Ten or so favorite vids
In this list I did not include AMVs (Anime Music Videos) because if I did we'd be here all day. So here's ten or so vids that I love. These vids exemplify what I love about vidding and set the standards of excellence. Variety of fandoms, but not a closed-fandom listing. [Not a complete listing. By far.]
People Get Ready by heresluck [Heroes]
I love this vid because it's the core of the original concept of Heroes: being suddenly thrust into new abilities, situations, connections, figuring that stuff out and having to rise and meet those challenges and be a hero. Essentially, being ordinary and then Not Ordinary anymore. The song choice is, I think, perfect for what they were going with in the first season, especially the line "we have all the love in the world to set alight". It's touching and about family and saving people and being heroic even as you don't quite feel ready for what's coming. It's also one of the first vids that made me think "Holy shit, vidding!" beyond a single character piece or fun shipping vid. (Here's an awesome detailed review/analysis if you're interested) [Spoilers only through Season One]
Elemental by wistful_fever [Merlin]
Stunningly gorgeous, this vid uses a lot of extra-textual footage, to a lovely effect, but more than that, the way fabella uses the existing Merlin footage is just so quietly lovely. Probably the most "beautiful" video I've ever seen. It's also one of those vids that crafts a story all of its own, but also works into the canon. [Spoilers that Merlin uses magic, shocking I know.]
Cuz I Can by dualbunny [Battlestar Galactica]
dualbunny has another fabulous Starbuck video to Pink's "God is a DJ", but I definitely prefer this one. What particularly impresses me is the rhythm of the video, the way she builds scenes in stacks. And also how much booze Starbuck drinks. But seriously, it's an amazing character portrait that seems so perfected suited to her and her attitude towards her life. [Spoilers up through the end of Season 3]
New Frontier by heresluck [Firefly]
Complex and layered, it's one of those vids that not only builds up energy, but it says a ton with it. Every time I watch it I see something new, something I missed before, and it's just staggering in how much is packed into it in an awesome sci-fi package. But really, I just watch it for that freaking awesome Reaver bootstomp! This is totally the best Firefly/Serenity vid I've ever seen, especially with some of the gorgeous camera panning/graphic matches to transition. [Serenity only.]
One Girl Revolution by arefadeaway [Panfandom]
89 fandoms, 155 women, 100% unleaded BAMFness. Run, don't walk. Watch it now.
One Angry Dwarf by absolut3destiny [The Incredibles]
This vid is awesome. It's hilarious, uses great music choice, song rhythm, and has fantastic pizzaz. It perfectly encapsulates Syndrome's delusions of being repressed and general egomania. Awesome fun romp for both fans and nonfans of the character; I love this kind of vid because you can enjoy it just for itself, even as it takes on something with a new perspective.
Exit Music (For a Witch) by heiya [Merlin]
You know, someone once asked (in criticism of the show) why Nimueh wasn't a sympathetic character; and my reaction was a total "Whut?" Because she is sympathetic, especially considering what happened with Uther, and while her actions are antagonistic they're not unbelievably villainous. Okay well the plague thing was bad. Anyway, this vid does the perspective swap; about Morgana and getting out of her tense trapped situation, while using Radiohead believeably and well. Like "Stay", it tells its own story with its footage, but it also reflects on the original material quite well, and hinting at what will happen with Morgana in the future. Thoroughly wicked. Today we escape. [Footage through the final episode of this season]
Snakes on a Plane by dualbunny [Harry Potter]
Another of dualbunny's, this vid is totally awesome because it's hilarious (lol Snakes in a Hogwarts) but also played straight. The song is actually surprisingly appropriate for Harry Potter when you listen to it. It's cracky AND well-edited, and it's totally AWESOME. Seriously, this vid makes me feel like the series seriously kicks ass. [Footage up through the fourth film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]
Vogue by Luminosity (sockkpuppett) [300]
Everyone and their mother knows this vid, since it was featured in New York Magazine. Even so, it's a freaking awesome vid; well done, hilarious, and just a smidge of political pointedness. Hypermasculinity, gender, sexuality. Yeah, and aesthetically it's still gorgeous. Half-parody, half-serious, it's the female gaze in your face, Frank Miller!
Fall of Man by obsessive24 [Supernatural]
This vid just utterly blows me away. Like "Elemental", it heavily uses external sources to interpret the text, but unlike "Elemental", this video is explosive. The song choice is amazing, played both straight and ironically as the characters (or rather, one in particular) develops, and it gives me shivers. What really flabbergasts me is that she put this video out just a day or two after the finale aired. Of the two major arcs in this season, this one is definitely my favorite, and this vid culminates all of that. I can't stop watching it. Seriously, it makes me throw up in my mouth a little how crazy in love with this vid I am. [Spoilers for Season 4, mostly the existence of a certain character, and for certain bad things that went down between seasons].
