My second and (for the time being) last video

[rodneyscat]

I'm not going to spam your flists with video's, I promise!! This is the video that made me want to learn how to vid in the first place. So now that this is done, I'm done too.

The whole story-arc of Michael was rather traumatic for me, in a way that I couldn't get it out of my mind. I was so disappointed in the people of Atlantis! This is my way of getting it out of my system, and frankly, I'm quite pleased with the result.

Video: 'Michael vs Atlantis'
Sources: Stargate Atlantis episodes 'Michael', 'No man's land' and 'Misbegotten'
Music: Blood - The Editors (this is the full, .mp3 version of the song)
warning: big honking spoilers for the mentioned episodes
Link: (.wmv, 12 MB)

If for whatever reason you feel like linking, please link to this post. No need to ask or comment or whatever though.

Comments

[zikade.livejournal.com]

wow, that's good. I looked up the lyrics of your song, and was even more impressed. How did you find that song?!

Do you mind if I post the lyrics here? Other ppl would probably find it useful.

This wicked city
just drags you down
You're with the red lights,
your side of town

Don't say it's easy
to follow a process
There's nothing harder
than keeping a promise

Blood runs through your veins,
that's where our similarity ends
Blood runs through our veins
Blood runs through your veins,
that's where our similarity ends
Blood runs through our veins

There's nothing believable
in being honest
So cover your lies up
with another promise

Blood runs through your veins,
that's where our similarity ends
Blood runs through our veins

Aaaaahhhhhhh

Blood runs through your veins,
that's where our similarity ends
Blood runs through our veins

Blood runs through your veins,
that's where our similarity ends
Blood runs through our veins

Aaaaahhhhhhh

If there's hope in your heart
It would flow to every part
If there's hope in your heart

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

I saw the Editors this spring at a rock festival, and immediately loved this song. I've been playing it a lot since, and when I was in the middle of watching (and weeping over) the episodes that concerned Michael, I immediately made the connection. For me the song and my feelings about those episodes are so connected even, that it sort of surprised me no one had done that particular video yet (at least, none that I could find). It was like it was already finished in my head, all I had to do was get it out of there.

Anyway, it's done now and it came out the way I wanted (which is a first for me with any kind of creative attempt), so I'm satisfied :D

[zikade.livejournal.com]

... and you should be!

oh, you even heard that song live? And I thought you were googling the lyrics to find the best fitting words, lol. It's really fitting so well. I am thinking about converting your vid to format, that iTunes can recognize.

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah -- you just encapsulated all the fucked-upedness of that arc, and with the perfect song, too! Awesome. And ouch.

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

The whole arc was quite disturbing, and it almost threw me off the show, but I kept watching because people told me it would be worthwhile. I'm so glad I did! And looking back on it I can appreciate the fact that it sure stirred a lot, it really touched a nerve, and it made me more aware of the fact that these are people in an extreme situation, where decisions have to be made of which the consequences can't be overseen, and then they have to deal with that.

I'm glad the show isn't all about these kind of moral issues, that sometimes hit too closer to reality for comfort, because I kind of like it that SGA provides me the fantasies to escape reality. But every now and then, I like to be shaken like this. I really needed to let it go now though!

[miriel.livejournal.com]

I completely get (and second) the concept that SGA is such a great show because it's so cracked out most of the time. At the same time, I think that the plots like the Michael arc or "Poisoning the Well" solidify the reality, in some ways making it even easier to slip into, because it makes the characters real. They do make bad decisions, and they do the wrong things for the right reasons and have to live with it.

*Shrugs* That's just my take on it. I know a lot of people tend to get tetchy when they do a moral-dilemna episode, and I totally agree that it's something that should be used sparingly, but I think that they do need to be done in a show like this to keep the characters human and fallible - it allows the audience to relate, and to empathize.

Dude, serious props for tackling the angst of Michael Kenmore in a vid. I love him to death, and think that he's a bit misunderstood amongst fandom as a whole, but he's also seriously screwed up (And to be honest, I don't think he's actually dead, but that's just me).

