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My name is Ancasta
ancastar
15 October 2009 @ 01:37 am
New Vid: Fee Da Da Dee (Supernatural)  
I can hardly believe it's been 11 months since my last vid. How is that possible? I've never gone that long between vids since I first started doing this back in 2005.

So, not only do I have a new vid, but a new fandom. Given my crazed squeeing and recent story posting, it probably comes as no surprise the vid is for Supernatural. I have to comment--this is the first "modern" fandom I've worked in since Enterprise (which I don't count because I basically learned how to vid in that fandom, so it wasn't like I was doing much in the way of fancy vidding stuff). It's so different than working with footage from the 70's/80's. The camera moves and the lighting is moody and the composition is interesting. It's a revelation. Truly. I had a blast making this vid and completed it in under a week, which is supersonic speed for me (of course, having five days off didn't hurt either).

The vid is Sammy-centric (though his big brother shows up as well). It's set to The Guggenheim Grotto's Fee Da Da Dee. I'd first heard the song over the summer and had told Callisto when she'd visited me, "I think there's a Sam vid here. I just don't know what it is yet." Well, as it turns out, it's about growing up, about becoming yourself. Thank you, season five, for helping me realize that. A few episodes into the new season, and it all made sense.

My website is dreadfully in need of being updated. I need to get to that... Until I do, here are the links for my vid. I rendered an AVI file that is 70MB (you'll need either the VLC viewer or the xVid codec to view it). I also did a smaller WMV file, which measures 43MB (I don't think the quality is quite as good, but it isn't horrible). The embedded You Tube file is below.

I really hope you like it. It's got a lot more movement and color tweaks than I usually do. I'm kinda proud. :-)

Thanks to [info]przed and [info]callistosh65 for hand-holding and betaing. They are two classy broads.  :-)  Enjoy.

AVI file (please right click to save)
WMV file (ditto)


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57 comments | I have something to say
 
( 57 comments — I have something to say )
Mara: Yay[info]mara_snh on October 15th, 2009 06:32 am (UTC)
Ah, sweetness itself. :-) I knew there was a good reason for me to be burning midnight oil tonight. This was my reward. You did a lovely job on this. My system downloaded both versions with a squished aspect ratio, but I have the means to fix that, and I will. I suspect it's a problem unique to my system.

I noticed lots of snappy edits -- Sam's punch toward the beginning among them. But what really comes through is how Sam's acting (er...I mean SENSE OF SELF) has matured over the years. Some of the moments you chose are breathtaking. How delicious it is to visit all of that in one beautifully crafted vid. Thank you. Did I say that already? I meant to.
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 15th, 2009 10:55 pm (UTC)
Okay, first off? I LOVE your icon. Too funny. Secondly, I'm so glad my vid helped keep you awake as opposed to putting you to sleep. I fell into bed right after posting this, nearly unconscious.

Thirdly, even though I love Sam and JP dearly your SENSE OF SELF made me laugh out loud. JP has come a long way as an actor. I'm hoping my vid highlighted that.

Great feedback, sweetie. I really appreciated it.
MegTDJ: SPN - Sam Lucifer rose[info]meg_tdj on October 15th, 2009 06:32 am (UTC)
Awesome work on this! I loved it. :D
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 15th, 2009 10:55 pm (UTC)
Thank you! I'm so glad.
Alix: Sam smiling[info]hells_half_acre on October 15th, 2009 06:50 am (UTC)
That was really touching...I love the way you touched on the song lyrics from time to time - the sequence with the punching and the hugging, but MY FAVORITE was the clips you used for the slower section - John's Death, Dean's Death...really beautifully done.

Ah Sam...
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 15th, 2009 10:56 pm (UTC)
I'm thrilled the slower section worked for you. I think that was my fav section too. Wee!Sam just breaks my heart.
Callisto: Sam profile[info]callistosh65 on October 15th, 2009 07:15 am (UTC)
Just watched this straight through twice, and it's WONDERFUL. You've done a fantastic job with Sam and his story here - and I love the way you decided to thread John Winchester into it. Such a light touch you have - just right.

The slower section in particular stuck me - and it's so moving too. The way you start with young Sam, then show Jess, the death of Dean, John, etc, all around those perfect Sam lyrics: "All you dreamers/Wishing for tomorrow, Life is elsewhere/Only brings you sorrow." My God - yes!! And then that wonderful hope in the refrain "I think I'm getting there."

Ah, you were so right, babe. There was a Sammy vid in that song. And you were just the gal to go find it.

Off to rec and sing its praises a bit more now..
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 15th, 2009 10:57 pm (UTC)
You are the very best cheerleader! I love you lots.

