SPT's Blog

Sunday, August 5, 2007

SPT's Deathly Hallows Review

These are my thoughts as I can recall them...in no particular order...

- I can't WAIT to see the film scene of the multiple Harrys. That was one of the coolest parts of the book, in my opinion.
- I was hoping that Neville would get to take out Bellatrix, but turns out he had more important things to do (you go, Neville with that sword, my man) and reading Molly Weasley swear at her was worth it. I don't cuss myself, but the whole idea that Mrs. Weasley would get out there and fight was so surprising, that it made me laugh.
- Hermione as Bellatrix made me laugh on more than one occasion and hands down, up there with the Harrys as one of my favorite scenarios because right before that, Bellatrix uses the Cruciatus Curse on Hermione to the point that Hermione lies on the floor, unmoved. It was sort of sweet justice for her to get back at Bellatrix by breaking into her family's vault by impersonating her.
- Dobby. *Tear* I am glad he died a heroic death and that Harry paid a great respect to him that he was indeed, "free".
- One less Weasley twin made my heart sad, but knowing the twins, they both wanted to fight, so I think it was fitting that Fred went out fighting and making a joke with his prodigal brother, Percy, who returned to join the Order.
- The Malfoys are complete cowards, but I loved how Harry went back to save Draco and Goyle, even though he didn't have to. THAT'S what makes him a hero, you know, that "saving-people thing" he's got. :)
- Snape turned out to be a good guy and I was REALLY hoping for that! I thought for a little while that I might not get that happy ending, but seeing the memories and the interaction with Dumbledore really made me happy. I KNEW there was a reason that Dumbledore trusted him and that Rowling wouldn't make Dumbles a fool.
- I've been thinking about why Snaped wanted Harry to "look at" him before he died and I came to the conclusion that he wanted to see Harry's eyes, which reminded him so much of Lily once more.
- I was so disgusted at the idea that Dumbledore's image had all been a facade with all the crap people had been saying about him, but I'm glad she righted that in the end. The "heavenly" meeting between Harry and Albus was so enlightening and I thought it was very fitting to have Dumbledore and only Dumbledore there to explain everything (well, and let Harry figure it out for himself) to him. Dumbledore had, indeed, gone on to the "Next Great Adventure". Although, I'm a little confused about the "creature" in the room with them. Was that supposed to somehow be Voldemort? Wasn't sure about that...
- The Ron/Hr didn't bother me so much, although, JKR DID have to make Ron more heroic to match Hermione (who, in all respects, is attracted to Heroes, Quidditch players, and Clever guys), but I can justify that as Ron's progression into a more mature wizard who finally mans up. In fact, I liked Ron more in this book than I think I ever have. Using his will to destroy the locket was such a powerful scene to me and showed a lot of strength in his character and I liked that.

- Sad about Tonks and Lupin, but it's fitting, I think, for Harry to be the Godfather to their child and help raise him, much like Sirius would have been and done to and for him.
- LOVED the Godric's Hollow chapter. Not just for the H/Hr bonding time and the sweetness at his parents' gravesite, but because it FREAKED.ME.OUT. The "Bathilda Bagshot"? Creepy. In fact, it felt like the first chapter of GOF to me, which scared me senseless :)
- The flashback to Lily and Petunia as children really puts Petunia's bitterness about the wizardly world into perspective.
- Too many "Ginny is beautiful" references, but sometimes, you just have to suck that stuff up :) She's still the Lana to me, but I'll live. The Harry/Ginny relationship just seemed a little too focused on the physical than anything else and a little shallow. Ginny showed some compassion to another student at the end, which I liked, but it always seemed liked they liked each other for some snogging time.

