Many anime enthusiasts over the net create their own AMV's and raves about them. What is an AMV? An AMV stands for "Anime Music Video. An anime music video is a video made from compiled scenes from a specific or a mixture of various anime with the background music of any song that the user might deem fancy. They're rapidly gaining popularity over the internet with millions and millions of people, mostly kids, trying their hand at making their own versions of these videos. AMV's are usually displayed in video streaming sites such as youtube, livevideo, and veoh. What's so great about these videos is that they allow you to enjoy your favorite music while watching all the best scenes of your favorite anime.

Making Anime Music Videos

Anime Music Videos are rather easy to make. All you need is a program like the Windows Movie Maker and a bunch of clips from the anime of your choice and of course, the music you're going to use for the background.

Good AMV's, however, are a different matter. You see, there are several AMV's in the net that are of poor quality because they're simply very tough to make and it requires a large portion of time. To create a fully well synchronized AMV along with the music is rather tough because usually the music beats a lot of time is very different in comparison to the timing of various clips or scenes inside the anime. Creativity is also another area that's tough as well; it requires a lot of time, patience, a good eye, and a good listening ear to grasp all the essence which it delivers together. To match the scenes with the music, consider every single beat and even the lyrics are all important parts in order to make a good AMV. It also helps if you have an advanced program such as Sony Vegas so that you can have more choices in editing, thereby enabling you to make exceptionally awesome AMV's. Some of the more advanced AMV makers are even going so far as to cut out the characters of an anime in some scene and impose them upon a different background, enabling them to make their own stories out of the graphics already made available to them through the wonders of the internet.

Once you're done making your AMV, all you need to do is to save it onto an .avi format and upload it to your favorite video streaming site. Most people prefer youtube as their primary source of video streaming site, but as you may have heard, there's an issue surrounding youtube and AMV's so pick your video stream sites wisely!

Anime Music Videos and Copyrighting

When you make an anime music video, you're automatically infringing on the copyright of the true owners of the resources that you are using. The footage that you're using isn't yours; it is the rightful property of the animator who has created the anime. If you don't have the permission to use it, then you're infringing upon their rights. Same goes with the music that you're using for your AMV. The music belongs to the artists, the singers, and not to you. If you don't have any permission or if you're not giving credit, then you don't have the right to use it.

Recently, youtube has been placed in hot water due to the numerous infringements of the copyright law in their website. And since they're based on the US, they really have no choice but to comply and to remove the AMV's that their costumers made. This, however, is causing a lot of discontent from their subscribers, thereby putting youtube in a precarious position.

So, if you're going to make an AMV, make sure that you're not violating any copyright laws out of respect. But if you're insistent, then hey, who's there to stop you?

If you actually are considering a career in FILM MAKING then it is imperative that you posses the dedication, perseverance and the pluck that is required and expected of you. In other words, not only do you need to 'dare to dream', you have to 'dare to ACT'! In fact, you can take a leaf out of the book of many famous film makers who have 'been there-done that!' by making this your 'Mission Statement'.

Plan the Plan!

Your goal now set, the time has arrived to put your mission into motion! It is obvious that your 'perfect movie' would be a homogeneous blend of artistic appeal and commercial success. The following 'tried and tested' plan will assist all those who aspire towards a career in FILM MAKING.

Uncool Facts about Film making

The odds to succeed in this industry are extremely small. There is no dearth of talent in this industry. If you aspire towards such a career, therefore, make sure you give in your hundred percent. You would have to be dedicated in order to achieve your film making goals. Exploit your abilities, mature from your mistakes and Lady luck will automatically knock on your door.

HERE'S THE REAL DEAL !!

The first step is to make a series of short sequence movies while still pursuing your studies. Go out there and meet other film makers, find yourselves film collaborators and ensure that you make the right contacts. Shoot with your friends, bribe them to humor you in your little spree.

