Showering thoughts about hyp_notic_ and roles in Collaboration Videos
Hey
It's really been awhile since I willingly submitted to a properly organized Collaboration Video (Hereinafter, CV), and I am blessed to be able to be one of the cast of Herenz's recent CV, hyp_notic_
I think what really motivated me to film for this CV was the trailer which revealed the main gloomy part of the song (chorus?climax?idk). And it hit me that my spinning could probably blend in well with the song's atmosphere.
Well what do you mean by blend in well you ask? It's quite tricky to answer this, because while it may be case by case, I think there is also some consistency to it to some degree.
Let's put it this way. You are an employer of a restaurant, and you are currently the only member working there. You have a limit in budget and space, and you want to have the best people suited for important roles operating the restaurant.
Now, in this scenario, you would probably be looking for chefs, waiters/waitresses, managers and other roles. You would not really imagine hiring someone who has a completely different experience such as an professional athlete or academic (unless they are specialized in culinary studies). Why? Because they do not have the know-how of any experience of a chef, waiter/waitress or any role operating the restaurant. Having such a misplaced person will not only be stressful for the individual but also for other members of the team.
The point is, you need people who are fit for the role in accordance to their attributes and skill to ensure a smooth operation. I think to some degree, CVs are the same; you need synergy within all elements to make a good CV. In the case for the restaurant, the employer will be the editor, members/operators will be the participants, and the large framework surrounding the operation will be other elements of CVs such as song choice, effects, etc.
At this point, you are probably still confused why I bring the restaurant example all the sudden. Remember? I mentioned in regard's of Herenz's CV, I thought I could blend in with the atmosphere of the CV. This, in other words, means that I thought that I had the qualifications to join in Herenz CV based on my attributes and what role I could be in the CV.
According to Herenz's blog, he wanted to make a CV that is unconventional by concept, editing and song choice. While I was not really aware of this, I was able to get the hint of what kind of CV he wanted to make after hearing a glimpse of his trailer. The vibe that I get from this song is eccentric, underground and dark but relaxed ambience, kind of reminds me of lofi music.
At this moment, I imagined what kind of video Herenz/Taco(editor) wanted for videos, to which I think they had an idea of inviting people who they imagined fit the image of this editing/song choice. In terms of the atmosphere the song brings, the video should probably not have much bright background, or have very jolty harsh movements, and should have a rather clean but empty setup. Knowing this is a rather high level CV, I also have thought of a decent breakdown that is not too challenging but also not too modest as well. I have also put some black sleeves to match with my setup and song. As a result, my submission has been selected in the CV.
Whether the selection of my video is thanks to my intention of the video or just purely luck, is not really what I can determine. But, as a result though, my position in the CV has been quite apparent in the CV: a nameless helper/supporter of the film that ensures a seamless CV. My combo, without a doubt, is not there to stand out or out shine the others. It is just there to not ruin the atmosphere of the CV and let others stand out than mine.
In a way you can call my video as a filler, and it is technically not that wrong I think. I did not intend myself to be the star for the CV, just a helpful supporter. As an editor though, these types of videos are rather important, not only to fill in the empty slots of the song, but also to make a juxtaposition between the filler spinners and the 'out shining' spinners. CVs are basically one little world in one video, and you can only measure skill within the videos used in the CVs. The larger the gap between the outshining and filler, the more eyecatching, memorable the CV is.
So, you might think, then why not put a random beginner spinner in the CV? Well, just as I mentioned before, it is to not ruin the atmosphere of the CV. I have intended my video to be good as well, but not to the level of the outstanding combos. A useful video, in other words.
People usually imagine an ideal CV must contain only the best of the best, but that is basically a story filled with the main protagonist only. I could only imagine how bland that would be. I stress that no matter how skillful the standard of the CV is, there should be a hierarchy within it, otherwise it would create some unbalance. Not to say spinners should lower the bar though. You would need to have a keen eye on how to maintain balance of all elements as a participant of the CV, which is also what makes filming for CV videos difficult. Just good execution alone does not automatically get you in, since that is rather just courtesy.
Though there are exceptions to this as well, and not all CVs have the intent to be the best CV in the world. But when we talk about those CVs that were made long ago but still have the prestige, I think each participants were somewhat aware of their roles in CVs, and put some thought on what kind of video they should submit compared to the others who plan to submit too. And you can submit the best pen spinning video in the world, but that does not mean it will match the intent of the editor's vision either. So just keep that in mind, and keep spinning. You can be angry for not being able to be in one CV, but the reason why you could not make it is probably never onefold ever.
Unless you think it that way.
Til then.
-Tigres
