AMV Making A Beginner's Guide

[Cin]

AMV Making: A Beginner's Guide.

 

Edits:

Added ULead Video Studio Guide

Added Useful Programs list.

 

[spoiler=What Is An AMV]

AMV - Anime Music Video

This can include any anime you wish, which gives you endless possibilities.

 

Examples:

Learn To Breathe

Whispers In The Dark

 

The latter example shows they don't need to be full songs. you can always just do partial songs as a teaser for a full video

 

 

[spoiler=Introduction]First off there are number of programs that can make amvs with depending on if you have a PC or a MAC. For example: ULead Video Studio, Windows Movie Maker, IMovie and Sony Vegas, although I only have experience in 2 of those programs. (Vegas needs 1GB of RAM). If you have a PC Windows Movie Maker should come as standard if you're running Windows, whereas ULead Video Studio and Sony Vegas cost. Don't be afraid of spending over 5 hours on an amv, at most I've spent 7 hours on an amv (and that's without media prep with Media Prep 2 days).

 

For the sake of this guide we will cover Windows Movie Maker (Version 5.1), (I don't know how Version 6 (Vista) works or if it maybe different I imagined its not changed a huge deal) . And dip into ULead Video Studio (I might ask my friends to add Sony Vegas and IMovie to the list, depending how busy they are)

 

 

[spoiler=Guides]

[spoiler=Windows Movie Maker Guide:]

[spoiler=Key Tips With WMM:]

- It is prone to freezing, if it does freeze try to get it so it registers as Not Responding (its more likely to unfreeze). If it does crash it does most of the time keep a record of the previous project, but you may lose a few minutes when it does.

- Save alot, I've lost an hours work because I've forgot to save then it crashed.

 

[spoiler=Step 1: Preparation]

Best thing to do first with an amv is to try and plan bits out in your head, if not atleast have the lyrics to hand, as they're a very key thing to an amv, if it doesn't have lyrics you want to base it on music. Next thing is to make sure you have all the episodes/clips and music required for your project and in the right format, if it isn't its best to try and find the same media in the correct format or convert it yourself, which can prove expensive.

 

 

[spoiler=Step 2: Adding your files to Windows Movie Maker]

For this you need to go to File > Import Into Collections and select any media you want adding, then click open. For video clips it should automatically cut them into smaller pieces for easy access, however they're not always even sizes, they will display themself in collections under their file name. (Audio will go into the collection you have open when you import the file.) You can press cancel when importing clips/episodes/etc, if you do it will import the episode, but will not make it into separate clips, which could add time. You can cut up segments at any time using the scissors.

 

 

[spoiler=Step 3: Making Your AMV.]

Under the collections segment of the screen you will see a timeline with several 'tracks' (Video, Audio, Title Overlay), all you have to do is first add Audio. In the far top left corner of the timeline there is a button so you can mute the video (simply drag the slider to audio), and add your clips away, messing around with effects provided and overlapping clips if you want (simply slide one clip so part of it overlaps the other segment), remember keep playing back to check your video is in time with the music (You'll probably grow sick of the song by the end of it lol.) You can also shorten clips, simply by clicking then dragging the end either towards the beginning or the end.

 

 

[spoiler=Step 4: Adding Titles.]

To do this go to Tasks (where the collections button is indented click Tasks next to it), click the triangle next to Edit My Movie, then click Make Titles or Credits. You are given a selection of different titles add the one which you wish and mess around with the settings. When you're finished click, Done, Add Title to Movie.

 

 

[spoiler=Step 5: Final Playthrough.]

This is done after everything is added and you've added video all the way to the end of the audio track (if necessary), this is where you make any final adjustments before saving for upload. Do not miss this stage

 

 

[spoiler=Step 6: Saving For Upload]

The final stage, for this go to File > Save Movie File, a selection will come up you need to set it as save to My Computer, then click next. This leads you to a box that lets you type the name of the file (if you've saved this will be the Project Name plus some numbers like 001, just remove them), and the save location, once you've completed that click next. This next stage allows you to choose quality or file size, if you want it HQ (which doesn't matter alot for Youtube which always lowers quality) save it as Best Quality Playback for My Computer, if you need the space click Best Fit To File Size you can adjust the output size (it will tell you below what file size it's gonna turn out to be approx). Click next then wait for it to save, it may take quite a while especially if you've set the file to alot smaller than the original output size. Once its done you can playback your file as one of those option when you click finish, if you don't want to uncheck the box.

 

 

[spoiler=ULead Video Studio:]

[spoiler=Key Tip]

Try to keep a small number of programs open during use, the more RAM it has access to the easier you can move through the file (video or audio clips) using the next buttons next to the the time

 

[spoiler=Step 1: Preparation]

See Windows Movie Maker Guide

 

[spoiler=Step 2: Adding your files to ULead Video Studio]

To import your files go to the edit tab and click the open folder next to Video (located below the large tabs), Select your files and click open. A box will open titled Change Clip Sequence, this isn't a box we're interested in so just click ok. It will import you files under the Edit tab then Video if its Video. If you want to import Audio select the Audio tab and do the same as with video. It will import the file in 'full' so you will need to select an area you want is drag the two Trim Handles (the triangles under the clip position bar) to where you need them this also applies to Music.