FILM MAKING is not a one man job. It requires co-operation and organization and it is for this very reason that you need to get yourselves acquainted with the right people in right capacities. The first step is therefore to create a firm platform where you get to learn the basic know-hows of FILM MAKING.

The second Step is to improve along the way until finally you have THE FILM, a potential box office ripper!

This will ensure that your works will appear on the radar screen of the industry's biggies. At the end of the day you need names to pull in the audiences, acquisition agents will follow. This step therefore is all about expanding your creative flair in FILM MAKING, and to create a market for your product.

The third step pertains to development- personally and artistically! This will bring your work to the notice of people who appreciate.

Your plot or storyline should be such that it can be filmed inexpensively. Make use of what you have and use your creativity to create first rate cinema. Since short films will be your forte as you begin, ensure that the budget is such that you can pay out of your own pocket.

Moreover, utilize this short film as a promo, or a teaser to greater achievements and possibilities.

The fourth step is to actually film the movie, screen at the film festivals to get acclaim sell it to distributors and thereafter give yourself a pat on the back as money comes pouring into the box office. However don't be so lackadaisical about things, help prepare yourself for meddling journalists who ask impertinent questions (like "do you have any more projects on hand?") by actually preparing for your next venture.

By now you would have probably entered the envious eyes of big production houses. You would receive attention from the same people who slighted you but recently. To rebuttal this minor head ache( if it be so) make yourself another movie-this time a feature film, a classic low budgeted chic film which may just do wonders for your dreams of making it big in FILM MAKING.

If you dream of a career in movie making but are not quite sure how to begin, here are a few tips to help you along the way. These tips have been assimilated from books, online resources and even a few personal experiences.

1. Any story rests on its narrative. It is therefore of utmost importance to posses a good script. Moreover, the storyteller needs to be passionate about his story-telling. A half-hearted approach would dilute the effect of a good script. A low budget movie would thrive on blowing up buildings or having long chase sequences to divert the audiences' attention from the story or lack of it. It is therefore advised to venture into the art of movie making once in command of a good script.

2. It is advised not to buy equipment but to use whatever you have, even if it is your $300 handycam! As a matter of fact even the cheapest consumer MiniDV camcorder can make your movie look neat, when you use a tripod under proper lights. Contrary to the belief, it is not the camera, be it a sparkling new HDV cam or even a Final Cut Pro, but the technique used that makes for good cinema. It is therefore camera angles, light, music and household props that add that creativity to your masterpiece. Innovate!

3. It is also suggested to plan the plan, and then to allow that plan to materialize into a good final product. A shot list needs to be prepared and executed with finesse. The locations, actors, sets, props and type and nature of the shots need to be documented for future reference. Planning and organizing will enable you to shoot your day. Multiple shots at the same location can be shot on the same day. This saves time and money. So plan your day before beginning the actual shooting.

4. Never be satisfied. Keep your creative responses open. Make sure you are not short on coverage. If you have fulfilled POINT 3 (PLANNING) to the fullest, this should not be much of a problem. Make sure you are not short of shots. You don't lose anything by making that extra effort.

5. Give respect to gain respect! Actors are fascinating and talented individuals. It is advised to treat them with a little patience and respect. You are after all a director, not a dictator! Being a hard taskmaster is one thing, but to treat condescendingly is juvenile. Be open to feedback. However the final decision rests with you alone. Your crew therefore is an extremely important ingredient in movie making.

6. Don't stop! Keep up the good work! You will learn along the way. Learn from criticism and mature from mistakes, but don't ever stop making movies!! It's worth it!

These tips will not guarantee you an immediate box office hit, but it can assure you of creative satisfaction. After all much of movie-making depends on the creative sensibilities!

The first installment of the Microsoft Movie Maker that was introduced along with the Windows Me received flak from critics due to its unassuming features as compared to the IMovie product on the Apple Macintosh.

