merlin is shifty - julesoh

[info]wistful_fever

I am a woman of a certain reputation.

Expect ass baby crack candy!

Previous Entry Add to Memories Tell a Friend Next Entry
New Vid: Four Years (SGA, Mckay/Sheppard)
merlin is shifty - julesoh
[info]wistful_fever
December 21st, 2007
This video was made for Semielliptical, as part of the Sweet Charity Auction.

Video Details

Title: Four Years
Song: "Life Less Ordinary" by Carbon Leaf
Video Artist: Fabella ([info]wistful_fever)
Summary: Four years of John loving Rodney. Rodney is a) oblivious, b) deliberately ignorant, or c) not as smart as he likes to think he is. Mckay/Sheppard. John POV.
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Length: 3:44
Format: xvid avi

Warnings: Spoilers up to episode 4x10, M/M

Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis does not belong to me. The song does not belong to me. No money is being made from this creation.

Download Details

70.2mb @ megaupload (best quality)
52.9mb @ mediafire
52.9mb @ megaupload
47mb @ mediafire
Watch On-Line @ imeem
Watch On-Line @ youtube

Links Last Updated: 12/21/07


Vidding Notes:

This video was honestly one of the most difficult I've ever worked on. Stargate: Atlantis has a very challenging source. Issues: camera movement, uniform clothing, static locations, lack of solid character arcs, the list goes on. Sure, there are a lot of lovely things about vidding SGA, as can be said of most sci-fi shows, but it is also SO SO hard. I'm glad this was the fandom selected for me to vid to, because otherwise I would have given up. I only kept struggling through because I absolutely had to. I don't know how many SGA vids I've quit over the years.

Having said all that, trust me when I say this was also one of the most satisfying videos for me to complete. It feels... really really good to watch it. I enjoy it. That's why I called it "four years". To me, this is all about John loving Rodney, and all that is mixed up in that (thegoodthebadthecitytheeverythingtheteamthebraverytheneedtheLOVE), and I came to the conclusion while vidding it that I could only vid it the way *I* saw Stargate: Atlantis. And I see it exactly like this video. It's John and Rodney's life together. I love these men. *face/palm*

I also wanted to keep a very light touch with this video, so it's all about the barely-there effects, and believe it or not, NO color work, which is a big deal for me, because I ALWAYS do color work. (DUDE. This is JOhn. He has so many masks already that color would be distracting.) I did let myself play a little fast and loose with the music. The nature of the song is very interesting. The lyrics often over-run the beat, so I emphasized that some here, starting a clip before any defining beat so that the definition is actually on the action/reaction.

I suppose this could have easily been a Rodney POV, and I set out to do it that way in the very beginning, but the lyrics kept drawing me back to John... especially after this season. I kept thinking about where John was and where he is now. How lonely he must have been before Atlantis. The lyrics 'I'm a saddened man, I'm a broken boy, I'm a toddler with a complex toy, I'm falling apart... since the ambush on your hear' could not become anything but John POV in my head. Rodney is the most complex ride John has ever been on, and then there's Katie, which totally confuses John, and... *handflail*

Making this video has left me all flaily about the show. If you see someone stumbling down the street mumbling quietly to herself, "he called him, 'John!'" -- that'd be me.
Tags: , , , ,
( 182 comments — Leave a comment )
Page 1 of 4
<<[1] [2] [3] [4] >>
OMG! EEEE! HOW VERY AWESOME!!! This has been the Mckay/Sheppard song for me for what feels like YEARS and you made the most perfect video imaginable to it!! Ahh I love it so much I'm downloading it! It makes me happy like nothing!! THANK YOU!!
(Reply) (Thread) (Expand)
P.s: it is definitely pretty amazing from John's POV especially considering the new season! And it makes me too love the show more :)
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
I love this. It made me sigh a happy sigh and want to spend the next two weeks reading fic. You said this is how you see them, and I can just say that it's exactly how I (choose to) see them, too. Thank you for struggling through - it was well worth it!
(Reply) (Thread)
Whee! Boys!

They're just so lovely with each other. I can't imagine them any other way.
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
I REALLY enjoyed that! :D :D :D
(Reply) (Thread)
That vid made me really, really happy this morning. It's definitely John's POV (and what a good POV it is:) OH! SO GOOD!
(Reply) (Thread)
YAY! I'm glad it gave you a smile.

