One Man, Two Viewpoints

As I mentioned yesterday, here are the other two Fullmetal clips I saw. They were made by different people, yet always seem to end up next to each other on the "related" list. For good reason, too--they go together perfectly. They both focus on Roy Mustang, from completely different viewpoints.

The first clip was done from Ed Elric's view of him for the first two-thirds of the series. The second is Mustang's opinion of himself; this probably goes without saying, but I should warn that the second one can be a little depressing.

Ed's POV:


Mustang's POV:

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Now playing: Seether - Fine Again
via FoxyTunes

Fullmetal Mix

I don't normally devote an entire post to a single YouTube clip these days, but in my internet travels today I came across a very interesting AMV. It's a well-edited music video using Fullmetal Alchemist clips, put to what has to be the most amazing and creative remix of "Crawling" I've ever heard. I found two other clips that I might showcase tommorrow, but I thought this particular clip deserved its own post.

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Now playing: Johann Sebastian Bach - Prelude (Cello Suite No.1)
via FoxyTunes

It's The Cup Game!

Forget reality TV. Forget Paris Hilton. Forget all the celebrity gossip you've heard recently about who got drunk, wasn't wearing underwear, or dumped an obnoxious star on their face at the Fox Really Awards. There's a new sensation guaranteed to capture your attention for much longer than any of these flashes in the proverbial pan (at least five seconds!) After long minutes of searching through YouTube for the perfect new potential Olympic sport, I give you...the Cup Game!



This newest hit is sweeping the nation--or at least the various schools, colleges, and summer camps therein. Yes, dear parents, this is what your hard-earned, blood- and sweat-bought money is funding. You can rest knowing America will soon take their place on the international stage as the country with the most hand-eye coordinated citizens with a sense of rhythm. Just think--every time you're at home, imagining your son or daughter studying hard in their dorm, you can remember this:



It just goes to show that success in life doesn't require any knowledge of math or science, any diplomatic or mechanical skills, or even any thoughtfully-formed opinions about news events, celebrities, international affairs or the literary world. All you really need is a good sense of timing...and a cup.

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Now playing: Wolf's Rain - Heaven's Not Enough
via FoxyTunes

Burning Down

I just uploaded the ninth of twelve chapters in my new fanfic. Although the story itself sprang to mind after watching that YouTube video I mentioned before, this chapter was fueled almost entirely by the song "Whisper" by Evanescence (lyrics found here; the song can be heard on this Fullmetal video on YouTube.) If you hear it, you'll figure out why it worked so well.

It was, without a doubt, the hardest chapter of any fanfic I've ever written. I found myself poring over it, changing it over and over until my head hurt--which, when it comes to fanfic, is very odd for me. Up to the second I clicked "upload", I almost decided to let the story go unfinished. Not for any sadistic reason, mind you; I know there are a few interested readers out there and felt terrible about letting them down. It was more out of an unexplainable, vague uneasiness I couldn't understand. Fear of rejection, sure--but I always have that. This was something more, and I think I've finally figured out what it is.

Many years ago my playwriting professor lamented that, although I can write a great story, when it comes to infusing the characters with passion I put up a wall between myself and the audience (and not the good kind of wall.) It's a defense mechanism that I, apparently, am not always aware of. I tend to think (even when I don't realize it) that the audience is looking past the characters and judging the writer.

Usually, it's a little different with fanfic where I'm concerned. The characters have already been established in the reader's mind, so I can focus on the plot instead of worry about what the audience will be thinking when I have the character act a certain way. That may be why I have a good grasp of personalities when I write: I'm always fully conscious of what the character is feeling at any given time, even when they're not in the spotlight. The difference is, with stage/screenplays I'm hesitant to let the audience see those feelings for fear of being judged through the characters feeling them. How's that for screwed up? I think there was a line on Grey's Anatomy that explains it perfectly: "scary and damaged".

This chapter brought out some extreme emotions in the characters, which explains the issues I had in writing it. In a way, I consider it a type of breakthrough on my journey to becoming a better writer. I've discovered what my problem is and when it surfaces; now I just need to figure out how to work through it.

It Ends Here Tonight

A MASH-based screencap video on YouTube has prompted my overworked, cynical, barely rational mind to create another fanfic, which can be found here. I hadn't ever planned to revisit the theme of my previous fanfic, but the video grabbed my attention with the tenacity of a bulldog and wouldn't let go until I finished.

I seem to have a fascination with close friendships--maybe because most people desire that kind of closeness with at least one other person in their lives, though so few actually find it. It doesn't necessarily even have to be a romantic or sexual connection (something I wish the slash writers would realize), just a true understanding of the other person and a willingness to accept their dark side without scorn. A lot can be explored in that kind of relationship, which is probably why much of my work is centered around it.

Maybe that's the true basis of love: just being there when the other person needs it, never demanding more than they can give. If we all had at least one relationship like that in our lives, I think the world would be a much happier place.

More Fullmetal Madness

I don't know what it is about Fullmetal Alchemist that prompts people to make some rather interesting associations between the anime and "wacky" songs (see my Numa Numa post back in June), but they did it again. I have to admit, I'm actually somewhat impressed by the thought that went into this video; the scenes the author chose seem to match the lyrics very well. Here it is, for your viewing pleasure: Fullmetal Alchemist Meets Jerry Springer.

Fullmetal Alchemist On Crack

I was browsing YouTube clips last night and came across this video. Now, I'm not sure what was going through the author's mind at the time, but it seems apparent someone had a little too much beer with their pizza.

Without further ado, I present to you this moment of "Wha...?"