Merlin Vid: It's Not Over Yet

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Dec. 30th, 2008 | 05:43 pm
mood: good good


Video Title: It's Not Over Yet
Song Title/Artist: It's Not Over Yet - Goldfrapp
Show: Merlin BBC
Summary: Nimueh shows Morgana the path to her destiny.
Length/Format: 2.53, (Xvid, Stream)
Notes: No matter what version of the Arthurian legend I've watched or read I've always found Morgana the most interesting character. "Merlin" has been no exception. I was struck by how awful it must be to be a seer to know that you are destined to betray and lose everything and everyone you hold dear. Merlin's magic will go on to earn him authority, respect and love in Arthur's Camelot whereas Morgana is destined to be alone and ostracised by her "gift" in short she is going to become very much like Nimueh. I wanted to explore that in this vid. I imagined that Nimueh was connected to Morgana in the same way as the Dragon is to Merlin. So here we have Nimueh converting Morgana into Morgan le Fay and rather enjoying herself while she's doing it. The femslash vibe is entirely intentional so feel free to just look at the pretty.

Links: Download Xvid (640x352 - 35MB) | Stream@Youtube



It's Not Over Yet from Charmax on Vimeo.
Password: iheartvidz


Goldfrapp - It's Not Over Yet

I'll live for you
I'd die for you
Do what you want me to
I'll cry for you
My tears will show
That I can't let you go

It's not over, not over, not over, not over yet
You still want me, don't you
It's not over, not over, not over yet
Cos I can see through you

Don't let me down
Don't make a sound
Don't throw it all away
Remember me
So tenderly
Don't let it slip away

It's not over, not over, not over, not over yet
You still want me, don't you
It's not over, not over, not over yet
Cos I can see through you

I'll live for you
I'd die for you
Do what you want me to


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Comments {88}

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Steffi

(no subject)

from: [info]legoline
date: Dec. 30th, 2008 06:01 pm (UTC)
Link

I have just recently gotten into "Merlin," so I was very excited to see you vidded the show. I do love the female characters on "Merlin," particularly Morgana, so this was a real treat. Your editing is absolutely flawless, as usual. Wonderful video :-)

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 09:04 am (UTC)
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Yay! Another "Merlin" convert and a fellow Morgana fan. It's marvellous to know that you enjoyed the vid so much. :D

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thingswithwings

(no subject)

from: [info]thingswithwings
date: Dec. 30th, 2008 06:06 pm (UTC)
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aha, I knew that watching Merlin would come in handy someday! this is really lovely - I love the way you've made use of the sensual moments on the show - Nimueh's scrying pool, Morgana's robes in the wind, hands trailing over water - to create this sense of suspension and longing and desire. And the way it ends, with all the pieces falling into place, was really beautiful and chilling. I'm so, so thrilled that you're around to rescue the show from its kind of awful ladymagic = eviltimes! message, and to play on the relationships that these women could have. Beautifully done.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 09:18 am (UTC)
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I did develop a fascination with Nimueh's fluid motions during the making of this vid. Much as I love the campy fun that is Merlin I couldn't help but notice that it does rather over play the strong independent women must be evil angle, so if I've redressed the balance a little bit-that can only be a good thing.

Thank you!

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[c]

(no subject)

from: [info]nyaza
date: Dec. 30th, 2008 07:30 pm (UTC)
Link

♥ that's an awesome vid. I love how Nimueh just watches her over, and the last part, them looking at each other and that was ♥

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 08:56 am (UTC)
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Cheers for the ♥! :D

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fabi

(no subject)

from: [info]tearful_eye
date: Dec. 30th, 2008 07:54 pm (UTC)
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oh, wow. that is so beautiful!
the bond between morgana & nimueh that you show here is wonderful and heartbreaking and so believable... ♥

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 08:52 am (UTC)
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Thank you kindly! I also notice you gave it a rec so double awesome.

