Vid: Like a friend

[bop_radar]

This vid has been lurking on my harddrive for months now. It... didn't work out exactly how I'd planned it (understatement). And for a while it destroyed my desire to vid. I want rid of it. Originally I was going to post this for wip_amnesty but I didn't even manage to get it finished for that!

Song: Like a friend
Artist: Pulp
Fandom: Smallville
Description: Lex's perspective on the Friendship of Legend, circa Season 5
Spoilers: Seasons 1-5
Download: direct download
Thanks: Profuse thanks must go to radioreverie for concept work, beta-ing, and above all for letting me massacre her own vision of this vid; to supacat for precise perfectionist beta-ing--if I ignored it, it's not her fault; and to talitha78 for encouragement, beta-ing and inspiration.
Feedback: Yes, please! (But please go gentle on the concrit on this one--while usually I welcome it, I'm already bruised and raw about this vid.)
Notes: The literalism is deliberate--it's my Lex-sees-everything-as-a-metaphor-for-Clark-and-goes-a-little-mad montage. *g*

Lyrics
Don't bother saying you're sorry.
Why don't you come in?
Smoke all my cigarettes - againe.
Every time I get no further.
How long has it been?
Come on in now,
Wipe your feet on my dreams.

You take up my time,
Like some cheap magazine,
When I could have been learning something.
Oh well, you know what I mean.

I've done this before.
And I will do it again.
Come on and kill me baby,
while you smile like a friend.
And I'll come running,
Just to do it again.

You are the last drink I never should drunk.
You are the body hidden in the trunk.
You are the habit I can't seem to kick.
You are my secrets on the front page every week.
You are the car I never should have bought.
You are the train I never should have caught.
You are the cut that makes me hide my face.
You are the party that makes me feel my age.

Like a car crash I can see but I just can't avoid.
Like a plane I've been told I never should board.
Like a film that's so bad but I've gotta stay til the end.
Let me tell you now,
It's lucky for you that we're friends.

*reminding myself that we learn through failure* May this not be my one-and-only Smallville vid for long!

Comments

[kristiinthedark.livejournal.com]

*boggles* I just do not understand why you're down on yourself about this vid, Boppy! I liked it so much! I liked it being all sweet and gentle at the beginning, and I LOVED your pacing once the song sped up, and I adored the song choice and all of the very Clexy shots. I think you should be proud. *nods*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

*clings* Thank you, little k! The beta process was ouchy, and I guess I also had high expectations for my first Clex vid. I was waaaay more nervous than vidding Kara or Tyra. Thank you lots for the insta-feedback! I feel better or already. :-)

[radioreverie.livejournal.com]

You are a very silly girl, did you know that? This video remains completely brilliant and I'm so glad that you made it, for I did not have the talent or the dedication to pull it off even one eighth as well as you did. It is absolutely wonderful and hopefully it will eat fandom's brain the way it did mine, because it should really be seen by everyone ever.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

*hugs you tight* Thank you! I changed the ending, did you see? I made it happyful, like you so wisely suggested! :-)

[stir-of-echoes.livejournal.com]

Oh, WoW! I don't know about failure but it brought back so many memories of Clark and Lex. So much of why that particular friendship was/is so compelling and just why I love both the characters so much but above all--why I fell for the friendship between them so hard.

I loved it, it made me smile fondly, it made my stomach flutter and I think I even caught my breath a time or two. And just, yeah. I'm definitely keeping the vid and adding to the folder of vids I rewatch often.

Thank you!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Eeep! Really truly?! *BG* Wow, thank you so much! From another vidder, that's very high praise. Thank you! *blush* I'm delighted you liked it so much because I lost touch with my own ability to view the vid objectively some time ago... I'm really glad it drew out aspects of their friendship for you, because that's what I really wanted to do. While it is slashy, I mostly intended this to be a friendship vid--it's slashy only insofar as their friendship is! ;-) Which is to say: A LOT.

[mskatej.livejournal.com]

OMG BOPPY.