A year later Version 1.1 was included in Windows XP, which supported the creation of DV AVI and WMV 8 files. November 2002 saw the release of the new and improved Version 2.0. Later, the Windows XP Service Pack 2 included the rather inferior updated Version 2.1.A new version of Microsoft Movie Maker, 2.5, was introduced by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with greater provisions for DVD burning. Some versions of Windows "Longhorn" (now known as Windows Vista) included a WPF version, but was later done away with in the development reorganization.

Vista and the Movie Maker

The Windows Movie Maker has been upgraded to version 6 to equate it with the upgraded operating system-Windows Vista. It is, however, referred to as version 3.0 by the SDK. Except for Windows Vista Starter, it is included in all editions. The Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista includes a high-definition updated version of the Microsoft Movie Maker.

Score new effects, a few innovative transitions, and a DVR-MS supported file format are included in the Windows Vista Version. Windows Media Center uses this format to record television. HDV camcorders are supported by the HD version in Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista. DVR-MS type files are created from HDV tapes by the Capture Wizard. However, this new version of Windows Movie Maker no longer allows video-imports from an analog source such as a VCR or a webcam.

A pixel shader hardware support is required by all Windows Vista versions of the movie maker. This new versions might not be supported by some systems. Microsoft has solved this issue by releasing an updated version of the older 2.6 for Windows Vista on the Microsoft Download Center. This version therefore allows the use of Windows Movie Maker not only on Vista but also on systems where the Windows Vista version cannot be run.

Windows Movie Maker 2.1

Windows Movie Maker 2.1, is a totally different ball game altogether offering options to create, customize and share home movies on your computer. You can fine tune your own movie, editing the poor shots and incorporating the best ones only. The movie can subsequently be shared through the desired medium. You can transfer your potential Oscar-winning film on to a DVD using other applications. There are also software available that allow you to transfer your movie back to videotape in your camera to facilitate playback on television or in the camera. Movie Maker 2.1 also offers great state of the art special effects, music and narrative techniques that are flexible and add that extra edge to your movie.

All movie buffs of all ages who have traced the transformation of the Windows Movie Maker into the new and improved Windows Movie Maker 2.1 now know it is all that's required for them to fulfill their dreams in Movie Direction!

If you want to make your own movie, you need not look further than the internet. The internet has come a long way from being used merely for research.

The internet now caters to the entertainment demands of billions of users all around the world. YouTube, a video search engine, reflects the internet's new objective of entertaining. YouTube allows you to upload and share videos on the World Wide Web.

Venturing to make your own movie is easier than it sounds. The videos posted on Youtube mainly consist of TV or Theatre promos, lectures and at times even spoofs.

If you think you have it in you to make your own movie put on your thinking cap and start shooting!

The inspiration behind the video is much more important than the technicalities involved. Youtube deals with the technicalities leaving you to deal with the content!

The first step is to shoot your own video with your standard video recording device. The video obviously can be fashioned according to your tastes and preferences in accordance with the terms and conditions. It however has to be remembered that your video is to enjoy large viewership and therefore discretion needs to be observed with regards to content. A warning statutory or parental guidance remark needs to be added to prepare viewers for any kind of improprieties (foul language, graphic material, or any other possibly objectionable material). This warning can be placed in the video's title.

YouTube imposes many limitations on your video with respect to file size and length. Your uploaded video can be no more than 10 minutes in length and less than a hundred megabytes in file size. Beyond this there are very few other restrictions imposed. There is no restriction on the number of videos posted. In other words, a longer sequence can be broken up into two or three clips.

Your video has to be stored into a file using specific movie making software such as MovieMaker and Imovie. These software can be easily downloaded or are preset in the case of newer operating software. Using these software you may edit and personalize your video/movie as desired.

YouTube allows only members to post in their videos and comments. It is necessary to sign up for the free membership. It requires membership for security purposes, especially to track videos in case of any violation of the terms of service. Once signed in, you can upload your movie/video. YouTube is very user friendly, so just follow the directions there and you would be the proud owner of your very own movie.