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Lila Futuransky

(no subject)

from: [info]heyiya
date: Dec. 30th, 2008 07:55 pm (UTC)
Link

This is beautiful! The evil sorceresses have always been my favourite parts of Arthuriana, and I am strongly convinced by the rightness of Morgana/Nimue. I love the melancholy of this, the way we see everything through Nimueh's mirror and especially the way you bring Mordred and everything together at the end. The languour of the editing works perfectly with the theme and the song.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 08:47 am (UTC)
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Gotta love the sorceresses, evil or otherwise. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this version of the song which has exactly the sort of tone I wanted, getting the right feel with the editing was so important to the vid and the dream/pool sequences were a big part of that. I'm so glad you think I pulled it off..

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lithiumdoll

(no subject)

from: [info]halcyon_shift
date: Dec. 30th, 2008 08:18 pm (UTC)
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Very beautiful!

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 07:51 am (UTC)
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Cheers! :D

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awkward paws

(no subject)

from: [info]obsessive24
date: Dec. 30th, 2008 08:30 pm (UTC)
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This is absolutely GORGEOUS. I am especially in love with the egg metaphor - it encompasses so much, from a symbol of women and fertility through to the birth of Morgan le Fay. And your effects work with the water bowl is just so incredibly fantastic. And, of course, as usual, your editing is simply pitch-perfect and the whole thing just glows with this sense of longing and foreboding. *bows down to the master*

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 08:20 am (UTC)
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I can always count on you for an insightful comment! The egg was one of those things that made perfect sense in my head with it representing a journey towards birth, glad it didn't just look like filler clips. I know I haven't commented (yet) but I did watch and love "Red." I was struck by how your Merlin vid is flame-y and pointy objects and well, red, whereas mine is watery and full of receptacles and blue, nuff said I guess.

Thanks for your lovely feedback Nicky.

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Kristin

(no subject)

from: [info]bleu4bleu
date: Dec. 30th, 2008 09:32 pm (UTC)
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Gorgeous vid. The editing was flawless, and you really showed the "connection" between Nimueh and Morgana with the song and clip choices. Fantastic job!

Could I convince you to post this over at [info]merlin_vids? :D

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 07:17 am (UTC)
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Thank you. It was quite a challenge showing the connection when they have no screen time together, I had fun finding ways to meet that challenge though.

I will gladly post it in [info]merlin_vids. :D

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Amy

(no subject)

from: [info]such_heights
date: Dec. 30th, 2008 11:59 pm (UTC)
Link

Oh, yes, magnificent! This is such a great piece of storytelling, and man, Morgana/Nimueh. That's a pretty neat ship right there.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 07:37 am (UTC)
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I kept expecting the show to give Nimueh a role in Morgana's arc but after what happened in the finale I guess that'll never happen, oh well, a wasted opportunity if you ask me.

Thanks for the lovely comment.

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Talitha

(no subject)

from: [info]talitha78
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 02:04 am (UTC)
Link

Wow, this is so pretty. I love the water imagery.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 07:40 am (UTC)
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Thank you, I had a blast with the watery stuff.

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maekala

(no subject)

from: [info]maekala
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 02:50 am (UTC)
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I had never considered Morgana/Nimueh a possibility for a ship, but this totally convinces me. This was a beautiful vid. Very well done.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 07:50 am (UTC)
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I'm glad you found it convincing I imagined that their magic would connect them in some mystical sort of way. Thanks so much for leaving feedback.

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Purpleyin/Hans

(no subject)

from: [info]missyvortexdv
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 11:10 am (UTC)
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Very beautiful.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 11:21 am (UTC)
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Thank you.

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giandujakiss

(no subject)

from: [info]giandujakiss
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 12:04 pm (UTC)
Link

This was beautiful - the ways you used overlays was just so gorgeous.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 1st, 2009 12:47 am (UTC)
Link

Thanks very much!

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mata

(no subject)

from: [info]mata090680
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 03:59 pm (UTC)
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Wow, just wow. Your editing is flawless. So beautiful! :D

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 1st, 2009 12:48 am (UTC)
Link

Awww, thank you.

