Vid: Middleman
Sep. 10th, 2007 11:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bop_radarI really should be holding on to this to post as part of my character study challenge, but you know how it is... you work on something for months, getting nowhere, and then finally get so frakking sick of it you just have to post it NOW, dammit! And be done with it.
Title: Middleman
Artist: Bright Eyes
Fandom: Battlestar Galactica
Character: Lee Adama
Summary: Lee... trapped somewhere between nihilism and idealism/romanticism
Warnings: major spoilers for all three seasons, violence
Download: direct download (34MB) or streaming at Blip, BAM or YouTube
Feedback: Is treasured
Thanks to:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
supacat (I knew I was on the right track when she said 'it's a bit of a downer, isn't it?') and brokenmnemonic (for invaluable beta feedback and inspirational conversation)
Notes:
I've been working on this for so long, it's not getting posted without a bit of a ramble from me. I guess you could call this a 'meta-y' character study of Lee; it's certainly not a 'hero' vid. It makes (I hope!) no apologies for his poor behaviour and if you don't like Lee now, you probably won't like him any better after watching this. ;) It is, however, an attempt to explore the ways in which he exists in a state of constant tension and inner conflict, governed fully neither by his heart nor his head, and torn between opposing loyalties.
It's not a shippers' vid, but I don't think you could make a meaningful vid about Lee that didn't touch on his relationships. In doing so, the vidder's own bias inevitably comes in to play. I've tried hard to be fair to all the women who are important in Lee's story, but the relative importance of each is very much open to interpretation--this is mine.
I chose this track because I felt it expressed a state of extreme melancholic tension that I associate with Lee. (Yup, roll out the 'Leemo' calls!) Despite his atheism, I think Lee is on a search for truth and I think deep inside he longs to be given some guideposts to steer his life by, but when offered them, his intellect (or his conscience) finds them lacking. He sees their emptiness, just as he sees his own failure. That burden is for the most part a silent one--this is an attempt to explore Lee's internal world.
This vid relies heavily on contextual moments--so I don't expect it to be one that will appeal to people outside the fandom. In fact, it's probably quite tough watching IN the fandom. I suspect it's not an 'easy' vid and anyone that takes the time to watch it has my gratitude. I'm more than curious to know what people think from a meta perspective. (From a vid perspective, I know all too well already how it falls short of my ideals! *g*)
Lyrics
I traveled though the atmosphere as a wall of feedback climbed
The pegs were gold, the band was old, they played in half time
Now every dream gets whittled down just like every fool gets wise
You will never reap of any seed deprived of sunlight
So I have become the middleman
The gray areas are mine
The in-between, the absentee
Is a beautiful disguise
So I keep my footlights shining bright just like I keep my exits wide
Because I never know when it's time to go, it's too crowded now inside
The dead can hide beneath the ground and the birds can always fly
But the rest of us do what we must in constant compromise
So I have become the middleman
The gray areas are fine
The "I don't know," the "maybe so"
Is the only real reply
It is the only true reply
Title: Middleman
Artist: Bright Eyes
Fandom: Battlestar Galactica
Character: Lee Adama
Summary: Lee... trapped somewhere between nihilism and idealism/romanticism
Warnings: major spoilers for all three seasons, violence
Download: direct download (34MB) or streaming at Blip, BAM or YouTube
Feedback: Is treasured
Thanks to:
supacat (I knew I was on the right track when she said 'it's a bit of a downer, isn't it?') and brokenmnemonic (for invaluable beta feedback and inspirational conversation)Notes:
I've been working on this for so long, it's not getting posted without a bit of a ramble from me. I guess you could call this a 'meta-y' character study of Lee; it's certainly not a 'hero' vid. It makes (I hope!) no apologies for his poor behaviour and if you don't like Lee now, you probably won't like him any better after watching this. ;) It is, however, an attempt to explore the ways in which he exists in a state of constant tension and inner conflict, governed fully neither by his heart nor his head, and torn between opposing loyalties.
It's not a shippers' vid, but I don't think you could make a meaningful vid about Lee that didn't touch on his relationships. In doing so, the vidder's own bias inevitably comes in to play. I've tried hard to be fair to all the women who are important in Lee's story, but the relative importance of each is very much open to interpretation--this is mine.
I chose this track because I felt it expressed a state of extreme melancholic tension that I associate with Lee. (Yup, roll out the 'Leemo' calls!) Despite his atheism, I think Lee is on a search for truth and I think deep inside he longs to be given some guideposts to steer his life by, but when offered them, his intellect (or his conscience) finds them lacking. He sees their emptiness, just as he sees his own failure. That burden is for the most part a silent one--this is an attempt to explore Lee's internal world.
