The Story of Music

[sariagray]

Today is John Barrowman’s birthday. Happy birthday. I thought, you know, that I would do something nice to celebrate. Maybe a lovely little post or, if I was feeling ambitious, a fic. Maybe even a video. Worst case scenario, a poem or a little web comic.

This is not any of those things.

No. This is a musical experiment that has really nothing to do with John Barrowman’s birthday. (Sorry, Mr. Barrowman).

I have spent the better part of this week thinking of music and its influence. How we interpret things relies, of course, on our senses. I wondered, “What if I made a little generic video and attached different bits of music to it? Would it change the perception of the video at all?”

I used only instrumental pieces and I tried to find a variety of music types. Well, as wide a variety as I have. And I was going to use more, but then I realized you would be watching videos for hours if I had my way. So, yeah, the variety is a bit…limited. Sorry?

Also, the video itself doesn’t matter. I literally just tossed a bunch of clips that I had into the program and shrugged. Then I stuck some music on. Then I shrugged again. There are 7 videos in all, approximately 3 minutes each. They are listed in no particular order.

This isn’t a legitimate experiment, of course. There is no control group and I’m not exactly monitoring. Also, preference (plus the fact that you KNOW the scenes and the show well enough already) is obviously going to play a role in opinions. I’m just really curious what people think (and no, you don’t have to answer the questions specifically!).

Most important, this was a good, mindless activity after a harrowing day at work.

And ultimately, you’re all either going to think that this is really cool or really dumb. Or just that I’m insane. Personally, I squealed repetitively.

Some thoughts to ponder:

Does the music change your view/opinion of the scenes I chose?

If this were a “preview” of a show, which video is more likely to entice you to watch?

Which was the most accurate depiction, considering what we know of Torchwood?

Which syncs up best?

Does one song make the videos change drastically in anyway?

Which is your most favorite? Which is your least? Why?

Thoughts in general?

Now. On with the show!

The Smiths – Money Changes Everything

Nine Inch Nails – Pilgrimage

Clint Mansell – Lux Aeterna (Requiem For A Dream OST)

George Thorogood – Sonny Rides Again

The Postal Service – Natural Anthem

Elliot Goldenthal – Titus Vow (Titus OST)

E.S. Posthumus – Lepcis Magna

That’s all! Please comment and let me know your thoughts! And tell your friends? *Raises eyebrow*

Comments

[thebuttonontop.livejournal.com]

No... i think you're totally correct. honestly... in each one, the music made it feel totally different. i think it also makes you focus on certain scenes and see them in different lights. yup. you are right, my friend. lol. remind me not to leave you bored again.

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

But a bored Saria creates...things. And I was just procrastinating...I have so many things to actually accomplish. You should've seen me flailing last night. Well. Tonight. I've fallen asleep and woken up again since making this, so...yep.

I'm glad you felt that way, because I watched each one and was like, "Holy crap! This is a legitimate thing!"

*creeps back into bed*

ETA: Lux Aeterna, btw, was what I was typing when you thought I was being attacked by Jaws. :-)

[sassysailorgirl.livejournal.com]

*nods* Yup. What Button said!

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

Yay! Noted. :) lol

[xrai-namere.livejournal.com]

I have to admit I'm slightly biased here; to me, Lux Aeterna makes everything a bajillion times more epic than it already is. And a million times more tragic.
But I agree, definitely different emotions are evoked, as well as the way we read the scene.
Interesting experiment! :)

My faves were Lux Aeterna, Lepcis Magna and Titus Vow.

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

to me, Lux Aeterna makes everything a bajillion times more epic than it already is. And a million times more tragic.

I definitely agree. It made me feel like every scene was so...desolate.

I like those a lot too and was actually surprised at how well Lepcis Magna and Titus Vow seemed to fit the video in terms of transitions and whatnot.

:-D Thanks for watching them!

[analineblue.livejournal.com]

I think you're absolutely right. Music makes a HUGE difference. It changes everything, really. I think that to myself lots of times when I'm walking around with my ipod on shuffle, you know? The landscape changes around you depending on what comes on, right? So yeah, very interesting idea here. *_*

This first one is maybe the best for enticing? And I think the last one might sync up best?

...Lux Aeterna is my favorite though. :D

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

Absolutely - my whole perspective at work changes based on what song pops up on my iPod, too.

*Giggles* The first one makes me think of a buddy cop movie from the 80s and yeah, the last one surprised me. Lux Aeterna is so beautifully melancholy, I loved it.

Thanks for watching them! :-D

[excentric397.livejournal.com]

Nine Inch Nails was the only one that really said "Torchwood", to me. It fit with the scenes, it conveyed the tension. It was perfect. I liked the beginning of Lux Aeterna...it drew me in at first, but then not. It said more about sadness than anything else. The rest of the choices didn't seem to fit at all and just irritated me. This is a really great experiment, though. Music affects us in so many ways we don't even realize. Well done.

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

I loved the NIN one myself, so I'm glad you think it fits well! Though I am sorry to have irritated you lol :) Thanks!

[fide-et-spe.livejournal.com]

OK I saw this whilst reading your latest story and it's a great idea!

I think the one that works best is the Clive Mansell one, even though it isn't like the TW music, and I think TW was extremely well scored, more so than most dramas. The others that are really good are Lepcis Magna and Titus Vow. I thought the George Thorogood didn't work, as it was completely wrong.

Interesting though how all the music is dramatic but some is more epic, if that makes sense.

[sariagray.livejournal.com]

I meant to say on my previous comment to you that stalking is TOTALLY acceptable. In other news, thanks! I really like the ones you mentioned, too. I do like the Thorogood one, but mostly for when it's Jack and John circling each other. And it may just be that I love the song so much. :)

And it does make sense! Thanks for commenting. :)