Congrates Sonic
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wol6O5xQ79U[/ame]
I thought I'd make this interesting with a poll. I got just past the credits and bam, there went the tears.
I don't know what it is about this video, but by the end of it I'm wiping the tears away.......and it doesn't matter how many times I see it either. I personally love the emotion Sonic creates in this piece, and I hope you all enjoy it as well.
Last edited by Raistlin; 02-06-2009 at 06:55 PM.
Well I let this go right down to the wire and for that, Sonic I apologize. I'm currently on a stretch here where from the last week of January till now I haven't had ANY time to myself to just relax and do whatever. No PS2, no do nothing time, its been go, go,go,go,go,go,go......However, being an actor I'm sure Kev can appreciate that type of schedule. That being said I still owe him like 3 reviews as it is.ops: So here, I finally give Sonic(and you) my review of Yuna's Dream - Part 2.
Epical Editor - Sonicoolkev
Music Choice - My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
Video Category - Game - Final Fantasy X/Final Fantasy X-2
Video Quality
Alrighty, well to start things looked pretty good. However, after a little bit in this movie starts to show its age. Kev did mention that it has been 2 years give or take some months since it was started on and he still wanted to clean it up but lost the source vid. I had a copy which he was able to go from but in the end there was blurriness and a bit of pixellation to be had before this presentation was over. Some points this could be noticed are at 3.23, 3.48, 3.51, 4.06.....and one little point on this 4.06 clip. I have seen a lot of FF X movies done and I have yet to have seen this clip crisp, clean and clear. Havent seen it yet. I've seen movies that would have got a perfect quality score except this one clip wasn't clear....so that one I dont think cant be ripped or converted well for whatever reason. Anyhow.....4.34 was another one and for some reason I can't fin dthe example I had for the pixellation that was easy to spot.
But in any case, the quality could have been better. Luckily, Kev's knack for presentation did the quality a favor in this case.
Movie Quality Score - 3.5/5
Music Choice - My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
Generally this song is a given for making a romance vid. Kev even mentioned where his inspiration came for the song choice of this vid. However, to add his own little spice Sonic used the remixed version that some radio stations(and mine here in Vancouver) played when Titanic was just in the theatres. While this certainly goes hand in hand with the way Sonic LOVES to tell a story with his presentations, there was a definite split with the viewers on if this was a positive or negative choice. The use of the voiceovers from the movie did fit in some way shape or form to each scene that they were used. The one that was the most hardest to connect was probably the opening line about the titanic. While the main song choice was a bang on choice, the use of the remix is debateable depending on who you ask. I personally love the way sonic puts so much effort into telling a story with his videos, and this is also a different and unique way to use a music choice in a vid. I applaud creativity and new ideas that push the boundaries of the conventional expectations of Music Videos. So for the most part I enjoyed it. However I think because of the split it caused with the viewing audience made it a tiny bit short of a perfect choice.
Music Choice Score - 4.5/5
Transitions and Effects
The song choice gave Sonic some options when he picked it. The song is on one hand for the most part a soft song with slow easy segways. And on the other hand there was also some harder percussion cues as well later on in the song. Kev recognized this mostly and mostly chose his effects in kind. Case in point, fades. Whether the fades were in or out, the simple fades worked well especially to continue the vid into the parts where there were no lyrics to go with. 2.29, 2.49, 3.57, 6.05 are some prime examples. Once again this music music choice also begged an easier on the eyes approach for most of the arrangement. Some places had a bit more drama or needed more emphasis or, should have had emphasis but I'll get to that. Other effects used that I enjoyed were at the beginning where Kev started us off with a Black and white or Sepia color tone during the first quote and then faded the color in. This part was at around 1.34.
Other effects to take note 3.21 with a nice flash blur type deal, at 3.39 during an overlay some discoloration was added. And also at 4.15, 4.25, there were some well timed effects used. And I can't continue this section without mentioning the STAR effect that Kev slipped in. Look for it at 4.55. It was fast, but its there. Sonic has a history of using generic, simple transition effects in his vids here and there and so far I havent found one that looks tacky. And no, not even this star one. (Much to Lock's annoyance)Had it been more drawn out and not quick, then I would have had an issue. But speaking of issues, an effect I do have an issue with is the subtitles. Found at 4.38 to 4.55 Kev put these in to visualize the voiceovers. The only problem is they were definately not needed. Sonic had a great clip choice(chosen) for this part and the voiceovers and the video clip(s) chosen would have done a perfect job relaying the emotion to the viewer. As Liz mentioned it took the viewers attention away from Yuna and Tidus and to the subtitles . And in this case it turned into a battle of the characters vs the subtitles. And my eyes couldn't choose a winner because they were going back and forth and back and forth. At this critical junction in a vid with one of the biggest scenes, you want all the focus on the main characters. Nothing should ruin that moment. If its not enhancing it(that would be the voiceovers in this case) it shouldn't be within my sight.
In all the T&E chosen were very solid. One or two times I during an overlay I had to stop and look back and ask "what was that"? which also detracted from the experience. But that was only one time. In any event the large majority of effects used were chosen well and really helped the vid to flow well.