This vid relies heavily on contextual moments--so I don't expect it to be one that will appeal to people outside the fandom. In fact, it's probably quite tough watching IN the fandom. I suspect it's not an 'easy' vid and anyone that takes the time to watch it has my gratitude. I'm more than curious to know what people think from a meta perspective. (From a vid perspective, I know all too well already how it falls short of my ideals! *g*)
Lyrics
I traveled though the atmosphere as a wall of feedback climbed
The pegs were gold, the band was old, they played in half time
Now every dream gets whittled down just like every fool gets wise
You will never reap of any seed deprived of sunlight
So I have become the middleman
The gray areas are mine
The in-between, the absentee
Is a beautiful disguise
So I keep my footlights shining bright just like I keep my exits wide
Because I never know when it's time to go, it's too crowded now inside
The dead can hide beneath the ground and the birds can always fly
But the rest of us do what we must in constant compromise
So I have become the middleman
The gray areas are fine
The "I don't know," the "maybe so"
Is the only real reply
It is the only true reply
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-09-10 01:51 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2007-09-10 02:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-10 10:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2007-09-10 02:58 pm (UTC)You actually made me feel a little twinge for Lee there.
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Date: 2007-09-10 10:46 pm (UTC)(I don't even like Bright Eyes much myself but this song screamed Lee.)
A twinge?! \o/
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Date: 2007-09-10 04:44 pm (UTC)This vid is different than other Lee vids as it doesn't seem to focus on one period of time or season. The music is interesting too, it very faintly reminds me of "Wander My Friends." Makes Lee seem like an old-time hero. An old-time reluctant warrior. You may not have wanted the heroism there but it's there to me.
The first moment that got me was the salute after the funerals in Act of Contrition. That moment always gets to me. Then there was the focus on objects which I love. Jacob over at TWOP once wrote after Captain's Hand, "Well, she had her perspective," Lee smiles, looking down at the watch. "And I had mine." Maybe Apollo's just like that. Maybe he needs stuff he can hold and think about for the symbolism to sink in. I could buy that.”
Never is that so much in evidence as here. From the lighter to the Olympic Carrier note, to books, his commander pins, his wedding ring, to Kara's picture. Lee does need to touch these things sometimes. They mean something to him. Even Romo got that.
Then there are the times in the video when he is 'in between'. I hadn't realized Lee was so lost. Really, by the end the season 3, I felt he had found himself. But there he was in between Laura and Tigh, Baltar and Romo, Kara and Dee. I hadn’t quite seen it that way before. I'm not sad because I think he's in the process of making his way past that. But what a good look at where he's been and who Lee is now. Wish Kara could watch this video!
Off to add it to my Lee vid recs list! And thank you Bop, for always explaining Lee. :-)
(I wrote this before I read your notes so you could get my honest reaction. I think you’re too hard on yourself, it’s a lovely video. A bit disquieting and melancholy but that’s where Lee was. And you’re too hard on Lee (or he's too hard on himself). He hasn't completely failed. I hope he finds his way out of the emptiness and that there are some true guideposts ahead. I hope. And you know what? Lee is becoming his own guidepost. For the fleet, for Kara, and for himself.)
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Date: 2007-09-10 10:58 pm (UTC)I did try to make this about Lee across all three seasons--and boy, I had no idea just how hard that was going to be when I set out to make it! I see why others focus on particular periods!
Makes Lee seem like an old-time hero. An old-time reluctant warrior.
That's fascinating! I had no idea--I'm way too close to this vid to be able to see it objectively.
I think Jacob's right with: Maybe Apollo's just like that. Maybe he needs stuff he can hold and think about for the symbolism to sink in. That's something I definitely explored in the vid--it's not as obvious maybe, as Kara's statues of her gods. Lee's 'gods' are more abstract and more open to shifting interpretations but he definitely needs his touchstones. The fact that Kara's one of them makes life a lot harder for him. I know some people found Romo nicking stuff from people gimmicky, but I think that's one reason Lee and he really connected--that attention to detail and the ability to hone in precisely on what is integral to a person is something Lee would be impressed by and also would relate to.
Then there are the times in the video when he is 'in between'. I hadn't realized Lee was so lost.
He's very lost. It's just there's a massive disconnect between his public persona (confident leader, at times expressing self-righteous anger) and his inner 'self' which at times lacks direction to the point of self-destructive nihilism.
Wish Kara could watch this video!
Ha! What would it change for her if she did, do you think?