 

Next best thing to do is to select each of you video files in turn or the ones you will use and drag the value next to the speaker (under the video tab at the bottom (next to attributes)) down to 0. That way the video audio will be muted and you can hear just the music

 

 

[spoiler=Step 3: Making Your AMV.]

At the buttom of the screen you will see your time line, and with it 5 tracks (Video, Video Overlay, Titles, Audio 1 (Microphone, but Music can go here too) and Audio 2 (with the music note)), drag your music file into one of the two audio tracks. For your first time just try to use the first video track just until you get the feel of the effects for that line, then work on the overlay and its effects. Simply drag the clip you want into the video track, and playback (remember to have project selected above on the left rather than clip, otherwise it will just playback the clip). The overlay track will allow you to place video where ever want on the timeline a good idea if you have ideas you just have to get out for certain parts of the video or plan to do only certain sections of the video during use

 

[spoiler=Step 4: Adding Titles]

In this program its very simple, go to the title table and mess around with the settings when you're finished drag the text (the 'style' you've modified) where you want the text to be in your timeline

 

[spoiler=Step 5: Final Playthrough.] See Windows Movie Maker Guide

 

[spoiler=Step 6: Saving For Upload]Saving as a final movie is the tricky part, as there's alot of options given to you in what format to save it in. Go to the share tab and click create video file. I recommend just experimenting on which settings give the best quality and file size. Once you've saved as a video file it will play back in the program, this allows you to view the work without having to load up the file you've saved

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Guides Coming Soon]

Sony Vegas (Hopefully my friend should do it within the week)

IMovie (Dependent on my friends]

 

 

[spoiler=AMV Making Tips: ]

DO

- If you do use effects fit them around the background music rather than the lyrics.

- Make sure the lyrics/music really match your subject.

- Try to use clips that reflect the music tempo (if instrumental) and lyrics.

- Don't be afraid to spend a long period of time on amv, you want to be proud of your work.

- Not an essential do, but sometimes its nice to add your own little opening to your work

- When uploading add a disclaimer saying you don't own the music or the anime.

- Warn the viewer in the Description if there is swearing

 

DON'T

- Don't try Lip Syncing, as if not done well it can ruin the quality of your video. (If done well its very good)

- Don't go OTT with effects, it can really ruin the viewing experience if every few seconds it's a new effect and can in some cases hurt the viewers eyes. (I've had that before)

- Don't go for REALLY low quality video, this can be really seen in your final result.

- Never rush, it does show.

- Don't ever feel you have to do the whole audio track you can do short segments

 

 

[spoiler=Places To Upload Your AMV]

Youtube (10 min limit)

Dailymotion

Veoh

 

Remember there are many others out there.

 

[spoiler=Useful Programs]

Only one for the moment, but feel free to add to the list.

1) Automen - MP4 to AVI converter.

 

 

Please do not rip this guide without consent.

 

If you have an questions or things you feel need adding feel free to post here or PM me.

[JG.]

TY! I've been waiting for this since Kiwi-kun (Chaotix, if you don't know) posted his thread! Once again, TY!

[Cin]

No Problem, I know WMM (V5.1) like the back of my hand, haven't used on this machine since Feb, and on the laptop for yonks. 3rd guide I've written on making amvs with WMM.

 

I know how hard it is to learn and do. I've marked contests for years so know what to me makes a good amv.

[JG.]

Heh, I haven't tried it yet, but I sure will when I getb the chance! Can we post our creations here?

[Phantom Roxas]

Thanks for the tip. Since I'm getting a Mac for Christmas, I'll try to use this guide. Of course, I suppose I could try using my PC.

[Cin]

Sure you can post links here, and I'll give feedback =D

[JG.]

Ok, it looks hard so don't expect anything good from me, but as they say, pratice makes perfect.

[Cin]

It gets easier believe me. Good luck. I shall be adding ULead Video Studio this weekend once I've set the whole loads of 5Ds videos through the converter.

[Stabberman]

Uhuh!!! Am I any good!!?!?!

I'm working on a Bleach AMV at the moment...

[Cin]

I like it, works very well together with the timing.

[Stabberman]

I like it' date=' works very well together with the timing.

[/quote']

Thanks and nice guide.

[Phantom Roxas]

It gets easier believe me. Good luck. I shall be adding ULead Video Studio this weekend once I've set the whole loads of 5Ds videos through the converter.

 

Downloaded off YGOFans, right? Could you explain that process to us all, please?

[Cin]

You shouldn't really be advertising, that site have alot of the episodes there. YF uses MU, unfortunately these links go down if people don't download them enough)

 

5Ds episodes will need conversion since they come out mainly in MP4, the best convertor I've found for them is Automen which I can provide for anyone who wants it along with the best settings

 

ULead should be added within the hour. (And tomorrow I upload Down With The Sickness =D)