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

I've nothing to add to that really, because yes, that's exactly how I see it.

Thanks for letting me know you appreciated the video. I found this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoL-Rm5Oexc) at YouTube which gives me shivers every time I watch it. The person who made it made very good use of leaving in some of the original voices through the music. It works very well.

They had a perfect actor for Michael by the way, because he's able to put it all there; ranging from vulnerability to viciousness. The scene where he finds out the truth rips me every time.

Yeah, I too think we'll see some more of him, or that they at least leave that opening. Just as we'll see more of Aiden Ford.

[samena.livejournal.com]

Wow! Amazing clip! It really looks like it took a huge amount of skill, though you keep saying you're just fiddling a bit. :) I'd very much like to know the story behind those images, too. Very well done!

Something else: I'm not sure if you've seen these or not, but look! (http://salwood.livejournal.com/799137.html?style=mine#cutid1). The third cap: it's "your" smile! :D

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

It is!!! Oh how lovely to see that smile, and I love that you recognize that as 'my' smile; thanks for thinking of me and pointing it out!

My sparkly Elijah *sighs fondly*

[samena.livejournal.com]

I always think of you when I see that smile. :) He doesn't do it all the time, fortunately, so it's kind of special. Have you seen the Jonathan Ross clips on Sal's LJ? He does the smile a couple more times there.

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've seen them on YouTube. Are those Sal's clips? It's so weird, because I commented on one of those clips (the first one) and on another clip posted by the same user there, but both my comments were gone. Not just not posted, but they were there one moment and gone the next time I looked.

I've also been trying to download the clip from sakura_o_o, but not having any luck with that :(

Well, at least I've seen them now, and I must say that after all the negative reactions, it was nicer then I expected. The first part is certainly irritating, with that bloody long lotr clip that we've all seen 20.000 times already, and such. But the second half is nice! I like Elijah being teased, and his reactions are great! I especially loved the (which is actually from the first part) where he gets caught for smoking and he first laughs and then plays along with that cute 'berated kid' look when Jonathan scolds him; Elijah is quick like that.

And boy does he look tasty!!

[samena.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, icon! :D

You could look on Sal's LJ, because she has the clips embedded there. I heard there are also downloadable versions somewhere.

When I saw the interview on tv I was a bit disappointed, but the more I see it, the more I like it. It has some very nice moments, and Elijah is adorable as always. The bit with the Frodo doll and the tapdancing Mumble toy is so cute! And his 1.000.000 facial expressions. And God yes, he looks lovely!!

Have you seen this (http://wendylady2.livejournal.com/5141.html#cutid1) post? It's always a pleasure to see an Elijah pic spam, and this one has something to say as well. That fourth photo - the green velvet suit close-up - especially made me go: *system failure* ;D

[darciana.livejournal.com]

May I ask if you still have that video somewhere and could reupload it? I'm deseprately looking for some interesting Michael vids as he's the only character on that show which fascinates me, but it's pretty hard to find any.

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! How did you even come across this entry after all this time?! I had to do some serious digging on my hard-drive to find the vid again, because to me it had served its purpose, which was dealing with the whole Michael issue. I was seriously disappointed in some of my favorite characters on the show! SGA does that occasionally. I'm still sticking to it though.

The vid is made with an old version of Windows Movie Maker, which is a good program for cutting and pasting some home-video footage, but sucks at trying to do anything remotely fancy and/or precise. I also accidentally got the aspect ratio wrong, which has been corrected for me by zikade when she turned it from a .wmv to a .mov file. I've uploaded the .mov file, (http://www.sendspace.com/file/vti6k3) because that one looks best. If you can't play it, I can upload the .wmv file, but that one is stretched.

My personal favorite Michael vid is the one by Roelof.P. I know Linkin Park has been done to death by vidders, but the song works perfectly for me here, and Michael's story is told so well. You can find it here (http://www.scifispace.net/mv-in_the_end.php). I don't know if there's still a downloadable version available anywhere, but I can upload that file too if you want.