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Date: 2007-09-11 12:08 am (UTC)A daring vid, I think, on a couple of counts: First, the offbeat choice of music - offbeat for not being either a sentimental melody or the driving beat that suits BSG's action sequences so well. But more effective in that sense for forcing one to think about the words and who Lee is and who he's turned into. (I'm a little sad, actually, thinking of how often Lee seems to feel he's let someone down.) And second, for choosing cuts from less-popular episodes and arcs (hello, Captain Noodles and Black Market!). You're right, though - much as I choose to forget some of those moments, they still add up to Lee.
Beautifully done! Thank you for sharing your Lee with us. :0)
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Date: 2007-09-11 12:21 am (UTC)I was a little distracted by the initial sequence of how-many-ways-can-Lee-Adama-pout? hee!
I have been distracted for MONTHS, yo! He pouts SO MUCH. I actually had to edit around the pout for most of the vid, but I let him have full reign with the pouting in the opening sequence. I felt he should get it out of his system. ;p
Yes, it's, er, a challenging vid, I think--I know it's not exactly going to be a crowdpleaser: it's not upbeat and as you point out it doesn't have a classic melody. It's very introspective and that's what I went for because tonally I felt it best reflected Lee from an insider's perspective (rather than the Lee seen by others). I'm sorry it made you a little sad, though I confess it also heartens me a little to know it had some emotional impact. *evil* And yeah, I really really pushed for an 'integrated' Lee here: I know we sometimes want to forget those less admirable moments in his plot arcs but I've always seen them as important in his psyche, even if I'm also happy to say 'moving right along...' ;-p
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Date: 2007-09-11 12:10 am (UTC)(I'm not a great connoisseur of vids, but I do know what I like and what speaks to me. I've been reading your journal for some time and, just for context, we have fairly similar views on Lee as a character. I can't give you good, meaty feed-back, so you'll have to settle for this *g*)
The way you've captured Lee's repetition of his issues is the first thing that really pops up for me in the vid. He's a man who keeps playing out the same themes over and over again. He learns a little each time, but he's not the kind of person to RESOLVE an issue in one go, so to speak. And it comes through beautifully in this piece.
Something else I love is the way you use the symbols in Lee's life (lighter, wedding ring, books, watch etc.) to communicate something more than just what's on his mind. In the show I get the feeling that TPTB have come up with the symbols as a way to visually communicate this, and they don't really take it far enough IMO. Obviously when dealing with a character who is both complex and someone who internalizes his emotions you have to find some way of visually cueing in the audience, but they could have done better - You certainly have. You manage to use them as a way of really conveying just how lost and depressed he is feeling most of the time.
Something here reminds me of one of my favourite (fic) character studies of Lee that also really get across that not only is he - at times? - battling depression, but he is also fundamentally lost because he acutely feels the loss of their world all the time. In the fic Lee does something very symbolic and physical to give 'voice' to his grief. To my mind very few people (in fandom) get that Lee is a very physical person who is prone to acts of physical symbolism. I love how you manage to convey some of that in the vid as well.
Visually the vid is beautiful and, not that I know anything about this technically, but I love the pacing and the colouring. Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us (Lee-fans).
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Date: 2007-09-11 12:37 am (UTC)I confess this is just the sort of response I had hoped for when I first started work on this. I've been floundering with it for some time (Lee is haaaard to vid!) and had rather given up hope of receiving such feedback so... WOW! THANK you!
I'm particularly flattered that you feel this is 'your' Lee: it's definitely mine. ;) And your comments here really draw out things that I was working through while vidding.
Lee's repetition of his issues is the first thing that really pops up for me in the vid. He's a man who keeps playing out the same themes over and over again.
That's fabulous! And yes, he does. I imagine he has very repetitive thought patterns. And
he's not the kind of person to RESOLVE an issue in one go, so to speak
Hee! No, he really isn't.
Obviously when dealing with a character who is both complex and someone who internalizes his emotions you have to find some way of visually cueing in the audience, but they could have done better
I agree--because I think the basic evidence is there but it does feel as if most people are pretty muddled about Lee and that comes down to TPTB not building a clear enough picture of his internal world.
You certainly have. You manage to use them as a way of really conveying just how lost and depressed he is feeling most of the time.
*blush* That's very flattering--I'm glad that came through because it's the main thing I see when I see Lee.
he is also fundamentally lost because he acutely feels the loss of their world all the time
Yes! Yes, exactly! (What's the fic character study, btw?)
very few people (in fandom) get that Lee is a very physical person who is prone to acts of physical symbolism
Ohh, so true! SO true. It was one reason that I wanted to end the vid with Lee being 'physical'. In many ways I think he actually makes better sense of the world when he acts rather than when he thinks, even though thinking is one of his strengths. It's a paradox. And you're right that he IS very physical--people can forget that, I think. Lee can forget that. But when he's driven into action again he can make sense of his world, especially when the action has symbolic power.