- I didn't so much like Harry and McGonagall using the Unforgiveable Curses. I thought that was kinda hypocritical since they had looked down on the uses of them for so long. If you're going to say they're bad, don't use them yourself. I mean, I know they may not have had any other choices, but really, I just don't think that was right. Kinda bothered me.
- Harry faced Death like a champ, asking the same questions I often have about it. I liked that those that had gone before him came to offer him support. I thought that was a nice touch that he wouldn't be alone and that his parents, especially, his mother, were so supportive. It reminds me that Death is nothing to be feared.
- As a Christian, I must say that I'm pleased to finally see that Rowling DID make him a Christ-like figure who defeated evil and death, to save all of mankind. I kinda thought she would. I liked that Harry had the same kind of concerns that even Jesus, Himself, on the night he "died" (asking for the Father to take the cup from Him), but knew it had to be done and faced it victoriously. Voldemort was very much the Satan character of the story (duh, I know, right?), even down to the taunting of the "Savior" and thinking he knew everything and nothing could defeat him, only to fall short. And, I'm not gonna lie, I thought the fact that Harry being a Christ-figure would be awesome, solely in the fact that it would rock the Christian community. I'll admit, I'm a little sad for my Christian brothers and sisters who blasted the story and the books (most likely, never having read them) and not understood what could come of it. I've often thought it was silly that some in the Christian faith praised the Lord of the Rings series, which has just as much magic, wizards, and scary evil as the HP series, but because the KIDS performed the magic, apparently, that's where they drew the line. I sure hope (and I DO pray) they can see this story as the Narnia Chronicles for the new generation :)

Here are some things I found significant in terms of Christian symbolism...

I think the Christian allegory was all over DH, but I found Harry’s willingness to give up his life as the biggest one to me.
He didn’t seek glory, he didn’t make a big scene (he wanted it just to be Voldemort and himself), and he knew it was something he, and he alone had to/could do.

Even as sure as Harry was about his purpose, he still seemed to hesitate for a brief moment with his fears about what death would be like, if it would hurt, the fact that he had lived through so many dangerous things so many times, which reminded me of Christ in the Garden.
Matthew 26:42
He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

I felt like Harry, even with his worries/concerns about giving himself up as a sacrifice, he knew it HAD to be done and that he was the only one who could do it to save everyone, which is what happened with Jesus in the Garden. He asked the Father if something else could be done, but in the end, decided to do His will because He knew it HAD to be done.

Another aspect I found interesting in Chapter 34 was the dialogue between Harry and his parents:

“You’ll stay with me?”
“Until the very end,” said James.

That reminded me an awful lot like Matthew 28:20 and Jesus’ words to his followers:
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

“Harry had been expecting it, knew his body would not be allowed to remain sullied upon the forest floor; it must be subjected to humiliation to prove Voldemort’s victory.” - Chapter 36
That made me think of the humiliation that Christ went through for us, being stripped of his clothes, beaten, jeered, and crucified as a criminal.

I thought it was significant that Dumbledore’s tomb was broken. Even though, Albus didn’t rise from the dead, I thought it was specific imagery to the tomb rolling away on the first Easter morning and a lot like the stone being broken in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe when Aslan resurrected.

Harry waking up in “King’s Cross” after his “death”, naked, and having to put on a new set of clothes reminded me of 1 Corinthians 15:40:
“There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.”

I love Harry as the hero, but especially, as the hero who helps those who don’t help him, such as Malfoy and Griphook.
Malfoy could’ve died in the flames, but Harry was determined to go back and save him.
Harry rescued Griphook and made sure that he got the care he needed, even though, he made off with the sword and said bad things about wizards and was untrustworthy.
Harry doesn’t give up on people. He could have given up on Ron when he left the camp, but welcomed him back with open arms and gave him another chance, much like the Weasley family did with Percy, which reminded me a lot of the Prodigal Son parable.
And, even though, Harry knew Voldemort was bad news and would probably not repent, he DID give him a chance at the end, which Voldemort ended up refusing.
Harry is a forgiving character and is able to try to see the best in people (when there is some), even to those who have done him harm.

Lastly, I found the epitaph on James and Lily’s graves was highly symbolic of how Christians have victory over death.
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (Chapter 16)

Reminds me of 1 Corinthians 15:55:
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

And, don't think it gets passed me that Harry goes to King's Cross as in THE King (Jesus).