I'm really glad you liked what I did to the slow section. I knew the minute I watched it play back I was wrong to leave John out of it. I like it much better as well.
oasis3017[info]oasis3017 on October 15th, 2009 08:14 am (UTC)
I have only watched the first episodes of that series, but I can tell you your vid is amazing. Short cuts, then impressive faces that show all kinds of emotions.
Great work, An!
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 15th, 2009 11:02 pm (UTC)
Now, of course, I need to play evangelist for my show. :-)

One thing I will say about it--for me, the first season (particularly the first half of the first season) is not the show's best effort. It's fine. There are some good eps, the boys are pretty, and those early eps do a good job of building the show's universe and establishing the guys' relationship.

But things really begin to rock at the end of that season and into season two (which happens to be my fav, though really every season has things to recommend it).

At this point (season 5), there is so much history and so much character growth, Supernatural is really, really rewarding. I just love the Winchesters and their pool doomed lives *g* (<--it hasn't actually been determined they're doomed yet, but the angst can run pretty thick). If you get the chance, give it a whirl. I honestly feel this show is criminally overlooked.

And thank you for the lovely feedback. :-)
JoJo: SPN-bigbrolittlebro[info]solosundance on October 15th, 2009 10:49 am (UTC)
Wow now that was classy - wonderful and emotional. Made me teary actually ... that middle section with John and Dean. I really love the movement you have, it makes the visuals and music just come alive. And great music, liked that a lot and I don't always like the music for SPN vids. This was beautiful, really pulled me in. Oh I am so gonna pick your brains on vidding one day soon (ew, that sounded kind of unpleasant but you know what I mean :)) ...
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 15th, 2009 11:04 pm (UTC)
I'm so, so glad you liked it! And I'm over the moon it affected you emotionally. That, for me, is the mark of a good vid. It's fun to be entertained, but if you can move me? Awesome.

And I'm utterly serious about working with you on vidding. When I first started this four years ago now, I reached out to a vidder I admired in Enterprise and basically said, "I don't know what I'm doing. Help me." And she did. She had the patience of a freakin' saint.

I don't know if I can make that claim. But I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Just let me know. I told you--you have the gift.
lovetheguys[info]lovetheguys on October 15th, 2009 02:09 pm (UTC)
This vid simply mesmerized me! It is just FANTASTIC!

Kudos from beginning to end!

Love, Robin
SUPERNATURAL
at moogi.com
5.5 is up now!
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 15th, 2009 11:04 pm (UTC)
That's so kind! Thank you so much.
debbiel66: pic#93519887[info]debbiel66 on October 15th, 2009 02:56 pm (UTC)
Yay, you posted it, and there's a utube version for vid-inept people like me!

As soon as I get my people off to school, I will be watching but wanted to congratulate you first, all the same.
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 15th, 2009 11:05 pm (UTC)
I figure You Tube is an easy sell. :-) There's no commitment to downloading.
debbiel66: Sam and Dean cloudy sky[info]debbiel66 on October 15th, 2009 03:18 pm (UTC)
Okay, so like I told you before, I don't understand much about the technical aspects of vidding, but emotionally, this really hit me, which isn't something that has happened to me often with vids. (I'm a words gal)

But this made me tear up. Seriously, you did a great job of capturing Sam's journey from Sammy to Sam and back again and then some. You see, this is why I liked last week's episode - because it gave you material like that last shot, which is the most optimistic thing I've seen from this show since Sam walked into that diner in Season 2 to buy his big brother some pie...

Really lovely song - never heard it - and beautiful images. Just loved it - thank you!
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 15th, 2009 11:09 pm (UTC)
As I'd said above with JoJo, the fact that this impacted you in some way emotionally makes me happier than just about anything. :-) I'm so glad it worked for you.

I'm glad you liked the song too. I'd actually learned of The Guggenheim Grotto through their song Her Beautiful Ideas (Which I just happen to have available for download here: www.ancastascorner.com/HerBeautifulIdeas.mp3. Please right click to save). They're an Irish group that has been getting airtime on my local indie station. I found their stuff on Amazon (they're probably on iTunes too) and downloaded a bunch. Fa Da Da Dee really caught my attention. I like the way it works for Sam (obviously *g*).
kaz? bonne?: J2 hug[info]datenshiblue on October 15th, 2009 03:36 pm (UTC)
omg that amazing. O.O

Very very nice work! I loved the use of zoom in cuts, one after the other, I love the way you used the camera movement shots to such wonderful effect to reinforce the song's rhythm. I love the gorgeous Jared shots. :D

The color shading was so subtle and yet very effective!