Once again, thank you! (It's good to 'meet' you properly too.)
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Date: 2007-09-11 12:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-11 12:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-11 12:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-11 12:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-11 03:10 am (UTC)You captured him (well as I tend to see the dear boy) so very very well here.
*hugs the vid*
*hugs you for making it*
*hugs Lee because he really needs it*
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Date: 2007-09-11 03:34 am (UTC)It was a very sorrowful process, making this vid so thanks for the hugs!
And I'm glad the take on Lee worked for you--I'm aware it's pretty subjective, so it's nice to hear that it fits with other people's image of Lee. :)
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Date: 2007-09-11 03:13 am (UTC)Even if you did include scenes of Black Market and Fat Lee. Heeeeeeeeeee.
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Date: 2007-09-11 03:27 am (UTC)where everyone is walking away from him
That's one of my favourites too. :) I could have included so many more--Kara obviously, and I'd already included Dee...
Even if you did include scenes of Black Market and Fat Lee. Heeeeeeeeeee
BM and Fat!Lee are Lee too, dammit! *represents* ;-p (I know, I know...)
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Date: 2007-09-11 03:38 am (UTC)This was a really wonderful vid, Boppy. I wish I had something wonderfully insightful to say here the way
I really agree that there's something about this music that fits with the subject matter and with the music that's been on the show, not only reminiscent of "Wander My Friends" from The Hand of God but also from Unfinished Business. That Celtic touch, I think.
Now every dream gets whittled down just like every fool gets wise
I think that may be my favourite part of the vid, showing the image of Lee being promoted to Commander, and then him placing his wings on his father's desk. Just seeing his idealistic admiration for his post snagged away within one line of a song really hit something within me. I suppose because that's arguably been Lee's biggest struggle of the entire series in a nutshell, this loyalty to both military life (and family, in a sense) and to his own sense of morality/his own ideals.
He's been such a lost little boy, hasn't he? I hope to see him overcome that a little more in the final season.
Again, really great job on this.
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Date: 2007-09-11 08:57 am (UTC)It's fascinating to hear what people's favourite parts are--I'm glad that that moment worked for you. And I agree that it's a constant in Lee's story--reconciling his personal convictions with his loyalty to the military 'family'.
A lost little boy, he is. Kara and he are just messed up kids sometimes, I think.
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Date: 2007-09-11 03:39 am (UTC)I also like the song choice--besides being a perfect description of Lee, it also sounds kind of Celtic, like the music on the show. (at least it does to me). Great job! :)
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Date: 2007-09-11 08:59 am (UTC)It's interesting the he has the same look on his face near the beginning of the vid where he's about the haul away Tigh as he does at the end. Sort annoyed resignation.
Good pick up! And yes, I think of 'annoyed resignation' sums up Lee's resting state. ;-)
Thank you so much for the feedback!
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Date: 2007-09-11 03:43 am (UTC)Your understanding of Lee amazes me (and your vidding skills ain't too shabby either). Guh, poor Lee. I can't get enough of how fascinating his character has become to me. Thank you so much for a thinky and pretty video. Well done!
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Date: 2007-09-11 09:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-11 03:55 am (UTC)Seriously, that was a lovely, lovely vid, and I'm not one (usually) for Lee Adama. Thank you very much for sharing it.
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Date: 2007-09-11 09:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-11 05:32 am (UTC)sixseveral more times this morning. This being a character study vid means you are portraying canon and every scene you've chosen is important and represents a part of Lee you feel your watchers should know and see. Which is why I'm freaking out, because a general "wow, great vid" response simply doesn't cut it. I'm still going to include the basic review format because every video can be reviewed in two ways: technical style, and content (subjective as it is)Aesthetically your editing is flawless. The vid has impeccable timing and seamless cuts. The song must've been extremely difficult to vid to, so I appreciate the skill level involved in keeping up the fast pace (but thankfully not too fast; I hate it when my brain feels scrambled *g*) and you weaved a very coherent story. I didn't get the sense of any random scenes just dropped in to fill space, it all seemed very purposeful from start to finish. And I think the lack of 'flashy effects' was important and a smart choice otherwise they could've distracted from the import of the character study.