Transitions and Effects Score - 4/5
Timing and Lyric Sync
Well kids we have a score of great timings and great lyric syncs. These are building blocks for a great vid as we all know. Kind of like LEGO for music vids. How did I just compare LEGO to a music video you ask? Its 10 after 12am and I'm hopped up on lime Jello and Coke. Figure it out. But while you're doing that check out these key timing points - 1.43, 1.52, 2.11, 2.26, 2.33, 2.55, 3.17(Clip Placement w00t!) 3.49, 4.18 - 4.27(Background sound effects timed very well) 4.35, 4.55(STAR), 5.24 - 5.29(Background sound started and ended with the clips), 6.03.
There, figured it out yet? No? Tough. In this vid though Lyric Sync would take preference because this is a romance oriented video. Generally its the lyrics that will help evoke the emotion from the clips chosen whereas action vids are more about timing. Videos made to or about pirates don't count.
And I found that the lyric syncs made really hit home well. And some other syncs helped as well. Some of these bang on ones can be found at 1.56, 157, 1.59. Those are no brainers for those who have been making vids for awhile. One thing for new people to making vids is that you need to pick up on these and use them or else you'll find people wondering why they weren't utilized. Some other great ones - 3.19, 3.32 and 3.45. I really liked 3.45 because sonic had a double lyric sync going with an overlay. Each clip in the overlay synced very well. A nice touch. The last Lyric sync that I'm going to point out(although there are a lot of others that were well done with the voiceovers) is from 4.39 - 4.55. This was a main voiceover where I had also docked a point in the last category due to subtitles. However in this category Sonic covered his bases by having the clips chosen and switching to match the dialogue. One excellent point in this segment is at 4.46. Perfect lyric sync.
The one main part I thought I could have found something that bugged me was at 3.12 where the editor had some background audio effects from the movie but abruptly cut it off for the next clip placement. I just found that to be an audio annoyance. If it had faded out, it would have been more pleasing to my ears. Because I first hear these loud waves and then BANG, they're gone. What saved it was the timing that called for the abrupt cut off of the audio at 3.17. Good save indeed :wink:
Timing and Lyric Sync Score - 5/5
Overall Impression
One thing I really really like about Sonic's vids is that he always goes a little bit extra to add to the story and ambient feeling of his videos. I also love how he keeps some sound effects from the game during an FMV sequence that adds more life to that segment. Past examples can be found in his Final Fantasy VII - The Show Must Go On video.
This is why his opening and closing credits added like a minute and change to the video hehe. But in the end this is what these story's were all about. Sonic likes to really grab that feeling and attempts to enhance it. He knows he succeeded cuz he got some tears out some viewers.
If a vid is capable of doing that, then you know a good job has been done on some level. This is why I always look forward to a Sonic release.
For this video I liked the uniqueness and the addition of the remix, but I think that depsite its uniqueness, it just didn't catch me as much as the added audio effects. Those I just ate up. Keep up the great work dude.
We all look forward to your next output.
Overall Impression Score - 4.5/5
Final Grade - 21.5/25 - 86% - A
~Sonic the STAR using the STAR Effect = priceless :wink:
Knowledge Is Power
Taking Life One Disaster At A Time
I know I've seen it way more then you and I voted :wink:
Thank you for tearing a hole in my rationalization...... :roll:
Knowledge Is Power
Taking Life One Disaster At A Time
I did mean to do that LOL .......I just meant I have had the original in my slave drive since feb 2003 and watch it when I need a good cry :wink:
yeah I've had it since...well I guess not THAT long. But since it was originally submitted to me for ahem, other reasons. But whateva. Going to go watch the released version now. Weeee!
Knowledge Is Power
Taking Life One Disaster At A Time
of course I cried...I'm such a sucker...my eyes were welling since the beginning and then with the part in the water with the talking and then the powerful notes hit, I was gone...
...though I have to admit that the subtitles took away alot from that part for me, cause I was looking at them instead of listening to him and looking at the people...
"We will find the black and white in the grey."
Hello peeps, im so happy that the video is finally released :-d, and i am dying to hear more of you all's feedback :wink: im all about truth, so u can tell me negatives / positives, i will take them all, cuz itz only way to help me improve of myself on my next release (if i'm planning one lol)Well, i apologize if my video makes you cried/tear lulu and elizabeth, but yea it was made to be sad. So im glad you two really feels it... that's good feedback from you two :-d Thanks! Well... for the rest of u, enjoy and hope to hear from ya'll soon!
~Sonic~
"Dreams May Not Always Come True, but without dreams, there won't be success"
not really that much of a teary type person, there have been bits in stuff like naruto, FMA, etc. that have gotten me pretty close but meh, i'm a guy, i dont cry :P
Currently listening to:
Okay so I had a tear!!!!! So what!!! Any guy who says he doesn't get a little teary eyed is a liar!!!! I too have seen every format of this video and Sonic....you did an awesome job on it, and I want you to keep up the great work bro. :wink:
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