John is just so weird. I adore him.
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
OMG this is wonderful. The expressions you've caught on John's face are so perfect. Have to go watch many more times now. Thank you.
(Reply) (Thread)
No, thank you, for the comment. :)
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
I haven't even watched this yet and I'm already excited. This song has been on my top two list to see/do a McShep vid for a LONG time. The only song that beats this one is "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" by Dexter Freebish (if you or anyone else wants to hear it...let me know and I'll upload it).
So yes, I can't wait for the download to finish so I can see it! Squee!!
(Reply) (Thread) (Expand)
*grins* I really hope it lives up to your expectations of the song.
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
Wow, really great. I can never explain the technical things I like about a vid so please accept general flailing and squeeing. :)
(Reply) (Thread)
Flailing and squeeing is perfectly acceptable. Thanks! :)
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
I LOVE this vid. I love what you did with not putting the clips on the beats; I think it keeps the meaning of the lyrics at the fore and doesn't make the viewer get overly caught up in the tempo. I don't even watch SGA, but you captured so many nuances of expression here that it was easy for me to tell the POV and easy for me to get the whole story in these few minutes. Bravo!
(Reply) (Thread)
Thank you! Yeah, the decision to vid the song that way was an interesting one, because I've trained myself out of clipping-to-the-lyric. But this song, with its running-over lyrics, demanded a mixture of both to-the-beat clipping AND the lyric-clipping. It's good to know that it worked for someone other than myself.

but you captured so many nuances of expression here that it was easy for me to tell the POV and easy for me to get the whole story in these few minutes.

Joe's weird facial expressions probably say more about John than the directors ever wanted him to.
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing:)
(Reply) (Thread)
Ooh, I really enjoyed this. I hope you vid in SGA again.
(Reply) (Thread)
Why would you wish that upon me?!!!

Hee. Just kidding. I'm keeping all the clips that I've made for SGA, and I've always wanted to do a Mckay video set to a certain song (you don't want to know. really.) so it's a distinct possibility --- it's really a matter of when I can suck it up, and make myself do it.
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread) (Expand)
Oh my god. MY HEART. Seriously, this just lit me up like a Christmas tree -- I love it so much, and it makes me HAPPY and SMILEY and I failed and gasped into my fists and yay, I love those boys so much! Well-done!
(Reply) (Thread) (Expand)
and it makes me HAPPY and SMILEY and I failed and gasped into my fists and yay, I love those boys so much!

That is exactly the reaction I was looking for.

<-------- is redeemed :)

Thank you for the feedback.
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
gorgeous! thank you so much!!!
(Reply) (Thread)
Oh, gosh. I hope you know it was totally worth whatever pain making the thing caused because it's brilliant. Even if you don't look at them in a romantic sense, because you are like crazy or whatever, it still works because they love each other in so many ridiculous ways. And Sheppard's face. I could watch that all damn day. Fantastic fantastic work!
(Reply) (Thread)
It was worth the pain for that reaction right there. I'm so glad you liked it!
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! That is just, oh there are no words! No words for how amazing and warm and giddy that made me feel. That's just... it's so perfect. I'm blown away. Thank you.
(Reply) (Thread)
This was really great. You did a fabulous job.
(Reply) (Thread)
I really enjoyed this. I've already watched it 5 times in a row, and am thinking it'll be on loop for awhile to come. :D

My favorite bits -

At the :24 second mark, I like how Rodney shuffles closer to John in time to the beat and at the :39 second mark, I like how we have the overhead shot of McShep spread out down below ready for John to enter Rodney's nightmare with John peering over at a seemingly oblivious Rodney. In both cases, the clip choice was refreshing as vidders usually go for the shot of the line marching toward the gate/camera all soldierly not the stuff before it in the case of the former and in the latter, vidders usually focus on the Doppelganger stuff that transpires *after* the overhead moment you chose.

I love, love, love the way John punches the self-destruct button for 'toddler with a' then how his eyes flicker back and forth in time with 'complex' then the shot of Rodney (pleading with John to give him a chance in Trinity, no less) for 'toy.'

I love the first two 'honey, understand's with John passing Rodney by (after having given the video of Rodney to Jeannie which stands as one of the most personal and touching actions on John's part ever) being couched between Ford and Ronon hugging Rodney fiercely. 'Cause it's like what he'd just done for Rodney then was his version of a big fucking hug even if Rodney never even knew all he'd done.

The juxtaposition of John trying to save Holland with trying to save Rodney was cool. And I especially liked the shot of John in the background turning around to look at Rodney for 'all alone.'

And finally, the 'by the way, I do know why you stayed away, I will keep tongue-tied next time's were particularly poignant. I think that's the bit about John's character that gets to me the most, the way you get the impression he almost thinks everyone *should* stay away from him, that there's something about himself he needs to protect everyone else from.
(Reply) (Thread)
Oh, wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.

Thank you for taking the time to type up this comment.

down below ready for John to enter Rodney's nightmare with John peering over at a seemingly oblivious Rodney

I LOVE that shot. If SGA were to have true character arcs, John's, of season four? Would read: Rodney. I feel like that is what we see in that clip. Plus there is already so much context wrapped up in that clip. It isn't necessary to show exactly what happens after that, because for those in the know, our minds automatically go there. For those not in the know, it might not hold as much weight, but hopefully they can get by on the "John Loves Rodney" text inherent.

