I Issue Three Challenges

[Shadow Phoenix]

I know that I've suggested video concepts before that have merely occured to me after not-so-much thought, but...I have been rolling these around in my head for quite a while now. When I begin to see images in my head relating music to anime footage, it makes me kind of scared.

I've even gone through to see if any of these vids have been done (and if they have, if they are any good).

---

Once again, I'll just put this one out there:

Artist: Celldweller
Song: The Last Firstborn
Anime: Naruto
Concept: Drama, Character Profile of Sasuke (mostly) and his relationships with Itachi, Action, some Horror

I explained this one before. I know that it's a very long song, but the series has over 150 episodes now--there's plenty of footage with Sasuke in it (quite a bit that people don't use, too). It just seems to me that this would be the perfect combination.

Not only that, but there's no way that anyone can tell me it would be an easy task. I challenge the members of DZX to tackle this video some time in the near future. It just keeps coming back to me.

---

Artist: Dave Matthews Band
Song: When the World Ends
Anime: Neo Genesis Evangelion
Concept: Drama, Horror, some Action

As far as I know, you all have watched NGE (at least once) or know all about it because your friends are lightly obsessed. There are probably plenty of anime that could fit the bill for this song, but...NGE just seems to be the right one.

The Oakenfold Remix of the song, which appears on the Matrix Reloaded album (and in the closing credits), has only been used once on AMV.org, and for a Chobits/Video Girl Ai video. I can't believe that no one has thought of this video, yet...but...

The song doesn't have a very defined melody throughout a good portion of it--lots of skin-crawling percussion and twisted vocals that really mess with you.

I know that NGE's primary focus is not romance, but it has a strong presence...especially the twisted kind. And the movies...well, I haven't seen the movies, but I've seen plenty of clips and the images just keep coming as I listen to this song...

Ah what the hell, let me just toss the lyrics up here real quick to show you all why I think it works with NGE:

***

You here with me
No
Just you and me through...
No

When the world ends
Collect your things, you’re comin with me
When the world ends
You tuckle up yourself with me
Watch it as the stars disappear to nothing
The day the world is over oohh
We’ll be lyin in bed

I’ma rock you like a baby when the cities fall
We will rise as the buildings crumble
Float there and watch it all
Amidst the burnin, we’ll be churnin
You know love will be our wings
The passion rises up from the ashes
When the world ends
When the world ends

When the world ends
You’re gonna come with me
We’re gonna be crazy like a river bends
We’re gonna float through the crisscross of the mountains
Watch them fade to nothing
When the world ends
You know .. that’s what’s happening now
I’m gon' be there with you somehow, oh..oh

I'ma tie you up like a baby in a carriage car
Your legs don’t work cause you want me so
You just lie spread to the wall
The love you got is surely
All the love that I would ever need
I’ma take you by my side and love you tall
‘Til the world ends

No
No
You here with me
Just you and me through the empty
Don’t you worry about a thing
No
Cuz I got you here with me
Just you and me through the empty
Just you and me
Oh, graces
Oh, grace

Ah, when the world ends
We’ll be burnin one
When the world ends
We’ll be sweet makin love

We’re gon' dive into the emptiness
We'll be swimmin
I’m gon' walk you through the pathless roads
I’m gon' take you to the top of the mountain that’s no longer there
I’m gonna take you to bed and love you, I swear
Like the end is near
I’m gon' take you up to...
I’m gon' take it down on you
I’m gon' hold you like an angel .. angel
I’m gon' love you [2x]
When the world ends
I’m gon' hold you
When the world is over, we’ll just be begin...

***

Challenge 2: When the World Ends - NGE, or "Hold You Like an Angel"

---

And now for my third challenge:

Artist: Christina Aguilera
Song: Beautiful
Anime: Not sure yet...
Concept: Drama, Romance, Character Profile? I dunno.

I hated Christina for a few years after she just became a sex kitten...and then I heard this and it struck a chord in me...grew on me for a while...and I thought how amazing the lyrics were. My respect for her as an artist grew again...

It's not like I wanted to get a video concept I could never execute myself. I'm still trying to figure out what to do for my short minute in Prodigi's Doom Project. But here are my thoughts:

There must be some anime out there in which a female character is physically unattractive by most standards but fights those around her, not believing them. This video would emphasize that--that she is beautiful. Regardless of physical perception. That beauty is more than skin-deep, more than being in the eye of the beholder...

***

Spoken:
Don't look at me

Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, i saw debris
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed

I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today

To all your friends, you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The piece is gone left the puzzle undone
That's the way it is

You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down
Don't you bring me down today...

No matter what we do
(no matter what we do)
No matter what they say
(no matter what they say)
When the sun is shining through
Then the clouds won't stay

And everywhere we go
(everywhere we go)
The sun won't always shine
(sun won't always shine)
But tomorrow will find a way
All the other times

'cause we are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no
We are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring us down
Don't you bring me down today

Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today

***

This song has been used 8 times on AMV.org. Five can be downloaded. Four of those five rely heavily on Sailor Moon, and the fifth is Kare Kano. I have not actually downloaded any of them, but I assume they are decent...and that one of you could make something amazing.

---

And, lady and gentlemen of DZX--those are my challenges. I had another one lying around somewhere, but it's late and I have work to do...so I forgot it. I may think of it again later.

But just a reminder:

Naruto - The Last Firstborn (Vengeance)
Neo Genesis Evangelion - When the World Ends (Hold You Like an Angel)
- Beautiful (In Every Single Way)

[Shadow Phoenix]

About two weeks later, and I'm bumpin this.

Any takers? Any opinions?

[ZaCloud]

I think the first two are splendiferous, from what I could read at least. I'd of course have to hear the involved songs to know for sure. The ideas really appeal to me though, and I sure would consider doing the Naruto one if only I had the time and materials; as it is, I have way too many projects as well as personal and job-related issues to see it as a possibility for me to do. Sowwy.

Looks like these'd turn out great in capable hands. I hope someone can do them. ^_^

Whattaya say guys?

[AltruisticCrono]

I dunno about those...considering I dont have naruto or NGE. . AMV.org is also flooded with naruto MVs at the moment...and sooo many episodes!

I also dont have anything that'll work with Aguilera's song.

But...I'll check out your song choices.

[prodigi]

I have no idea how well the Celldweller/Naruto combination could work as i havnt even seen a single episode of Naruto, and i'm not a huge fan of Christina Aguilera...

The only one which jumps out for me is the use of "When The World Ends" to Evangelion. A rather nice combination, but unfortunately one which i couldn't attempt. I've found that may editing style focuses mainly on the actual instruments and musical elements of the song rather than the lyrics, and a video such as this would heavily rely on the lyrics.