[7:06:53 PM] CodeZTM: So here we are, starting up a new feature with the Lip Flapper, known as the dual review. I'm here with gotegenks, who will be my partner in crime for these review series. Why don't you introduce yourself real quick and then explain what video you want to review and why?
[7:08:30 PM] gotegenks: Well i was pretty surprised when i got that pm from you about this and even though i'm pretty opinionated about videos i was really at a loss on what video to review exactly.
[7:08:56 PM] gotegenks: i even tweeted about it, but, i ignored all those people and went with one of my personal favorites
[7:09:31 PM] gotegenks: that's really the only reason i guess, and i'm still not sure i made the right decision but we'll see
[7:10:26 PM] CodeZTM: Well, that's a good of a reason as any! Anyway, we're reviewing "The Dreamer" by ExSphere. I'll admit that this was my first time picking up this video, but I really liked it. Let's start up with talking about the concept.
[7:12:46 PM] CodeZTM: On the first few lookthroughs, it really looked like a typical FLCL video, which is something I really see a lot of during the years. So it has that "overused" label to it with me, but conceptually it was a strong characterization of the main character going throgh the trials. It also tried to be serious and tell an interesting story, which really helped me to enjoy it more. Your thoughts gote?
[7:13:58 PM] gotegenks: I pretty much agree.
[7:15:15 PM] gotegenks: i think it separates itself from other flcl videos because 1. it's not just a random flcl craziness video (which is the obvious one) and
2. instead of being a TakkunxHaruko video
[7:15:21 PM] gotegenks: that makes them both out to be lovers
[7:15:37 PM] gotegenks: it really captures what their relationship was like in the anime
[7:16:00 PM] gotegenks: well, aside from the whole...alien just using him for her own motives part
[7:16:25 PM] CodeZTM: I liked that too. It moves up from just a cheap romance attempt and shows how the kid changes throughout the course of his "adventure" with Ms. Alien, and learns a little about life.
[7:18:16 PM] gotegenks: yeah that too, the contrast in editing between the slow part and the fast part really exemplifies that i think, and also him being in love with her and her being this older friend sort that, while she is perverted and does gross things with him from time to time (not exactly highlighted in this video), she's not on his level exactly, and i don't mean because she's a super powerful alien but more like she's just plain older than him.
[7:19:02 PM] CodeZTM: You know, you brought up an interesting point that I'm going to use as a segway into talking about his editing.
[7:19:38 PM] CodeZTM: I actually REALLY didn't like the faster part of the video. I felt like it chose a lot of crazy scenes that really didn't have much purpose being there, and it kind of lost that "serious/dramatic" vibe to it.
[7:21:35 PM] gotegenks: that's strange, first time i saw it i didn't like it UNTIL that fast part. but every time i watched it after that i liked it.
[7:21:48 PM] gotegenks: i think the fast part and its craziness is maintained somewhat, and controlled, and focused somewhat
[7:22:08 PM] gotegenks: while they don't follow a solid story or have a sequence that makes sense
[7:22:17 PM] gotegenks: the bit they're contained in is very much appropriate
[7:22:34 PM] gotegenks: and it helps this video to capture everything about FLCL and keep it from being just a niche edit
[7:22:44 PM] gotegenks: and more of a definitive FLCL video
[7:23:20 PM] CodeZTM: You know, I could take the faster paced scene changes (I think it was good cuts), but seeing Ms. Alien as Elvis, and the overexaggerated facial moments? I just kind of felt like it tossed the first few minutes of the video out of the window. BUT, I do see what you mean about it showing more about the show.
[7:23:31 PM] CodeZTM: That was definitely a crazy adventure he went through.
[7:23:54 PM] CodeZTM: Actually, it might have been MORE successful if we went TOTALLY crazy here, and didn't add in the dramatic scenes.
[7:24:38 PM] CodeZTM: It was that contrast between the scene changes that did me in here.
[7:24:38 PM] gotegenks: i completely disagree there, partly because the fast part is what makes this video for me, but to me the slow part is really integral to my enjoyment of the fast part
[7:25:45 PM] gotegenks: it just makes the transition to the fast part much larger and it gives the video a range that you don't find too often.
[7:26:23 PM] gotegenks: and he doesn't just throw you into being fast from being soft and slow either, there is a period of transition, and then he does a good job of bringing it back at the end too, and slowing it down to a close.
[7:26:52 PM] gotegenks: it's all controlled and composed nicely
[7:26:56 PM] gotegenks: in my opinion anyway
[7:28:41 PM] CodeZTM: I suppose we can agree to disagree on this one aspect. I'm not sure what else there is to talk about. I mean, I think we can both see that the visual quality was well done, and I certainly didn't feel any hiccups in the audio.
