maybe i'm crazy

2016 End of the Year Vidding Meme

2017-01-07T23:54:25Z

I haven't done one of those since 2012 it seems... No time like the present to start again!

January, February, March, April - none
May
It's Tricky - DC's Legend of Tomorrow (collab)
June
2016 VVC Premieres Intro vid - Star Wars: the Force Awakens
Pompeii - The Martian
July, August, September, October, November, December - none

My favorite video this year (of my own)
These are gonna be kind of weird questions to answer since I made 3 vids and one was a collab. I would say maybe "Pompeii" because it just came together just as I pictured it and with such ease.

Least favorite
I would say the Intro vid, because I didn't quite do everything I wanted to do with it, and the audio could use more work, but I'm still very happy with it and it worked so well in the context of the con.

Most successful
"Pompeii". I didn't expect it to do so well either. The movie came on while day while I doing some work and I actually had to stop and watch it. I had seen trailers for the movie and it looked good, but there's just something about the story, the perseverance and the optimism that resonated. I thought at most people would think it was a cute vid for a recent movie, but there were a lot of people that felt very deeply touched by it and that was really awesome.

Video most under-appreciated by the universe, in my opinion
I'm bummed that "It's Tricky" didn't really get any attention, because I really like the vid and I love the show... but I think this is a case where the audience was a bit limited. It does work as a recruiter vid, but no one is getting recruited in the middle of Club Vivid's second hour when there's a T-Rex on the dance floor ;)

Video with single sexiest moment
"It's Tricky". White Canary, 'nough said.

Biggest vid fail
The Intro vid. Don't ever make the visuals for a vid and then try to match audio, even instrumental to it. It will not work. It took me so much longer than if I'd just mixed some audio first.

Hardest video to make
Intro vid by a long shot, it really made me stretch some rusty effects muscles.

Most unintentionally *telling* video
"Pompeii" ended up much deeper and touching than I had thought. It made me learn I respond a lot more to optimistic stories than I thought I did.

Things I've learned

See up under "biggest vid fail"
You don't have to vid a big fandom, or well-known source for cons. There will always be an audience, even for Matt Damon's face.
Vidding songs with heavy radio play like "Pompeii" can work, if the match is right.
If I wait long enough to make a vid that Brad is excited about, he will offer to make it with me :D

Things to work on

Vid more.

Vid projects I definitely want to get finished this upcoming year

Vid for cons outside of VividCon.
Vid not for a con.
Clear off any pledged vids.

Resolutions for 2017

Watch more vids, make more vids.

This entry was originally posted at http://milly.dreamwidth.org/591445.html. Please comment there using OpenID.

New Vid: "It's Tricky" (DC's Legends of Tomorrow / Club Vivid '16

2016-09-11T05:41:07Z

Description: Rock a rhyme that's right on time.

Source: DC's Legends of Tomorrow

Song: "It's Tricky", Run-D.M.C.

Length: 2:36

Size: 49 MB

Format: m4v

Download or Stream here

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New Vid: "Pompeii" (The Martian) / VVC Premieres '16

2016-09-11T05:17:55Z

Description: "In the face of overwhelming odds, I'm left with only one option, I'm gonna have to science the shit out of this."
Source: The Martian (2015)
Song: "Pompeii", Bastille
Length: 2:45
Size: 135 MB
Format: m4v
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Lyrics

Eheu eh-o eheu eh-o [x8]
I was left to my own devices
Many days fell away with nothing to show
And the walls kept tumbling down
In the city that we love
Great clouds roll over the hills
Bringing darkness from above
But if you close your eyes,
Does it almost feel like
Nothing changed at all?
And if you close your eyes,
Does it almost feel like
You've been here before?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?

Eheu eh-o eheu eh-o [x4]

Oh where do we begin?
The rubble or our sins?
Oh oh where do we begin?
The rubble or our sins?

And the walls kept tumbling down (oh where do we begin?)
In the city that we love (the rubble or our sins?)
Great clouds roll over the hills (oh where do we begin?)
Bringing darkness from above (the rubble or our sins?)

But if you close your eyes,
Does it almost feel like
Nothing changed at all?
And if you close your eyes,
Does it almost feel like
You've been here before?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?
How am I gonna be an optimist about this?

If you close your eyes, does it almost feel like nothing changed at all?

Eheu eh-o eheu eh-o [x8]

Notes

I found myself going into VividCon vidding season without any firm plan for premieres, or any other show. To be frank, I didn't really think I would be making a vid this year since I was busy with the baby, my concon duties and work.

Then one day, while doing reports for work I had the tv in the background and "The Martian" came on... And I actually to log off my work server and watch the movie. Halfway through the movie, I was like "I have to vid this".

The optimism of this movie really resonated with me, and I tried to find a song that had the same type of hope while also reflecting the horrible situation that he found himself in. I really tried to fight the song because it got so much radio play... but it just worked so well.

I'm happy with the result, and the fact that it spoke to so many people at the con. renenet made me cry at vid review in a very good way, and I never knew there were so many The Martian (mostly the book!) fans. This was really a lesson i just vidding what my heart tells me to vid nd not take premieres plans so seriously all the time, because you never know what will resonate with others! </user> This entry was originally posted at http://milly.dreamwidth.org/590944.html. Please comment there using OpenID.

New Vid: "VividCon 2016 Premiere Intro Vid"

2016-09-11T04:53:23Z

Description: There has been an awakening...
Source: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Song: SW: TFA OST
Length: 2:08
Size: 71.1 MB
Format: m4v
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

I learned few things from this vid, but mainly that... making the video and trying to edit the audio AFTER to fit the visuals is a really dumb thing to do. Seriously, don't do it.

That being said, this was very fun to make and I was really happy with the response it got at VividCon. Unlike many cracky ideas, it actually turned out very close to what I first envisioned.

This entry was originally posted at http://milly.dreamwidth.org/590776.html. Please comment there using OpenID.

