[Outlawed]

Contest rules and submission info:
http://www.acen.org/events/amv.html

SailorDeath - Department Head.
Ngsilver - Assistant Department Head (also runs our FTP)
Outlawed - Tech

We have other staff you will meet at the con but most of the preparatory work for the general contest is done by these 3 staff.

Asking questions about submissions or rules is best done in this thread for the fastest reply and the advantage is we may also answer the question for multiple people so let us know if you have any questions



If you want to know the status of your entry all you need to do is login to the contest database website http://contests.ngsilver.com/login.htm which the rules asked you to use.

The last 4 years we have received more entries than we can show in our dedicated contest block so we have what are called finalists. Finalists will be announced very close to the con. Other videos which did not make the finalist cut will be shown at the con unless they are disqualified. If your video is disqualified it will be reflected on the contest website.

Generally the only time DQs for tech reasons occur are someone failed to read the technical requirements in the rules (example: sending a resolution size we did not ask for or a file type that we do not accept such as quicktime). Bad video quality has become less of an issue as we have moved out of the VHS era of submissions although we have occasionally receive an entry someone obviously re-compressed 4x or more or attempted to use source footage from a streaming website. Content reason DQs are the most infrequent. This usually gets handled ahead of time because the person submitting that type of video already knows they are pushing the envelope so they talk to us beforehand to see what can be done.

[Inuyasha_kun]

Yes, hello...

I was wondering how many AMV submissions that we can send.

I am new to Acen and I haven't sent any of my AMV's to Acen...I didn't see anything up on the rules ubout how many we can actually send...

And can we send stuff to the non contest AND the actual contest? Or just either the contest or the show case...

[Outlawed]

Inuyasha_kun, on Jan 21 2009, 08:12 AM, said:

I was wondering how many AMV submissions that we can send.

>There is a limit of one entry per category for a unique creator.

This means you can submit one entry to each category by yourself. If you were to submit another entry to the same category that you worked on jointly with others it would not count against you.

As far as non-competing... that is just for giving us more AMVs to add to our library (assuming we don't already have yours). You can send us your library if you want but PLEASE do that by mail and keep in mind we may not use them. It's just an option that some creators have requested in the past. For example some creators will make a video that is very popular and won at many other conventions but they wish to send ACen something new. In that case they submit their extra video as non-competing in the hopes that we might show it during other programming blocks.

[code4destruction]

How long/large a file can we send? I have something I've been wanting to submit, but I made it in three parts. I think total, it'd amount to 10-12 minutes. Also, since I'm pretty much computer illiterate, do you accept .wma files or should I convert it? One more thing, would working as acen staff disqualify you from entering? I've been trying to apply to be an aid of some sort for a free ticket and/or room to help out with my funds >.>

This post has been edited by code4destruction: 21 January 2009 - 08:49 PM

[Animexcel]

Hmmm.. is there not a Staff category anymore?

[Outlawed]

code4destruction, on Jan 21 2009, 09:46 PM, said:

How long/large a file can we send? I have something I've been wanting to submit, but I made it in three parts. I think total, it'd amount to 10-12 minutes.

There is no limit on length or file size beyond the 15 Mbps data rate limit on MPEG-2 files. MPEG-4 files will inherently be small in size so there is no major issue there. We have received MPEG-2 files of over 350MB before. Please keep in mind the competition pool is very stiff and there has historically been only a few instances since 1999 where entries over 5 minutes long made the final cut.

Quote

Also, since I'm pretty much computer illiterate, do you accept .wma files or should I convert it?

Do you mean wmv? I thought wma were audio files. In any case, we do not accept Windows Media files. They must be MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 files.

code4destruction said:

One more thing, would working as acen staff disqualify you from entering?

Animexcel said:

Hmmm.. is there not a Staff category anymore?

ACen staff are not eligible for competition. I will add that clarification to the rules. In past years there has been a staff category. Due to time limits and the rising quality of entries we have decided to give 100% attention within the contest itself to non-staff.

We are discussing having a staff AMV block for the AMV room where we can play entries that ACen staff members have made.

[Creative Name]

Exciting stuff! I plan to submit, but I had some n00b questions.

Does submitting multiple entries mean submitting multiple CD/DVD-Rs?

Is there any way to verify if my AMV is conforming to format and quality standards? I'm fairly sure, but ya know... first submission.

[Outlawed]

Creative Name said:

Does submitting multiple entries mean submitting multiple CD/DVD-Rs?

No. You can put them all on the same disc.

Creative Name said:

Is there any way to verify if my AMV is conforming to format and quality standards?

File formatting requirements are listed in the rules so I am unsure what you mean by format standards.

As far as audio/visual quality and content quality those are subjective assessments done during initial file checks and judging respectively. If this does not answer your question please be more specific.