Most of all, I love the way all the features worked together to tell a very specific emotional story from Sam's beginnings, to his "fall" to his coming back and the hope of the present. Very very powerful. Fantastic storytelling.

I have done video editing and I know how labor intensive it is, though my efforts were years ago and on quite other technology (tape, anyone? stone knives and bearskins! ;D). I loved doing this kind of work and you have my total admiration and respect.

Just really wonderful.
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 15th, 2009 11:12 pm (UTC)
This is such lovely and generous feedback. Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me what worked for you.

I'm particularly pleased the storyline worked for you and was clear.

I think vids are beautiful, but more than effects, I'm drawn to strong storytelling and/or POVs. So I always try to keep an eye on that when I'm working on my own projects.

Though, admittedly, I was kind of proud of some of the pretty zooms and colors this time too! :-)
(no subject) - [info]datenshiblue on October 16th, 2009 03:58 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]ancastar on October 16th, 2009 04:06 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]datenshiblue on October 20th, 2009 05:28 pm (UTC) (Expand)
Dark and Angsty with a splash of Hope: SamnDean Hug[info]varkelton on October 16th, 2009 12:25 am (UTC)
Sammy-centric vids are, admittedly, an easy sell with me, but this was made of pretty! Thanks for sharing!
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 16th, 2009 03:24 pm (UTC)
Oh! Thank you so much. I'm really glad you liked it. It would be hard not to make it pretty, given the subject matter. ;-)
keri1006: SPN boys[info]keri1006 on October 16th, 2009 05:20 pm (UTC)
Oh, that was lovely! Pushed all my Sammy buttons just so....

Thank you!
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 16th, 2009 05:25 pm (UTC)
Did you like our boy? Oh good!
(no subject) - [info]keri1006 on October 16th, 2009 05:30 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]ancastar on October 16th, 2009 05:37 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]keri1006 on October 16th, 2009 06:04 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]callistosh65 on October 16th, 2009 07:42 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]ancastar on October 16th, 2009 07:44 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]callistosh65 on October 16th, 2009 07:47 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]keri1006 on October 16th, 2009 09:35 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]ancastar on October 17th, 2009 12:22 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]keri1006 on October 17th, 2009 08:27 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]geminigrl11 on October 17th, 2009 03:07 pm (UTC) (Expand)
ash48[info]ash48 on October 17th, 2009 02:55 am (UTC)
Oh really cool vid hun! I think you really captured Sam's story (and of course everything that is so gorgeous about Sam!)

Loved the colour changes to blue - that was really nifty. :)

Great work. :D
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 17th, 2009 12:18 pm (UTC)
Oh, wow! It means so much to me that a vidder of your caliber liked my vid. I can't even tell you. :-)

One of the downsides with a fandom as popular as Supernatural is that so much new work gets posted each day, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. As I'd mentioned elsewhere, I probably didn't schedule my posting of this as well as I could have--after all, this went up the same week as your Hurt and Killa's newest. Still, I'm thrilled you found your way over here and that you enjoyed it enough to comment. Thank you so much! You've made my day. :-)
shades of mediocrity[info]geminigrl11 on October 17th, 2009 03:04 pm (UTC)
So, so cool! And I love the song. Very fitting. I love the scenes you chose and the cuts you used. I have no skill in anything technologoical, so I am probably not appreciating some of the color tweaking and editing that took so much time and careful attention. I'm sorry!!

But the theme, I can appreciate tremendously. Sam has grown up...it's so telling for me, though, that the only I scene (I think) where he is even sort of smiling/looking relaxed is with Jess in the bar. Everything after (and even before, with young!Sam), he looks...exhausted. Worn. Sad. Pained. Burdened.

He's grown into his responsibilities, grown as a hunter, grown as a man. But he lost SO much, and is still losing. And while it's strengthening him in crucial ways...it's also wearing him down.

For me, he is one of the most tragic figures in all of TV-dom. Maybe THE most tragic. (And he needs way more hugs).

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!! Hope you are inspired to make more!
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 17th, 2009 07:38 pm (UTC)
Right off the bat, let me say--I'm SOOOOO happy you liked it. After all, you're a Sam fan. If you didn't like it, I'd know I have issues (with the vid... *g*). So--yay!

Secondly, one of the reasons I so adore Colin Ford as young Sam is this kind of old soul thing he has going on. Like the actor who played Jesse this week, you get the sense this isn't just an ordinary kid (particularly in After School Special). I would love to see him come back. So Sam as burdened, even at a young age, is something I agree with you about (Though isn't JP such a puppy in the pilot? Good grief!).