'Cause it's like what he'd just done for Rodney then was his version of a big fucking hug even if Rodney never even knew all he'd done.

God, YES. I love you, may I please have your baby?

I think that's the bit about John's character that gets to me the most, the way you get the impression he almost thinks everyone *should* stay away from him, that there's something about himself he needs to protect everyone else from.

*nods* *points*

That's what I was going for with those lyrics. Listed from the time they are heard: 1) John hurts Rodney (and yeah, Rodney hurts himself), 2) John is a little too suicidal to be a good risk, and 3) John will do *anything* to protect Rodney, go to some very dark places --- all of these are reasons Rodney should probably stay away. Not that he will. And not that John will tell him any of these things. But yeah, John is one risky venture. I'm not sure Rodney actually gets what he means to John --- I think he has a vague awareness, especially after 3x09 --- but I don't think he sees how much him just being himself, just being Rodney, is opening up these doors in John. And I will stop that ramble there, because it always leads me back to JOHNLOVESHIMSOMUCHOHMYGOD, and after this video, I think it's pretty clear that I think so.

Thank you again, for the feedback. I really appreciate it.


(Reply) (Parent) (Thread) (Expand)
Super Great job, dude!!!! *is totally awed and completely floored by the sheer brilliance and absolute gorgeousness of this here vid!!!* ~Sharma
(Reply) (Thread)
Hee! Thanks for commenting.
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
I love this. You picked great scenes, and I love the story this video tells.
(Reply) (Thread)
That song is brilliant, so happy-making, and I'm really not a vid person, but I could watch this one a lot. It's the John/Rodney Greatest Hits!
(Reply) (Thread)
I'm really not a vid person, but I could watch this one a lot

Good to know. :) Thank you for commenting.
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
So, so wonderful! *loves madly*

Edited at 2007-12-22 12:45 am (UTC)
(Reply) (Thread)
*draws heart around your icon*
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
My god, I just - I was already flailing pretty much through this whole thing, but when you get to the bit near the end where Rodney is walking down the stairs (from Doppelganger) I actually fell in love with them all over again, and I'm already IN LOVE WITH THEM ALREADY, and how did you DO THAT? It's absolutely brilliant, because I've seen so many vids now that I love, and this just feels - I don't know, not different, but so very true. Wow.
(Reply) (Thread)
AREN'T THEY WORNDERFUL? *dies*

I'm really glad you liked it.

It's absolutely brilliant, because I've seen so many vids now that I love, and this just feels - I don't know, not different, but so very true. Wow.

*flails around* Yay!
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
Oh, beautiful work! The pacing is absolutely perfect. Thank you very much - I'll be saving this one in my all-time-favorites folder. *g*
(Reply) (Thread)
Yay! Glad to hear it about the pacing. That's become a key issue in vidding for me.
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
This is gorgeous! You managed to completely capture the complex and close-mouthed way that John loves Rodney and the way Rodney really did rock John's world and shake him up (just by being himself). Eee! This has now become my perfect John/Rodney song.
(Reply) (Thread)
Thank you SO much. And Rodney really did shake John's world up, in the best of ways, just by existing. It's so fricken awesome I can't deal with it sometimes. :) Semielliptical made a lovely song choice, don't you think?
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
That's an awesome vid! Seriously, I'm not sure I've seen anything better when it gets to matching lyrics and actions and whatnot. Thanks so much for sharing! I really enjoyed.
(Reply) (Thread)
If someone made me choose what I love most about SGA, I would say 99% of the time, Rodney Mckay. I've always liked Sheppard but I never felt the flaily love for him that I have for Rodney. That is until this vid. I don't know how you managed to capture whatever essential piece was missing before, but you have and I love you for it. You also made me stop watching Nightmare Before Christmas to put on Doppelganger so I could feel the love, and that is an even bigger feat. LOL Thank you for all your hard work and for sharing you immense talent with us.

Edited at 2007-12-22 03:20 am (UTC)
(Reply) (Thread)
If someone made me choose what I love most about SGA, I would say 99% of the time, Rodney Mckay.

You know, yes, for me as well. And I've been thinking about that, and this is something that I do in other fandoms too --- I end up really loving characters who REALLY LOVE my favorite character. They become my mode of association. It's like, how can we not love someone who loves our person so well, and so beautifully? Plus? John is just weird. I find it irresistable at times. The faces he makes crack me up.

Thank you for your comment. :)
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
( 182 comments — Leave a comment )
Page 1 of 4
<<[1] [2] [3] [4] >>
Archive
December 2009
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
Tags
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , …
Powered by LiveJournal.com
Designed by [info]matt_uza
Home