New Vid: "Bad Blood" (BtVS) / VVC Challenge '15

2015-08-14T03:55:52Z

Description: It used to be mad love.
Source: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Buffy/Faith)
Song: "Bad Blood vs. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", Taylor Swift
Length: 2:24
Size: 66 MB
Format: m4v
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Bad Blood vs We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor Swift)

'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
Hey

I remember when we broke up the first time
Saying, "This is it, I've had enough," 'cause like
We hadn't seen each other in a month
When you said you needed space. (What?)

Did you have to hit me, where I'm weak? Baby, I couldn't breathe
And rub it in so deep, salt in the wound like you're laughing right at me

Ooh, we called it off again last night
But ooh, this time I'm telling you, I'm telling you

'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood
You know it used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
'Cause, baby, now we got bad blood

You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me
But we are never ever ever ever getting back together (and baby now we got bad blood)

I'm really gonna miss you picking fights
And me falling for it screaming that I'm right
And you would hide away and find your peace of mind
With some indie record that's much cooler than mine

Now did you think it all through? All these things will catch up to you
And time can heal but this won't, so if you're coming my way, just don't

Oh, it's so sad to think about the good times, you and I (I'm telling you, I'm tell you)

We are never ever ever getting back together
We are never ever ever getting back together

Now we got problems
And I don't think we can solve them
You made a really deep cut
And, baby, now we got bad blood

Get back together
Oooooh
Now got bad blood
Ooooh
Cause baby now we got bad blood

Back together

Notes

The theme this year was "Memory", and there are a few ways this can be interpreted. My favorite one is because when I first heard the song, it reminded me of We Are Complicated by shati . I loved the vid, and even though the mix Shati used was mostly "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne, this song gave me all the same feels. Thankfully, Shati didn't think it was a horrible, terrible idea and please see her vid because it is wonderful.

It also reminded me of the many many years where I vidded Buffy exclusively, with heavy emphasis on Buffy/Faith. I based the title sequence on my "Don't Cha/Seether" Buffy/Faith vid (good call, Yomz!) because... more memory!

I was honestly shocked at how big of a reaction this vid got at the con. I expect that femslash folks would like it, but the positive reaction was a very pleasant surprise. I guess I was not the only one missing the glory days of Buffy/Faith vids.

This entry was originally posted at http://milly.dreamwidth.org/590544.html. Please comment there using OpenID.

New Vid: "Stay Alive" (The Land Before Time) / Themed Premiere VVC '15

2015-08-14T03:17:59Z

Description: I will stay with you tonight
Source: The Land Before Time (1988)
Song: "Stay Alive", Jose Gonzalez
Length: 2:27
Size: 73 MB
Format: m4v
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)
Premiered at the Lions, Tigers and Vids, Oh My! vidshow at Vividcon 2015

Stay Alive

There's a rhythm in rush these days
Where the lights don't move and the colors don't fade
Leaves you empty with nothing but dreams
In a world gone shallow
In a world gone lean

Sometimes there's things a man cannot know
Gears won't turn and the leaves won't grow
There's no place to run and no gasoline
Engine won't turn
And the train won't leave

Engines won't turn and the train won't leave

I will stay with you tonight
Hold you close 'til the morning light
In the morning watch a new day rise
We'll do whatever just to stay alive
We'll do whatever just to stay alive

There's a rhythm in rush these days
Where the lights don't move and the colors don't fade
Leaves you empty with nothing but dreams
In a world gone shallow
In a world gone lean

But there is a truth and it's on our side
Dawn is coming open your eyes
Look into the sun as a new days rise

Like many kid from the late 80's and 90's, I remember The Land Before Time as a cornerstone of my childhood. When elipie needed a premiere for a show based on the theme survival and suggested the source... I was sold.

I did consider including ALL the movies, but given that the vid had to stay short to fit in the show, and that it would have taken away from the simplicity and feeling of the movie... I felt the original was sufficient. Not to mention, I never really watched the sequel, so The Land Before Time for me is all about the original. Yup Yup Yup.

This entry was originally posted at http://milly.dreamwidth.org/590184.html. Please comment there using OpenID.

New Vid: "Landslide" (Harry Potter) / VVC Premieres '15

2015-08-14T02:54:26Z

Description: Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.
Source: Harry Potter movies
Song: "Landslide", Stevie Nicks (2009 Orchestra version)
Length: 4:20
Size: 120 MB
Format: m4v
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

"Landslide"

I took my love and took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Till the landslide brought me down

Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older too

Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older too
Oh, I'm getting older too

I take my love, take it down
I climb a mountain and turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Will the landslide bring you down
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Will the landslide bring you down, oh, oh
The landslide bring you down

Notes

I've been wanting to make this vid for several years, but never really got around to doing it. As I approached VVC with no clear plan in mind for Premieres, it just seemed like the perfect time. The response to this vid at the con was phenomenal, in that it clearly touched a lot of people and that's all I could ever ask for.

I was afraid that the Hogwarts PoV would be a hard sell, so I really insisted on "I" showing Hogwarts in the first few lines... perhaps to a fault. In the end though, I thing for everyone in the HP fandom, and in fandom in general, Hogwarts and the buildings our fandoms inhabit feel so alive that they definitely have a voice.

The choice of this version of Landslide,recorded when Stevie Nicks was older, also added this sort of older, knowing sound to the vid that I like to imagine Hogwarts would have. This big great magical building, scarred by war, wanting to protect the people that inhabit her walls...

I had several things I wanted to include that didn't make it in, but overall the feel of the vid was the most important part. I wanted to avoid it becoming a narrative where it said a million things but the feeling wasn't really there. Part of that was using much longer clips than what I was used to. Watching the vids now, it still feels a bit fast, but I thing it strikes a good balance.

I could probably write a novel about what each section represents, but I like for people to have their own interpretation. It did strike a lot of conversation at VVC, so hopefully that picks up again in the comments!

This entry was originally posted at http://milly.dreamwidth.org/590042.html. Please comment there using OpenID.

