WWI Music Video

I know I have my music video up on the MySpace page as well as YouTube, but why not put it here as well? I really like it. I spent a good two weeks compiling the clips and sync'ing it up with one of my favoritest tracks, Thunderpuss 2000 - Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag.

During the production of this video, my mental state was fused with both the footage and the track. The melody took on roles of the individuals within the clips, as well as a general theme during the four and/or eight bar measures. Watching the facial expressions and body language of the people really had an impact. It was as if I could relate to the environment they were participating in. Perhaps it was the fact that I spent 8-12 hours a day watching them, but it made me realize that war is nothing like it was almost 100 years ago and life isn't too bad now a days.

The compilation starts out in the days before the war begins (August 4^th, 1914). The nobles are having their tea party, and the local populace begins to revolt. The Archduke arrives in Sarajevo to settle matters, but a local terrorist by the name of Gavrilo Princip assassinates him. The funeral procession follows, and sparks the mass mobilization of troops as all of Europe is thrown into a contential conflict.

War progresses for four years, barely going anywhere as trenches are dug from the English Channel to the Switz border. Millions of troops are killed, mostly from exploding shells and machine gun fire.

Finally at the conclusion of the war, there are over ten million casualties. Both sides rejoice together exchanging cigarettes and uniforms to symbolize the end of hostilities. One interesting fact is that on the last day of the War (November 11^th, 1918), there were approx. 3,000 American casualties (more than D-Day). The armstice was signed by both parties @ 5:00 AM, but the cease fire wouldn't happen until 11:00 AM. During this six hour limbo, you would expect quiet, but the last few hours was just as voilent as first. The last offical American death occured at 10:59 AM amist his commrades as well as the Germans waving him back to the trench.

If you didn't notice, because you're unobservant, the video is full of little white flashes and frame skips. It's not a coincidience, its my 1^st round at special effects! I primarily used white mattes on quick alpha fades and a buncha effects like solarize, various blurs, wind on occasion, noise, and zoom. The best I could bet outta crap ass Premiere.

All that said, I am still not happy with the way it turned out. Being the perfectionist I am, and never achieving satisfaction, I want to redo it. I recently acquired a colorized DVD from WWI for Christmas, and would like to incorporate it. And I want to use some real video editing software instead of crap ass Premiere. Anyways, here it is. If it keeps buffering, pause it for a minute or two