Vid Remaster: Pavlov's Bell ver. Snowfall (due South, Fraser)

[butterfly]

So, I showed Pavlov's Bell at the Nearly New VVC show, but not quite the same one that existed before (because I, like George Lucas, can never quite let go of my work... that's probably the only time I'll ever compare myself to GL). So, if you saw and liked the vid before, I'd love to know what you think, and if you've never seen it, well, I would still very much adore knowing what you think.

Pavlov's Bell

Summary:
Fraser risks the fall.

(divx file; 45.8 MB; zipped
also available as a smaller wmv file here (zipped))

Many thanks to paraviondeux for lending space and to jic for advice and support. Feedback is always appreciated.

Nobody knows
that's how I nearly fell.

Comments

just an FYI request

[morgandawn.livejournal.com]

how many of your vids do you think are in dvd-able quality (I am not talking about DVD source, but ones where you kept a big enough file to make a playable DVD file). fabella only has 2-3 and is going back and remastering a few more.

Re: just an FYI request

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

With anything I made after The World is Not Enough I still have the project files. Which is about 19 out of 24, I think. I do want to remaster the earlier ones at some point, definitely.

Re: just an FYI request

[morgandawn.livejournal.com]

great, that should be more than enough for DVDs.

[norah.livejournal.com]

The story seems much clearer to me now - I like the focus on the hospital room at the end - it makes the whole frame a lot stronger. I watched both versions back to back and I think it is stronger now, definitely (and my woobie heart loved the canada shot fading in at the end.) I don't think I said before, but I love the synch of Fraser and Ray punching that guy out to the lyrics, and, and, god, there were some other brilliant bits that are now slipping my mind with the way you cut to the music. And big! It's bigger, and my inner size queen little heart loves the shininess of that!

in short, woo!

[blacksquirrel.livejournal.com]

Yay!! Thanks for putting this up!

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I'm glad you like it.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

I definitely agree with you that it is stronger now (and thank you very much for that, btw). I'm thrilled that it feels bigger. Much yay!

[lorem_ipsum]

Hi. I never sent feedback for your previous version of this vid, which I love. Mainly I remember watching it like this O.O the first time, because it felt to me exactly like fanfic. You know, most vids will be content to suggest, "Hey, I think they might be fucking," but yours went so far as, "And I think they're in denial about it. And I think RayK is taking the lead in maintaining that denial, and Fraser is happy to go along with it because of XYZ crap from his past."

In particular, you convinced me in one of those clips that Fraser was pinning RayK against a kitchen counter and they were totally about to fuck. Also, in the bathroom shot from Odds, you totally convinced me that Fraser and RayK have fucked there, too.

Things that you changed that I noticed on the first viewing of the new version:

First few shots-- shorter; you're alluding rather than showing at length, e.g. barely a glimpse of the hug from BDtH but we know that's what you mean.
Eclipse - RayK lowers his gun on the beat
MotB - RayK punches Fraser on the word "know"

Whoa. Effects-y transition to the first flashback. I wasn't expecting that.
"And ringing Pavlov's bell" -- the rising of the barrier in the peep show booth -- this didn't feel as rhythmic as it did in the previous version.

"We can't talk about it" -- less emphasis on Fraser pursuing RayK for conversation -- it just seems less clear to me than in the previous version-- but I love the transition from F & K facing each other over the car to the next Victoria flashback. It feels like she's present in the back of Fraser's mind when he's talking to RayK. In the previous version, all the Victoria stuff felt more like deep background, rather than something that might be on his mind every time he thinks he might be falling in love.

"Nearly fell" -- more literal, with the cliff scene from North.
Less literal with the F/V trading clothes. I did like that on the previous version it took me a while to get that RayV in snow gear and Fraser with a shotgun was an instance of each of them acting against type, but in this version I like that it suggests that RayV can take the lead sometimes. Also, at about 1:55, Fraser kneeling in front of RayV (Vault) is just yummy.

"But rarely shows it well. Well, well, well, well." I like this more than the previous version. Fraser really looks ...how do I put it... pushed back into himself. Dismayed and thoughtful.

And now the parallel chase scenes... isn't this way earlier in the vid than it was in the previous version? Huh.

Fraser watches RayV go into the hotel room, then the fb to Fraser turning around on the street in search of Victoria. I like that.

That *look* of smoldering hotness. CKR *guh*...[/digression]

"Let's just talk about it" -- now it looks like RayK is pursuing Fraser for conversation
"I've got to talk about it" -- and now pursuing is pursing RayK

"That's how I nearly fell" -- 3:29 -- Fraser turns his head to follow RayK. Oh, lovely!