New Vid: "What Is Love" (Fifty Shades of Grey) / Club Vivid '15

2015-08-09T16:32:42Z

Description: Baby don't hurt me.
Source: Fifty Shades of Grey
Song: "What Is Love", Haddaway
Length: 2:49
Size: 125 MB
Format: m4v
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

What is love?
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me no more
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me no more

What is love?

Yeah, yeah

I don't know why you're not there
I give you my love, but you don't care
So what is right?
And what is wrong?
Gimme a sign

What is love?
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me no more

What is love?
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me no more

Oh, I don't know, what can I do?
What else can I say, it's up to you
I know we're one
Just me and you
I can't go on

What is love?
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me no more

What is love?
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me no more

What is love?

I know what I did. I'm sorry. I think.

This entry was originally posted at http://milly.dreamwidth.org/589677.html. Please comment there using OpenID.

New Vid: "Anaconda" (MCU Black Widow) / Club Vivid '15

2015-08-09T16:14:59Z

Description: Little in the middle but she got much back.
Source: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Song: "Anaconda", Nicki Minaj
Length: 2:49
Size: 108 MB
Format: m4v
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Anaconda" / Nicki Minaj

My anaconda don’t
My anaconda don’t
My anaconda don’t want none
Unless you got buns, hon

Boy toy named Troy used to live in Detroit
Big dope dealer money, he was getting some coins
Was in shootouts with the law, but he live in a palace
Bought me Alexander McQueen, he was keeping me stylish
Now that's real, real, real,
Gun in my purse, bitch I came dressed to kill
Who wanna go first? I had 'em pushing daffodils
I'm high as hell, I only took a half of pill
I'm on some dumb shit

By the way, what he say?
He can tell I ain't missing no meals
Come through and fuck 'em in my automobile
Let him eat it with his grills,
He keep telling me to chill
He keep telling me it's real, that he love my sex appeal
He said he don't like 'em boney, he want something he can grab
So I pulled up in the Jag, and I hit 'em with the jab like...
Dun-d-d-dun-dun-d-d-dun-dun

My Anaconda don't...
My Anaconda don't...
My Anaconda don't want none unless you got buns hun

Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Look at her butt (look at her butt)

This dude named Michael used to ride motorcycles
Dick bigger than a tower, I ain't talking about Eiffel's
Real country ass nigga, let me play with his rifle
Pussy put his ass to sleep, now he calling me NyQuil
Now that bang bang bang,
I let him hit it 'cause he slang Cocaine
He toss my salad like his name Romaine
And when we done, I make him buy me Balmain
I'm on some dumb shit

By the way, what he say?
He can tell I ain't missing no meals
Come through and fuck 'em in my automobile
Let him eat it with his grills,
He keep telling me to chill
He keep telling me it's real, that he love my sex appeal
Because he don't like 'em boney, he want something he can grab
So I pulled up in the Jag, Mayweather with the jab like...
Dun-d-d-dun-dun-d-d-dun-dun

My Anaconda don't...
My Anaconda don't...
My Anaconda don't want none unless you got buns hun

Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Look at her butt (look at her butt)

Little in the middle but she got much back
Little in the middle but she got much back
Little in the middle but she got much back
Oh my God (look at her butt)

(Don't don't don't) My Anaconda don't...
(Don't don't don't) Don't want none unless you got buns hun

This vid had a few lives before it settled on Natasha, including a multi Marvel-women POV. In the end though, I realized that the multi-pov concept I had was really a Nat vid. More than any other character of that importance in the MCU, Nat has been presented in reference to her relationship with other men - Tony, Nick, Steve, Bucky, Hawkeye, Hulk...

The one thing that stood out to me though is that despite being presented in the perspective of another character's story, she always had a very strong voice and a very defined presence. The men in her life do not define her, but they do have an impact and are a part of her life.

So yeah, I made a super heartfelt character study to Anaconda. It's the Club Vivid way.

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VVC Challenge

2015-06-24T03:40:03Z

I posted this on twitter, but I realize not everyone is on there. If you had an idea for challenge but didn't quite finish it, or still have vid you would like to make for it, please message me or email me at milly@inner-demons.org,

This entry was originally posted at http://milly.dreamwidth.org/589087.html. Please comment there using OpenID.

Question for kitty owners?

2015-04-11T00:14:39Z

Our 4 year-old male cat, Keith, has starting peeing inside the house. He usually will do it at the doors, occasionally near vents. We know why he's doing it - there's a stray male that decided our yard was his territory and has been liberally marking our front porch and all around the outside of the house.

a) Do you guys know of a way to encourage him back to his litterbox? We know the box itself is not the problem, because he still poops there.
b) Is there a way to discourage the stray cat?

At this point, we're probably gonna borrow a trap from the shelter and then once we get the cat we'll bring him there to get fixed. But until we can do that... I'd appreciate any advice on getting him to stop the peeing.

This entry was originally posted at http://milly.dreamwidth.org/588599.html. Please comment there using OpenID.

Dreamwidth, Vidding, Vividcon, oh my!

2015-02-18T06:05:19Z

I've decided to start using DW as my main non-tumblr blogging platform. I'll still be crossposting to LJ and checking both friendlists though, so it shouldn't be a change for anyone but me. I have to admit, this decision is mostly based on the large difference between the comment volume in DW vs LJ in the last festivids. I thought LJ was very dead... turns out the party really moved over to DW.

On the subject of vidding, I have acquired a new computer and updated my adobe suite to CS6. From what I can see not much has changed aside from shinier interfaces, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. This Festivids has really inspired me to get back into vidding outside of cons, and I'm excited to catch up on well overdue projects and new ideas.

And finally, also on the subject of vidding, I have been asked and gleefully accepted to join the Vividcon concom! Yay! This year will be my 8th year attending the con, and VVC has become family (in one case, literally *pokes*bradcpu ). I'm really excited to help the wonderful people that have and continue to work incredibly hard to make this con awesome, and make it a wonderful experience for everyone attending. This entry was originally posted at http://milly.dreamwidth.org/588124.html. Please comment there using OpenID.

