Perhaps, no *definitely*, still a little rough around the edges, but I'm thinking that suits Spike just fine. And besides, this thing is so dense I'm practically bringing my computer to its knees every time I open the file and when I'm getting to the point where it seems slow and stately? It's a sure sign I've seen it too many times. So time to let if fly-be-free, and hopefully never, ever, be silly enough to try to sustain a high-intensity mad-clip-fest for 5 full minutes ever again...

FEEDBACK

renenet writes:

the following are random bits of beta commentary that still apply to the finished piece

{snip}

Initial reactions here: you *nailed* the ending. Nailed it. When the beats go wild and you're throwing down clips like a crazy person I think the rhythm and the clip selection are fantastic. So tight. And the lingering shot of Spike's face burning up in the total silence? Yeowch! Hard core. Creepsome and gory. Very Tool vid. I love it. I said I liked the clip selection -- of course, what you are doing is repeating the clip choices that you've been building up throughout the vid. And, if I'm not mistaken, the basic order repeats the order from the preceding "I know the pieces fit" section, which is chronological and highlights all the parts that Spike is trying to make fit (bad-ass killer, redemptionista lover, etc.). That section is also very effective. And of course, to go from these repeated clips (the repetition of which helps the viewer make sense of them as the flashes become so rapid) to the never before seen ending clip is brilliant. Nobody on this earth manages to make more effective use of repeated clips in a vid than you do. You're astounding. On most people, that looks like laziness, but you make it meaningful.

I really love how you're layering on the clips to drive to this "I know the pieces fit" frenzy. Of course it suits the music and it suits what you're saying about the character. It's so pumping and hard hitting that it gets inside the Crazy!Spike thing in a really intense way. It's all about him struggling to make the pieces of his personality, impulses, emotions, relationships fit into a coherent sense of self because, of course, his (un)life is an untenable paradox. You lay out badass vampire Spike, chipped Spike, in-love-with-Buffy Spike, rapist Spike, and souled Spike and he's coping with all that from the vantage point of crazy season seven Spike. The untenable paradox can only be resolve in self-sacrificing self-annihilation (foreshadowed by him on the cross). And did I mention how incredible the ending is?

{snip}

I love the intercutting of Dru making Spike with the Buffy-Spike sex. Up against the wall, baby. I'd never thought of that juxtaposition before. The shot of him in the basement of the school putting his coat back on in late season seven? Also a favorite. And it's the perfect visual for Spike trying to make the pieces fit.I also like the shots of the house breaking apart. It's great to have some non-Spike visuals in there that reinforce his cracking up. The jagged crack screams "Schism!" theme. The bottles in the corner breaking as something hits them is another example.

{snip}

Kalle/caffeineaddict writes:

About the Schism video: one of my favorite songs of recent years suddenly helped to make one of my favorite pieces of Buffy art. Absolutely brilliant editing and repetition of key images in places. Great stuff, most certainly a keeper. Since I am a huge fan of Tool, I've had some similar ideas of using their songs in Buffy videos myself since many of the lyrics seem to fit the complex characters of the show (though I would never have thought of this stunning combination of Schism and the Spike images), and this became an absolute delight. The only nitpick I can think of is that it would of course have been nice with better quality source material (like from the DVD's, instead of taken from TV) so that the UPN and WB logos didn't have to be all annoying down there in the corner. But still: amazing work! Greatly looking forward to whatever you have coming next! :-)

maya writes:

What an effin piece of work! Your Schism video is the most amazing fan vid of Spike I've ever seen! You captured Spike in those 5 mins. Just the perfect song, and perfectly edited Spike clips EVER. I cannot express enough how well done that video was.

Soleil writes:

I've seen a lot of good Buffy vids, but "Schism" is the first one that actually made me gasp "Holy crap!" out loud and pant for a good minute when it was over. Your skill is astounding. That video distilled and then transcended Spike's characterization by ME; I wish some of TPTB could see it.

Nos writes:

I just wanted to let you know that I watched your 'Schism' video, and I really enjoyed it. Marrec and I have always been the ones to say 'We are going to be the first to vid Tool right!' but we were wrong. Very wonderfully put together, and it's amazing that even though you use alot of the same scenes throughout the video, it didn't get boring. Very well done.

