What the hell is an amv?

AMV means Anime Music Video. It is a very common term in the world of anime in America

Ok…SO WHAT IS IT?

It's literally just taking your choice of anime, a song you like, and edit it together.

Do you use animations you make?

You can, some people do. Personally, I’m aiming to do that eventually as well as doing the regular versions.

How about music?

You can use your own music, although, I must say, there is a universal appeal when you use anime and music that people can actually find and watch.

How do you make them, what do you use?

Loaded question, but I’ll keep it simple. I edit in Final Cut Pro. With that and the combination of a “Dazzle” (which is a video decoding device) and a dvd player, everything else is just plain time.

How long does it take to make one?

The common answer would be depends. But I will say this, I did a request in under three weeks, but the “NERV; Declassified” video was in a Production stage for over 4 years. On average, I can probably do 4-6 a year depending on inspiration and requests.

Are they legal?

If you are not selling them. There is a fine line that has been drawn and it gets thinner by the day. Truth is, the legalities depend on a lot of things but most of the time, they are considered fan work and thus end up flying under the radar. They are very big at Anime Conventions and a lot of the distribution companies are there and have no problem with them because it's free publicity. But, as a legal warning, if you don’t own the music or the footage, selling them is illegal.

Can you make money off of this?

Funny thing. I have heard of editors who have gotten jobs by the companies to make trailers for them because they got a glimpse of their videos. I personally have gotten work from them by people who have seen my work and want me to take their footage and music and make promotional videos.

Which is your favorite one?

Mine or Other?

Well…both.

Other is easy. Kevin Caldwell's "Asuka Strikes" to Evangelion and the song Engel by Rammstein. You'll hear that video mentioned a lot and for good reason. Hell of a synching job and really good story. Also check out "True:Fiction". That one is amazing purely for the amount of work that went into it. Personal one…it depends. There are a couple that are a reflection of myself, that were done as a theraputic way of externalizing an emotion that needed to get out. And then there is “Nerv: Declassified” which just plain kicks ass. But I would have to go with "Petals of Change" since it gave me my first award.

What made you want to do this?

Boredom. I’m serious. Truth is, I studied film at Syracuse University and there came a semester during which we didn’t have a production class. So, I took this as a way of not losing my touch on editing. But mostly Boredom.

How do you come up with the idea? In other words, what comes first, the music or the footage?

Neither. The inspiration comes first. Sure, I can watch an anime and say “I want to make an amv to that” or listen to the song and have the same reaction. But the truth is, it requires a specific click at the right moment.

Do you take requests?

I have taken requests in the past. 3 amv requests so far, all successful according to the recipients. One even won an award. It really depends. Sometimes I'm open to ideas and if a good one comes along, I'll do it. Other times, my "to do" list is way too long and it takes priority over everything else.

What’s the biggest problem with making one?

Corrupted footage and time constraints, and actually everything else as well. There are times when you are 99% done, and you realize you need a specific scene that either doesn’t exist or just won’t work. That’s when the next couple of months come in.

Any favorite editors out there?

It depends. I used to only remember the video not the editors. More and more I'm noticing more editors, mainly after meeting them, but it depends on style.

Why aren’t you on the “org”?

I am. Check under the name "Borihiei". Don't ask about the name. I chose it so long ago that I look at it now and laugh.

Any new projects?

I usually have an yearly production “to-do” list of about 8 amv’s. Key word being usually. I put ideas up, test them, and go with what works. There are ideas that I have for years that I sidestep due to either state of mind or because something else comes up that presents a much better result.

How do you show them to people?

I don’t!!!! Truthfully, I just show my friends. They usually spread the work for me. I premiere my “good” work at conventions. I used to premiere work at different cons, but, lately, I stick to premiering here on my site, at the org, or at Anime Boston.

How do I find all the amv's you've done?

You can't. Not all of them. Some of them are here but others were lost when my PC died. I'm trying to write up information on all the ones I've done and post them up on this site...but give me time. I also am attempting to go back and remake them with crisper footage and better synching but that might also take a while.