New vid: "Centuries" (The Flash) / Festivids 2014

2015-01-31T03:43:01Z

Description: We are the poisoned youth.
Source: The Flash
Song: "Centuries", Fall Out Boy
Length: 3:49
Size: 70.6 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)
Festivids posts: Livejournal / Dreamwidth

This was made for amathela

Notes

I have really been enjoying "The Flash" and it was hard to keep quiet about it because... SQUEE! I was really excited to see my recipient's request, because it's such a different way to approach the show. With so few episodes to work with though, I was really crossing my fingers that they'd dive right into the rogues gallery... and thankfully they did!

I was baffled by the prospect of finding a song after reading the description... then the song came on the radio the very next day. I ended up having to do a LOT of the editing at the very last minute because the last two episodes were so key to the concept. Some rogues did get more of a spotlight, but with such an ensemble it was hard to feature everyone equally. Some were pretty obvious (Girder = wasted youth and heavy metal, Weather wizard & Captain Cold/Heatwave= you will remember me/making a name for him, etc), some a bit more subtle like Blackout (opposite of amnesia because he's driven by revenge), etc. Some were worked more with a visual progression in mind (like the Mist, working from Weather Wizard's tornado dissipating to Mist's cloud). I debated not including Reverse Flash in the vid and only focusing on the metahumans (although, technically that would eliminating Captain Cold and Heatwave), but after connecting the show with the comics in the bridge, it felt like the vid needed to be taken that additional step so that it wouldn't feel like repeating what had already been said. So I though the logical step was to dive deeper into the mythos of Flash villains/rogues, and the pinnacle of that would be Reverse Flash.

It was pretty hilarious (and extremely flattering) having everyone convinced bradcpu or perhaps bananainpyjamas made this. I feel like people were so convinced, even a year from now they'll be shocked when my name comes in the credits at the end.

I'm extremely happy with how this came out... makes me want to vid action and comics source more. My only regret is that I couldn't include Peek-a-Boo in the vid (just one episode too late!) but I suspect I'll feel like that about every single villain that comes up.

Lyrics
"Centuries"

[Intro:]
Du du du du-du du du
Du du du du du-du du du

[Chorus:]
Some legends are told
Some turn to dust or to gold
But you will remember me
Remember me for centuries
And just one mistake
Is all it will take.
We'll go down in history
Remember me for centuries
Hey, hey, hey
Remember me for centuries

Mummified my teenage dreams
No, it's nothing wrong with me
The kids are all wrong,
The story's all off
Heavy metal broke my heart

Come on, come on and let me in
The bruises on your thighs like my fingerprints
And this is supposed to match
The darkness that you felt
I never meant for you to fix yourself

[Chorus]

And I can't stop 'til the whole world knows my name
'Cause I was only born inside my dreams
Until you die for me, as long as there is a light, my shadow's over you
'Cause I am the opposite of amnesia
And you're a cherry blossom
You're about to bloom
You look so pretty, but you're gone so soon

[Chorus]

[Bridge:]
We've been here forever
And here's the frozen proof
I could scream forever
We are the poisoned youth

[Chorus]

We'll go down in history
Remember me for centuries

Notes

Dear Festividder 2014

2014-10-29T04:06:51Z

Let's do this!

The Adventures of Sinbad (1996)

I've pretty much requested this ever since Festivids started. To be honest, I don't really expect to ever get it, because the show wasn't big and the source is a little hard to get, but I'll keep asking! I was a super big Sinbad/Maeve shipper, and I'd say it was the first show I was super fannish about. I was 12 when I watched it and talked about it with my friends so much some of them banned the subject. So I turned to writting fics in notebooks and stuff because I didn't realize there was a world for that online. Please make me a Sinbad/Maeve vid?

From Dusk Til Dawn (TV)

This show is weird, in that there's not a single character that stands out to me as "this is *my* character for this show", yet when I started watching this show I couldn't stop until the season was over. I love the visuals and the mythology. I'd love a vid that explored that.</span>

Mighty Ducks series (live action) (Movies)

I'm Canadian, and this series is about hockey. It kinda goes without saying that this series was BIG for me, and the Joshua Jackson crush still lives on. So... a Charlie vid? Pretty please? Although honestly I would love everything and anything.

NXT (TV, Web, Performance, Other)

This is the new(ish) show for WWE (I know, I know, wrestling :P), featuring what you could call their up and coming talent, but really it's almost like a different kind of wrestling altogether. It's a lot more serious, a lot more athletic, and a lot of their recruits are actually big indie wrestlers that can do stuff that just make your jaw drop. I love their women's division (especially Charlotte, Rick Flair's daughter), but I also love Sammy Zayn and a lot of the guys. I'd love anything for this, even if it's just a pure action vid with the best moves.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (novel)

Honestly, 99.9% of the reason I'm requesting this is because I think it could be done really well using movies for the novel and that era intercut with zombies and making references to the novel, but I don't want to have to do it myself because I'm super lazy. So please, make it for me. Even something that would be more of a mood piece, without necessarily following any storylines of the novel could work.

Romeo + Julet (1996)

Awww, late 90's. Pre-teen/teenager Milly, with the biggest crush on Leonardo Dicaprio ever. I saw Titanic the day it came out in '97, and then a few more times in theater after that, and then my friend and I watched everything he was in. This movie stood out and became a staple of my teens. I distinctly remember the cable being out one day and watching my VCR copy of this again and again... So please make me a vid.

RPF - Stephanie McMahon (TV, DVD, Web, Game, Commercial, Performance)

Okay, so here's the thing. As a quick look over my recent vid posts will tell you, I feel head first into the crazy world of wrestling about a year ago. It sneaked up on me, I didn't expect it... and I don't think I'll ever escape it. I know most people in fandom probably don't understand... but if they paid attention to Stephanie McMahon they might :P She is my Boss. Queen. and I have the biggest crush on her. She came into WWE as the boss's innocent daughter, and shifted into one of the biggest villains ever. She's absolutely smoking hot, and at the same time behind the scenes she looks like one of the nicest women ever. She's a sucessful business women, helping run the company as well as performing on tv, and I ship her and her husband so hard.

