Sweet Charity Video: Still Breathing (Spike, BtVs, AtS)

[charmax]

Video Title: Still Breathing
Song Title/Artist: Still Breathing - Duran Duran
Character/Fandom: Spike, BtVs, AtS
Summary:Spike's redemption song
Length/Format: 4.06 (Xvid)
Notes: What it says on the tin image, commissioned as part of the Sweet Charity Auction, RAINN 2.0.

This is very much a character study of remorse and redemption. The parallels are to show where he's been, how far he's come and how far he still has to go in a geographical sense but more in a personal journey towards becoming a hero. It's also about how he can't escape his past because the same situations keep arising but this time he reacts differently. It's about never going back to his old self or repeating the same mistakes.

My buyer is happy so that makes me happy. :)

Thank you so much xandra_ptv, messyjessie58 & giandujakiss for your helpful beta comments. Sorry if it was you that missed out on the beta process, in total I had 6 opinions on this (which is way more than I usually have) and I had to draw the line somewhere.

Download Xvid (720x400 - 50MB)
Download Xvid (480x272 - 27MB)
stream @ imeem

Feedback is extremely welcome.

Comments

[bananainpyjamas.livejournal.com]

Oh this was gorgeous. I've never seen Buffy so I was totally without context, but even on the level of composition and movement this was such a treat to watch. I really do admire vidders who can get so much of out slow, subtle songs like this one.

The connections throughout were absolutely fantastic. I'm sure I missed some, but the ones I noticed really helped tie the narrative together and make it more transparent to a clueless viewer like myself. :) And the continued use of beautiful, haunting imagery ensured that the vid was a delight even when I wasn't 100% sure of what was going on. Awesome, awesome work!

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

Great vid. An ambrosia for a Spike fan. :)

[ruuger]

Oh wow, that was beautiful. Made me fall in love with Spike all over again :)

(Sorry, it's 2 a.m. so I don't really have the brain functions to give detailed feedback)

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Eeeee! Two of my favourite things together - Duran Duran and BTVS/ATS. Loved the editing, the freeze frame flashes, the nice eerie feel of the vid. And at the end, Spike making the ultimate sacrifice, twice. *loves*

[bionic.livejournal.com]

what a beautiful video. Very moving :D I'm kind of speechless!

[charmax.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Speechless is good!

[charmax.livejournal.com]

Thanks you. "Ambrosia for a Spike fan". I certainly hope so.

[charmax.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. Ah that 2am feeling I know it well.

[charmax.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. It was nice to finally return to BtVS/AtS and rediscover my love for the show. Only in the buffyverse would someone be required to make the ultimate sacrifice twice. :D

[charmax.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Dragonchic. I'm relieved that it works without context because for ages I was convinced it looked like a bunch of random Spike clips.

Trying to incorporate fight scenes into a slow song was one of the bigger challenges of the vid.

I'm pleased you enjoyed it so much, I'm honoured.

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

I'm currently working on a vid that will use footage from all 12 seasons, so I know what you mean about rediscovering the love!

Only in the buffyverse would someone be required to make the ultimate sacrifice twice.

Hehehe, I should *so* get you into Stargate. At last count I think Daniel had died 5 times. Or is it 6?

[charmax.livejournal.com]

Eek all 12. I'm not sure I've rediscovered that much love. lol You're very brave and I can't wait to see the results! It's been ages since we had a vid from you. Where are you fitting the time in, what with baby and all?

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Um, not sure how I'm going to find the time, actually! But I find that with all the feeding, I watch lots of TV/DVD's, so that part's easy. And hopefully he'll start sleeping through soon and then I'll have evenings free to vid. *crosses fingers* I've got several I want to do and no time to do them!

[elisi]

Loved it. Great choice of clips and wonderful intercutting, linking together themes I hadn't previously considered and throwing new light on Spike (I love vids that are full of meta).

Oh and I don't think I ever told you, but I also *adore* 'Your Woman' and 'Why I Am Here'! At least those are my favourites of yours! It's hard to choose... :)

[jamalov29.livejournal.com]

This was gorgeously done ! A wonderful tribute to the unforgettable character who is Spike.
I loved the ending when you blend together his last moment in the Hellmouth and in the alley.

Thank you very much for this. :)

[charmax.livejournal.com]

That was the idea, to have a slightly different take on a Spike character vid. It's good to know that you enjoyed it! :D

Thanks also for your kind words about "Your Woman" and "Why I'm Here" it's always nice to find them appreciated after all this time.

I see you've also given this vid a rec, cheers for that.

[charmax.livejournal.com]

It's really nice to hear that you found this a fitting tribute. It's quite context heavy so I wasn't sure how accessible it would be, thanks for putting my mind at ease. Thanks also for the rec! Recs are the equivalent of gold on lj. :)

[jamalov29.livejournal.com]

Thanks also for the rec! You're welcome !

I would like many other people to come here and enjoy . Your beautiful work shouldn't be missed by all the Spike addicted. :)

[marvelgirl-art.livejournal.com]

amazing video! similarity between btvs and ats universes is such a great idea and montage is flawless as always!

you know, every time I watch your video works I wish I could make videos myself. maybe some day I’ll find courage at least to start learning))

[charmax.livejournal.com]

I would love to see more addicts drop by here too! *g*

[charmax.livejournal.com]

This is a huge compliment coming from you, your art is truly stunning.

I'm sure if you ever did get into vidding you'll be be just as capable as you are with the graphics.

Thanks very much for commenting!

[marvelgirl-art.livejournal.com]

thanks for the kind words about my art))
and i hope you don’t mind, but i recommended this video in one russian buffy related community, i linked my rec to this very page.

[charmax.livejournal.com]

I sure don't mind you rec'ing the vid, it's great to have more viewers! Thank you so much.

[countessmary.livejournal.com]

Sweet Bloody Moses! That was awesome. I've never seen quite ... um wow. I'm not a huge Spike fan so much anymore but you got me all nostalgic for him. :) The parallels you drew for this were... just amazing!!!

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

What a treat of a video! Thank you for this unique look at Spike's journey.
Loved the flashbacks to Buffy in his monastery cell of an apartment: they were heartbreaking. No, not going there again, but still dreaming about it. Loved the "words" part, and how's he's never going back there again, in the end: to Sunnydale, to W&H, to a vampire monster inside.
And the flashback to Angel and Buffy in "Chosen" after he raises his hand - loved it. It's not even about Buffy: it's about an amulet: Angel brought an amulet which killed him, but he still volonteers first when Angel asks yet of another sacrifice. Beautiful.
Change from the Tower to Fred's eye glazing over - vow. And the end, the sky - I loved how after he shoots the beam of light into the sky Angel looks up too. And Gunn gets up after Spike starts to burn, just like Buffy got up. Wonderful.