Ro writes:

Oh my God. Oh my *God*. I don't even know what to say, because there aren't any words for the effect that watching "schism" had on me. Its left my heart beating as if I'd just run a marathon, my mind is reeling...I feel like it would be trite to try to break it down and analysise it and go into specifics...the whole thing that makes it so amazing is that its a perfectly coherent whole, where everything works with everything else. Of course, having said that I now feel like I *have* to blurt out all the most obviously great bits. The bit at 2:01! God, the chillingness of the shot on the subway with the strobe lighting - and 2:43-3:11 - and 3:12-3:41 (ohh, the last four beats!) ,the biting clips at around 3:56...and out of the amazing endless succession of clips at the end, the one at 4:54 of Spike's vamp face, him at his most repulsive just spasming out at you was so jarring and shocking and *perfect*. All I can say is that I'm just sitting here thinking, God, *that* is what this whole vidding thing is all about. Thats the point of it all. Creating something like that.

jen writes:

Oh my gosh, this vid is astounding. There's so much depth and complexity to it, I don't know where to start. I've seen so many Spike vids during the last year, and have often seen the same images and concepts get beaten into the ground - then I see your vid and it just outdoes all of those, going above and beyond for a feeling like nothing I've seen. I'm really glad you didn't shy away from making this vid as hard core and disturbing as possible, as the outcome really reaches down into the complexity of Spike's psyche from Season 1 through Season 7, going beyond the redeemed romantic hero bs to hit on the truly flawed and amazing character he is. Your song choice is outstanding - Tool really fits his character, and their driving rhythms really propel your vid onward and work with the synthesis (heh.) of visual clips repeating over themselves to an unbelievable climax. And, speaking of the ending, I love the fast clips at the end, timed perfectly with the rhythm of the song. And the silent, slo-mo of Spike's burning face is just icing on the cake. Amazing vid - thanks for sharing it with everyone.

Ann writes:

I lked Schism because it isn't pretty. JM is attractive as always, but the content of the lyric changes the context of the images. Spike being metaphorically divided, emotionally torn apart and then literally destroyed is not pretty stuff. The music and lyric integrate beautifully with the visuals and I love, love, love the rapid cuts at the end. Hard to do? Also the repeat images of him dragging himself up - not sure why this made an impact on me - perhaps it's like Giles being knocked unconscious, you don't realise how often it happened until someone brings it to your attention. Anyway, well done. Your vidding is just getting better and better by leaps and bounds - are you pleased with this one? ...you should be. :-).

Jessie writes:

I have seen many of these spike videos recently and I would have to say this one was the best one I have come across. First of all the picture is very clear and the transitions are great. The sparatic pace of the clips really depicted Spike. Great job!

dionysos_loop writes:

A-bloody-mazing. The last few segments at 4.50's etc Blew.Me. Away. Spike's disintergration at the end? Perfectly fitted the theme of the video. Such a well-cut classic.

whoisclothilde writes:

Bloody hell, this is good. I keep watching it over and over. I love especially the repeated images of him falling down/lying down - lift shaft, at the initiative, and then the multiple getting back up. I realised it's kind of a metaphor for his character - particularly well delineated in this vid - that he's *constantly* having to recover from some almost-mortal blow (physical or emotional). The church falling on him, Drusilla breaking up with him, the chip, the Buffy, the soul. On and on and on - he never gets to just *be* for very long. And yet he does *keep on* getting up, each time to a slightly higher place than before he was knocked down, which is why we love him....

Scribe, The Lady Outlaw writes:

Vrya, YOU ROCK!!! Your art is just tremendous, and your videos kick butt like a Slaya!!!! I keep coming back to see what you've done next, and I'm NEVER disappointed. KEEP ROCKIN', VRYA!!!! You are one heckuva bright spot in the Buffyverse!

Sammy writes:

This was a really good piece of work. I love how you portrayed Spike as a tortured soul (even though thatpart goes pretty much without saying). The mood of the vid was soo dark and deep, and you felt like you were being torn from everything that made you sane, just like Spike would have felt. Very nice, I commend you for making a worthy vid based on 'Buffy.' I can't tell you how sick and tured I am of wathcing these crappy 30 second videos that have no point about them whatsoever.Great job!

MarstersLady writes:

Hey there. :) I came here by way of http://www.livejournal.com/users/ladywenham/71891.html, because ladywenham said this is the best fan video she has ever seen. I have to concur. That was REALLY well made. Great job. :)

David writes:

AWESOME !!!

Andrea writes:

Wow, you have a really good site. At first i wasn't so sure, but I really like it!! Thankx so much, and you make great videos. ( And i should know, because thats what i spend all of my time doing.. ergh, watching lol) Som, keep making those cool sound mixes, and videos, and other art!