One is the loneliest number.

[dejana]

Well, I didn't get into the Sakura-Con AMV contest and I just found out I didn't get into the Anime Boston AMV contest either. So I think that's it for me and convention AMV contests. I just don't have what it takes. :\

Before anyone gets on me for being emo... I honestly think it's better that I just quit. Some of you have probably heard me say I've hit a wall when it comes to AMVs. I don't know how to improve any further. I can make basic videos that are fun, but I don't have the artistic eye for how to make them better. And I don't have a source of feedback. AMVs aren't like fanfic. You can't make them in a couple of days, send them to a remote friend in ten seconds and make edits in minutes. They take forever to edit and render and exchange, so online help is pretty much out. The few people I've found offline to show my vids to wouldn't give me any feedback. And nobody comments on AMV.org anymore.

So... I'm at an impasse. If "The Bad Crack" had cut the mustard, I would've at least had that as a foundation to stand on, a minor success on which to build. But my best isn't good enough, and I have no idea how to improve. I'm done.

Comments

[wombat-socho.livejournal.com]

It's weird that nobody would give you feedback. Still, I don't think you should stop making AMV because you didn't make the cut at SakuraCon or Anime Boston. If you're happy with your work, and other people are okay with them, why not just continue if you enjoy it?

[ryou-lover15.livejournal.com]

So wait...you have to get them approved...

I don't think I understand.

~Patricia

[serasaturn.livejournal.com]

I still haven't been able to create AMVs of my own (lack a good program), but if you ever needed feedback, I'd be happy to offer it. I've been watching AMVs since I was twelve, so at least I have a good perspection on different styles and effective presentations. I'm usually particular on the clip/image bringing out the meaning of the lyrics, but that's just me. I think you should keep going though. Even if you don't win, it's something fun and makes you feel accomplished afterwards. Who knows, you could really make someone's day who's been searching for an AMV of a particular song, but has never found one.

[revolutionaryjo.livejournal.com]

I've actually never really liked the contest format myself. Which coming from an AMV contest coordinator is ironic, I know. But it caters to the flashy, comedic, high tech special effects videos. Character studies, highly contextual stories, and all that don't ever do well in convention contests, but they are valuable all the same. For what it's worth, I always try to judge on the story the vid is telling and less on the technical expertise.

I don't think you should quit at all, just stop entering your videos into that kind of contest. Instead maybe start putting them out in comms like vidding or put some up for review at the_reel, which are frequented largely by vidders who know how to give qualitative feedback and are looking for things besides quick cuts, flash, and sparkle. They're mostly live action fandom in those circles, but they're good people for the most part. And a lot of them have a strong interest in helping people grow the art form.

If you're interested, prod me sometime to start talking about the difference in aesthetics between AMV creators and live action vidders and how the fan communities are the same but SOOOOO different. But I don't want to get on my soapbox in your LJ. :)

[crazyspork-i-am.livejournal.com]

i dunno how much this would help but sometimes it's better to try and figure things out instead of depending on others? like if you feel that your ability to make AMVs are hitting a wall sometimes it's good to try and figure out what's causing that. from a critic's perspective it can also be really difficult to tell you what you can do to improve if you don't have any idea or goal you want to achieve other than just being 'better'.

i know it's probably not my place to say but it really feels like you keep looking for others to blame for your lack of direction with these...and in any creative endeavor a large part actually comes from the individual and what they want to do with it. think and approach it like your writing and figure out the reasons why you do it. while one of the rewards for doing things like that is to share with other people another part comes from your own personal goals and achievement into creating something like that. i mean if getting replies and comments were the only things that motivated me to do work i probably would've stopped a long time ago at ASMR whenever my pieces got zero feedback.

and i'm saying this because you are creative. and being creative in one area isn't limited to just that one specific area; they all have similarities that you can use. if you can write beautifully then you can create AMVs. if you can imagine a story or plot you can create a storyboard and come up with an idea in that fashion. :3