3:30 -- RayK & Fraser spinning around -- I love this shot from both versions.

There seems to be a lot more Victoria in the instrumental section starting around 3:50. I like that; it really pulls the story together.

And right at the end you fucking *took my breath away* with that shot of Fraser & RayK in the snow! Wow. Wow wow. Beautiful!

Second viewing: It's interesting that the first time we see Victoria, she looks disappointed in Fraser.

"But rarely shows it well." Holy shit! That's from Juliet is Bleeding, isn't it? Ow ow ow. "Well well well" -- and here's the postcard from RayV, who had to go off and fight the mob, possibly because of Fraser's actions in JiB (because Irene's death may be the reason RayV had to do it, and Fraser indirectly contributed to her death).

Ending-- again, I'm blown away by the F/K snow shot.

Third viewing: Oh, you've got the burned apartment in there from BDtH. Neat to mix that in with Fraser's first meeting with RayK.

"trading clothes" -- oh, you *do* have RayV's snowsuit in there, it's just that that clip is no longer right next to the one with Fraser with the shotgun, so it's less spelled out for those unfamiliar with the source.

[lorem_ipsum]

"Let's just talk about it" -- now it looks like RayK is pursuing Fraser for conversation
"I've got to talk about it" -- and now pursuing is pursing RayK

Yeah, I was trying to say, now Fraser is pursuing RayK.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Wow. Thank you so much for the detailed feedback! It will prove very useful as I continue to vid in the future (I do hope to do more due South vids when the inspiration strikes).

Mainly I remember watching it like this O.O the first time, because it felt to me exactly like fanfic. You know, most vids will be content to suggest, "Hey, I think they might be fucking," but yours went so far as, "And I think they're in denial about it. And I think RayK is taking the lead in maintaining that denial, and Fraser is happy to go along with it because of XYZ crap from his past."

Hee. I do, actually, treat vidding exactly the way I treat fanfic -- that there are hidden stories in the text and that it's the most enjoyable thing in the world to tease out the subtext and put it on the main stage.

There seems to be a lot more Victoria in the instrumental section starting around 3:50. I like that; it really pulls the story together.

In this second version, I did redo the entire ending to put Victoria in there. I'm glad that it works for you, because I really like it better that way, too.

And right at the end you fucking *took my breath away* with that shot of Fraser & RayK in the snow! Wow. Wow wow. Beautiful!

Thrilling! The thing that started off my re-editing of the vid was someone commenting that the ending just didn't feel strong enough, so I'm so glad that the changes work.

Thank you so much for the feedback -- I really appreciate it!

Still. Best. Video. EVER

[justqueenie.livejournal.com]

I have just sat here with my jaw on the floor for the past ten minutes. However, I will scoop it back up and *attempt* to leave you coherent feedback.

So! Hello there! Remember me? I would be the slasher whom you converted to Fraser/RayK through your first version of this amazing vid many months ago. Now, I’ve recently gotten into vidding myself, just starting out, playing around so I’ve been lurking in many communities, and downloading as many different videos from different fandoms as possible. I’m really very keen to learn the craft. I decided to have a troll through your journal to look for vids and tips on starting and what ho is this, butterfly made *another* version of Pavlov’s Bell?! How in the hell did I miss this?! Why did no one tell me??! Seeing as this is only my most favourite vid of all time!!! So, okay, I think, there’s probably not much point in ever trying to create a vid myself because I will never be able to make anything as amazing as this, but I’m having fun vidding all the same. But this...

You blow me away. I loved the previous version with all my heart and would often have it on repeat; I just never tired of watching it, even seven months after I originally found it. I realised tonight why I love Pavlov’s Bell so much, its not just the unbelievable slash you convey, but you capture everything I love about due South. Victoria’s Secret. Fraser and Vecchio‘s relationship. Fraser and Ray K... Wow. Like I said this video = why I love due south. I’ve only watched this version twice so far (I’m sure I’ll get it up to the 20th mark by the end of the day ;-) ) but the main thing conveyed to me in this version was more sexual tension. The brief touches between Fraser and both Rays imply a whole world of sexual innuendo. Especially the looks and circles Fraser and RayK form around each other and the scene from the Vault! Fraser is so close to Vecchio there. The only clip I missed here was the scene where Vecchio and Fraser are by the pool table, I loved the way Fraser straightened up in time to the music whilst looking at Vecchio. But I still love this new ensemble of Fraser/Vecchio clips. However I think lipsum has already said a lot of what I wanted to on this subject.

