Vidder: killabeez
Musical artist: Anais Mitchell
Pairing: Katniss Everdeen, ensemble
Vidder on LJ: killabeez
Vidder's website: vid tag

Why this vid kicks ass: For me, Dyin' Day had been a Hunger Games song ever since I first heard it and I often wished that someone would vid to it. Flashforward to vividcon2013 and this gem of a vid enters the world. This is a devastating vid. The violence of the games, the fear in the districts, and the loss of innocent children are front and center here. The song selection fits it so beautifully and the editing is a perfect complement to it. Watch this vid and the ugly reality of The Hunger Games reality opens up to you.


Dyin' Day by killabeez

Several other people seem to be last-minute reccing vids, so I am going to finish my Blake's 7 recs with a quick vid rec. That really is it, though. Thank you, and goodnight.

So long, crack_van, and thanks for all the fishcs.

Vidder: zukalis
Musical artist: Bonnie Tyler
Pairing: Ensemble
Vidder on LJ: ?
Vidder's website: on Youtube
Why this vid kicks ass: Let's start with a quickly slid in rec for the series 2 trailer that the actual BBC produced (just for the DVDs) and put on their actual DVDs. What I love about this trailer is that it presents Blake's 7 as this exciting, fast-paced action show where people are always running around and punching other people, and things explode, and people let of quips, and THE TENSION IS REALLY HIGH. I love that. The show does have all those moments, and it has a lot of quips, but you get quite an odd idea of what it's like from the Beeb trailer.

This vid is fast and funny, which I like, and it has a very 80s song choice that fits with the look/feel of the show. It's a bit like that trailer I linked to in that it is a highly entertaining compilation of running and jumping and punching (including some nice bits where women literally kick ass too, because B7 is good like that). I also feel, though, that unlike the Beeb version this vid has been made with a sense of irony and it understands that the men of Blake's 7 are not really known for being like this really (the women are, though).

One of the most famous exchanges in the show is:

VILA Where are all the good guys?
BLAKE You could be looking at them.
AVON What a very depressing thought.

But they also all are heroes :D Even if it's only because Blake made them do it.

Link: Holding Out For A Hero

This is my last rec. I had hoped to rec more stuff this time around, but it didn't work out that way. I hope you found something you enjoyed and if you're new to the fandom I highly recommend pretty much everything by khaleesian and verdreht. But don't hesitate to check out other authors for yourselves. It's a wonderful fandom and I'm sure I don't know everything that's out there.

Vidder: talitha78
Musical Artist: Rihanna
Length: 3:33
Vidder on LJ: talitha78
Why this vid must be viewed: For me this is Rome and Brian in a nutshell. The vid perfectly showcases their wonderful chemistry and it's so very shiny and sexy and happy making.

Don't you feel the passion ready to explode?

Vidder: Akachankami
Musical artist: Fiona Apple's cover of The Beatles' song.
Pairing: Fox Mulder/Dana Scully
Vidder on LJ: akachankami
Vidder's website: No, but her vids are up at Youtube.
Why this vid kicks ass:

I'm jumping on the one last vid rec for the road bandwagon. Mixed metaphors aside, this vid is fantastic. It was made for the xf_santa gift exchange and posted here not a week ago on LiveJournal. The song was a perfect fit for the series and the pairing. The clips are wonderful and her editing is skillful and smooth. I was blown away.

Watch Across the Universe.

Fandom: White Collar
Pairing: No pairings; ensemble
Length: 2:37
Vidder’s Website: On LJ
Why this must be seen:

I dare you to watch this and not laugh hysterically, then hit the replay button over and over. Basically, this vid shows the arrested development case study that is Neal Caffrey, set off against that theme for precocious kids everywhere, “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” from The Lion King. It’s terrif:



Here is a link to the vid on the artist’s LJ: http://noiproksa.livejournal.com/2912.html - it is password protected, but the password is in the entry.

Fandom: White Collar
Pairing: Neal Caffrey/Sara Ellis
Length: 3:05
Vidder’s Website: Ssplishable’s YouTube Channel
Why this must be seen:

This vid uses footage culled from Chuck, White Collar (and a few other things I don’t recognize) to create a video-based AU origin story of a spy/assassin Neal Caffrey who struggles to maintain his integrity and keep the woman he loves safe in his dangerous, underground world. I think? IDK – watch it, it’s awesome.