I *love* this SO SO MUCH. This is the first of your vids I have successfully managed to download for some reason, and it's perfect. You are amazing! I've been reading awesome clex fic for most of today and this was the best possible way to end the day. They're just so beautiful and in love, and you capture that brilliantly, and the song is awesome and your editing is fantastic. I'M SO PROUD OF YOU. *beams*

Have you done other clex vids? I need to try dling them again clearly.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

HOORAY!!! \o/ One of 'my girls' watched eet! *bops* I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! *twirls* Thank you, thank you, thank you. I had much angst over it, but perhaps it paid off a little...

No other Clex vids, sadly. This one ate up more time than it should have. But I do have more Clex ideas, so hopefully one day soon... My other vids were Kara/Leoben for BSG, and Tyra for FNL--the links for 'em have probably lapsed. It took me a while to work up to the Clex. I felt all nervous with them because it's CLEX, y'know?! ;-)

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Eeep, I really want to see it, but sendspace is telling me "You have reached your daily download limit"

I don't suppose you have another link for it, please

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Oh wait no, it just started working when I tried again. Third time lucky I guess! So just ignore that last comment :P

D/L now *bounces*

[acampbell.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a wonderful vid! You used so many shots and clips that you don't usually see in vids, and many of my favorites.

*sigh* It's so beyond clear in this video how in love our guys are. Thanks so much for the reminder! and great work.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And thank you for mentioning the clip choice, because it's really hard to be 'fresh' in Clex vids--so many of the shots are 'classics' that have been used umpteen times before--for good reason of course!

[http://users.livejournal.com/wisteria_/]

Never seen Smallville, so the vid's magnificence is lost on me... but I kinda love you for vidding to Pulp. ;)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

:-) Hee, thanks! I love Pulp and leapt at the chance to vid to them. They're definitely one of my all-time favourite bands.

[bloodygoodgirl.livejournal.com]

BOPPY! Your pacing was awesome hon, all the quick shots when the tempo changed went perfectly. My favorite part was the 'You are' section because of your shot choices. YAY!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, yay! I'm glad you enjoyed that bit! It was hard to pull off because of the crazy literalism, but personally it's my favourite bit too because I like the idea of Lex just flipping out and blaming it all on Clark.

[dualbunny.livejournal.com]

I thought it was a ball to watch. I don't watch the show, but I do enjoy snappy vids to it. And this is definitely that. :D Really liked the transition from the lower key hearfelt sections to the pumped up heartfelt-in-a-totally-different-crazier-way sections. It's a very shiny vid (omg love the way Lex is tied to his shiny cars) and the snarky tone of the vocals fits Lex wonderfully. "It's lucky for you that we're friends", heh.

I don't watch a ton of SV vids because I tend to only go for a certain kind, and this is definitely in my tastes. :D

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow, thank you! I'm delighted you liked it, especially since you don't watch the show! I'm glad the snark worked for you--it's one of the things I love about Lex, along with his cars, of course! (Mmmm, car porn!) I'm so pleased it was FUN--I was trying for that, but it sure wasn't easy. :-)

[bionic.livejournal.com]

Ooooooohhhhh! *squeee!*

Oh that was AWESOME. A great video! The clips were perfectly chosen, the pacing wonderful, the song and the tone and the mood was perfect! Gah, I miss my big gay show, back when it was really big and really gay.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! :-) I'm delighted you enjoyed it.

[romanyg.livejournal.com]

I should be answering comments right now. In fact, I think I owe you one or two, but I wanted to leave feedback while this was still fresh in my head (I just watched the vid three times in a row).

I noticed in comments that you wanted to get the friendship vibe in there, but I see so much CLEX so maybe I fail at interpretation. What really struck me as clexy is this section in particular:

You take up my time,
Like some cheap magazine,
When I could have been learning something.
Oh well, you know what I mean.

During the "cheap magazine" part you show us that scene from "Red" where Lex gives Clark the once-over. The combination of that image and that lyric reiterates the sense of centerfold. And then the images change to the elevator scene from "Bound" during the line, "I could have been learning something." The segue gives the viewer (okay, me *g*) the idea that even when Lex is with various women that Clark "takes up his time".

So yeah, I got a particular zing out of that.