If anyone wants to know more about where the characters end up, in addition to the epilogue, there is an interview at CNN in which Rowling goes into more detail:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/07/30/potters.afterlife.ap/index.html

I think Harry's and Luna's are right on and I really like Ron helping run the Joke Shop.
Ginny's writing for The Daily Prophet seems to come out of NOWHERE, so I think that's kinda stupid.
And, Hermione working for the Ministry seems about right, but didn't her O.W.L. results say she was best suited as an Auror?
Otherwise, that's fun to read those, just for the Happy Ending :)

I really enjoyed Deathly Hallows!
I'm glad Snape was revealed to be good, that Dumbledore wasn't an idiot misplacing his trust, that Hermione fought in the action, and that Evil was defeated and Harry was the one to do it.

Posted by film/savingpeoplething at 12:27 PM EDT
Updated: Sunday, August 5, 2007 1:10 PM EDT
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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

SPT's OOTP Movie Review

Hermione didn't say that Harry had a "saving-people thing".
SPT is sad.

Upside and in general, this Harry Potter fan is pleased with Movie 5!

- LOVED the beginning with Dudley.
I love that they DID make the difference in his appearance, to where he's no longer the chubby kid we saw before, but a tougher guy who beats up people who are smaller than he is. Thought that was true to the book. And, yo, it was funny.

- The Dementors were interesting. I guess they wanted to show us more of what they look like underneath the cloak. Very creepy.

- Where was the letter addressed to Aunt Petunia? I always thought that would be important later on...

- I love Arthur Weasley. Harry taking him through the subway process was SO fun.

- TONKS!
Even though, we only saw a handful of minutes of her, she rocked my world. :) They made her a little bumbly, which is true to the book.

- I've always like the Luna/Harry relationship (not in a shippy way, but in a story way) because they bond over being different. That came across very well onscreen, especially, in the scene with Luna feeding the thestrals because it comes at the heels of Harry talking about how he feels alone.

Cool to see a HP fan bring her love for the character to the role. She was very cute and, in my opinion, captured Luna well.

- Disappointed that Kingsley never really got a proper introduction. I wonder if I hadn't read the book, if I would make the connection of who he was. They said his first and last names at different times and never together, so I thought that might be confusing for non-readers.

- Percy's apperance, I thought, also might be confusing to non-reading-movie-watchers because we hadn't seen him in so long and I don't think the movie really captured the drama that is Percy's relationship with the Weasley family once he goes to work for the Ministry and how separated from them he becomes.

- Loved all the newspaper clipping sequences. Well-edited and a great way to give information to the viewer and seque between scenes.

- As a H/Hr shipper, I say thanks to the screenwriter/director/editor (?) for putting the two hugs in Harry's thoughts.
OOTP is sometimes, referred to, as the H/Hr Bible, which basically, means, that the book is COVERED in that ship. Hermione wants Harry to knit with her when nobody else is around, Harry left his date with Cho to meet with Hermione, which made Cho suspect something was going on with them, Hermione blackmailed Rita Skeeter to get the truth out about Harry, Hermione getting hit and knocked out by a spell in the DoM and Harry fears she's dead and freaks (while, holding her in his arms, I believe), etc. and, of course, NONE of that is in the movie.
I guess that's kinda what was disappointing from a H/Hr standpoint.

I don't so much care about ships in HP anymore (didn't really think about it much until the POA film, and read GOF and OOTP) because really, they're so minor to what is really going on (unless Book 7 has the relationships/their "love" being what helps defeat Voldemort), that I'm just whatever about it now. I think they did the Smallvillian thing and hit on every ship except Ron/Luna, which I thought was sad because I always loved that Luna had a little thing for him :)

For the record, I DID think the R/Hr WAS cute and it was played very well because I could actually see them caring about one another and being a little flirty. It's the "quarreling lovers" thing I can't stand because I just typically, don't really bond to characters/relationships like that. The only times I really ever like them are basically, in Fred and Ginger movies, but even then, you can sense pretty much, right off at the start of those situations, that they have affection for one another, so the quarreling doesn't bother me as much with those. I guess I'd throw "Overboard" (with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell) in there as one couple I'm okay with that starts off as quarrelers, but then, you know they're together in real life and that the movie will eventually put them together, so you just assume good things come out of the fighting, so...