People Get Ready by heresluck [Heroes]
I love this vid because it's the core of the original concept of Heroes: being suddenly thrust into new abilities, situations, connections, figuring that stuff out and having to rise and meet those challenges and be a hero. Essentially, being ordinary and then Not Ordinary anymore. The song choice is, I think, perfect for what they were going with in the first season, especially the line "we have all the love in the world to set alight". It's touching and about family and saving people and being heroic even as you don't quite feel ready for what's coming. It's also one of the first vids that made me think "Holy shit, vidding!" beyond a single character piece or fun shipping vid. (Here's an awesome detailed review/analysis if you're interested) [Spoilers only through Season One]
Elemental by wistful_fever [Merlin]
Stunningly gorgeous, this vid uses a lot of extra-textual footage, to a lovely effect, but more than that, the way fabella uses the existing Merlin footage is just so quietly lovely. Probably the most "beautiful" video I've ever seen. It's also one of those vids that crafts a story all of its own, but also works into the canon. [Spoilers that Merlin uses magic, shocking I know.]
Cuz I Can by dualbunny [Battlestar Galactica]
dualbunny has another fabulous Starbuck video to Pink's "God is a DJ", but I definitely prefer this one. What particularly impresses me is the rhythm of the video, the way she builds scenes in stacks. And also how much booze Starbuck drinks. But seriously, it's an amazing character portrait that seems so perfected suited to her and her attitude towards her life. [Spoilers up through the end of Season 3]
New Frontier by heresluck [Firefly]
Complex and layered, it's one of those vids that not only builds up energy, but it says a ton with it. Every time I watch it I see something new, something I missed before, and it's just staggering in how much is packed into it in an awesome sci-fi package. But really, I just watch it for that freaking awesome Reaver bootstomp! This is totally the best Firefly/Serenity vid I've ever seen, especially with some of the gorgeous camera panning/graphic matches to transition. [Serenity only.]
One Girl Revolution by arefadeaway [Panfandom]
89 fandoms, 155 women, 100% unleaded BAMFness. Run, don't walk. Watch it now.
One Angry Dwarf by absolut3destiny [The Incredibles]
This vid is awesome. It's hilarious, uses great music choice, song rhythm, and has fantastic pizzaz. It perfectly encapsulates Syndrome's delusions of being repressed and general egomania. Awesome fun romp for both fans and nonfans of the character; I love this kind of vid because you can enjoy it just for itself, even as it takes on something with a new perspective.
Exit Music (For a Witch) by heiya [Merlin]
You know, someone once asked (in criticism of the show) why Nimueh wasn't a sympathetic character; and my reaction was a total "Whut?" Because she is sympathetic, especially considering what happened with Uther, and while her actions are antagonistic they're not unbelievably villainous. Okay well the plague thing was bad. Anyway, this vid does the perspective swap; about Morgana and getting out of her tense trapped situation, while using Radiohead believeably and well. Like "Stay", it tells its own story with its footage, but it also reflects on the original material quite well, and hinting at what will happen with Morgana in the future. Thoroughly wicked. Today we escape. [Footage through the final episode of this season]
Snakes on a Plane by dualbunny [Harry Potter]
Another of dualbunny's, this vid is totally awesome because it's hilarious (lol Snakes in a Hogwarts) but also played straight. The song is actually surprisingly appropriate for Harry Potter when you listen to it. It's cracky AND well-edited, and it's totally AWESOME. Seriously, this vid makes me feel like the series seriously kicks ass. [Footage up through the fourth film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]
Vogue by Luminosity (sockkpuppett) [300]
Everyone and their mother knows this vid, since it was featured in New York Magazine. Even so, it's a freaking awesome vid; well done, hilarious, and just a smidge of political pointedness. Hypermasculinity, gender, sexuality. Yeah, and aesthetically it's still gorgeous. Half-parody, half-serious, it's the female gaze in your face, Frank Miller!
Fall of Man by obsessive24 [Supernatural]
This vid just utterly blows me away. Like "Elemental", it heavily uses external sources to interpret the text, but unlike "Elemental", this video is explosive. The song choice is amazing, played both straight and ironically as the characters (or rather, one in particular) develops, and it gives me shivers. What really flabbergasts me is that she put this video out just a day or two after the finale aired. Of the two major arcs in this season, this one is definitely my favorite, and this vid culminates all of that. I can't stop watching it. Seriously, it makes me throw up in my mouth a little how crazy in love with this vid I am. [Spoilers for Season 4, mostly the existence of a certain character, and for certain bad things that went down between seasons].