And I like the literalism, how you managed to find shots that matched so closely with the lyrics. Clark, stealing Lex's Porsche keys ("Velocity") from an *ashtray* during "Smoke all my cigarettes - again" is just brilliant! *applauds*

The fast pacing during the "You are..." section is outstanding as well. The cuts don't fly by so fast that I get a headache (some vids do, unfortunately) but I get the sense of movement, crescendo. What's wonderful about the "You are..." shots is that they magnify the sense of helplessness, emotionally, that turning the wheel before the crash--a reflection of frustration and yet joy, that he is getting something out of it and it's worth it.

And I have to admit (since I read the lyrics first) that I expected an angsty ending for "It's lucky for you that we're friends", a foreshadowing of the enmity to come. But no! They sit and talk. Yay! But if I'm correct--I might not be since it's late and my brain is fuzzy--that's the "David and Bathsheba" speech scene from "Exposed", and that is a very foreshadowy scene in the "Ha ha, I'm going to take your woman and leave you for dead!" sense. And if it is that scene, then you're even more brilliant!

*applauds until hands fall off*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Aieeeee!!! *clutches feedback of awesomeness* Ohh, thank you! I'm so glad you liked it! :-)

This vid is definitely open to multiple interpretations. And while I did want the friendship to come through, I just can't view Lex's attraction to Clark as separate from that... and yes, I had fun playing with Lex and all his tall, brunettes. *g* That 'I could have been learning something' line was perfect for sexual frustration. I liked the idea that Lex tries to keep it 'lidded' in the friendship but it bubbles over and he gets his release with his female Clark lookalikes.

So glad you liked the ashtray moment! *g* I worked quite a few little jokes to myself in there like that one.

a reflection of frustration and yet joy, that he is getting something out of it and it's worth it
Oh, I looove this comment, because that's really what I was going for. And it wasn't easy. I know literalism isn't always well received. And I couldn't quite make it as funny as I'd wanted. I wanted that 'You are' section to be Lex-in-humour--you know, that humour he goes into when he's really pushed to the edge--the humour that makes him say 'taking a sleighride down memory lane... oh look, that's where you kidnapped my fiance!' I love that aspect of Lex--the part that takes a step back and finds the funny in the crazy extremity of his life (and love for Clark). So I liked this song for the way it could draw out Lex's frustration at himself that despite it all, he's drawn back again and again to Clark.

The vid originally had a different (angsty) ending. It was fun, but on reflection (and beta advice--although opinions did differ), I changed it. I think this ending works better with the overall mood of the vid--Lex is suced in despite himself.

It's not actually the speech from 'Exposed' (though that would have been cool). It's sadder than that--it's the scene from 'Calling', where Lex tells Clark that the wedding may be off. In a way, that was always the scene before the end, for me, because after Clark leaves Lex 'at the altar' and Lex marries Helen, things are never the same again. (Though, that can be said of so many Clex moments.)

[tasabian.livejournal.com]

What a fantastic vid! It made me get all nostalgic for Clex scenes of past seasons and I loved that you showed everything from Lex's POV. Poor Lex has put up with a lot! The song fit perfectly and it's great the way you accelerated the edits to match the pace of the song. It made the vid very exciting.

I will definitely be watching this vid over and over. Well done!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! :-) This is one of those vids I've always wanted to make. It was very interesting working from Lex's perspective. (No shots of Asylum, for starters!) Those lyrics are perfect for Lex's sense of being taken advantage of by Clark. I'm glad the vid was exciting for you--it's definitely the fastest cutting I've done so far!

[capnzebbie.livejournal.com]

You should definitely keep vidding; this one is a lot of fun, and visually very sharp. The lyrics to the song are just perfect for Clark and Lex, because Clark has often been a pretty crappy friend to Lex, even when they were at their closest. I love how you matched the clips to the lyrics, especially poor Dominic in the trunk. *g*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Your ICON!! Heeeee!!!

Thank you so much for your comments--and I'm extra-chuffed that you liked the 'body in the trunk' bit. One of my betas didn't like that bit, but personally it made me giggle, and it was too hard to resist--the lyrics fit Lex's life sooo perfectly.

[attaccabottoni.livejournal.com]

The song! Killed me dead! The vid! Made me cry buckets (well not literally, but you made my metaphorical heart cry buckets)! This comment! Is suffering from an infection of exclamation points! Because I can't seem to stop putting it! And that's all what's left of my coherent reaction, the rest is just a repeated wail of "LEX!" *sob* "LEX!" (Imagine me metaphorically standing on the ledge in some high place screaming this.)