The intro was particularly impressive, it grabbed my attention straight away and set the platform to remind us from the start that Lee is a vulnerable person while at the same time introducing the important players in Lee's life - Kara (I'm glad she was first) his dad, Laura, Dualla (having half her face covered, no less), an extra shot of Kara, and the Pegasus.
The shot of Zarek doing the eye roll at Lee was a cool choice, I think plenty of people watching Lee (in the BSG 'verse and the audience) have lots of those moments when we wish Lee would just follow through on something and stop making everything so hard. To clarify, I actually agreed with Lee's decision in that scene, so I was speaking more generally.
I loved the scene you chose for the first time middleman came up. Very cool. Lee looks so menacing and Baltar looks scared to death :)
Now I hope this doesn't sound too weird and I'm not trying to attack Lee, but this is a character study and so I was concentrating hard on the character you were representing. And you kind of made a condensed montage of all the things I don't like about Lee and don't understand. You stated that this vid relies heavily on contextual moments and what I saw was Lee the violent killer, the sex payer, the unhealthy and large man who wanted to leave his father and humanity to their fate, the man who rejected his pregnant girlfriend, the cheating husband. There is also the flip side where Lee is the wronged party - betrayed by Kara, unsupported by his father, the precarious ground he walked while representing Baltar, and those moments do garner my sympathy. So you've created a very conflicting and hard to process video. I can't feel completely comfortable while watching it. But that was your point, wasn't it? To show Lee warts and all.
The 'shippy portion: I also got the feeling that Lee/Dee were the partnership of this video and Kara was like an outside negative force. There were shots of Dee shaking her head and giving pointed looks and enduring this insane thing Lee was going through. You portrayed Dee as Lee's constant which really bummed me out, especially because I always see Dee as the interloper who arrived one day and moved in uninvited and refuses to leave. But you treated her character extremely well. She was quite saintly and seemed almost too good for Lee.
I really liked the final shot of Lee loosening his tie going in the opposite direction to everybody else and then deciding to join them. I know Lee will never be one of the crowd, he'll always represent the harder choices and will continue to be in conflict with mass opinion, but my thrill is seeing Lee occasionally throw his lot in with everyone else. Like when he eventually did join in the rescue of New Caprica. I just think that Lee has the ability to tip scales and even if a plan looks to be doomed, it might actually succeed with his input, support and leadership skills. And on a micro scale, I think that rule could also apply to his relationship with Kara.
It was an excellent video and I'm so pleased you finally pushed it out of the nest :) :)
Part I
Date: 2007-09-11 07:19 am (UTC)The song must've been extremely difficult to vid to
*nods* Aha! :(
didn't get the sense of any random scenes just dropped in to fill space, it all seemed very purposeful from start to finish.
Yay! And I angsted over effects but a) I suck at them and b) they could distract, so no, I kept it clean.
it grabbed my attention straight away and set the platform to remind us from the start that Lee is a vulnerable person while at the same time introducing the important players in Lee's life
Yay, that's exactly what I wanted! That shot of him from the mini-series reacting to the news that they are going to find Earth has always been incredibly powerful to me because Lee doesn't respond with the same uninhibited joy as everyone else--his reactions are always tempered by more complex emotions and you can still see that he's in shock overall at what he's gone through.
Kara (I'm glad she was first)
She had to be!
Dualla (having half her face covered, no less)
I did angst over that, but I also think it does sum up the way he doesn't really 'see' her. And she doesn't really see him.
I think plenty of people watching Lee (in the BSG 'verse and the audience) have lots of those moments when we wish Lee would just follow through on something and stop making everything so hard.
Hahaha, I know! :) I really love that shot too. It's the 'oh, Lee!' eyeroll. ;) Even though like you I agree with his decision, I think it works because it shows that other people get frustrated with him--not just with his decisions but with his vacillation about them, and also with his choices in regards to personal loyalty versus principles. And it was an interesting example because it's one place where Lee DID choose personal loyalty above his principles. He's not as one-dimensional in that regard as people make out sometimes.
Part II
From:Re: Part II
From:no subject
Date: 2007-09-11 08:54 am (UTC)I love that he's honest to god conflicted over many of the choices he's forced to make, that he makes life harder for himself in so many ways, that he vacillates like a great big vacillating thing because that's what holding onto a conscience post-apocalypse would mean, and it's just so very human to me.
I can identify with the way that Lee questions and doubts himself, how he makes mistakes but tries to correct them, how he's always striving to be a better person, but often gets turned around by the forces surrounding him. I love that while Adama and Kara and Roslin influence him for better or for worse, ultimately his tendency to live inside his own head saves him from being entirely swept away by their beliefs and goals. And how's that for an unpopular opinion?
