Beta Testing and Feedback for AMVs: A Unified Theory

 

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In my previous post, I talked about how I’m mostly ambivalent to AMV contests held at conventions. Convention contests (con cons?) are meh for two key reasons: 

1. Most cons force your videos to go into specific buckets (Action, Drama, Romance), so videos that exemplify those categories automatically perform better. When I like a pairing, I don’t want to consider if it is “category” enough.

2. If it’s audience vote, popular anime + popular song has a leg up over more obscure songs and sources. (I don’t fault audiences for it. I usually enjoy videos more if I’m familiar with the material.) 

Two of the AMV contests that I participate in, however, are special: videos are judged only by editors who enter the contest, and all entries are blinded to who made what. The format gives a real sense of wonder and discovery. These two contests are Accolades, part of Anime Weekend Atlanta, and RICE, hosted by the BentoVid discord server. They focus on the community, with social calls where people watch videos together. In addition, both contests, but to a greater extent RICE, focus on peer reviewed feedback.

RICE encourages a feedback method called the Musubi method, which recommends a mix of critique with mostly positive feedback, or possibly no critique at all. As a new editor, I know that my work isn’t perfect. Personally, I want critique so that I can improve. I’m open to receiving feedback in basically any form since I feel l am still learning what looks good and what doesn’t. 

Giving feedback is tricky. Some people are emotionally attached to their art, so receiving criticism can be hurtful to them. Some people don’t care about what you like, they only want to hear what should be fixed. Some people want time stamps, while some people want vibes-based feedback. I was inspired to tackle the subject of feedback, and I arrived at what I think is a clever solution: the 3x3 grid of Feedback!

The three columns describe the type of feedback received. The left column is all positive feedback, the middle column is a mixture of positive feedback and critique, and the right column is criticism only. The three rows describe how the feedback is given. The top row is feedback that is only general, with no time stamps. The middle row is a mixture of time stamps and general feedback. The bottom row is timestamps only.

The video critique style that is encouraged by RICE is anything in the first two columns: always include good with bad, and critique is optional. Timestamps are encouraged but not required. My method of giving feedback is either center square (fully mixed) or bottom center. I do, however, try to match the energy of the person giving me feedback. It is good to understand what the person you are working with really wants out of your review. Additionally, the etiquette in Bento (especially in Vid Critique) is to make sure to understand if there’s anything specific the editor is looking to accomplish.

Think about what kind of critique you like! What square on the grid do you think you fit into? I’m still deciding what I like. I think I’m True Mixed still, moving towards the Timestamp Mixed, but all feedback is good feedback.