The Harry/Ginny stuff still feels a little forced to me, but I do think they tried to foreshadow it for Movie 6 when that will all come out to the forefront. The "Ginny looking at Cho with jealousy" thing was a little ridiculous, in my opinion. A little too over the top, which I think is my big issue with the H/G ship in the first place.

Even though, I DO suck it up about ships now, I STILL have a preference and that IS H/Hr.

- I'm not the biggest Ginny Weasley fan ever, but I guess I did like them showing her strengths as her own character. Except, I don't know if I like them showing her to be more powerful than everyone else with her Reducto spell. I don't know. I just don't feel like anyone should outshine Harry, even if she DOES become his girlfriend in the future.

- Hermione with Grawp was well-played (way to go, Emma Watson) and true to the book and Hermione's character, I thought.

I didn't like the way Grawp looked (too much like Movie 1's CGI troll and I felt like it should have been improved by now...maybe they were aiming for a consistent look?), but I DID I enjoy Hermione's tough love on him (I absolutely love BossyHermione!) and how he responded with the bike bell for her.

I REALLY like Hermione because she takes up for lost causes (I often wonder if that's what attracted her to Harry in the first place). She stands up for the HouseElves, wants help for the Centaurs, and befriends Grawp, a giant who is scary-looking and VERY big.

I DO wonder if her love and affection for those creatures will come into play in the last book, as they try to recruit giants and others for the side of good (can't remember if they already did that in Book 6 or not, it's been too long since I read it).

- Fred and George? What can I say? They are up there with Harry, Hermione (Ron is okay, but he's not my FAVE, just for the record), and Snape as my favorite characters. I'm SO glad they kept their rebellion and peace out to the school. "Give 'em hell, Peeves", for sure.
Just wish I could have seen the fight between the one twin (can't remember which one now) and Harry, which gets them banned from Quidditch because I always thought that was made of awesome.

- The interaction between Bellatrix and Neville was small, but I think it does a great job of what, I think, will eventually be a showdown between the two. Rowling recently told Helena (from what I read on Veritaserum today) that Bellatrix will play an important role in Book 7. Looking forward to that.
Neville and Harry both have issues with Bellatrix, so she has something coming for her.

- Occlumency classes were great and loved seeing the little flashback into Snape's mind, although, doesn't Lily take up for Severus in the book? I was waiting for that to happen, but it never did. I didn't notice Pettigrew or Lupin in there, but I'm sure they must have been. I just didn't catch them. I DID recognize James and Sirius for sure. Boy, that YoungJamesPotter was a piece of work, wasn't he? No wonder Snape has qualms.

- Umbridge was right on the money (loved that she always had to stand above everyone all the time and her detention scenes with Harry were hard to watch, as they should have been),

as were her decrees. I LOVED seeing them get shattered when the Twins ransacked the place. Very symbolic of standing up to "The Man".

- Emma Thompson, I love you. Your Trelawney is so fun and I feel for her so much. And, thanks for wearing those big 'ole bug-eyed glasses because they make me laugh.

- Dumbledore's Army was great because I love seeing Harry as a leader and I really loved Hermione taking the lead and being Harry's big encourager. Very true to the book.

- Cho, I just don't care about you. I never really did.

- Speaking of Cho, her kiss with Harry was a little...uncomfortable for me to watch. I think it lasted a little TOO long.

- I had forgotten (before I watched the film tonight) about how Dumbledore distances himself from Harry in Book 5. That was well-played.

- Dumbledore Vs. Voldemort. Holy crap. I was SO impressed by that and that says a lot because it was one of the more crucial scenes I was waiting on while watching. I was just waiting for Dumbles to show up and man, when he stepped out of that fireplace, I thought to myself (no lie), "you go, boy!". Such an AWESOME entrance. Albus was like, "You wanna play, psycho? Bring it."