I love how keeping his 'exits wide' and knowing that 'the birds can always fly' relates to the theme of death and how Lee personally internalizes it as the ultimate escape. It's depressing as hell, but also all-too-rational at the same time.
I've read people rant about 2.5!Lee and how selfish and childish his near suicidal spiral was, but personally, I think Lee's mindset just showed how much more he could see and feel and understand of what their world had become. Because of his position, he could acknowledge firsthand just how far democracy had fallen, and could recognize that if both leaders (Adama and Roslin) continued to actively pursue the path they'd set foot upon, all the principles he stood for would soon enough be no more.
That said, under those circumstances, I can easily imagine how an idealistic person such as Lee would take a nosedive into helpless hopelessness. To me, that's the only conclusion that makes sense. And quite frankly, I believe that no one else shared that nosedive simply because the rest of them were too unaware, apathetic, or in denial to grasp the full magnitude of where humanity was headed in its deterioration.
Fortunately, the big bad evil cylons converged on New Caprica by the second season finale and shook things up enough that both Lee and humanity itself could find their feet once more. ;)
Anyway, excellent vid. Definitely a keeper.
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Date: 2007-09-11 09:44 am (UTC)It's kinda funny how other viewers were turned off by the aspects of Lee's character explored in Middleman because those very same aspects (flaws and all) are the reason I love the character so much.
I'm not really surprised--I know fandom's take on Lee. ;-)
he vacillates like a great big vacillating thing because that's what holding onto a conscience post-apocalypse would mean, and it's just so very human to me.
Hee! Yes, definitely!
ultimately his tendency to live inside his own head saves him from being entirely swept away by their beliefs and goals
*nods* I love that too. I think I can relate to him easily because he's governed so internally--he has this rich inner mental landscape--he's constantly in dialogue with himself.
I love how keeping his 'exits wide' and knowing that 'the birds can always fly' relates to the theme of death and how Lee personally internalizes it as the ultimate escape
I'm delighted that came through--and while it's bleak I understand how Lee reached that conclusion and that state of mind.
I've read people rant about 2.5!Lee and how selfish and childish his near suicidal spiral was
Pfft! Anyone who thinks major (suicidal) depression is selfish should be forced to suffer from it. It's not something most people exactly get a lot out of!
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Date: 2007-09-11 01:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-11 11:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2007-09-11 05:33 pm (UTC)it's certainly not a 'hero' vid.
No, you've definitely included some very unflattering shots of Lee, from the drunken angsting of TaB to the fat-suit. Though I don't know if I could call that a "beautiful disguise." :P Seriously, very nice job of integrating all the pieces.
I've tried hard to be fair to all the women who are important in Lee's story, but the relative importance of each is very much open to interpretation--this is mine.
Mine too!
And the show's!And I agree that it makes sense for a character -study vid, as opposed to a shippy vid, to portray all relationships. And I think you did a good job of being fair; this definitely wasn't a character-bashing vid. (Is it even possible to do a character-bashing vid? I don't know, I just know I find it really annoying in fic, heh)The part about the dead who "can hide beneath the ground" and then constant compromise segment was so poignant, as well as the shot of Kara's ship exploding and then the cut to her dancing with him. And I love the ending with everyone turning away from Lee.
Amazing work!
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Date: 2007-09-11 11:20 pm (UTC)Hee! That's very cool that you think so. *g*
Though I don't know if I could call that a "beautiful disguise." :P
Heh. The irony was heavy on that line. ;) It was very hard to play with but I did feel that Lee was 'disguised' in a sense at that time--hiding himself in lethargy and eating and the disguise became a little too effective.
I think you did a good job of being fair; this definitely wasn't a character-bashing vid.
Thanks!
Is it even possible to do a character-bashing vid?
Yes! It is! I've watched some. :)
The part about the dead who "can hide beneath the ground" and then constant compromise segment was so poignant, as well as the shot of Kara's ship exploding and then the cut to her dancing with him. And I love the ending with everyone turning away from Lee.
Cool! I'm always fascinated to hear which parts resonate with/work for different people. So glad this worked for you! Thank you!
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Date: 2007-09-11 09:30 pm (UTC)You're right, this is a difficult vid and all the more rewarding for it. I've already watched it 3 times and I'm still finding wonderful new nuances and connections you've weaved in there.