[Creative Name]

Thanks. That answered my questions. I'll be waiting for the pdf to be posted

[GloryQuestor]

For the Trailer Theme category, should there be an exception to the rule on "no credits" when submitting for Theme? I ask because most trailer AMVs based off of actual trailers will start with the "all audiences" green logos, followed by some sort of "studio" logo (whether creators' or fake), and have parody "movie credits" at the end. Just wanted to know before I finalize it.

Thanks.

[Animexcel]

Hmm, that's unfortunate since I was working on one for competition. I guess I should retire for the time being.

[LittleAtari]

I've never been to Acen and this will be my first time submitting a video so please bear with me on these questions.

I've been told that other conventions make their own bumpers with the maker's name on it. Does Acen do this and if so, in cases when the AMV is a collaboration between multiple editors, do you list all their names or just the coordinator? I've also been told that other conventions require you to reserve a slot for your AMV if you want there to be credits. Does Acen do this, also?

Also, am I missing where the submission for the PDF is or has it not been uploaded yet?

[Unlimited Rice]

If we want to custom make our trailers, are we allowed to use audio from the anime? English and/or Japanese?


Thanks in advance

[Nani4587]

I have a question about the video format. I saw in the rules, and the recommended format is 720 x 480. I wonder if were allowed to have it on widescreen or not. This is my first time trying this out, and I never done this contest before. And lately, the videos I been doing have been in a widescreen, and I don't mind if its full screen. I'm just wondering.

And also, we can't have like a name plate on the video either right. Like having your name on the video the whole time. I see it on youtube all the time, but for this contest, no name, credits, or anything on it just to be clear.

[Outlawed]

GloryQuestor, on Jan 27 2009, 04:59 PM, said:

For the Trailer Theme category, should there be an exception to the rule on "no credits" when submitting for Theme? I ask because most trailer AMVs based off of actual trailers will start with the "all audiences" green logos, followed by some sort of "studio" logo (whether creators' or fake), and have parody "movie credits" at the end. Just wanted to know before I finalize it.

Thanks.

We will allow leeway with the trailer category. If at all possible try to avoid any bought to you by AMV Studio XYZ messages unless they are a critical component of your artistic vision, parody, etc. The all audiences green logos and such are fine.

[Outlawed]

LittleAtari, on Feb 14 2009, 02:38 AM, said:

I've been told that other conventions make their own bumpers with the maker's name on it. Does Acen do this and if so, in cases when the AMV is a collaboration between multiple editors, do you list all their names or just the coordinator?

Acen staff make title cards to identify entries. This keeps it fair and concise so that everyone has enough time to identify a video and we don't run into a case of someone using 50 seconds to make a studio intro. How we identify the videos is based on the entry form. If there is more than one name or alias to associate with it just fill that in the form.

LittleAtari, on Feb 14 2009, 02:38 AM, said:

I've also been told that other conventions require you to reserve a slot for your AMV if you want there to be credits. Does Acen do this, also?

I'm sorry but I do not understand what you mean by reserving a slot.

LittleAtari, on Feb 14 2009, 02:38 AM, said:

Also, am I missing where the submission for the PDF is or has it not been uploaded yet?

Entry forum is up now http://www.acen.org/events/amv.html

[Outlawed]

Unlimited Rice, on Feb 17 2009, 01:11 PM, said:

If we want to custom make our trailers, are we allowed to use audio from the anime? English and/or Japanese?

It should not be a problem.

[Outlawed]

Nani4587, on Feb 26 2009, 07:42 PM, said:

I have a question about the video format. I saw in the rules, and the recommended format is 720 x 480. I wonder if were allowed to have it on widescreen or not. This is my first time trying this out, and I never done this contest before.

You can submit 720x480 MPEG-2 as either 4:3 and letterbox it or you can submit it as 16:9 anamorphic. Just remember to flag the MPEG-2 file properly I've gotten some over the last year where people forgot

Nani4587, on Feb 26 2009, 07:42 PM, said:

And also, we can't have like a name plate on the video either right. Like having your name on the video the whole time. I see it on youtube all the time, but for this contest, no name, credits, or anything on it just to be clear.

You are correct. There should also be no TV logos or such burned into the video.

[PrinceAsh]

Outlawed, on Mar 3 2009, 09:43 AM, said:

You can submit 720x480 MPEG-2 as either 4:3 and letterbox it or you can submit it as 16:9 anamorphic. Just remember to flag the MPEG-2 file properly I've gotten some over the last year where people forgot





You are correct. There should also be no TV logos or such burned into the video.

Is it ok if subtitles show?
And how does the Iron Editor Contest work? like what program is used to edit with?