- Speaking of Dumbledore, I think Rowling said that after Book 6, Albus wasn't coming back, but boy, when I saw that scene onscreen with him turning into the phoenix and burning into ashes, that REALLY made me go back to my original suspicions that he WILL return and that Snape IS good, via the theory that he killed Dumbledore out of Dumbles' own orders to him.

- Ralph owns his role as Voldemort. He just does.

- Kreacher. I don't think he was utilized all that well. He was introduced and then, he didn't do anything.

- Lucius Malfoy, I love you, you bad, bad man. I love his line about how children not being able to take them on. It just makes me cheer inside. It's like the Ewoks defeating the Imperial Army in "Return of the Jedi".
The little people vs. the big baddies who seem unbeatable. Man, I just love that stuff.

- The Sirius/Harry stuff was so emotional and just flat out, great set up for the ending.

Even though, I knew Sirius would get killed by Bellatrix, it was so gripping when the audio was dropped at Harry's screaming reaction. They also did that when Cedric died in GOF and I really like that. So effective. Much more tense when you can't hear anything.
Oh, give it up for the shot of Sirius changing his form in the silhouette and the Black Family Tree!

- Harry using his will to talk back to Voldemort while under control is probably THE best thing I like about Harry. He doesn't back down.

I was upset that the GOF movie didn't capitalize on the Defense Against the Dark Arts' lessons with Moody when Harry actually beats the curses. I always loved that because it really sets Harry apart as someone to reckon with and that he IS special. Great to see that in Movie 5.

I really enjoyed how when Harry was taken over by Voldemort (whether it be through his dreams or his body), he would crack his neck, in a similar fashion that Voldemort does at the train station. It's a nice, subtle visual sign that it's not Harry, but Voldemort causing those actions or situations.

- The propecy sequence was pretty good, although, I don't think in the book, that everyone hears it. I seem to remember Harry not telling Ron and Hermione until Book 6. I didn't like that there was no real hard mention of the fact that it is Trelawney's prophecy because I think that is SO important, considering how everyone thinks she is a fake.
Upside, I did like the way the prophecy looked.

- I was sad that a lot of Department of Mysteries stuff was cut, but I understand that time is always a downer (even though, Movie 5 is the shortest so far, which is ridiculous, seeing as how it's the biggest book out).

I remember when I was reading the book, I thought the scene with the revolving room and Hermione putting the spell on the doors to know which doors they had already been through would have been so cool to see onscreen. Oh well.
Hermione also DOESN'T get hit by the purple spell which causes Harry to have a come-apart. Oh well. Missed opportunity at some great drama and a chance to see Harry and Neville bond more (because those two boys, I feel, are the most important characters on the good side).

- The soundtracks in the HP movies are always excellent (John Williams set a fantastic standard), but OOTP had a lot of great tracks that really helped set the mood of the characters or scenes, in particular, the Flight of the Order of the Phoenix, Professor Umbridge, and Fireworks.

- All in all, VERY pleased with the film. I realized a lot of things had to be cut for time and I suck up things that I don't get to see that I want to and try to see it as a whole film and the big aspects they were trying to pull from the book. They hit on that Voldemort has no love nor friendship and that's what separates him from the heroes and I think that was the main point of the book. Evil will never win because there is no love. It's a great theme, if I do say so, myself :)
Can't wait to see this bad boy in 3D!

Rebecca

www.savingpeoplething.com

Posted by film/savingpeoplething at 5:29 PM EDT
Updated: Sunday, August 5, 2007 1:08 PM EDT
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Saturday, March 25, 2006

Cleaning House
Mood:

hungry
Hey all,

Just wanted to update you, the reader and visitor of savingpeoplething.com, that I am going to be cleaning out some of my links at the end of March.
To conserve some space, I am going to doing away with the following links:
- GOF Review
- Personal Videos
I feel like the GOF Review has been up for a while and needs to come down.
And, in terms of displaying personal videos I've made (wedding, concerts, and home movies), I'm taking advantage of myspace.com to do that. So, if you'd like to still see any of the personal projects I do, go to the Guestbook and Contact Info page and click on my MySpace link.
These two pages have just been getting too far away from the subject of fan videos and graphics that I'm trying to concentrate on. I will, however, leave up the Editorials about HP & Christianity because I feel that it is an important subject to discuss and read.
I'll leave these two links up until the end of March, so if there is any content on them you want to read or watch, please do so before April.
Thanks for understanding and visiting!