I've never heard the song before, which I'm pleased about, because it enables your meta to really drive the vid (not that it wouldn't anyway, but sometimes when you know a song it can ironically distance you more from the message..). Similarly, and as always, I love and appreciate your use of uncommon clips. They're less weighted by convention and (often fanon) context, and that's actually well-suited to an exploration of Lee's in-betweeness. As are your juxtapositions through the editing. You manage to make even well-used clips work in new and more thoughtful ways. :)
Oh, LEE. I think the 'middleman' concept is perfect for him; torn between so many opposing sides, relationships and people. And it's tough, and so much is absent and a disguise (eek, noodles!), and I loved the way you flashed to Zarek's frustration, because it touched on expectations and pressure and all those things that weigh Lee down. And, of course, the exact things that mean so many in fandom are perplexed by the character! I love that you haven't shirked from any of these things.
Anyway, I'll shut up and get some sleep, but WELL DONE YOU, and I think this vid sets up Lee's journey perfectly for season 4; I only hope TPTB are as thoughtful..
*loves* :))
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Date: 2007-09-11 11:31 pm (UTC)Heeeey! No shame here. I've been dilly-dallying on this one for months! I've been blocked on it several times over, I thought I'd never finish it, and I could have kept working on it for months more probably...
I'm still finding wonderful new nuances and connections you've weaved in there.
whee! Yay! That is great feedback.
You manage to make even well-used clips work in new and more thoughtful ways. :)
Cool! :)
And it's tough, and so much is absent and a disguise (eek, noodles!)
Yes, it is. And I know I shocked a few people with my inclusion of overweight!Lee but I feel it's part of his 'darker' side as much as his depression is/was.
And Zarek's grimace seems to have worked for a lot of people--I'm really glad I included it because I think it shows exactly what you point out: other people projecting expectations on to Lee and getting frustrated and perplexed by him when he doesn't level up.
I think this vid sets up Lee's journey perfectly for season 4; I only hope TPTB are as thoughtful..
Aww, you are too kind! *hugs*
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Date: 2007-09-12 02:08 am (UTC)I think Lee is on a search for truth and I think deep inside he longs to be given some guideposts to steer his life by, but when offered them, his intellect (or his conscience) finds them lacking.
I agree, and I think your vid conveyed this perfectly. But another thing it brought out to me was how Lee himself can become the guidepost for others--even in "Water" he is questioning whether they have a responsibility as leaders of the fleet to question decisions like shooting down the Olympic Carrier, and throughout the seasons Lee has been the one to get in people's faces and say things they don't necessarily want to hear (pushing for elections, commiting mutiny to defend the presidency, and of course, with Baltar, insisting on the right of every man to a fair trial). They might live in a world of no certainties, but Lee is not going to shrug off the hard questions, even so--and he's going to make damn sure that others don't, either. The gadfly role wins him little understanding or sympathy, but I love him for realizing it's absolutely necessary.
One of the things that really stood out to me was how often you showed Lee being 'alone' at the edges of a crowd -- thoughtful and quiet, isolated, out of sync with the people around him, yet perceiving more of what's truly going on. Sometimes that isolation is bridged--like in his moment of connection with Kara during her memorial speech in "Scar"--but it struck me watching your vid how often Lee plays the observer role on this show. That might put him on the 'sidelines' more often, but--like we, the viewers--he sees more of the big picture.
Another part I really loved was how you had the sequence of people turning away from him followed by clips of Lee fighting--not just battling against his enemies, or fighting for what he believes in, but placing his romantic relationships in there, too. Because as much as Lee is a ‘thinker’ type, that’s such a crucial aspect of his character--he does have these very physical explosions. Since "Bastille Day" I will always have this image of Lee in a fistfight with fifty violent prisoners, fighting till he can't, because he's just not going to surrender. Your ending was stunning, and just perfect for a character who is such an admixture of passion and conviction, hesitation and doubt.
Whew! All that, and I haven't even touched on Lee's relationships in this vid! I will have to come back after I've sorted out my impressions further -- it's just so powerful. Kudos to you for this wonderful (and faithful) portrait of Lee. When it came to the hard stuff, you didn't flinch.
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Date: 2007-09-12 03:12 am (UTC)The gadfly role wins him little understanding or sympathy, but I love him for realizing it's absolutely necessary.
Much love for that sentence, for I agree wholeheartedly!
but it struck me watching your vid how often Lee plays the observer role on this show. That might put him on the 'sidelines' more often, but--like we, the viewers--he sees more of the big picture.
Mmmm. *nods* Yes, and I think it makes it more meaningful when that gap is bridged--the moment in Scar is so powerful for that reason, and also the trial itself could be viewed that way. It's when Lee himself takes the stand that the real emotional punches get thrown. There was some chat in the comments above about how exciting it is when Lee does pitch in with the majority. I think it's more powerful because normally he plays the cautious observer or the one with a counteropinion.
that’s such a crucial aspect of his character--he does have these very physical explosions.
