Majin Planet

Interview with Gene Starwind 21122

Hello, it has been a while since we’ve done this. Well today we took the time to interview Anime Music Video Editor, Gene Starwind 21122 in this weeks Road to the Fight Club feature. The following interview is uncut, it has not been edited.

Neckar Unrivaled: What was your first music video?
Gene Starwind 21122: My first amv was The Ultimate Sacrifice. It used 13 different animes. The song and band used in it was My Sacrifice by Creed. It was an interesting experience. As I started out in MGI Video Wave 4 and used a captured device.

NU: When you decided to make your first video did you think you come as far as you have?
GS: Well knowing what type of person that I am and wanting to improve upon what I’ve already done I know that I was going to get better with practice. However I still have a long ways to go.
I do owe it to some editors though for being there helping me along the way.
If it wasn’t for there advice I think I still would be lacking in some areas.

NU: What was your worst music video you’ve every made and released?
GS: That’s tough. I have 3 possibly 4 videos that I think are some of my worse.
My first AMV The Ultimate Sacrifice because I used footage recorded off of tv and then transfered it to my computer by a capture device. The beat sync in it was not consistent. However I did get people saying that it did look like I had taken time out to plan the theme/ story in it. However the cartoon network logos and adult swim logos was horrible.
We all learn from our mistakes and after that I never used tv footage again.
Then the second video would be Dirty InuYasha.
[10:11:35 AM] Gene Starwind 21122 says: This one I thought was a funny video and wanted to release it for the audience.
However the capture quality was poor due to using chinese dvd.
Also trying to make it look like InuYasha dancing looked rediculous.
I tried imitating the original video.
Okay next question.

NU: Have you ever thought about becoming a professional editor?
GS: After working on videos from 2002-2004 I started to see my skills develop and thought it might be something I want to get into. I am going for my Visual Arts Degree in College right now. However it may lead me down a different path then just making videos. I would like to edit videos professionally but I’m still uncertain at this time.

NU: What was it the made you deicded to take part in the Fight Club?
GS: Well when I first heard about it. I thought it sounded like an interesting idea. I figured I’d give it a shot. The worst thing that could happen is that I get eliminate from the contest. Also it was an opportunity to get my video out there and for people to enjoy it.
Plus the prizes of 2 DVD’s and a CD got me interested as well.

NU: How many times have you enter the Fight Club?
GS: I’m trying to remember. I know I entered Sending Freedom and Hunters or the Hunted. So it has been 2 Fight Clubs now.

NU: What did it feel like when you won your first match in the Fight Club?
GS: Well the first match that I won it felt nice to advance for I was going to go up against one of my friends in the next round and an editor I respected the most, Fuze.

NU: Do you plan on entering the 2008 Fight Club?
GS: I hope to enter Fight Club in 2008. Right now I’m on an editor’s block where I start working on my video and then I just crash. I think I’m just overthinking on this video and have to let it come naturally.

NU: What did you think of the two Fight Clubs in 2007?
GS: Well I have to say both of them were very interesting for the match-ups at least the ones I had were close and fun to watch. In the first fight club in ‘07 against Fuze that felt like a championship matchup to me. For I was going up against one of my friends that is a talented editor. For the match to be as close as it was I was suprised. I thought Fuze was going to run away with it. However after Fuze won I had a feeling he was going to be the one to win the whole thing.

Then the first match up in the second Fight Club of 2007 with me vs. Jiten Domon. I felt that was a tough match right from the very beginning. Once again another great editor in my mind and he did go on to win the match. He did deserve to win that match as well.

NU: Has there ever been a Match that you thought you would lose but end up winning?
GS: Well considering there was one match I did win and it turned out to be way closer than I thought and that was against Jiten Demon. I thought with Sending Freedom I had an easy first round but he put up a good fight and nearly won the match. So as I watched the vote total through the week I thought that I could possibly lose it with a video I had so much success with.

NU: On that same note, was there a match you thought you had in the bag only to lose at the end?
GS: No not really. Both matches that I lost in the fight club were matches that they deserved to win. When I lost to Fuze I had a feeling that he was going to win with “How to Save A Life”. A very emotiona,l dramatic video that still touches me everyday in the sense that I can releate to the song he used and the clip selection was perefect. vs. “Sending Freedom” a high energy and fast pace video with the heroes being victorous.

Then the second lose I had was to Niwa-kun and his Elfen Lied AMV Whisper In The Dark. An awsome amv and again well executed.

NU: Which Fight Club would you say was the best you have ever seen/been apart of?
GS: The best one I would say has to be the first one. Not that I just made it past the first round in that one but the matches just felt closer and more energetic. That is in 2007.

NU: Are you working on any new projects and what can you tell me about them?
GS: Well like I said for Fight Club 2008 I am working on a new video right now. I can tell you that it uses Full Metal Alchemist and it takes a different approach then other FMA vidoes I have seen. Plus it uses a unique song. I don’t want to give too many details away about the video. It has been giving me some editor blocks but I think I have finally worked through it and should have it finished here in the next month or so. If not this video I’m working on the other one I have planned is an Action/Horror/Comedy/Torture AMV. It uses everyones favorite anime Naruto and a song that could turn out to be really twisted.

NU: Do you have anything to say you your fans who might be reading this?
GS: I have fans. No seriously to anybody that reads this I’ll be coming out with more videos in 2008. Finally my life is starting to settle down and I hope to editing some more. I’m trying to get back to my roots in editing again as I feel drifted away from them. So don’t get caught up in the hype of the special effects do what feels natural for you and if you ever get stuck take a step back and try returning to basics and not overthink on your video. Let it come to you naturally.