And as for Sam as tragic hero? Absolutely. That's why I think I'm drawn to him. He grows and fights yet never seems to truly win (at least not yet). He definitely inspires me, as does Dean. I hope this is the first of many SPN vids.

After all, I've promised one to Callisto for Christmas. :-)
P.R. Zed: groovy[info]przed on October 17th, 2009 07:31 pm (UTC)
Such a lovely vid, and such a perfect song for Sammy. I've already told you how much I love it--the way you nail the lyrics in the very first verse, the beautiful timing in the section with Lucifer!Sam, the wonderful timing in the slower passages--so now all I'm going to say is Well Done!

My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 17th, 2009 07:40 pm (UTC)
You were way beyond helpful. As always. :-) Did you notice I was able to switch out footage in the slower section to make it work timing-wise? Thanks for nudging me about it. I'd convinced myself it was okay as is, but you wouldn't let me get away with it. So I totally have you to thank.

Thank you. ;-)
gonzai55: Dr Who[info]gonzai55 on October 22nd, 2009 02:52 pm (UTC)
Haven't watched yet (at work) but kudos for your musical selection :) Awesome tune, and good to know someone else digs the GG.
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 22nd, 2009 02:56 pm (UTC)
Aren't they great? I came to them via Her Beautiful Ideas, which was in heavy rotation on my local indie station and had just obsessed me over the summer. I think they're wonderful.

When you have the chance to see the vid, I hope you like it. The song seemed to fit Sammy in tone and in lyrics.
(no subject) - [info]gonzai55 on October 22nd, 2009 03:53 pm (UTC) (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]ancastar on October 22nd, 2009 03:57 pm (UTC) (Expand)
i was always like this: dean[info]bionic on October 22nd, 2009 06:26 pm (UTC)
this song is so beautiful! Lovely choice for Sam. Awesome editing, I love the zooms, really keeps the motion going in the video.
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 22nd, 2009 06:31 pm (UTC)
Oh yay! I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks. :-)
and_ed: SPN - sam and dean by peak77[info]and_ed on October 25th, 2009 12:31 am (UTC)
Finally catching up a bit here and wow...you did a really fantastic job on this video. The edits are seamless and the clips you used are so expressive. I especially love that middle section where the music slows and you start with the spinning young!Sam to now!Sam running their hands through their hair bit. Really well done. Downloading to keep - thanks so much for sharing it.
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on October 25th, 2009 01:30 am (UTC)
Oh yay! I'm so glad you liked it. And yeah, that middle section is the part I'm most partial to as well.

I think it has to do with young Sam starting everything off. He makes you remember back to when he was just a wee one and fairly innocent. That makes all he has lost seem all the more poignant.

Thanks for the kind words!
kaye: deanandsam[info]peg22 on November 27th, 2009 05:51 pm (UTC)
how did I miss this gloriousness? So good, even though I am a die hard Deangirl! But he's so gorgeous and so Hutchly Angsty! Seriously, good vid, good vid, good vid. And I do love that song!
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on November 27th, 2009 06:12 pm (UTC)
Oh yay! I'm so glad you liked it--especially as you are a Deangirl.

I so agree he's reminiscent of Hutch. All my fannish crushes are on the emo half of any given partnership--Doyle, Blair, Hutch, Sam. I'm nothing if not consistent.

As you enjoyed this one, I need to take a moment and self-pimp. Have you seen the SPN vid I made for Sheila's Christmas gift? She chose the music. It's got a bit more Dean in it (as she too is one of his chicks), and can be found here:

http://ancastar.livejournal.com/46383.html

I hope you like it just as well. :-)
mimblexwimble[info]mimblexwimble on April 4th, 2010 05:39 pm (UTC)
This is awesome! It's not what I think of as a traditional song choice where Sam is concerned and I love that. I love how it works, and I think my favorite bit was the slower "brings you sorrow" part. Such a great vid.
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on April 4th, 2010 09:01 pm (UTC)
Hey, kiddo! You working through my back catalog today? :-)

I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Of my three SPN vids, this is the redheaded stepchild in terms of interest. So it's always nice to hear someone likes it.

I'm so glad you liked the slower section in particular. That was my fav part as well. :-)

Thanks.
gidgetgal9[info]gidgetgal9 on July 18th, 2010 02:00 am (UTC)
Sam is such a fascinating character and you captured him so well here. :)
My name is Ancasta[info]ancastar on July 18th, 2010 03:17 am (UTC)
I'm a self-professed Sam!girl (who also loves Dean!). I must admit.
( 57 comments — I have something to say )