Anime Boston 2010

Anime Boston AMV Contest 2010

I mailed my video a week ago and you haven't e-mailed. Did you get it yet?

We don't check the mailbox every day. If you don't hear from us after three weeks, then maybe it's time to worry.

What happened to VHS? Why don't you take it any more?

We don't take VHS submissions any longer because it's an obsolete format.

I have a Mac. Will DVDs made with a Mac work?

Yes. However, we recommend getting good quality DVD-R media (such as Apple-brand DVD-Rs). The cheapest stuff is unreliable and often has problems.

Why won't you take my video on VCD?

VCDs are an obsolete format.

Can I send a CD-ROM with my videos on it?

Yes. But make sure you send your video in an accepted file format.

I don't have any way to get my video from my computer to DVD. Can't you make an exception for me and let me send in a CD-ROM?

See rule #5.

What file formats are acceptable?

Pretty much any file format is acceptable, AVI, DIVX, MPEG, MOV, QUICKTIME, WMV. The more popular the better, but sometimes if a format is too new, our encoder may not support it and we may ask you to resubmit in a more widely accepted format.

What file format do you recommend?

We recommend submitting in AVI format, it's widely disseminated, is high quality, and easy to convert.

You used to specify DVD ready MPEG 2. What happened? Will you re-encode my video?

Beginning with the 2009 contest, to ensure complete uniformity in the final product, all entries submitted will be re-encoded to our proper specifications. So it doesn't really matter what file format you use to submit your video. But remember that the higher quality file you send, the better the end result will be.

You say we can't have inappropriate content. Is underwear inappropriate?

It may be inappropriate for cosplaying, but it's fine for AMVs. Just try to avoid any nudity that might give the kiddies nosebleeds. Keep in mind that at least one of the AMV screenings will be during Saturday morning cartoon hours and that the contest is rated PG-13.

What about that scene in that show where all that violent stuff happens? Is that inappropriate?

We haven't seen every episode of every series ever created...so we can't say if something is okay or not. You're just going to have to use your own judgment and determine whether it violates the PG-13 guidelines.

Can I use video game footage?

This is an anime music video contest at an anime convention. However, we specifically wrote the rules to say, "At least 75% of each entry must contain anime-oriented footage." Notice the word 'oriented'. That means you can get away with using anime-like footage. Final Fantasy X and .hack//INFECTION are good examples of video games that would fall under that. Grand Theft Auto 4 would not. ...but when you get into stuff like the Italian plumber Mario in Super Smash Bros., you're in a grey area.

So can I use footage from Invader Zim?

Invader Zim is not anime. Zim footage would not count toward the 75% anime requirement. Ditto for The Powerpuff Girls and Teen Titans. Or pretty much any non Japanese produced cartoon. You can use it as part of the 25% non anime allowance specified in the breakdown, but that is all.

What about Avatar? Does that count?

Unfortunately not. While a great show, it has been determined that Avatar is not considered anime for the purposes of this convention. You can use it as part of the 25% non anime allowance specified in the breakdown, but that is all.

Can I use live action footage?

No. Live action footage is not considered anime or anime oriented. Case closed and not open for further discussion. Move along., there is nothing to see here. You can use it as part of the 25% non anime allowance specified in the breakdown, but that is all.

Dude! I love DBZ and will make the most l33t fight video ever with music from Linkin Park.

That's not a question.

Dude! I love Naruto and will make the most l33t fight video ever with music from Linkin Park.

Neither is that.

Can I use footage I recorded off TV?

You can try, but those network logos in the corner are ugly. Watermarks are not allowed on videos in the contest so your only recourse is to cover it with your own logo and that is even uglier. Videos we have received with footage recorded off TV have not scored well. Do yourself and the convention a favor and buy the DVD.

If I'm not a finalist, will you still show my video?

Maybe. We have overflow screenings scheduled over the course of the weekend where we can show some of the videos that didn't quite make it. If there are more videos than can be shown we may decide to simply not show the remaining videos and send our apologies to those creators.

Do I have to go to Anime Boston to enter the contest?

No. You do not need to attend the convention to enter the contest. Attendance has no affect whatsoever on the determination of finalists...but we'll be disappointed if you win and aren't there to claim your trophy! However, AMV contest finalists will get preferred seating during all AMV screenings (not including the Masquerade).

When will you announce the results?

We will not announce finalist videos until the convention itself. (The ballot will be provided at the door of the screenings.) However, we will tell the finalists that they're in the finals so that they know ahead of time...and we'll tell the finalists which of their videos are in the finals. We're just not going to tell attendees ahead of time which videos will be showing. Winners will be announced and awards will be distributed during the Masquerade intermission on Saturday. A list of winners will be posted online within a few days after the convention. (although I'd imagine someone will post the winners in the forum before we do that.)

When I win, can I run through the streets of Boston screaming with excitement?

Whatever floats your boat.

Can you send me a copy of the contest?

No, sorry. First off, there are legal issues about distributing the anime and music that could potentially get the convention into serious trouble were the AMV contest to be distributed. Secondly, the AMV contest is extremely popular and the demand would simply be too great...and we really don't have that kind of free time. (Not even Anime Boston's staff will be getting copies of the Anime Boston AMV Contest!) However, many AMV creators have chosen to make their AMVs available online and through various other means of distribution. We suggest you the AMV creators directly.

What's the Editor's Choice Award?

The Editor's Choice award is new to the contest as of 2009. It's an award given out by actual contest finalists to one of their fellow finalists. Sort of an award among peers so to speak. Any finalist may vote for the Editor's Choice Award, but they have to be present at Anime Boston in order to participate.

So what is anime-oriented footage?

To paraphrase a supreme court justice, we know it when we see it. It's hard to qualify but as a general rule any anime or videogame product produced in Japan, counts. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the coordinator. If you are uncertain whether something qualifies, email the contest coordinator for a determination.

 

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