New Vid! Levee Breaks

[ash48]

Made for the Sam Celebration 2010 at summer_sam_love


banner by secretlytodream

Title: Levee Breaks
Vidder: ash48
Music: Pet by A Perfect Circle
Category: episodic, character study, angst
Rating: PG13 (language in the song).
Length: 2.27m
Size: 26mb
Summary: This is Sam's hell.



I have rather a lot of people to thank for this vid so I made a dedicated thank you post to them HERE.

Stream: You Tube
Download: Sendspace (.divx) or 4Shared (.avi)

Vid notes:

When the Levee Breaks is one of my all time favourite Supernatural episodes. I love that we got a chance to see inside Sam's head. I particularly love the way it was done.

In this vid I've tried to capture the intensity of that episode and explore a little bit of what Sam was going through. This has more effects in it than I would normally use, but I wanted to somehow portray Sam's confusion and state of mind and this, for me, was the a way of doing that.

There's a lyric in here that sums it all up for me: "safe from pain and truth and choice" The fact that he wasn't safe from those things and was instead confronted by those very things made me (finally) settle on this song for this video.

No money made but comments are awesome, so feel free *g*

Comments

[harrigan.livejournal.com]

Ever since we had sign-ups for the summer_sam_love celebation, and I saw that you'd picked this... well, it's been one of the handful I have been looking forward to the absolute MOST!

And you exceeded all my expectations! (And broke me, a little, too.)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oh really?! Wow, thanks so much.

Sorry for the breakage though. But Sam has a way of doing that to us.... :(

Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
xx

[deangirlxoxo.livejournal.com]

Wow! wow! wow! That is uber-angst my darling, so beautiful. That song is *relentless* and definitely suits the vid's dark mood. The fighting scene at the end of this episode always hurt me and I love how you use it here. Especially "the shot" of the fist coming right at the screen (2:10).

Poor Sammy - so lost and desperate and tormented ... and Alistair ... to me he will always remain Supernatural's most vicious villain.

Congratulations on this!! ::hugs::

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hee! Yes, "uber-angst" might just be the way to put it. At this point in the series our poor boys' angst was out of the ball park.

I really like the way you described the song as "relentless". I think this is what attracted me to it. It just never lets up (well, I chopped the song up a bit to get it the way I wanted it.*g*). But I think that was the sense I wanted to get across.

Thanks so much hun! You always say the nicest things. :)
*hugs*

[amnisias.livejournal.com]

Oooh, this is so dark & raw, but still beautiful. The music choice is perfect, it fluctuates between aggressiveness & softness, anger & sadness, loud and quiet.
I love the way you've imitated the Supernatural title, that works really well. And you used the effects very skillfully, they blend into the background and just add to the atmosphere of the vid without being distracting.
This is such a great way to start into season 6....
*abducting the vid*

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oooh thank you for such lovely feedback.

it fluctuates between aggressiveness & softness, anger & sadness, loud and quiet.

Oh yes...for me this episode was about all those contrasts. We saw such conflicting emotions and moments from Sam I hoped this song would help show that.

Thanks for the feedback on the effects. I always get a little nervous using them because they're not something I feel that confident with.

Thanks again. Hee! "abducting the vid"...

:D

[redteekal.livejournal.com]

This is a fantastic portrayal of Sam's intense fall out and withdrawal from the demon blood. I mean I know this whole episodes was just one big 'WOW' for me, it was so raw and abrasive on the emotions as you watched it. This vid is a perfect moment in time capturing of that. Jared really pulled it all out in this one and you've used all his emotions so well here. Loved it and loved the song - I'm off to listen to more A Perfect Circle. The effects just slotted in seamlessly and seemed very organic in their usage. Thanks for making and sharing :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thanks hun. :D That episode really was very raw wasn't it? I remember being somewhat sucker punched by it. There was just so much going on. And I agree. JP knocked out of the ball park. His fluctuating emotions and the way he portrayed them were fabulous I thought.