[7:29:13 PM] gotegenks: nop
[7:29:21 PM] gotegenks: what did you think about the sliding borders?
[7:30:49 PM] CodeZTM: Ehhh. To me, it was a cute idea, but I felt like it was just a tad forced and didn't tranistion smoothly. godix did something like that with his "Longed for Him, Got Him, Shit", and what I liked about that effect is how all the scenes that slid in complemented each other. Here, I felt like it was just a tad random at times, with really different scenes that conflicted with each other for screen time.
[7:34:09 PM] gotegenks: yeah there was some rough sliding, and half the time you're right about the extra clips not complementing each other at all, i wish he did make them more...relevant.
[7:34:31 PM] gotegenks: but a little over half the time they do actually complement it
[7:34:45 PM] gotegenks: half the time it's the same scene choice idea or structure as that godix video
[7:35:11 PM] gotegenks: using clips from that same scene in the anime on the sides to show more of the situation
[7:35:49 PM] gotegenks: like when amarao (red haired eyebrows dude) is gonna shoot haruko at 3:23
[7:36:14 PM] CodeZTM: Ok, THAT one was well done.
[7:36:25 PM] gotegenks: and he uses them at 3:09 to transition to an entirely new scene
[7:37:03 PM] CodeZTM: That one as well. I suppose I overlooked those two. I was caught up more in the early ones.
[7:37:27 PM] CodeZTM: Those show an interesting 3-way perspective to show us all the different angles of the particular shot that did a really nice job at that.
[7:37:40 PM] gotegenks: yeah
[7:38:00 PM] gotegenks: and if you'll look closely (and by tha ti mean pause) all of those instances have SOME kind of link
[7:38:07 PM] gotegenks: but most of them are pretty random feeling like you said
[7:38:23 PM] gotegenks: but it means he did put thought into all of them
[7:39:02 PM] CodeZTM: I can see the thought, I just think that th execution could have been better. Like at 3:04, where we see about all of MC's head, but like a massive zoom-in on Ms. Alien that we really can't see the link as well.
[7:39:45 PM] CodeZTM: 3:08 is one where I personally didn't see any link myself.
[7:40:41 PM] gotegenks: oh yeah, there wasn't any there, that i can see anyway
[7:41:27 PM] CodeZTM: Anything else lingering on your mind about the video that you might want to discuss?
[7:42:55 PM] gotegenks: i despise the clips from 0:14 - 0:21
[7:43:34 PM] CodeZTM: Oh yeah, the baseball thing.
[7:44:27 PM] CodeZTM: That was a little forced on the lyric sync, at least I thouhgt. As for his flashes/blurring, I personally thought it was pretty well done. It's one of those situations where if I don't notice them and they're well integrated, I appreciate them all the more. Kind of like Eidolion and its effects.
[7:43:30 PM] gotegenks: oh, and what's your opinion on his flashing and blurring techniques?
[7:44:39 PM] CodeZTM: They just look really natural to me.
[7:45:43 PM] gotegenks: yeah, they're really subtle, sometimes it feels like they're not doing anything at all.
[7:45:54 PM] gotegenks: but the more i watch it the more i cherish them
[7:46:18 PM] CodeZTM: It's really just one of those quaint things that really just make the transition between scenes all the more effective.
[7:46:15 PM] gotegenks: but one thing that's always turned me off was the cookie cutter at 2:33
[7:46:41 PM] CodeZTM: Yeah, that one was a little odd to me.
[7:46:49 PM] gotegenks: and usually i wouldn't nitpick at a few seconds of a little effect
[7:46:57 PM] CodeZTM: Especially when it's not repeated anywhere else in the rest of the video.
[7:47:17 PM] gotegenks: but this one was so out of place obvious and weird and it's one of the most memorable parts in it because of all that
[7:47:57 PM] gotegenks: although it's kind of a beloved quirk to me at this point, it's still kinda weird when i take a step back and watch it more objectively
[7:49:07 PM] CodeZTM: Eh... Perhaps you feel that since you like the video so much. To me, it's just one of those really odd out-of-place objects that I can't see past.
[7:49:28 PM] gotegenks: yeah, i'm biased no doubt
[7:49:28 PM] gotegenks: lol
[7:50:24 PM] CodeZTM: Ok, well that's all the time we have for this week! Next week is my turn to the pick the video, and hopefully I'll pick something you don't hate too badly. XD
[7:50:55 PM] gotegenks: lol, i'll try to keep an open mind about it
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Thanks for reading!
I'll make it look prettier in future reviews (images and whatnot), I just didn't have time to really format it any differently than what it is now.
If you have any comments on how you'd like to see these reviews done in future episodes, please comment in the main thread!
Thanks,
CodeZTM
