Anime Music Videos (AMV) are home movies that contain an audio track. They are made and uploaded online - especially on Youtube - by Anime fans around the world. Do you want to make an AMV but can't find the right video? Well, this guide is for you!
Steps
Step 1. Choose a TV series
It doesn't have to be an Anime, just try to choose your favorite show from the ones you watch. If you don't know anything about a particular series, you may be going off track.
Step 2. Choose a song
The song should actually be chosen even before the show, as later you may find it difficult to choose the song suitable for the TV series, doing the opposite is much easier. Retrieve the song from any resource you have available.
- Listen to the song repeatedly for a day. This will allow you to pinpoint certain points to sync with the video, which means you don't have to rely on audio peaks alone to create your AMV.
- Think about the type of AMV you can make with that song. You can't create a sentimental video using a screamo song as a soundtrack. Now consider other parameters: will you synchronize the video with the words? With the battery? Or with guitars? Also, what kind of transitions will you use? Cross fades? Fades to black? Effects? Think carefully about all these details, only in this way your AMV will deserve to be seen.
Step 3. Buy DVDs
You can use torrents to download VOBs / Mpeg2 files to use. Knowing the video material you have available is a must to make your AMV. Learn how to convert VOB files to a format suitable for use (you may need other software).
Note: VOB files are heavy: a single disk can occupy up to 1 gig of hard disk space. If you have an external hard drive then it's time to use it. If you don't have enough space to hold a VOB file, get high quality.avi (no subtitles).
Step 4. Time to edit and create the AMV
You can use many editing programs during this stage, although it is preferable to choose non-linear software such as Adobe Premiere, Final Cut and Magix. For now it's better not to use Adobe After Effects (useful, however, to add some nice finishing effects). If you can't afford the recommended software, try using Wax, it's free and has many features in common with its paid competitors. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on the computer, which is necessary to achieve perfection.
Step 5. Learn to manage your time
Don't start editing a video for 6 hours straight, you risk getting bored and not doing a good job. A good schedule can be: four hours of editing, a break to do what you want, and another two hours of work.
Step 6. Share your project with the world
- A good way is to upload your videos to Youtube. If you have done a good job you will receive a lot of positive feedback, as well as constructive criticism and opinions. This way you will gain more confidence in your potential. You should also make sure you get feedback from experienced editors, who would certainly make a more useful contribution than ordinary Youtube users.
- Alternatively, you can also visit this site. There you will find that there is more competition and perfection than the AMVs uploaded to Youtube. I should read you a tutorial on how to upload a video on animemusicvideo.org, because it works differently than Youtube. On that platform you can also use the forum to communicate your latest projects, ask for an exchange of views with other members, or consult the many guides available to improve or deepen your editing skills. When you feel ready, you can send a video of yourself to the organizers of a convention on Anime or Japanese culture to ask to participate in their contests. This way you will have the opportunity to be seen by a large audience made up of fans of the genre like you, and your AMV will be projected on a giant screen.
- Remember that there is no right or wrong way to create an AMV. You become a good editor with experience.
Advice
- Have fun! Usually, before you can finally complete your AMV, you risk starting to hate the song, the Anime, and you may want to let it go. By making it a fun experience, it will allow you to end your video by getting something you like and that makes you proud.
- During the making of the AMV you should keep in touch with your friends or your favorite editors, in order to show them your work step by step and thus receive the necessary feedback to do a great job.
- Before you start working on your project, watch the videos you find on www.animemusicvideo.org and get inspired by the videos that have been uploaded to the site.