Mmm hmm! And we were nattering above about how sometimes he makes sense of his world in a stronger way when he IS phyiscal or DOES act--especially when the action has symbolic power. Luckilly the music gave me that crescendo to play with at the end and it was fun to end on.
a character who is such an admixture of passion and conviction, hesitation and doubt
He sure is that! There's no doubt Lee is complex. I guess I've just always argued against the idea that this renders him incoherent. Because when I see Lee I see a coherent whole. Presenting that to the viewers of this vid proved somewhat more difficult. ;)
When it came to the hard stuff, you didn't flinch.
Thank you! :) I don't think *Lee* would flinch so I was just being faithful to him. But there was emotional squirming behind the scenes, believe me. (Well you at least know how long I've been talking about this vid!)
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Date: 2007-09-12 04:09 am (UTC)We all make jokes about how emo Lee is, but I think you've shown that all the emoting comes from an honest place. When Lee's not playing a familiar role (pilot, CAG, soldier), I think has to process his emotions before he can act.
Like others, I was struck by the attention you paid to objects that have meaning for Lee. I'd never noticed how important those touchstones are for him. Good eye, you!
The build-up in the music combined with everyone turning away from him was so painful to watch! Each visual dismissal pounded home how much rejection he's faced. I felt so sad for our poor lonely pilot!
That about wraps it up for me. Again, excellent job!
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Date: 2007-09-12 11:55 am (UTC)We all make jokes about how emo Lee is, but I think you've shown that all the emoting comes from an honest place.
I know, we do! But yes, I agree--it does come from an honest place. That's a good way of putting it.
Each visual dismissal pounded home how much rejection he's faced. I felt so sad for our poor lonely pilot!
Aww, I'm glad it worked for you but sorry it brought home the pain.
thanks for the feedback!
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Date: 2007-09-12 05:00 am (UTC)I didn't know the song at all but it suits the visuals in every way.
There is so much to Lee Adama that no one seems to see or
appreciate. That is why it is thrilling to me so see it encapsulated
here.
The moment that made my heart stop ( a little )
was the " lost in space " at "keep my exits wide'.
The smooth transitions and muted look are also effective
in telling the story. All I can say is damn fine work!
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Date: 2007-09-12 11:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-12 08:09 am (UTC)I really liked this vid. It thought it did a really great job of showing the inner turmoil Lee goes through. I don't think you apologised for any of his bad behaviour, but you did make me feel for him, though I admit while he can annoy the hell out of me, he is one of my favourite characters.
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Date: 2007-09-12 11:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-12 12:03 pm (UTC)I always think of Lee as an outsider and that came across in your vid too. And I liked the action part at the end - so often he's an observer, but when he does act, he acts decisively (and usually in a way other people don't expect!).
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Date: 2007-09-12 12:39 pm (UTC)but when he does act, he acts decisively (and usually in a way other people don't expect!)
this is true and it's why I'd argue against the idea that he's always conservative--I think he IS capable of thinking and acting outside the box, it's just he's always going to think his way to that position, not just leap there on instinct as Kara does.
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Date: 2007-09-12 12:27 pm (UTC)First, I really do see some traces of Lee the hero in this vid. He doesn't always do the right thing (adultery, leaving his pregnant girl fried, forcing us to sit through Black Market) but he always tries. Even when it's completely fruitless (the mutiny) or thankless (defending Baltar)he's willing to stand by his convictions even if, as others have said, he'd rather just walk away/open a bar.
Secondly, one of things that's always drawn me to Lee is that disconnect that you mentioned. There's the guy the public sees, Adama's son, the war hero and the guy he really is, paralyzed by self doubt and inaction.
Thirdly, you picked a fantastic song to showcase Lee.
Thanks so much for sharing!
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Date: 2007-09-12 12:42 pm (UTC)he's willing to stand by his convictions even if, as others have said, he'd rather just walk away/open a bar.
Yup, that's definitely a defining part of who he is--willing to stand by his actions and cop the consequences even when it's the hardest thing in the world. I don't think HE'd see it as heroic, but I agree that that is the action of a hero.
The disconnect you bring up is SO powerful to me and I think it's probably one of the strongest drawcards about Lee for me--I remember sort of 'keying into' him in the mini when he gets photographed with Adama and there's that obvious disconnect between the way they're seen by others and the reality of their relationship for Lee (even Adama seems less aware of the extent of the rift!).
Thanks for the comment!
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