Rebecca
www.savingpeoplething.com

Posted by film/savingpeoplething at 11:36 AM EST
Updated: Saturday, March 25, 2006 11:37 AM EST
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Saturday, November 26, 2005

My Feelings on the VTM OnAir Contest
Let me just first say that I was and still am very honored to have been among the Top 5 Finalists for the VTM OnAir Contest. I realize it was an international deal and 40 entries were made, so to be in the select few who made it to the poll humbles me a great deal...
Now, having said all of that, I must be honest and say that I am disappointed at having only gotten fourth place out of the Top 5. I feel my video should have been higher (and as egotistical as that may come across as being), but I do know that things like this can be very political and popularity-driven.
My video was the only one to have been something other than a fan-made trailer and actually met the criteria of the contest, which was to act as an opener for the VTM OnAir broadcast.
However, on the bright spot of things (as I always try to find the positive side of every situation because there always is one), I created something that was original and creative, beyond what others came up with. I had fun with the concept and am proud of the final product. :)
And, really, I did come out, 4th out of 40 entries and had my stuff viewed by a great deal of people, from all over the world. In fact, over 500 folks voted for me and recognized the unique and innovative quality of what they saw.
So, to sum up, I was disappointed because I felt I had the best edited, most creative, and most appropriate video for the contest, but refuse to get down on myself or my work for not having won. In the end, it just pushes me to keep coming up with videos that will continue to push the bounds of editing :)

Posted by film/savingpeoplething at 5:06 PM EST
Updated: Saturday, November 26, 2005 5:10 PM EST
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Wednesday, November 23, 2005

VTM OnAir Contest Comments
Here are some comments people made about my entry:

"The opening credits style of this video is very original. Also the effects used to splice the clips and mesh them together was wonderfully creative."

"I loved the third one, very original."

"i like the tv show opener one :)"

"As far as innovative though, I'll have to give that to #3. Remaking the opening scene to the television series "Smallville" and keeping the same format as the show was great!"

"I liked the third (Rebecca J) and the fifth(Michelle) the best. They were unique in their own ways."

"Rebecca J! Rebecca J! Rebecca J!! Please let her win!!! I loved hers, it rocked!! Rebecca J Rebecca J!"

"rebecca J was also very creative and the idea of the credits and clips and mixing them all was very well done."

"I liked Rebecca J's!!!! I love the Smallvilleopening! I guess if you haven't seen the show, you really can't appreciate it."

"... i'd like to say I thought the idea of the 3rd one the best, with the opening credits thing..."

"it's either between Gerrit(1) or Rebecca J.(3)"

"Wow!! The 3rd one is my favorite!! Yay!! Rebecca J.!! :)"

"i got suspended today and just like to say that rebecca J, i watched your clip over and over again and loved. it's mad as. I can't get the song out of my head. you rock."

"i seriously loved all the clips :D :D but to me Rebecca J's one gets kudos for originality :)"

"omg. I like all the clips, especially the rebecca's j....so cute!!!"

"And very original as well!!! It's amazing how she thought of that."

Posted by film/savingpeoplething at 2:04 AM EST
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Sunday, November 6, 2005