Walk the Line (2005) (movie)

My grandmother who passed away a few years ago was a big Johnny Cash fan. I remember one year my dad took her to a tribute show, and that just... was such an highlight of her life for her. That may be part of why I love this movie so much. It just strikes a chord with me and I would love a vid for it.

New vid: "The Last Snowfall" (Frozen (2013)) / VVC Challenge '14

2014-08-11T02:30:56Z

Description: When your gift is a burden, let others help you carry it.
Source: Frozen (2013)
Song: "The Last Snowfall", Vienna Teng
Length: 2:03
Size: 49.4 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Lyrics

If this were the last snowfall

No more halos on evergreen

If this were the last glimpse of winter

What would these eyes see?

If this were the last slow curling

Of your fingers in my palm

If this were the last I felt you breathing

How would I carry on?

Notes

Anyone who says that the best thing about Frozen wasn't the sisterly relationship between Anna and Elsa is either lying, or thinking about the wrong movie. While Anna does have a love interest (well, technically, two), it was refreshing to see a Disney movie not focused on a romantic relationship. I really wanted to show the weight on Elsa's shoulders and her struggle to accept her two gifts (her powers and her future as a leader), with Anna being there for her without hesitation.

For some reason, I also find it amusing that I vidded two pairs on Disney princesses this year for VVC, this and Mulan/Aurora (Once Upon a Time) and Elsa and Anna will now be on OUAT. Also, this vid has the room of ice and "Wonder" has the room of fire.

New vid: "Call Me Uprising" (Dollhouse) / VVC Premiere '14

2014-08-10T15:27:05Z

Description: I am the voice of many.
Source: Dollhouse
Song: "Call Me Uprising", CjR (Blondie vs. Muse)
Length: 3:21
Size: 59.8 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Lyrics

Colour me your colour, baby
Colour me your car
Colour me your colour, darling
I know who you are
Come up off your colour chart
I know where you're comin' from
Call me

Cover me with kisses, baby
Cover me with love
Roll me in designer sheets
I'll never get enough
Emotions come, I don't know why
Cover up love's alibi

Call me (call me) on the line
Call me, call me any, anytime
Call me (call me) oh my love
When you're ready we can share the wine
Call me

Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, any way
Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, any day-ay

They will not force us
And they will stop degrading us
And they will not control us
We will be victorious

Call me (call me) my love
Call me, call me in a sweet design
Call me (call me), call me for your lover's lover's alibi
Call me (call me) on the line
Call me, call me any, anytime
Call me (call me)
Oh, call me, oo-hoo-hah
Call me
Call me
Call me

Notes

I've been wanting to vid this song since it first came out a few years back and I even claimed it for Club Vivid at one point. To me, it just screamed Dollhouse. I know a lot of people have issues with the show and I feel like a look of the criticism unfortunately came from people that didn't actually give the show a chance beyond the first episode. The source was always very transparent to me in its criticism of its own premise, readily showing clients as Bad People, while also allowing shades of gray. I've always been a big believer that in order to criticize something, you have to actually show it. The second season of the show was particularly phenomenal. It really explored identity, memories and human nature.

I thought the song was a perfect way to explore the duality of the source - the gleam and sheen of the engagements, the luxury of the dollhouse, with the brewing of revolution and identity underneath. While Echo's journey is the centerpiece, I really wanted to feature the other actives as well, both in how Echo influenced them and how they stood on their own. I wrestled with including Mellie/November's death in the vid, but I felt it was important to show that revolutions has its cost.

New vid: "Jock Jams (Megamix)" (WWE/Wrestling) / Club Vivid '14 Premiere

2014-08-10T15:22:53Z

Description: Let's get ready to rumble!
Source: WWE/Wrestling
Song: "The Jock Jam", DJ Riddler
Length: 3:13
Size: 59.7 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Jock Jams (Megamix) from Milly on Vimeo.

password: rumble

Lyrics

(Get Get Get Ready Ready Ready to RUMBLE!)
JOCK JAMS!
Ya'll ready for this?
Ya'll ready for this?
Whoomp there it is!
Hitman!
Pump up the Jam, Yo Pump it Up, Yo Pump it
This is Your Night
Be Aggressive, B-E Aggressive
HIT IT!
Ya'll ready for this?

WHOOMP I like to move it move it
WHOOMP I like to move it move it
WHOOMP I like to move it move it
WHOOMP There it is! Move it!
WHOOMP I like to move it move it
WHOOMP I like to move it move it
WHOOMP I like to move it move it
Give it up, girl!

Welcome to the big show
let me hear ya say WAY-OH! (Way-oh!)
Simply en feugo
you're about to say WAY-OH! (way-oh!)
Get on the floor, let me see your Tootsie Roll!
Tootsie Roll! WHOOMP there it is!
Let me hear ya say WAY-OH! Dance Dance Dance Dance

These sounds swirling thru my mind, DEFENSE
These sounds swirling thru my mind, DEFENSE
These sounds swirling thru my mind, DEFENSE
These sounds sw-swirling thru my mind

Action Action, we want Action.
A-C-T
I-O-N
Action boys, Action HEY!

Pump up the Jam, Pump it up
While your feet are stumpin
and the jam is pumpin
Look ahead the crowd are jumpin

Pump it up a little more
get the party goin' on the dance floor
See cuz that's where the party's at
and you'll find out if ya do that!

Oh-wa! A place to stay
Get your booty on the floor tonight,
make my day

Oh-wa! A place to stay
Get your booty on the floor tonight,
make my day

Pump up the jam JOCK JAM
Pump up the jam JOCK JAM
Pump up the jam JOCK JAM
Pump up the jam-jam pump it-pump it up-up

WHOOMP There it is (HEY!) WHOOMP there it is
WHOOMP There it is (HEY!) WHOOMP there it is
WHOOMP There it is (HEY!) WHOOMP there it is

Slides to the 25, breaks a couple of tackles
And look at him go!
And look at him go!
He could go all the way!

