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Out of 58 videos entered, 16 won category awards and 10 won awards of excellence or honorable mentions. In total, 43 awards were given out. Congrats to the winners and thank you to everyone who participated!
For this round, I wrote reviews for all of the main category winners.
(ties are listed in alphabetical order by vidder -
please do not hotlink, save awards to you own site)
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Best Video: “Lord of the Rings: Ascension” by AJ (review)
Best Video RU: “Sacrifice” by Buffyann (review)
Best Video RU: “Sleepwalking” by Kitty (review)
Best Editing: “Sleepwalking” by Kitty (review)
Best Editing RU: “Lord of the Rings: Ascension” by AJ
Best Use of Music: “Lord of the Rings: Ascension” by AJ (review)
Best Use of Music: “Smokey Joe” by Heather (review)
Best Use of Music RU: “Signal to Noise” by Andrea
Best Use of Music RU: “Prelude 12-21” by wolfpup
Best Drama: “Signal to Noise” by Andrea (review)
Best Drama RU: “Smokey Joe” by Heather
Best Mood: “Signal to Noise” by Andrea (review)
Best Mood: “Smokey Joe” by Heather (review)
Best Mood RU: “Meds” by Lady Manson
Best Relationship: “Letters” by Saltwatergirl (review)
Best Relationship RU: “Meds” by Lady Manson
Best Action: “Sleepwalking” by Kitty (review)
Best Action RU: “Prelude 12-21” by wolfpup
Best Character: “Sacrifice” by Buffyann (review)
Best Character RU: “Sleepwalking” by Kitty
Best Overview: “Lord of the Rings: Ascension” by AJ (review)
Best Overview RU: “How We Operate” by Rusalka Blue
Best Comedy: “Something to Talk About” by Laura McEwan (review)
Best Narrative: “Sacrifice” by Buffyann (review)
Best Narrative RU: “Runaway Train” by Aislynn
Best Narrative RU: “Letters” by Saltwatergirl
Best Effects: “The Secret That We Keep” by Dayln (review)
Best Effects RU: “Second Sight” by Cec & Kaycee
Best Effects RU: “All or Nothing” by Sonya
Best Other: “Black Hearts” by SmokeyFizz (review)
Best Other RU: “My Last Breath” by Ferd
Most Unique: “The Secret That We Keep” by Dayln (review)
Judges Choice: “Signal to Noise” by Andrea (review)
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Awards of Excellence
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“Breathe Me” by brighette
“Harder to Breathe” by Firefly_Ca
“Let You Down – Cloud Strife” by lastZED
“Freaking Out” by Rey
“Dark Wings” by Victoria
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Honorable Mentions
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“Slipped Away” by Dana Marie
“Angels” by Elion
“Everything She Wants” by idobelieveinfairies87
“I’m So Sick (Remastered)” by nikki
“Out of Control” by Pécheresse
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"Lord of the Rings: Ascension" by AJ:
(Best Video, Best Use of Music, Best Overview, Best Editing RU)
This video completely blew me away. It’s just so wonderfully epic. Even though it’s a very long video, you manage to really grab hold of the viewer and not let go until the end. I’m especially impressed with how well the clips flow with the music. You did an excellent job of switching up your editing style to match up with the changes in tempo and mood. The quick cutting, chaotic style you used for the faster paced sections is absolutely amazing (especially 1:37 to 1:43 and 4:27 to 4:51). I loved the visual connection between the clips at 2:13. The section at 3:22 to 3:34 gives me chills every time I watch it. The section from 4:47 to 5:08 showing all of the characters' reactions to the destruction of the ring is incredible. The part from 5:08 to 5:47 with your cuts matching up perfectly with the piano is so gorgeous and makes me go a little misty-eyed every time I watch it (which is a lot). And I really liked how you kept the focus mainly on the darker aspects of the story and touched upon all the different and horrible ways the ring affected all of the characters. The last image of Frodo at 7:34 is so chilling. There are so many awesome things in this video, it would be impossible to list them all, but suffice it to say, it's absolutely incredible and has a permanent place on my list of favorite vids ever.
"Sacrifice" by Buffyann:
(Best Video RU, Best Character, Best Narrative)
You do such an excellent job of conveying Michael's increasingly frantic state of mind during this vid, as the plans he thought were so
clearly laid out all start blowing up in his face while the people he cares about are in danger. The audio editing is seamless, which is always a plus, and impressive considering you used 3 different songs plus some dialogue. The story is expertly told, as Michael reflects on the situations he put himself and others in to break his brother out of prison. I like the white flashes starting at 0:22 as he thinks about things he did to escape. I love the scenes you chose for the dialogue near the beginning about him losing his soul. The map overlay at 1:14 looks so cool! The use of motion throughout the on the run action sequence is excellent. My favorite part is from 1:35 to 2:06 with the quick cut shots of all of the people who have died or been hurt over the course of the series (and that Michael ultimately feels responsible for) going with the eerie vocals of the song. The use of the slower song at the end of the vid was a great choice, it really adds to the overall emotional impact of Michael's decision. Love love LOVE the shot of Michael standing in front of the wings at 3:22, it gives a nice symmetry to the scenes at the beginning with him in the confessional. Great editing, great storytelling, awesome video!
"Sleepwalking" by Kitty:
(Best Video RU, Best Editing, Best Action, Best Character RU)
This is an excellent and action-packed Peter Petrelli character study. It's also probably the best Heroes video I've ever seen. I love your use of color and overlays throughout, and especially enjoyed the quick cutting, cropping, and zooms. The shot as the chorus starts at 0:50 gives me goosebumps. 1:02 to 1:12 is pure awesomeness. Loved the on-its-side ghosted clip at 1:16. The subway jolt timed with the "yeah!" at 1:30 is SO cool! I love the rapid fire close up shots starting at 1:35 as Peter loses control of his powers. I like how the action slows down from 2:22 to 2:47 to emphasize the importance of that particular moment. Excellent clip choice with the fade to black on Peter's hands closing at the "goodbye" at 3:03, then just when you think you have time to breathe, the action starts up again at an even more insane pace! I love it! Nice use of the scream at 3:09. You did such a fantastic job editing this video. It's definitely something to be proud of!