Fandom: Dark Angel
Pairing:: None-
Length: 3:05
Vidder’s Website: giandujakiss's Monsters From the Vids
Why this must be seen: giandujakiss's own summary: "They made us, and they trained us to be soldiers." exemplifies the core of an X5 but also the show. It’s gorgeous and heartbreaking and should not be missed.

On Giandujakiss' website & her LJ

Vidder: Davey647Returns
Vidder on LJ: Unknown
Musical Artist: Glen Nelson and Todd Howard performed, Glen Nelson and Spencer Klinell wrote.
Vidder Website: YouTube Channel
Why this vid must be seen:

I was out to lunch last Friday, sorry. This vid shows how Star Wars grew to be not 'just some 1977 movie,' but inspired fannish efforts everywhere. To quote the video's creator, Dave Bouressa: "After The Forcecast started their "Mandalore Rain" contest (a spoof contest based on Mandolin Rain by Bruce Hornsby), many people entered. However, the winner was arranged and performed by Glen Nelson and his band. This is that arrangement." Pursuing the growth theme of this post, this vid demonstrates the influence of the EU, and when you consider the social movement of the fandom, wow. Makes me proud. *gets a little cosmic*

Mandalore Rain

Vidder: dayln03
Musical artist: Maggie Rogers
Pairing: Katniss Everdeen, ensemble
Vidder on LJ: gigglemonster
Vidder's website: lensflair_inc

Why this vid kicks ass: You always remember your first and boy was this one a doozy. This vid is absolutely gorgeous and the one that I measure all Hunger Games vids against. The music selection is flawless and especially poignant, while the editing is sharp and drives home the visual and emotional parallels throughout the movie. This is Katniss' story but it is through her that the world of Panem and people important to her are opened up. There are powerful moments peppered from start to finish--whether it's glimpses of Mrs. Everdeen, the juxtaposition of Prim and Rue, Capitol citizens trivializing death, the other tributes or the growing sparks of the rebellion--no story line is left unexplored. Even if you are unfamiliar with The Hunger Games, watch this vid. It's a perfect example of how strong song selection, editing, and the right source can evoke strong emotion.


embers: "if they die, i'll still remember"

Sorry this is late; I was too busy to post during the day, and I had a junior hockey game after work.

Vidder: salvamisandwich (rocketlatte)
Music: "You Told the Drunks I Knew Karate" by Zooey Van Gooey
Length: 2:55
Vidder on LJ: salvamisandwich
Vidder's Website: Video Tag on LJ/Author page on AO3
Why this must be viewed:
Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp being awesome together is so worth seeing. Also, this is a really likeable, off-beat Scottish indie pop tune (by a band that is sadly no longer playing together).

The Dumbest Things (Vid post on AO3)

Vidder: freyatlast
Musical artist: vocal artist, Emmy Lou Harris; song by Steve Earle.
Pairing: Fox Mulder/Dana Scully
Vidder on LJ: frey_at_last
Vidder's website: No, but her vids are up at Youtube.
Why this vid kicks ass:

This vid portrays what the show was all about for me. It wasn't about the shippy moments. To me, it was about all of the doors they opened together, and the cars they rode in, together, and the fields they walked through together. All of the cases they solved and the ones that they didn't. So much emotion expressed through glances and shy half-smiles. Everything unspoken but still somehow understood. And my favorite Emmylou Harris song!

Watch Goodbye.

Vidder: elviaprose
Musical artist: Shania Twain
Pairing: Blake/Avon
Vidder on LJ: elviaprose
Vidder's website: on Youtube
Why this vid kicks ass: One of the things Blake's 7 fandom has always been very good at (in meta and RL, perhaps, more than fic) is simultaneously appreciating Kerr Avon for being a sexy, bad-boy, super genius (who thinks he's Elvis or something)... and for being an emotional cripple who falls over a lot and loses most of the time.