Hey, hey you, get out of our way
cuz today is the day we will put you away!

OH! y-y-y-y-y m-m-m-m c-c-c-c-c a-a-a-a
OH! Everybody Dance now!
Hit it!

It's fun to stay at the
Y-M-C-A
It's fun to stay at the
Y-M-C-A

They have everything for young men to enjoy
You can hang out with all the boys!

Lets get ready to Rumble!
get get get ready ready ready to rumble!
Hit me!

Pump up the jam
Yo pump it up yo pump it
This is your night
Be Aggressive, B-E aggressive!
HIT IT!

Simply en fuego

Notes

About a month or so after Vividcon 2013, bradcpu, olliecpu and I fell head first into the world of WWE. For bradcpu, it was going back to something familiar and yet new, for olliecpu it was the start of a John Cena obsession that will be all too familiar to anyone with kids that are into wrestling. For me, it was pretty much a brand new discovery. I was somewhat familiar with WWE (or WWF, as it was then called) growing up, and definitely knew who Hulk Hogan was. Obviously, I was familiar with the big names, like The Rock, Steve Austin, etc., but I had never actually watched wrestling more than a few things here and there. The 80's and 90's were just... WAY too over the top for me, although now that I'm really into it and know the "characters", it's really fun to go back. I'm a big advocate for the women on the roster (well, most of them... they seem to be thinning out the "models that don't wrestle" from the herd, thankfully) and as my past AJ Lee vid demonstrates, easily mark out for them. I may be a tiny bit obsessed with Stephanie McMahon, too.

I tried to cover as much people and time as I could, although had I not been working on a short deadline I probably would have included more. We're looking at 30+ years of source, including all tv shows, PPVs, behind the scenes videos, online content, documentaries, commercials, etc. I've never had that much source to work with. It was quite obvious that to have the video work, it would have to be a series of journey instead of just 3+ minutes of people fighting. I tried to highlight all the different aspects of the WWE, different themes, etc. I'm sure there's lots of jokes that will probably go over most people's heads unless they watch wrestling, but hopefully the vid itself is still enjoyable outside of any familiarity with wrestling.

New Vid: "Wonder" (OUAT) / VVC '14 Femslash vidshow premiere

2014-08-09T16:11:23Z

Description: Why we can't be (Mulan/Aurora)
Source: Once Upon a Time
Song: "Wonder", soap&skin
Length: 2:00
Size: 39.7 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Lyrics

Why we can't be
Or see who cuts us under
Like a boor falling a tree
You're the thunder
Going under
Over me

Don't forget to pray
To keep it away
Away from every day
Where you wonder

Why we can't be
Or see who cuts us under
Like a boor falling a tree
You're the thunder
Going under
Over me

Don't forget to pray
To keep it away
Away from every day
Where you wonder

Notes

I approached this vid sort of like a dream, which is fitting considering the sleeping curse. I used a lot of soft movements and the fire/forest contrast to that effect. I used a single clip from Maleficient (the spinning wheel), as well as smoke footage from here.

Making this vid was challenging because when you put them together, Mulan and Aurora actually have very little screen time, and even less screen time together where they're not standing in the background as Snow or Emma speak, etc. The style I was aiming for made it even more challenging, so I decided to make references to repeated visual (Mulan's clock as time counting down for them, holding her heart in her hand, etc).

I debated keeping the reversed audio at the end, then decided to keep it and use it as Mulan reflecting on her relationship with Aurora, and how she wishes she could go back and be the one that wakes her up.

New Vid: "Diva Swing" (RPF AJ Lee / Wrestling) / Festivids 2013

2014-01-25T17:11:07Z

Description: Been the number one diva in this game for a minute
Made for bradcpu for Festivids '13
Fandom: Wrestling / RPF AJ Lee
Song: "Diva Swing", DJ DMC (Beyonce vs Savage)
Length: 2:13
Size: 47.2 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Lyrics

Na-na-na, diva is a female version of a hustla, of a hustla, of a, of a hustla...

Stop the track, lemme state facts:

I told you, gimme a minute and I'll be right back

Fifty million round the world and they say that I couldn't get it;

I done got so sick and filthy with Benjis, I can't spend it

How you gon' be talking shit? You act like I just got up in it;

Been the number one diva in this game for a minute!

I know you read the paper - the one that they call a queen,

Every radio round the world know me cause that's where I be (first!)

I'm a-a diva (hey), I'm a, I'm a-a diva (hey)

I'm a, I'm a-a diva (hey), I'm a, I'm a-a diva

I'm a, I'm a-a diva (hey), I'm a, I'm a a diva

I'm a, I'm a a diva (hey), I'm a, I'm a a di...

Na-na-na, diva is a female version of a hustla, of a hustla, of a, of a hustla...

When he pull up, wanna pop my hood up,

Bet he better have a six-pack in the cooler

Getting money, divas gettin' money,

If you ain't gettin' money, then you ain't got nothing fo' me

Tell me somethin', (tell me somethin'): Where yo boss at? (Where yo' boss at?)

Where my ladies up in here that like to talk back? (that like to talk back)

I wanna see her (I wanna see her), I'd like to meet ya (I'd like to meet her)

What you say? (NOT TO ME!), she ain't no diva (she ain't no diva!)...

Na-na-na, diva is a female version of a hustla, of a hustla, of a, of a hustla...

Since 15 in my stilettos, been strutting in this game,

"What's yo age? " That's the question they ask when I hit the stage

I'm a diva, best believe her, you see how she getting paid?

She ain't calling him to grade-up, don't need him, her best maid

This is a stick-up, stick-up (I need them bags and the money...)

We're gonna stick-up, stick-up (You see them ask, "Where that money? ")

All my ladies get it up, I see you, I do the same;

Take it to another level, no passengers on my plane...