This post has been edited by PrinceAsh: 03 March 2009 - 07:23 PM

[UzuPunk]

I just want to make sure I understand: On the entry form it says that no printed version of the form will be accept. Does that then mean that when I put my entry on a disk, I need to save the form onto the disk as well? If so, does it matter if it's on the same file as the video or not? I'm sorry if that doesn't make sense; it it matters, please tell me to rephrase it. Thank you.

[SailorDeath]

UzuPunk, on Mar 9 2009, 12:47 AM, said:

I just want to make sure I understand: On the entry form it says that no printed version of the form will be accept. Does that then mean that when I put my entry on a disk, I need to save the form onto the disk as well? If so, does it matter if it's on the same file as the video or not? I'm sorry if that doesn't make sense; it it matters, please tell me to rephrase it. Thank you.

We take mailed entry forms, though the rules on aquiring an entry form has changed please check the rules in the first post for an update.

[PrinceAsh]

What do you mean by this in the rules for the submission?

"Click on “Studios” to add your studio if it is not in the list."

Do I just pick Anime Central?

And when I mail in my entry, I send the PDF form in the envelope with it, right? It doesnt have to be on the DVD?

[ngsilver]

PrinceAsh, on Mar 24 2009, 02:43 AM, said:

What do you mean by this in the rules for the submission?

"Click on “Studios” to add your studio if it is not in the list."

Do I just pick Anime Central?

And when I mail in my entry, I send the PDF form in the envelope with it, right? It doesnt have to be on the DVD?

There is no PDF form anymore. You print out the form directly from the site the rules send you to.

As for studios, that is there for editors who consider themselves as part of an AMV studio. Such as Chaotic Bad-Raptor or Random Destination Studios. It is all explained in the help section on the site you are directed to in the rules. Studio is not Anime Central, that is the convention and contest.

[Naruto Kun]

okay so this is going to be my first time entering the amv contest and i filled out evreytihing and going to print out the mailing info later when i get to work. Oh and can i send my disk in an large envelope with the info on it to the destenation?

[ngsilver]

Generally the post office frowns upon extra marks and information on packages other then the address and return address. It would be much better to include the information printed out in the envelope. The size of the envelope doesn't matter, however note that smaller envelopes that are designed to ship disks are better for keeping said disks in good condition through the mail. It's up to you to make sure the disk will be readable once it is received.

[Naruto Kun]

ngsilver, on Mar 30 2009, 12:32 PM, said:

Generally the post office frowns upon extra marks and information on packages other then the address and return address. It would be much better to include the information printed out in the envelope. The size of the envelope doesn't matter, however note that smaller envelopes that are designed to ship disks are better for keeping said disks in good condition through the mail. It's up to you to make sure the disk will be readable once it is received.

okay and i have 3 amv's on one disk and i have them labeled by entry numbers

[Outlawed]

Naruto Kun, on Mar 30 2009, 03:15 PM, said:

okay and i have 3 amv's on one disk and i have them labeled by entry numbers

Just label them as the website asks you to and I will easily be able to tell what they are after I receive them. If you do not know how to configure your CD burning software to allow long names for the files then include a text file on the disk or a written note if you have already burned it. That will speed up processing your entry.

Thanks!

[Naruto Kun]

Outlawed, on Mar 30 2009, 02:19 PM, said:

Just label them as the website asks you to and I will easily be able to tell what they are after I receive them. If you do not know how to configure your CD burning software to allow long names for the files then include a text file on the disk or a written note if you have already burned it. That will speed up processing your entry.

Thanks!

i burned my disk last nite and i have it in my room and i'm going to print out my forms and make a label and cover for it

[ngsilver]

An advanced warning and announcement for anyone who is planning on using FTP to send in their entry.

I will be moving physical locations starting on April 11th and ending on April 15th. This will include the FTP server which will need to move with me when I make the move. I at this time do not know which of those days will be the day that I move the physical server, so let it be known that anytime during those days the server may be unavailable. I will work to make the move as quick as possible to lessen the impact upon users trying to get their videos in last minute. I will also try to make an announcement right before I take the server offline.

I am stating this now in hopes that those of you who are working on videos may decide to hurry up and submit them. Last minute entrants may find a crowded and slow server (the bandwidth at my new address will not be as fast as my current one) so it would be best that you get your entries in sooner rather then later. However if the impact is great enough I may allow use of a separate off site server in order to help with the demand, but will have greater restrictions then the current server.

As always, if you have any troubles let me know.

[Outlawed]

Just sent a batch of e-mails out directing people to check the status of their entry on the contest database site.
http://contests.ngsilver.com/login.htm

You can contact me if you have any questions about tech issues.

From now on I won't be sending e-mail updates out. If you want to know the status of your entry just check the site.