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danegen

(no subject)

from: [info]danegen
date: Dec. 31st, 2008 07:00 pm (UTC)
Link

Oh, this is lovely, and I love the way you use Nimueh's scrying pool.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 1st, 2009 05:46 am (UTC)
Link

Thank you so much.

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Semi-Obsessive Me

(no subject)

from: [info]sol_se
date: Jan. 1st, 2009 12:16 am (UTC)
Link

This is amazing! And gorgeous! Wow.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 1st, 2009 05:47 am (UTC)
Link

Wow! Thank you. :D

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aycheb

(no subject)

from: [info]aycheb
date: Jan. 1st, 2009 09:58 pm (UTC)
Link

Gorgeous and transformative. I love the blood on her hand and the egg on its fallopian journey and the scrying water and how it’s the boys’ story that ends up a dream trapped in the glass.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 2nd, 2009 10:03 am (UTC)
Link

The egg shot was one of my favourites from the show so it was great to be able to make such extensive use of it. I'm glad you were able to get such a lot out of the vid. Thank you!

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synonym spice!

(no subject)

from: [info]fiercynn
date: Jan. 1st, 2009 11:21 pm (UTC)
Link

This is not only beautiful but fascinating and thought-provoking. Visually, my favorite part was the quick succession of clips from Morgana's dream about Arthur's death, to Morgana throwing Arthur the sword, to Morgana saving Arthur in Ealdor, immediately followed by Morgana "seeing" Nimueh - it's such a sudden yet inevitable and realistic transition of where Morgana's view is focused. And the egg and Nimueh's scrying, of course, which were amazing both visually and thematically, and glimpses of Mordred were all haunting. Amazing vid!

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 2nd, 2009 10:04 am (UTC)
Link

Thanks! I'm so pleased you enjoyed the vid. I'm not sure whether the section with Arthur and Morgana really fits with the rest of the vid but I was so attached to the way it looked that I kept it in and I think it does make sense.

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Anoel

(no subject)

from: [info]anoel
date: Jan. 2nd, 2009 04:20 am (UTC)
Link

This is so beautiful! I loved your use of the water basin throughout and the "tears" clip was used stunningly. And I love the end! Haunting. Thanks for making!

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 2nd, 2009 10:04 am (UTC)
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I think haunting is a lovely way to describe the vid, thank you.

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des

(no subject)

from: [info]desdema
date: Jan. 2nd, 2009 05:17 am (UTC)
Link

I love this! Thank you.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 2nd, 2009 10:05 am (UTC)
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Thanks!

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Lori

(no subject)

from: [info]carpenyx
date: Jan. 2nd, 2009 03:49 pm (UTC)
Link

That was gorgeous. I loved the effects of adding other scenes to the water, and of course all of the pretty! :D

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 2nd, 2009 08:24 pm (UTC)
Link

Nice icon!

Thank you. It had been quite a while since I'd played with effects to this degree so it's reassuring to know that I pulled it off.



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counteragent

(no subject)

from: [info]counteragent
date: Jan. 4th, 2009 07:50 am (UTC)
Link

Oooh, excellent. I don't watch Merlin, but the narrative here was perfectly clear (well, OK, I read your notes, too), and I really love the tragic concept of the vid overall. Must suck to be Morgana. I like that although Nimueh has not won this battle, she definitely thinks she will win the war (and she very well might). Also, they are are pretty.

I thought it was really interesting that you picked such a delicate song for such an emotional vid. It was an unusual choice, and worked well.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 4th, 2009 06:04 pm (UTC)
Link

Thank you. I never really know how much to write in the notes so it's good to know that at least one person read them. :D

I thought the song really suited the floaty, flowing nature of these two sorceresses and I thought it had a medieval/fairytale vibe. I'm glad you enjoyed the vid even though you don't watch the show.