Oh and do listen to more of A Perfect Circle. I was only recently introduced to them and, yeah.. worth a listen. :)

The effects just slotted in seamlessly and seemed very organic in their usage

ooh, that's a lovely thing to say. Thank you. It's a fine line with effects I think, so a comment like that is nice to hear.

*hugs*
xx

[ancastar.livejournal.com]

Gah! I just love this. It's such a brilliant blend of technique and message.

I have to tell you--I'm so envious of your skill. As a vidder, I'm not good with effects. I'm not entirely sure what's possible (despite having worked with my software for nearly five years--how sad is that?), and my mind doesn't think in that way. I don't see that way in my head. I'm more drawn to straightforward narrative.

But you, you use effects in support of narrative in a way I can only dream of doing. You never sacrifice what you're trying to convey for "looking cool." So the result is such a rich visual and emotional experience for your viewers. It's a amazing, truly. Take a bow, my dear.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Awww honey thank you. <33

I'm not so comfortable with effects myself. Give me straight editing any day. But this song and Sam's state of mind just pushed me to have a go. I don't usually "see" that way either. Though it did make me have a closer look at what my program offers. :)

You never sacrifice what you're trying to convey for "looking cool".

Oh thank you darlin'. That's such a lovely thing to hear. Each time I do something I ask myself what purpose does it have to make sure it's doing something. (Also _sharvie will pick me up on and say "that looks nice but why is it there?" *g*).

Thanks again for your incredible support hon. <3

*HEFFA HUGS*

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

I felt this song was different to the music you used before. Even though there is a wide variety of song types in your vids I still feel that this a little bit different. And the mood of it fits the vid so well. (I notice the mood of a song always before the lyrics, has to do with english not being my native language.)

Like I said before, I love the blurry vision thing. It makes me feel like I'm in Sam's head. Looking through his eyes.

"...away from the window" is pretty grim with Sam trying to open the door from the inside and Dean closing that little window.

0:34 when Sam screams to the music rising. Brrr. Poor Sam! And then you see Dean walking up the stairs with that tortured look on his face. And it appears that it's that bad that even the colour drains out of the vid.*shudder*

I also love the rapid changes from b/w to colour (Sam). It really underlines the confusion.

And the way everybody shows up, fitting with the lyrics, it's creepy.

The part with Sam's (illusionary) mother is also perfect with the lyrics. "Stay with me" *sniff*

And then Ruby! (bitch.lol.) "Lay your head down child.." that hurts...

The moment with Bobby is always a heartbreaker but I love the timing with the music here. And talking about timing: The fight! Perfect editing to make it fit the song. I love it when the music sounds like it's written for the scene.

Ok, have I forgotten anything?...lol.
It's a great vid to a grim and very fitting song.
Oh, have I mentioned that I think this is a great vid? ;)
Thanks for always entertaining us in such a professional manner.
*hugs*

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Wow - thanks for the wonderful feedback honey. <333

Many of the reasons I picked this song is because of the lyrics you pointed out. There were just so many that said "Sam" in this episode.

I'm glad the timing on the fight worked for you. Man, I tweaked that forever. (and the Bobby bit...)

*SMISHES* thanks babe.
<33

Levee Breaks

[yourlibrarian]

There's a lyric in here that sums it all up for me: "safe from pain and truth and choice" The fact that he wasn't safe from those things and was instead confronted by those very things made me (finally) settle on this song for this video.

I think it's interesting to consider, especially in light of Sam, Interrupted, if this is a fundamental difference between the brothers. It seems to me that Sam is always confronting these things, hence the desire for the easier answer.

I like how you put this together, and the song choice was indeed fitting. I wanted to add how much I like secretlytodream's banner, too.

Re: Levee Breaks

[ash48.livejournal.com]

if this is a fundamental difference between the brothers.