"Signal to Noise" by Andrea:
(Judge's Choice, Best Drama, Best Mood, Best Use of Music RU)
I don't think there are enough words to accurately describe just how much I adored this video. The song sounds like it was written specifically for the source, which is always a plus. You did an excellent job creating an intensely creepy mood throughout the video, using the music to its full potential as the tension and action just kept building and building. I get chills every single time I watch it. Down to specifics: I love the way the motion at 1:09 fits with the music. The black space at 1:44 along with the whispered "Miranda" gives me goosebumps. The part at 2:04 makes my breath catch in my throat every time I see it, so does the part at 2:34. I love the way the images popping up on the screen fit with the music at 3:00. The intercut scenes as the drums kick in starting at 3:58 are awesome! I almost forget to breathe during pretty much the entire rest of the vid from here on in because the tension just keeps ratcheting up more and more. I love how you timed Zoe's shotgun with the music at 4:56. The clip of Mal at 5:11 is awesome. I loved how well you timed both River's and Mal's fight scenes starting at 5:20. The image at 5:42 is just so unbelievably creepy. This is an insanely awesome vid!
"Smokey Joe" by Heather:
(Best Use of Music, Best Mood, Best Drama RU)
This is one of those vids that gives me goosebumps every time I watch it, throughout pretty much the entire thing. Your use of motion is excellent. You make great use of the haunting piano melody in the song and all of the clips seem to flow so seamlessly together. I really like the look of the black fades. You not only made great use of the instrumentals, but the vocals as well. Whether it be cutting to the background vocals or just an overall thematic connection (like the way Tori Amos' voice sounds almost childlike at 0:34 paired with the clip of Ofelia crying). I love the visual connection between the clips at 1:20. The intensity of the clips from 2:47 to 3:22 is incredible. The clip at 3:53 is so creepy. And the ending is just gut-wrenching. You did an amazing job on this video.
“Letters” by Saltwatergirl:
(Best Relationship, Best Narrative RU)
This was one of my favorite videos submitted. I hadn't even seen The Notebook (or even had much of a desire to see it, truth be told), but after watching your video I just had to go out and rent it! You really did an excellent job of portraying the characters, their own struggles, and their intense love for each other. The clips you chose and the way you made them flow with the music really heightened the emotional impact of the story. You did a great job of making me feel for the characters (even before watching the movie) and very clearly told the story of Noah and Allie's relationship. I love the overlay at 2:03. I enjoyed your use of selective coloring (especially the section from 2:11 to 2:17 -- awesome! And the part at the end with just the blue shutter and Allie's blue dress in color) throughout the video. The timing as Noah touches the side of the passing bus at 2:20 is spot on. You did a great job building to the climax at 2:53 where they finally get back together again after years apart. Really nicely put together video, I find myself going back to it again and again.
"Something to Talk About" by Laura McEwan:
(Best Comedy)
This is a hilarious vid! I'll admit to never having seen an episode of Starsky and Hutch in my life, but now that I've seen this video I really really want to! Talk about slash! I liked the recurring snapshot motif, as though people kept catching them in the act. I also liked how there was an element of storytelling to it, keeping it in Hutch's POV. You chose some really funny moments to showcase their relationship. I love the look at 1:41, the priests looking on disapprovingly at 1:44, the clip at 1:55 where I seriously expected them to just start kissing already, the loving looks at 2:08 and 2:10. Love the clip at 2:37, as they appear to give in and just go for it. 2:52 - Hand holding! Teary man-hugs! Slow dancing! OK I need to get my hands on this series ;-) The montage of photos at the end was great, like evidence had been compiled from the snapshots taken in the vid. This is a really great comedic video!
“The Secret That We Keep” by Dayln:
(Best Effects, Most Unique)
I'm incredibly impressed with the alternate universe you constructed here, especially with the many overlays and near seamless composite shots that serve to make an entirely non-canon threesome seem like a reality. Composites like this are not easy to achieve yet you pull it off extremely well. The black and white sections are excellent. You strike a nice balance with the constructed scenes, staying with each one just long enough to illustrate the implied intimate relationship between Claire, Sawyer, and Jack, but briefly enough to leave something to the imagination. The characters' struggles are clearly defined as they go along trying to make things work, and their deep need for one another is conveyed very well as things between them start to fall apart. The section from 2:39 on of them dreaming of each other is really nicely done. You have a very unique and intriguing editing style, and I really look forward to seeing more of your videos in the future!
"Black Hearts" by SmokeyFizz:
(Best Other)
This is such an interesting video (and I mean that in the best possible way). You managed to take two characters from completely different worlds and construct a very well connected dual study of their traumatic pasts, personal relationships, and ultimate downward spirals. I'm very impressed with how many similar looking scenes you found from both sources. I love the ethereal glow you added to a lot of the clips, it really helped set the mood and made the whole narrative have a greater emotional impact. As for specifics, I like the double image at 0:57. The motion of the girl's arms as she embraces Hannibal at 1:02 is flawless. The section from 1:07 to 1:20 is freaking incredible! The overlay at 1:37 is gorgeous. 2:04 to 2:10 is another kickass sequence. Loved the quick cuts to the heartbeat sound starting at 2:26. The shot at 2:43 is absolutely chilling along with that line. And the final overlay is fantastic! Really intriguing parallel character study and an awesome video!
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