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obsessive-compulsive squirrel

(no subject)

from: [info]acari
date: Jan. 4th, 2009 11:18 am (UTC)
Link

I love Morgana and Nimueh so this vid makes me very happy. The editing is beautiful. There's a certain haunting, eerie quality to your vid.

I would've loved to see these two interact in the show. I guess that's what fanworks are for.

Thank you for sharing your gorgeous vid. Will definitely rec.

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 4th, 2009 06:10 pm (UTC)
Link

I saw you'd given it a rec so thank you very much for that!

I was convinced that they were going to share screen time and this vid is in some ways a reaction to the fact that they didn't. I'm pleased you enjoyed the vid so much.

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Alice

(no subject)

from: [info]beerbad
date: Jan. 4th, 2009 07:23 pm (UTC)
Link

Um... is that the Bionic Woman? (A show which I enjoyed much more than I should have!)

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Charmax

(no subject)

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 4th, 2009 07:25 pm (UTC)
Link

Yes it is and so did I. :)

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kiki_miserychic

Don't let me down

from: [info]kiki_miserychic
date: Jan. 5th, 2009 12:04 pm (UTC)
Link

I C WHUT U DID THAR with your symbol use. Morgana really comes alive in this vid when paired with Nimueh. Your clip use brings out the strength of them both as opposed to the weaknesses. The two of them together feels extremely right in the vid, which is amazing because they've never had a scene together, yet your vid weaves their magic together.

:00 - Neat titles.

:02 - I like how you start right away with the molding and blood.

:10 - Very cool addition of the scying pool on scenes while Nimueh watches.

:22 - All the circular imagery is amazing. Sometimes it's subtle and sometimes it's meant to be obvious. Your sense of balance is amazing.

:26 - The way you edit Nimueh's arm motions makes them seem like thrilling dances. I could watch an entire vid of you editing her movement.

:30 - Great clip choice. Within the structure of the vid, there's so much that her expression holds.

:37-:49 - Wow, the layering is beautiful. Going from the layered look of :47 into the clean and sharp Morgana on the sound match is flipping fantastic.

:50s - I like how you moved into this section with the rising music showing Nimueh becoming more proactive. In the beginning she was working her magic from her cave, but now she's stepping out into the world and all the people in it, like Uther and Arthur.

1:27 - And now Morgana is becoming active as well, throwing Arthur the sword to kill the penissnake, which then transfers to Morgana kicking major ass with a sword.

1:36-1:53 - The construction of them seeing each other is well handled. Nimueh is still watching Morgana, except now she comes into the room.

2:00-2:13 - Again, wow on the construction of Nimueh watching Morgana and Uther. It plays on a few levels for me because there's a history between Nimueh and Uther, while there's a future for Nimueh and Morgana. The emotion comes over here.

2:26-2:51 - Great layering with the cracking egg and Mordred. It feels like Morgana seeing herself giving way to the fall by helping Mordred, pleasing Nimueh. The ending piles all the future implications on of Morgana's actions.

It's amazing (I abuse that word).

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Charmax

Re: Don't let me down

from: [info]charmax
date: Jan. 6th, 2009 06:48 am (UTC)
Link

Hahha, I never pass up a good bit of symbolism. I still feel cheated that these two didn't have any screen time together. I'm basically lazy, I shouldn't have to work this hard, the show should do it for me.

Thanks for mentioning the titles, I'm rather pleased with the way they turned out.

I did develop a bit of a fascination with Nimueh's hands during the making of this vid. The way they move is so hypnotic and beautiful.

I don't think I've ever used layers so extensively in a vid before. I definitely think it's something I would play with again.

I had to get Nimueh out of her cave at some point. While Arthur and Uther enjoy their time in the sun she turns up and brings the darkness of the cave with her. For the purposes of the vid, if not the show, once Morgana helps Mordred there is no going back, her path is set.

I'm so glad you enjoyed the vid so much and that you took the time to leave such thoughtful feedback. Thank you!

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