Notes

This vid was part of the Beyoncalypse, a plan to push Brad in a big pool of Beyoncé for Festivids. This is a mashup made by DJ DMC, using Beyoncé's "Diva". In the WWE wrestling world, Divas is the title given to the women's division. While I have issues with the word as used in the wrestling universe, it proved practical by making the song completed fitting.

Brad and I sort of fell into a wild spiral of wrestling a few months back. We started watching here and there, then at some point just started watching ALL the things. Raw on Mondays, Smackdown on Fridays, and pretty much every pay-per-view event. And that's when we don't acquire Main Event, NXT or check out the long back catalogue of events. Point is, we watch a lot of wrestling.

Brad's favorite wrestler (and my queen) is A.J. Lee. She's pretty much dominated the female division in the last year, not only because she's the longest reigning Diva's Champion, but also in terms of online popularity, merch sales, storylines, etc.. In real life, she's a comic book, video game and sci-fi fan and super sweet with fans. She had a tough background and was homeless for some of her life, but she knew she wanted to be a wrestler from a young age and never let anything stop her. Her WWE personality is totally out there, manipulative and willing to do anything to get to the top. Also, kind of psychotic. She orignally came in as the sweet girlfriend to the newcomer champ, only to have a string of top wrestlers flings treat her like an inconvience whenever things got rough. After she pushed all of them out of her life (leaving one at the altar, pushing a few through a table, etc.), she adopted the slogan "love bites" and truly started shining on her own.

AJ's most epic romance though, was with her ex tag team partner, Kaitlyn. After Kaitlyn left her in the dust to chase the Diva's Champion title, AJ got her revenge on her best friend by playing mind games with her until they faced each other for the title and AJ won. Kaitlyn as since left the league and AJ was her last match.

This vid features footage from AJ's first league (WSU), her first league within WWE (FCW), then her passage on WWE's NXT, until she came up the main roster on RAW/Smackdown. It pretty much follows her main storylines, although the order is more thematic than chronological once she hits the main roster. The last portion of the vid goes beyond the wrestling, addressing her childhood, her relationship with fans, etc.

New Vid: "Postpone The Bad" (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) / Festivids 2013

2014-01-12T15:29:54Z

Description: I'll leave all emotions inside, find strange places for tears to hide. (Melinda May PoV)
Made for sabinetzin for Festivids '13
Fandom: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Song: "Postpone The Bad", Oh Land.
Length: 1:50
Size: 26.8 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Lyrics

I decide to postpone all the bad
I try not to sing when I'm sad
And in the end it is a brighter day;
There's just a few words I gotta say:
From the corporeal aspect of my heart
My thoughts are picking me apart

I'll leave all emotions inside
Find strange places for tears to hide;
But after all there's just one thing
There' a song I gotta sing
From the corporeal aspect og my heart:
My thoughts are tearing me apart, tearing me apart

There's an admission to get in here
I have to get a better price
I won't confront my fear
Aren't you suspicious that I'm so clear?
The distance overriding us
Every time we get near

Notes

Oh, May. Although I love Skye, Melinda has definitely been the standout character for me, as she seems to have been for a lot of other people. One of my favorite part is the way she relates to other characters, especially Coulson, Ward and Skye. With each of them, you can see that she feels a connection, but she's various degrees of guarded. With Coulson she is fully opened, or at least for the most part, because he knows everything about her. With Ward, she let him in physically and somewhat emotionally, but she doesn't open her past to him. Her relationship with Skye is a bit more complex, because it feels like she wants to connect with her emotionally, but is terrified to let someone knew into that space

Something all three of these people share in common though is that they have a past they're haunted by. Coulson is dealing/running from what happened to him during the attack on New York. Ward's past demons and his feelings were brought to the surface by the effects of holding the asgard staff. Skye's entire life is about trying to figure out her past and who she is. A haunting past is something Melinda knows too well, and the vid is a bit like her sharing her experience with all three of them: postpone the bad, try to numb yourself to the emotions. The narrative is also about her own experience on the Bus, about how in the end it was the right decision for her and it allowed her to find a new home.

The use of screens, plane controls, etc. was deeply influenced by sabinetzin's request. After considering both a Bus vid, and a Melinda vid, I realized they could be very well conceived as the same person. Not only is she the pilot, with the Bus as an extension of herself, but she's also all about protecting the people she loves, the people she lets inside her heart. The last portion of the vid really attempts to highlight that, with overlays of the crew within the Bus soaring away.

Dear Festividder!

2013-10-20T07:47:04Z

I'm finally timely! Sorta...

Anastasia (movie/1997)

I ship Dimitri and Anastasia soooo hard. But I also love the movie itself, because it's absolutely beautiful Any vid would be awesome.

The Adventures of Sinbad (TV)

To be clear - this is the slightly (okay, very) campy 90's series with Zen Gesner. Maeve is my favorite character by far, so I prefer the first season and I haven't watched much beyond that. I've probably watched each season 1 episode at least 10 times though.

Brave (movie/2012)

I watched this with my stepson and probably loved it about ten times more than he did. With the big curly hair and freckles, is it really much of a surprise? I would love anything, from a mother/daughter vid to a movie overview.

The Cutting Edge (movie)

I was a figure skater for a decade, from age 7 to 17, until I had to stop because devoting 20 hours a week to skating was not doable anymore with school. I have medals and everything. So yeah, The Cutting Edge is my shit.

Little Women (movie/1994)

I've always loved this movie. I saw the movie before I even read the book as part of learning English. A vid about the relationship between the sisters would be the vid of my heart <3

Remember Me (game)

This game... I actually feel so torn about this game, because it is both awesome and has so much wasted potential. The graphics are awesome, gorgeous and innovative. The heroine is kick ass, smart and a woman of color. The story is really interesting, and the game play uses some really cool mechanics.The game itself though is completely linear, never letting you stray from the main path to explore an otherwise fabulous-looking universe, and the most interesting parts of the gameplay are rarely used. It feels like a game that was released too early, and hopefully there will be a sequel, but I feel like a vid would be taking all the good parts of the game and removing the disappointment - show the awesome, show the pretty, show the story, bypass the failures.

