New Vid: Memoirs Of A Geisha

[charmax]

Video Title: Birth Of A Geisha
Song Title/Artist: Song Of Birth - Eri Sugai
Movie: Memoirs Of a Geisha
Summary: This is a journey from girl to Geisha. Character study/film overview
Length/Format: 3.38 (Xvid)
Notes:
This was my entry in the Reverie style contest. Vidders were asked to submit anonymously and then members were invited to guess who made what and provide feedback before the vidders were announced. It was great fun and I learned a lot. Half the people who voted guessed me right. I suppose that means I must have quite a distinctive style.

About the vid itself, I don't know what the actual English translation is and all my research pointed to the artist using her voice as an instrument rather than specific lyrics. If it is hideously inappropriate at any point I'm sorry for that but I chose to edit it as if it was an instrumental piece. Memoirs of a Geisha is a beautifully shot film and I did my best to utilise that. I roughly followed the narrative of the film but I did take some liberties, perhaps the biggest of which was the decision to remove the fourth Geisha (Piglet) from the vid altogether.

Download Xvid (960x400 - 85MB)
Download Xvid (720x304 - 35MB)
Med stream @ imeem

Feedback is extremely welcome.

Comments

[martoufmarty.livejournal.com]

I've never seen the movie, but I love this vid. It's so pretty and it just... flows.

[bradcpu.livejournal.com]

It's tough to say anything specific and coherent about this vid because it has such a oneness to it. It's like a big, visual poem.

Easily the most masterful use of crossfades I've ever seen. And I want to go on record saying this is the only vid that's ever brought me to the verge of tears with its sheer beauty.

It's also wonderful how the music cues are reflected in so many ways - the subtle bouncing through the street, the not-so-subtle sparks in the doorway, the light on the face.

Definitely my favorite vid of yours, Charmax, and I don't say that lightly!

[benmars.livejournal.com]

Brings out the gorgeous beauty of the movie even more.

[frivolity65.livejournal.com]

It is a really beautiful vid. :) I haven't seen the film, I am going to have to go and get it to watch it now, the visuals are gorgeous (and Ziyi Zhang is one of the most beautiful women on the planet). Someone already pointed out how smoothly this flows, but then your videos always do. *mwah* XXXXx

[bananainpyjamas.livejournal.com]

This vid still brings me to the verge of tears. One of the most achingly beautiful things I've ever seen. The way you hold an ADD viewer like myself in the palm of your hand even after I've seen it so many times is astounding. *goes to watch again*

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

Absolutely delicious.

[nicole-anell.livejournal.com]

Just watched and loved this. Really beautiful and great editing, especially the amazing fades from one image to another. Oh, and when the light comes on cue around 3:13 - wow. Excellent job! *saves and watches again*

[etherealshores.livejournal.com]

Someone pointed me in the direction of your fanvid, and I have to say this is very well done! It's certainly one of the most moving I've ever seen, and I love your style.

Great song choice as well - hardly anyone knows of Eri Sugai, so it was really interesting you picked that one.

[amalthia]

lovely vid.

[txlsplash.livejournal.com]

I can't stop watching this. It's absolutely amazing, and SO BEAUTIFUL, with the music and the cinematography...ah, brilliant. Your crossfades make me want to cry. In a good way.

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

Sumptuously beautiful vid (as befits the subject matter).

You use the overlays and crossfades like a geisha's fan, the way the focus shifts from side to side mirrors that cloistered world, its sliding doors and layered robes. Glorious sequence at the turn of the story where the serial overlays give the impression of the girl running though snow covered roofs to be confronted by her adult self.

I also loved the centrality of the relationships between the women, men look on but the greatest passion seemed to come between the girl and her mentor/anti-mentor good mother/bad mother ending in fire. It gave a disquieting edge to the Cinderella ending, I haven't seen the movie but it’s deliciously unclear in the final scene whether the prince at the centre of the labyrinth is really a toad.

[buffyann.livejournal.com]

Again, visually BEAUTIFUL. I didn't like the song really but I was still glued to the screen. The way you used the original source shows your great eye for visuals.
I adored the used of crossfades and probably overlays, I'm not sure when what was used... but really beautiful. You really captured something beautiful and made it beautiful. *love*

[spookysen.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed this vid. Loved the song, and I agree about the voice as an instrument. *Glad you took out Piglet.* She was one of those bitchy people who are just about unforgivable. ;)

I applaud what you did at the parts around 1:01ish 2:15ish. And the end, lol. Good job, you rock. :D

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

This is just gorgeous. The source is sumptious and you did fantastic things with the movement and colors. And the overlays/crossfades you used. Makes my eyes ridiculously happy to watch it. :}

[balistik94.livejournal.com]

Beautiful. Seamless use of overlays and wonderful musicality. Stunning piece.

[azdaja-dafema.livejournal.com]

This is beautiful. I love the way you blend the scene-changes. There's such a flow to this. I don't know what the words mean, but it certainly works as an instrumental, I think. The colours are so beautiful.