This vid (2013) combines both of those views, filtering Avon through the eyes of our eponymous hero, who does (I would argue) like Avon very much for both those reasons, as well as finding him absolutely exasperating. The vid is obviously tongue-in-cheek and hilarious (elviaprose goes all out with the phallic imagery and shots of Paul Darrow being silly and adorable and Blake's weary faces - plus, what a great choice of song!), but I feel it's also a serious commentary on the way that Avon can be funny and clever and have his own car(!), but if he's not going to help bring down the Federation (and ideally without whinging) then he will never impress Blake. And unfortunately it is fairly clear in canon (whether you ship it or not) that he wants this, even though he'd really prefer not to.

Link: That Don't Impress Me Much

Vidder: Lindsey/LadyofRohan87
Musical artist: Daughtry
Pairing: Nathan Drake/Elena Fisher
Vidder on LJ: blonde_leia
Vidder's website: on YouTube
Why this vid kicks ass:

I found it really hard to rec only 1 vid for this fandom but I eventually settled on this vid because I liked seeing a good self contained vid about only the first game and thought it might serve as a nice introduction for anyone new to the fandom.

The quality could be better, and the vidding is nothing flashy, but I think this vid got to the core of the action and the building sense of trust + danger in the game, and has the bonus of definitely showcasing Elena's role in it all. The song choice is pretty apt and if you've also seen the later games the lyrics have - probably accidentally given when the vid was made - added depth for the pairing.

Crashed

Fandom: ONE DIRECTION
Vidder: Mark Parsons
Length: 18:12
Why this vid kicks ass:

My video rec isn't a fanvid in the traditional sense; it's a full-length fanfic flawlessly animated and voiced by creator-fanboy Mark Parsons.

Evil Lord Faptaguise has kidnapped all the pussycats (...catnapped? ...catnipped?), and only Earth's most, er, capable superheros can save them.

The Adventerous Adventures of One Direction is chock full of 1D in-jokes, of course, but also enough fandom meta and fic cliches to have broader appeal. It's been viewed over 30 million times, including by the 1D boys, who loved it enough to meet Mark and consider voicing a sequel.

The Adventurous Adventures of One Direction

Vidder: Mithborien
Musical artist: Great Northern
Pairing: Danielle de Barbarac/Prince Henry
Vidder on LJ: mithborien
Vidder's website: at AO3 and on LJ

Why this vid kicks ass: I enjoyed the movie "Ever After" from the first time I saw it. Everyone did a wonderful job with their roles and I loved that Danielle was such an intelligent and strong character. Of course, she would have to be, to put up with her burdens. The clips really spotlight her and the choice of song, with its moody melody and words, is great.

Since fairy tale original source material predates moving pictures or vids, I guess you can consider this a derivative work, once removed. ;^) Created for the 2010 Festivids, the Mediafire download of the file appears to be defunct, but it's still available as a Vimeo streaming. Enjoy.

Fingers (at the Festivids site) and Fingers (at AO3)

Vidder: skyenapped
Musical artist: Various (Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin, REO Speedwagon)
Pairing: Harvey/Mike
Vidder on LJ: not that I know of
Vidder's website: Tumblr
Why this vid kicks ass: This is a clever mashup of scenes from Suits and 30 Rock. Harvey and Mike go to a therapist to work out their work-related issues. skyenapped is able to back up the 30 Rock therapist's claims using Suits footage. It really does seem like the therapist is shipping Harvey and Mike in this.

Harvey/Mike couples counseling (you & i)

Vidder: salvamisandwich (rocketlatte)
Music: "When Can I See You Again" by Owl City
Length: 3:36
Vidder on LJ: salvamisandwich
Vidder's Website: Video Tag on LJ/Author page on AO3
Why this must be viewed:
I had to share this a Lockout Feels vid (the fans and players got cheated out of half the season last year by NHL and the owners), because it's also a loving salute to Hockey, the players, and the teams on and off the ice. It's a feel good vid now that we have hockey back, and even if you don't know who these guys are, you can understand why we love these dudes so much just because of their shenanigans and skills.

