whole process; not just the editing. This includes coming up with a general idea of what you want to accomplish in the end; and picking a song/anime
with clear connections so you know that the end product is going to work (instead of forcing it to work... which can be very frustrating). Then section off your audio into clear distinct parts that you *know* you can tackle instead of trying to do the whole thing at once. This way, you are being
realistic about how things are going to play out in the end. If you spend more time on this part of the process, it will pay off in the next steps when you find and organize clips; and *then* ultimately edit; and revise as necessary. It's all about organizing your Workflow; otherwise you get stuck at certain stages... and get burned out. For more information about this check out my
AMV Hierarchy of Limitations.
Well okay, sometimes work hard too...
...but don't let AMVs consume your life.
Make clear divisions between work and play.
AMV Hierarchy of Limitations
"Narrow down your choices to those that limit you most, so you don't waste unnecessary effort on footage that won't ever make it into your final AMV."
(I find this approach can make your life soooooo much easier when deciding how to start a new AMV.)
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