VTM OnAir Contest
Mood:

celebratory
I had wanted to do something special for the website in celebration of the 4th movie's release, but when I saw the contest ad on Veritaserum to create a video opening for VTM OnAir, I knew I this was my chance :)
Initially, I had three concepts that I wanted to try:
1) A fast-paced display of all the great shots from the trailers, tv spots, etc. set to the music of the rolling credits at the end of "The Truman Show". I really love that music and think it would be of great intensity :)
2) A music video set to Harry and the Potters' song, "The Fourth Triwizard Champion". It's a fun song that really describes the whole situation in a great and humorous way.
3) I've recently become a BIG fan of "Smallville". I had watched a few episodes when I was in college, but didn't decide to really get into it until a few months ago. I ABSOLUTELY love the theme song "Save Me" and thought it would be fun to create opening titles similar to the show, but in Harry Potter style.
Needless to say, I went with option #3 and that's what I've sent to Veritaserum.com. My take on the Smallville titles actually was a good choice because it fits right on with the theme of my website :)
I don't know how well I will do, but it would be such an honor to be chosen because it's done by a reader/viewer vote. To have my peers and fellow HP fans pick my video would be so flattering :)
The voting starts November 14, so we'll see how it goes.
I'm SO pumped about the movie! I think it's really going to surprise people at how great it will be! Just from the clips, trailers, and pictures I've seen (and knowing the story), I can only think great things about it :)
Goblet is my favorite HP book and to see the story on screen will be AMAZING.
It's funny...at work, we are fortunate to have a lottery for a pre-screening of the film on the 16th (I think) and I took advantage of my employment and put my name in :)
If anything, I'll just go to the midnight showing on the 18th and then go see it at the IMAX, here in Atlanta.
Either way, I think I'll end up seeing it multiple times :)
Get excited! Less than two weeks away!

Posted by film/savingpeoplething at 8:28 PM EST
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Wednesday, September 28, 2005

New Features
Mood:

rushed
I've decided to add notes about the HP fanflicks I have on the site. I might do this later with the other movie videos, but for right now, since I don't have any real room for descriptions for them, I thought I'd let the viewer know the inside scoop into my brain :)
I have one up now, but look for actual screencaps from the video to point out specific shots, effects, storytelling, etc.
Should be fun even if nobody reads them :)
As far as new videos, I will hold off for a while...I have two wedding videos left to do that I hope to have done by November.
Once I'm finished with that, I will be free for new projects :)
And, just in case people are curious about me disabling "Breakaway" and "Sunday Morning"...here's why:
My friend, André Taylor, has entered this talent competition at work and needed to have his videos (that I edited) posted so people could vote for him. The United Way folks (who are sponsoring this event) shot some video of him during his audition, but he didn't like what they used and felt it misrepresented him...sooo...he is redirecting folks he works with to the site so they can see him REALLY perform.
Even though it is causing me to disable some of my HP fanflicks, I take it as a high compliment that he wants people to see the stuff I did for him because it's "the good stuff" :)
It should be over in like, a week or so, and I'll put the videos back up for now.
In the future, though, I may have to take a few of my old videos off, b/c I don't know if I can up my disk space (just for financial resasons). I'll have to go over my budget and see...but, in all likelihood, I'll need to replace the older videos (which are also posted on 3 different websites) with the upcoming, newer videos.
However, I'm still pondering the options, so who knows...?

Posted by film/savingpeoplething at 1:45 PM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 2:31 PM EDT
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Friday, September 16, 2005

GOF Theatrical Trailer
Ah...finally!
I haven't been so pumped about a movie since Star Wars: Episode 3 came out!
When that happened, I was checking out every spoiler picture and any video that was on the Internet :)
I'm doing it again, folks, and hopefully the reward of a better movie will follow suit :)
It wasn't that I didn't LIKE Revenge of the Sith, but I guess you could say I was a little disappointed :(
I don't think that's going to happen with Goblet of Fire.
They can't screw it up too much because the story and the situations are just TOO good. But, then again, it is my favorite HP book and I could become a little critical.
I think after seeing these trailers and knowing kinda what's going to happen has led me to have full faith that Warner Bros. is going to churn out a fantastic film :)
And, I heard there were lots of Harry / Hermione moments (gotta give us something after the horror that was Book 6 :)!
On that note, it cracks me up that the HP fandom has so many artists who are always on top of things. I mean, it couldn't have been an hour or so after the trailer was released online before some H/Hr shippers came up with some huggy icons :) Right on people! Hit 'em where it hurts, heh.
And, to go on a shipping rant, I have a few things to say...
First, it cracks me up that people see Harry and Hermione very close in film situations and shrug it off as "just friends" (ex. "oh that was just a friendly hug", or "he had to protect her there", blah blah blah), but then when it's a Ron / Hermione situation (which is usually a lot less physical), it's all "they're so gonna get together, blah blah blah", heh.
To me, it's like, they're trying to justify something they don't think will happen, but very well could happen if the author chose to go that way.
Second, I've thought about this a lot since HBP:
If Ginny is the PERFECT girl for Harry and is his equal, and she pretty much replaces Hermione in the books (where she has been the lead female character for the first five of them), what does that say about the relationship between Harry and Hermione?
Things that make you go hmm...
That's it...just had to get it out...heh.
But, I can say that when GOF does come out, I'll be making plenty of H/Hr fanflicks just to spite the critics! :)