I Gotta Know (Vid post on AO3)
I Gotta Know (Vid post on LJ)

Vidder: mklutz
Music: "Only Wanna Dance with You" by Ke$ha
Length: 2:23
Vidder on LJ: mklutz
Vidder's Website: Fanvids
Why this must be viewed:
This vid clearly illustrates many of the reasons to love the exciting sport of hockey and this pairing in particular. It's a highlight reel of wonderful Kane/Toews moments, and really shows what a couple of talented dorks these two dudes are. A viewer can see how much they love playing hockey--they are so joyful in victory. Much love to mklutz for making this--it was a gift for thehoyden, but we all benefit.

Dance with You (Vid post on LJ)
Dance with You (Vid post on AO3)
Dance with You (on Tumblr)

Vidder: He1vetica4ever
Musical Artist: Pierre Foldes
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Length: 2 mins
Vidder on LJ: helvetica4ever
Vidder's Website: at AO3
Why this must be seen: This is a hauntingly beautiful video that tells a story and is a delight to watch. Blair leaves and Jim is searching for him. The music fits the piece perfectly conveying a sense of loss and longing. I especially love the ending where we see Blair's face .

ETA I hadn't realised there was a story by Mab inspired by the video: Restoration



Lost

Vidder: Obsessive24
Musical Artist: "Va Va Voom" by Nicki Minaj
Length: 3:06
Vidder on LJ: obsessive24
Vidder's Website: Here
Why this must be viewed: After the Merlin finale, there's been a lot of great vids that pay homage to the series.  Many of them have been pretty angsty or melancholic, but among my favorite is this wonderful vid that just premiere this summer at Vivid Con 2013.  obsessive24 manages to capture all the hilarious and amusing aspects of the show, especially Merlin and Arthur's relationship, that I loved and makes it into this brilliantly edited vid.  It's a great song choice and the vid is super fun, tongue-in-cheek at times, chock full of innuendos and such a great look at Merlin and Arthur's dynamic.  I can't tell you how many times I must of seen this and just how happy this vid makes me. If you ever loved watching Merlin, definitely check this out!

Va Va Voom

Vidder: Luminosity
Music: "Henry Nearly Killed Me" by Ray Lamontagne
Length: 4:15
Vidder on LJ: sockkpuppett
Vidder's Website: unfortunately no longer available

Why this must be viewed: Of course, for my vid rec I have to do a Boyd Crowder character study, and this one is gorgeous, haunting, and extremely well put-together.  The build of it is magnificent.

It's a Shame
 

Fandom: WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE
Vidder: LyProductions5
Music: “This Is Halloween” cover by Panic! At the Disco
Length: 3:26
Vidder on LJ:
Vidder's website: thebronkel.tumblr.com; LyProductions5 on YouTube
Why this must be viewed:

Here’s another way to vid for a podcast: use fanart. In this case, dozens of fanworks expertly shot and edited together to a wonderful cover of a fantastically appropriate tune. This fanvid really captures the feel of Night Vale: jaunty, terrifying, and unexpectedly sweet.

“This Is Halloween” on You Tube

Vidder: lastonthelist
Musical Artist: "Hysteria" by Muse
Length: 3:45
Vidder on LJ: unknown
Vidder's Website: on Youtube
Why this must be viewed:

I am biased when it comes to the features of this vid - I love Muse and I obviously love Fringe too, with the featured Season 3 that is the focus of this also being my favourite Fringe season too. Ultimately this vid feels like an action packed trailer for the season, the energy of the song fitting so well for the wonderful madness of everything the season packed into it. The lyrics too are very appropriate for the themes of the season - change, control, faith - and it feels like an emotional rollercoaster of a vid.

P.S. In case anyone is sensitive to it, there are many very fast cuts in this vid.

Hysteria

Vidder: tlabresh
Music: “Radioactive,” by Imagine Dragons
Length: 3:18
Vidder on LJ: unknown
Vidder's website: tlabresh on YouTube
Why this must be viewed:

How do you make fanvids for a podcast? One approach is to repurpose footage from other canons. This vidder has cleverly set clips from films (Thor, The 2nd Horseman, Constantine, Hellboy, The Lone Ranger, Dogma), television (Dead Like Me, Supernatural, Carlos,* The IT Crowd, Suits, Monty Python’s Flying Circus), and videogames (Dragon Age: Origins) to a cryptic yet catchy alternative rock song, thereby creating a trailer full of action, intimations of apocalypse, and black comedy.