Yeah, interesting point. Sam does often confront his stuff, but not always with a clear mind. (well, not in this episode). Though I often get the feeling we don't see it all that often (though I think that could be said for both boys).

Thanks so much for watching and commenting hun. :)
xx

[devon99.livejournal.com]

You did a great job with this, sweetie, as always. It was a perfect song choice, which had some really fitting lines, and you put it together in a way that perfectly encapsulated Sams state of mind during that episode. It was dark and raw, almost aggressive at some points and quite sad to see Sammy like that again:(

Really nicely done, clever girl.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much honey. I really wanted something a little raw because that episode left me feeling exactly like that. It still breaks me to think what Sam went through during that season.

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. <3

[winterevanesce.livejournal.com]

Loved this! Awesome job :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yay hon! Thanks so much. :D

[secretlytodream.livejournal.com]

YAY! \o/ You finally posted!
You know how much I loved this vid hon)) It's something new for you, and you did a great job at trying out new things! THUMBS UP! ^___^

[ash48.livejournal.com]

OMG yes! Finally posted it. I don't think I've ever sat on a vid for so long...

And yes, it was a nice challenge, playing with effects. They certainly don't come easily to me but damn they can be fun to play with. :)

Thanks for you early feedback. That gave me some extra confidence.
<33

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

If I wasn't one of the betas on this it would still be obvious to me how much care and attention to detail went into this vid.

I adore the effects, cause I'm an effect whore, but nothing seemed out of place or too over the top. I loved the "truth" on young Sam with yellow eyes bit. I think that was the perfect place to put him! Is that the truth? That's the question Sam is banging over his own head here. So yeah, awesome move there.

And love the end and bringing his craziness back into the 'real world' as he leaves Dean. This vid is so heartbreaking and beautiful. You rocked it!

Can't wait for the season to start!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

*glomps* you honey bun.

I adore the effects, cause I'm an effect whore

And it's not really fair is it? I hardly ever use effects (though I do on occasion *g*) and considering how much you like them I really should "play" more often.

I loved the "truth" on young Sam with yellow eyes bit.

Ooh yeah. I don't think I showed you that. I was like "OMG! yellow eyes need to go here". (impressed you noticed that change...but that's why you are made of win hon).

And love the end and bringing his craziness back into the 'real world' as he leaves Dean

Yeah, totally love your suggestion about that. I always love tying the end of a vid to its beginning and that was such a nice (albeit subtle) way of doing it.

And yay! Season 6!!! \o/

Thanks as always honey. <3333

[callme-k.livejournal.com]

It goes without saying that I adore your comedy vids, but I LOVE when you venture darkside:) It's somehow extra poignant because it's (with respect) a somewhat rare outing for you, so I know to expect an incredibly thought-provoking vid.
This, is that!
I'm still a little too deliriously happy this morning to effectively comment on an angsty vid:p but I promise you, feedback with be forthcoming <3
ps. I envy your muse.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thank you muchly Kirsty! As I've probably moaned about before, darker angsty vids are much harder for me so I don't go there often, but when I do I really like to "work" them. I usually angst over them as much as the angst in the vid. :)

feedback with be forthcoming

I'll get my act together and post it over at ETV... :)

ps. I envy your muse.

I find being part of a challenge or auction really "forces" the muse to come on board. I know that isn't effective for everyone but I really love that little added pressure. Can you believe my auction vid is to a rap song?! I would never normally do that, so it's taking me out of my comfort zone... which I kinda love. :)

Hope your muse plays ball honey, because we need our Coastal vids!! :D

[boom-queen.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I love it! The song selection is perfect for that ep, the visual effects totally work (I particularly love the repeated desaturation/color effect), and the whole thing packs a really intense emotional punch. Brava darling!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thanks darlin'. :D I listened to a heap of songs before settling on this one. I felt it had the angsty quality and lyrics I was after to tell Sam's story.