Posted by film/savingpeoplething at 2:16 PM EDT
Updated: Monday, September 19, 2005 6:30 PM EDT
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Monday, September 12, 2005

"Boadicea" has arrived!!!
Mood:

a-ok
The new HP fanflick is now posted on the site :)
I'm pretty pleased with how it came out and hope it meets the expectations of those on the message board who requested it...
On another note, (and not to brag), but just recently, I've been winning Judge's Choice awards and that really drives me to do even BETTER than I have been. Not only does it raise the bar in other peoples' minds about my work, but it does as well with my standard of excellence.
I want to make every video that I create to be better than the last...Improvement is always the main goal.
And, I hope I continue to meet the expectations of those who spend time watching the videos.
Getting awards and posting them on the site are great, but it's more about the confirmation that I'm doing something right :)

Posted by film/savingpeoplething at 1:15 PM EDT
Updated: Monday, September 12, 2005 1:47 PM EDT
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Thursday, September 8, 2005

Status of Landscape Fanflick
I started cutting my new fanflick dedicated to Hogwarts and its surrounding landscape.
I have chosen to set it to an Enya song that is made up of her just humming...yeah, that's right...humming.
But, man, is it a beautifully, yet dark tune.
I wanted to actually have this video mean something (as I do every one I make), but since the song has no real lyrics, I had to create a theme for it myself.
So, what I came up with is (and in keeping with the requested idea of Hogwarts/Landscape from the message board) the concept that Harry's real home is in the magical atmosphere within the Hogwarts castle and everything surrounding it (the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping Willow, etc.).
I'm using the technique involving fades from and into black for most of the shots. I think it fits the tone of the music very well and just gives you a taste of the beauty of each shot. I've used this technique a few times in some of the videos I've done (I usually try not to do the same things over and over), but those were for specific instances, such as "My Obsession", "Sunday Morning", "Do You Love Me (Now that I Can Dance)?".
I like the way the fades work because since the song is sort of dark and mysterious, I think the effects really capitalize on it.
The first part of the song is not as dark, but rather somewhat hopeful, so I've set it up so you see Harry's introduction to the magical world, his first train ride, and his first view of Hogwarts. I really like this imagery because we all dream (don't lie, we do :) of something bigger and better than what and where we are (that's why Heaven is such a cool reward)...so, for Harry, that would be a real eye-awakening experience to really get a chance to live that change.
I haven't totally decided how I will end it yet, but I have some ideas cooking in my brain.
I do know that when the key changes in the music, the tone gets darker, and I've decided to reflect that. It's almost a tone of where the books have been since Goblet of Fire...the sense that evil is ever-present and you always have to be on your guard...
I'm going to try and have this finished by tomorrow sometime and posted Friday evening (Saturday morning at the latest).
I got quite far with it yesterday...had to quit because I got caught up in trying to finish the audio commentary for "The Life of David Gale" (I love all things British, but that director's voice is so monotone and the pacing of his words just drive me up the wall...so, I've had to break it up into multiple sitting :)
And, then, well, Kathy Griffin came on and you know, sometimes, you just can't look away :)
Gonna work on it this afternoon when I get home from work and see what happens.

Posted by film/savingpeoplething at 1:30 PM EDT
Updated: Thursday, September 8, 2005 1:53 PM EDT
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