* Carlos, or Carlos the Jackal, is listed on IMDb as a television miniseries, but it received a limited theatrical release.

Welcome to Night Vale Trailer on YouTube

Vidder: talitha78
Musical artist: Fleet Foxes
Pairing: Marcus/Esca
Vidder on LJ: talitha78
Vidder's website: Vid Masterlist

Why this vid kicks ass: Every frame of this vid packs a punch and it's super beautifully edited to boot. I don't honestly know what I love most about it: the stunning use of scenery, the amazing Esca-focused quick cuts section, or the way it builds Marcus up right from the beginning, humanising him and showing you his best and worst moments. Nothing is extraneous with this vid and it's the kind of watch that'll make your hands itch to read or write a hundred stories in this fandom.

(I couldn't post yesterday so please pretend it's still friday)


Mykonos

Vidder: zzebeddy
Musical Artist: International Dateline by Ladytron
Length: 3:05 min
Vidder on LJ: sw33n3y

Why This Must Be Watched: What really attracts me to this vid is how zzebeddy managed to update Bodie and Doyle, giving them the look and feel of a currently running show. I think that's pretty cool considering Pros is almost forty years old. I like the usage of special effects here because she used those effects in the right places to help the story. It has an artistic feel that isn't overwhelming to me.

International Dateline.

Vidder: ElleKatey1
Musical Artist: Brotsjór by Olafur Arnalds
Length: 2:33
Vidder on LJ: unknown
Vidder's Website: YouTube
Why this must be viewed:

ElleKatey1 does a fantastic job of using outside source material to make a created reality vid of Natasha's past, and interlaces it with Natasha's conversation with Loki on the Helicarrier. It's beautiful and chilling, and really fleshes out some of her potential backstory.

"Your Ledger is Dripping, It's Gushing Red"

Vidder: Whisper of Dreams
Musical Artist: "Run This Town" (amended album version) by Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West
Length: 2:45
Vidder on LJ: unknown
Vidder's Website: YouTube
Why this must be viewed: There are some pretty amazing Teen Wolf vids out there and a lot of my favorites are either shippy or Stiles-centric (some funny, some not). These are all awesome, but I really wanted to rec an ensemble vid. Many of my faves only include scenes through S2 and I wanted something a little more recent, so I chose this fantastic vid for you guys.

From the crisp editing to the fantastic song choice, Whisper of Dreams' first (but not last!) Teen Wolf vid is the kind of piece that reminds me of how much sexy-wild-violent fun this show can be. And it celebrates just how badass my faves are. Definitely check this one out!

P.S. Most of the vid involves a pulsing effect that may be a little tough on the eyes and many of the cuts are quick so please be careful if you're sensitive to these kinds of effects.

Run This Town

Vidder: Alfnrns
Musical artist: “Every time I Touch You” by The Nails
Characters: Blair Sandburg, Jim Ellison
Vidder on LJ: unknown
Vidder's website: on YouTube

Why this vid kicks ass: Because it's a feast of touchy-feely moments.

In canon, not only do Jim and Blair touch each other a lot, they touch each other in ways most people don’t. “Personal space” doesn’t seem to have much meaning for them. Is it because Jim’s a sentinel and he requires more tactile input and Blair, as his guide, understands this? Is it because they’ve been through so much together; including saving each other’s lives? Or is it that they are lovers and this is the way they communicate, since they can’t do PDAs? Each fan has her own theory, but it’s one of the things we love about them.

The screen clips aren’t the sharpest I’ve seen, but I like how Alfnrns plays a clip then does a capture before moving on. I expect you’ll find some of your top touches here to enjoy.

Touch by Alfnrns

--magician’s mantra: make an artist’s day. Send feedback if you liked her stuff!

Fandom: SHERLOCK
Length: 7 minutes, 40 seconds
Author Website: KatrinDepp on YouTube
Why this must be seen:
KatrinDepp has been recc'd here before for a REASON. Her vids are so, so good. The editing, the song choice, the sync between the song/lyrics and the show/visuals, her vids have everything. This one is absolutely my favorite, because it is ridiculously silly and makes me laugh every time I watch it. Sherlock, as represented through multiple genres of music. SO GOOD.

Sherlock Song Spoof by KatrinDepp