This version doesn’t hurt as much and has more of a sense of closure. In the previous one, we are left with no scenes from CotW part 2 and left wondering what will Fraser do? Will he let himself be with RayK despite everything? But we see that Fraser does end up with Ray, standing alone together in the snow.

Oh my boys. I love both versions and will continue to for years to come no doubt. But this version? Is sexy as hell.

How do you do it? Pure genius. Keep up the fabulous work!

Re: Still. Best. Video. EVER

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

You blow me away. I loved the previous version with all my heart and would often have it on repeat; I just never tired of watching it, even seven months after I originally found it. I realised tonight why I love Pavlov’s Bell so much, its not just the unbelievable slash you convey, but you capture everything I love about due South. Victoria’s Secret. Fraser and Vecchio‘s relationship. Fraser and Ray K... Wow. Like I said this video = why I love due south.

That is still... yes, such an amazing thing to read. Because this video really is about all of the reasons that I adore Fraser (and, thus, due South) and I'm so happy that it makes other people feel the same way.

I’ve only watched this version twice so far (I’m sure I’ll get it up to the 20th mark by the end of the day ;-) ) but the main thing conveyed to me in this version was more sexual tension. The brief touches between Fraser and both Rays imply a whole world of sexual innuendo. Especially the looks and circles Fraser and RayK form around each other and the scene from the Vault! Fraser is so close to Vecchio there. The only clip I missed here was the scene where Vecchio and Fraser are by the pool table, I loved the way Fraser straightened up in time to the music whilst looking at Vecchio. But I still love this new ensemble of Fraser/Vecchio clips. However I think lipsum has already said a lot of what I wanted to on this subject.

Thanks for the details on how the changes in clips changed the mood for you.

This version doesn’t hurt as much and has more of a sense of closure. In the previous one, we are left with no scenes from CotW part 2 and left wondering what will Fraser do? Will he let himself be with RayK despite everything? But we see that Fraser does end up with Ray, standing alone together in the snow.

Very good point. This version answers the question. Thank you for saying that -- it's a good way of summing up the differences between the two vids.

Oh my boys. I love both versions and will continue to for years to come no doubt. But this version? Is sexy as hell.

Yay! Thank you.

[brooklinegirl.livejournal.com]

this is gorgeous. the vecchio stuff that was added just ratchets this whole thing up. I'm really impressed, I like it a lot.

(I missed the remastered version till now - someone sent me over here to see it, saying how amazing it was, and they were totally right.)

[scifigirl.livejournal.com]

This was amazing! I've watched it several times since downloading it the other day. Just everything about this vid is perfect.

[everysecondtues.livejournal.com]

I downloaded several of your videos and watched a few more on your imeem. They are all pretty awesome, this being my favorite of them. Ways and Means I enjoyed even more the second time around when I was able to pry myself away from the prettiness that is Jack to listen to the words.

[china_shop]

Oh yay! I just came looking for the original vid, and found this remastered version. So beautiful -- I'm going to have to watch it a bunch more times to get my head around it, because it says so much! *loves*

*extremely belated thank you*

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that you liked the remastered version! I only used Vecchio from three episodes for the original, so I was glad to put more of a variety in this version.

*extremely belated thank you*

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm so pleased that you liked the vid. I'm so sorry that I didn't respond to you sooner.

*extremely belated thank you*

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! And I'm very pleased that you also enjoyed the Jack vid (and he is extremely pretty, I agree).

*belated thank you*

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your feedback! I'm very thrilled that you enjoyed the vid and that you commented.

[helens78]

thingswithwings linked this vid for this round of kink_bingo, and -- wow, I am floored. I've downloaded the first version to watch, too. The vid just says so much -- if no one's written fic inspired by it, I'd be really surprised!

I went back and read some of your dS meta, and saw some of your Buffy meta while I was reading, and I really really like the way you think about your shows -- I hope you don't mind if I subscribe. :)

[chatananas]

Hi! I've just discovered your vid via kink_bingo and wanted to say that I like it a lot. Not very thoughtful feedback, but I figure positive comments are always nice...

missing file

[selfindulgentbitch]

Hi, I'd love to watch Pavlov's Bell - it was recommended by callmearcturus on tumblr - but the files seem to be missing. I tried Save Link As and got "Failed-no file" for both the original and the smaller wmv file.

Is it available on youtube or AO3? Thanks!