Of course everything is a metaphor for Clark. He doesn't even know half of what we know about Clark, but he is madly obsessed loves him enough.

Aw, it's okay, I kind of get that feeling since any art I do I want to erase after posting or displaying it in public, but what's done is done, and we fellow fans are all the more happy for it. Surely there's no such thing as failure here, only lessons. :D

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you for the lovely comment! :-D And for your sympathy regarding my angst about the vid--I am really delighted with the response it has received, so I'm feeling much more positive. You're right--we just keep on learning. And if others enjoy it along the way, then that's wonderful!

[myownghost.livejournal.com]

i don't know how i missed this yesterday! i like it a lot. others have mentioned the very effective change in pacing as the song speeds up, and i also think that's terrific. yeah, they really & truly love each other.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you! I'm so glad you liked it.

[lapetite-kiki.livejournal.com]

Grat vid!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *g*

[talitha78.livejournal.com]

Hooray!!! The final version looks lovely. I feel awash in Clark and Lex after watching. I'm so, so glad you overcame your beta process trauma and posted it. Look at all the wonderful comments! :D

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you, darling! I am feeling much happier now. :-) You were right that I should just post it and be done with it. In fact, I took a little bit of advice from each of my betas. I changed the ending (radioreverie, fixed some of the cross-fades (supacat and posted it, already (YOU!). *BG*

Now I'm partying by watching other people's vids. 'Tis much more enjoyable! ;-) (Though the vidding bug is with me for keeps, so I'm sure I'll be back working on something soon.)

[mahaliem.livejournal.com]

I really, really enjoyed this vid.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so glad! :-) (Especially since I enjoy your writing so much--it feels good to be able to offer something in return for once. *g*)

[serenography.livejournal.com]

God, I'm such a doofus! I almost forgot to come back and d/l your vid!
Now that I have, I can tell you with complete honesty that you did a HELL of a job. It's amazing that this is your first vid!
I thought the literalism was done with just the right touch of humor, but still made its point. And that rapid-fire editing was brilliant, with perfectly chosen clips of the boys sharing their secret smiles.
*bear hugs you* This is definitely one I'll watch repeatedly.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

:-) Oh, don't worry--I have often done similar things. I try to bookmark stuff I want to get back to, but even then I'm sure I forget some. Thank you for remembering and watching--I'm so very glad you liked it!

I'm very pleased you saw a touch of humour (I'd originally planned the vid to be funnier but humour is soooo hard to pull off!).

I confess it's not actually my first vid--just my first Smallville one. I've done a BSG one and an FNL one (of Tyra, surprise surprise!) before. But this was by far the most challenging, with the fast clipping and the amount of source footage I had to sort through.

[ferdalump.livejournal.com]

Awesome job!!!! I loved it. :) and sigh... I wish we still had the beautiful Clex from days of yourn... :(

Thanks so much for sharing! It was great to watch on this rerun night. :)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *g* I'm glad it filled a little part of the void of re-run night.

[bluemeridian]

Oh wow! Just saw the vid, hon, and it kicked ass!! And really, I don't often say that about bitter!Lex, but niiiiiiice. Not just the story, but the techniques looked pretty sharp too! *SQUEE*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so much! I'm so happy you like it. \o/ I stressed a great deal over it, but I've been really happy with its reception. I'm glad you got a kick out of it! :-)

[ender24]

sendspace hates me!!
I even tried the tricks I know to work around sendspace damn message that all slots are busy
but sighs... boppy, I will go on trying next week!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks for trying!
I've uploaded it to Yousendit (hhttp://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=BA06078447B307C3) for you--any better?

[voldything.livejournal.com]

I don't know why I never commented on this! I loved it, the scenes chosen are lovely, the editing is fantastic and you have a great sense of timing!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, thanks hon! I'm excited you enjoyed it, being a vidder and all. Yay! \o/

[(Anonymous)]

Could I please have a download link for this & for Don't U Eva. I enjoyed them both very much. Thanks.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Here you go! http://www.sendspace.com/file/69gflp
Glad you enjoyed it!

[magnifica7.livejournal.com]

I like it - very much so! :)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks! I've mellowed about it over time... ;)