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. <33

[cece-away.livejournal.com]

You are so freakin talented! The way you put this all together with the music, the distortion, the placement of the clips. Wow, wow, wow.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks. That's a lovely thing to say. I'm so glad the vid worked for you. Thanks so much for letting me know. :)

[scullspeare.livejournal.com]

Great song choice; it really captured the emotional intensity of the episode (one of my favourites, too, for most of the same reasons you stated).

My heart broke for Sam all over again watching it.

Fantastic work.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. :D

My heart breaks every time I watch this episode - it was so hard to watch Sam in so much pain and then watching the brothers fight at the end. :((

Thanks so much for stopping by. :D

[varkelton]

Oh! Oh, honey! God, I love you so much right now. That was one of the best episode recap vids I've ever seen! The music was perfect, and everything was perfectly timed and, and, oh, Sam! ::breaks::

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! Thank you so much. That's awesome feedback!

When I saw that episode up for grabs I just couldn't resist. It's such a brilliant Sam episode of so beautifully shot.

Thanks again for your response. *beams*

[auntshoe.livejournal.com]

OH. MY. GOD! A Perfect Circle! Sam! It's like Christmas and Birthday all at once! :D LOVELOVELOVE! Amazing match of video and song! ♥

[ash48.livejournal.com]

yay! Thanks so much! So glad you liked it! And I'm ashamed to say this is the first I'd heard of A Perfect Circle. My beta, _sharvie_ suggested it to me when I was looking for songs and it really resonated for this episode.

Thanks again.
<33333

[geckoholic]

DUH, I LIKE!! Great work, honey. ♥

[ash48.livejournal.com]

*smish* thanks babe! <33

[netlynn.livejournal.com]

Wow! I am speechless right now. That was so visually stunning that I can't stop watching. This episode was heartbreaking to watch but I think you did an even better job at showing the torment inside of Sam.

Your effects were absolutely amazing and your timing was spot-on that I literally sat in front of my computer - mouth hanging wide open in pure amazement.

I agree with your assessment of the lyric 'safe from the pain and truth and choice' and I don't think you could have found a more perfect song for the intensity of this vid.

Thank you for sharing - this is definitely one I won't be forgetting.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Wow thanks. That's lovely feedback to receive and I really appreciate it. It was such a powerful episode and I was so glad we had a chance to see more of Sam's thinking.

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. <33

[kalliel]

This is fantastic. The intensity of this is amazing--I really loved the interspersed scenes of black and white at the beginning.

Just--chilling. Thank you for sharing!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. So glad you liked it. :D

[pinkphoenix1985.livejournal.com]

this is fantastic!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D

[sandymg.livejournal.com]

That was just magnificant. Perfect episode vid. The song was an inspired choice and your editing divine. Really great work.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. :D

[deadlynight27.livejournal.com]

I'm a huge APC fanatic (Writing while listening to their music does wonders for my angst button!) so when I saw the song, I got excited. And then when I saw it was Sam-centric I nearly squee'd. I loved it so much there aren't words to describe.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I have to say this is the first time I'd come across them. My beta, _sharvie mentioned the song to me. I've now listened to a few of their songs and I agree they are great. :)

I'm so glad you liked the vid, especially has a APC fan. (And especially as I kinda butchered the song in order to vid it.../o\)

xx

[cylune9.livejournal.com]

That was awesome! I love Sam, When the Levee Breaks is one of my favorite episode and to mix it up with A Perfect Circle? Perfect!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thanks so very much! :D

[reliand.livejournal.com]

*SQUEE* When the Levee Breaks is such an amazing episode...I'm pretty sure it's one of my favorites too!

This was perfect. You captured the pain and confusion and the betrayal so beautifully. It's such a hard episode to watch because both boys are hurting, but both for such separate reasons. All that angst and hurt wrapped into one episode and this is such a fantastic study of that point.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. :)

I agree, it is such a hard episode to watch. So much angst and pain - for both our boys. I think that's why I wanted to vid it..... I must be a masochist..*g*

Thanks for the lovely feedback. <33