Nashville US (tv/2012)

All the Juliette vids. ALL!!! But really, a Juliette vid would be awesome. (ETA: I love the whole show though. Vid anything and anyone, vid the city and the relationship with the stage, vid pairings, vid single characters...)

Titanic (movie/1997)

I saw this movie in theater approximately 5 billion times. Including the re-release. It was my first major fandom (putting up posters all over the room, printer pictures, buying all the magazines). Please make me a vid? You don't want to make me sad, do you?

(Collab) New Vid: "The Polka Slayer" (BtVS) / VVC Premiere '13

2013-08-21T03:44:01Z

Description: Into every generation a polka is born
Made with bradcpu for the VVC '13 Premieres
Source: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Song: "Polka Power", Weird Al Yankovic
Length: 4:24
Size: 70 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
Download and Stream (posted in bradcpu's LJ)

bradcpu has posted some notes and a Guess Who! game with a vid as prize, so I will only be posting more detailed notes once a winner has been announced! Go to the vidpost to play!

(Collab) New Vidlet: "Want U Back" (The Simpsons episodic) / VVC Challenge 2013

2013-08-21T03:31:37Z

Description: Bart sells his soul to Millhouse for 5$. Bad move. (episodic)
Made for VVC Challenge 2013 with my stepson olliecpu
Source: "Bart Sells His Soul" (The Simpsons)
Song: "Want U Back", Kidz Bop
Length: 1:29
Size: 17.8 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Notes

Lyrics

Unh!
Mmm
Yeah
La la la la
Unh!

Hey, boy you never had much game
So I needed to upgrade
So I went and walked away-way-way
Now I seen you been hanging out
With that other girl in town
Looking like a pair of clowns-clowns-clowns

Remember all the things that you and I did first
And now you're doing them with her
Remember all the things that you and I did first
You got me got me like this
And now you're taking her to every restaurant
And everywhere we went, come on!
And now you're taking her to every restaurant
You got me got me like this

Boy you can say anything you wanna
I don't give it on no one else can have you
I want you back, I want you back
Want want you, want you back
I broke it off thinking you'd be crying
Now I feel so bad, looking at you flying
I want you back, I want you back
Want want you, want you back

Do I sound like a hellicopter?
Brrrrrrrrrrrr

Notes

Ollie has slowly but surely been learning to vid over the last year or so, experimenting with vids of his own and also watching us vid so he'd learn how to better use the program. He's also been watching The Simpsons like it's made of candy for about the same period.

This vidlet started as one of his experiments with vidding that we decided to recuperate. We picked a song together, as I explained how to look at the lyrics and etc. Then we sat side by side and edited the thing. I did most of the actual physical editing, while he picked scenes/clips and I gave pointers.

The chosen theme was "faith".

New Vidlet: "Echoes" (Ringu/The Ring) / VVC Challenge 2013

2013-08-21T03:01:13Z

Description: Tell me your story again.
Made for VVC Challenge 2013
Source: Ringu [1998]/The Ring [2002]
Song: "Quiet Slumber", Shadow6Nothing9
Length: 1:04
Size: 24.8 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Notes

Chosen challenge themes for this vid were:

- Self-portrait - The tape is a self-portrait that Samara/Sadako uses to share her story (hence the "Tell me your story" part of the blurb);
- Transformation - For obvious reasons, comparing the original with the remake (hence the "again" part of the blurb);
- It can also be considered a remix of "Lucky You" by permetaform, which was shown in History of Challenge this year. It wasn't planned, but sort of a happy accident.

New Vidlet: "Mineshaft" (Game of Thrones [Ros]) / VVC Challenge 2013

2013-08-21T01:57:52Z

Description: The list of things I used to be is longer than the list of things I am (Ros PoV)
Made for VVC Challenge 2013
Source: Game of Thrones (HBO)
Song: "Mineshaft", Dessa
Length: 1:12
Size: 23.1 MB
Format: avi (xvid)
DOWNLOAD (right click + save)

Lyrics

To the bottom of the mineshaft
The list of things I used to be is longer than the list of things I am
Ex-lover, ex-friend
Ex-communicated atheist, ex-patriot
Living in the heartland
Living on the small chance
Luck would save the last dance
For an underrated writer, overrated rapper
Undecided major on an unrelated matter
One day I'd like to say what all the tug-o-war was for
More than slack rope, more than sun stroke
Them rum soaked in sad jokes at rap shows
Some folks know how slow that trap closes,
Prose is closest I've ever been to feeling like I found it
I'm not a writer I just drink a lot about it
If diamonds are a girl's best friend
Then you can share a fine laugh and you can
Send me back to the bottom of the mineshaft

I've been here before and I know where it goes
It goes down (It goes down)

The plans that we made and the bills and the planes over downtown

Notes

This vid was almost entirely born from an interview I read with the show creators where they explained that since there was a lot exposition to do, they might as well have a character to act as someone "being talked to" and basically... what better than a ~~half~~ naked girl. And in the second season, they needed the point of view of the small people, so let's use her too. From her conception, Ros was meant to have very little agency other than someone who served a multitude of purposes to other people ("the list of things I used to be is longer than the list of things I am"). She does have agency though - she makes her own decisions, climbs the ladder herself... and when she accepts someone else's advice, she get killed... to illustrate the cruelty of two characters.

Because of her role on the show though, the best way to illustrate the character was by looking through her eyes rather than looking at her, so I used more "symbolic" shots pretty liberally.

Rewatching season 2 after knowing the fate that awaited her, the speech that Littlefinger gives her when she's crying over the Baratheon bastards being killed was especially chilling. He basically spells out, word for word, what eventually will happen to her.

Beyond her role in furthering male narratives, Ros really seemed to be a darker mirror of Sansa to me. Their relationships with Joffrey in season 2 definitely echoed one another, and they both had a similar trajectory for the marvel of King's Landing to its horrors slowly coming to the surface.

The challenge theme I chose for this vid was "Fuck You", but "self-portrait" also works.