'Handwritten' music video thread.

The first shot is perfect. 0:13 looks like it could be a painting. Lone musician in his modest garage. In this and the next scene we are introduced to James (I believe?) and are given quite a bit of insight on the character in those two little scenes. He is dedicated to his music, lives rather modestly, and is a rather nervous person. The nervous tick with the lighter gives a bit more depth on the character whilst still remaining mysterious, allowing us to imagine more about James. It also serves as a perfect way of reintroducing the character in the final scene.

There's not too much going on in the next scene, though I do like the shot of James against the spotlight, breathing deeply before he begins. I've also said how much I love Brian's silly hand movements in an attempt to be a narrator. I think it works because of how cheesy it looks. Also, the shots in what I believe is Kip's Castle in Montclair are cool, if only because I recognize the place.

The long shot of James conveys clearly a sense of ecstasy. He's excited by the cheering, excited by the success. Sets up for the big emotional punch at the end of the movie, and also serves as a bit of a rounding off of the initially nervous character, who has now become seemingly more confident.

The shot of the record being pressed is insanely cool, and we are introduced to Tyler and Riley, fresh out of James' concert, and we establish in the first two shots of the couple playing with sparklers and holding each other that they really care deeply about one another. The shot of Brian writing in the air singing "Every word handwritten" might just be my favorite one. Not too much to say about Tyler and Riley, who are more shallow (not in a bad way!) characters than James. It's obvious that they love each other and Tyler leaving is an emotional punch, and the first real wound the film inflicts.

"Dear Tyler, I'll never forget the times we had. I'll always be here waiting for you. Love, Riley." I find it strange that this is not touched on again when Tyler returns, but I can only assume it will be expanded in the full short. I feel the entire sequence of Tyler and Riley's relationship is really cute. The shot of Tyler in his room playing the record one last time is sad.

Next scenes are emotionally heavy, with Tyler's goodbyes to his family being a very relatable experience. Tyler's father finding the record broke my heart. The room looks dreary, empty. I hope it's expanded upon in the full short, as well. Every time I look at Tyler's father's face during that shot, I choke up a bit. Can't wait to see what he wrote down.

Next scene with Tommy is really cute, but sets up for probably the biggest emotional punch in the film. I'm curious as to what he writes down as well, and the little smirk Brian gives is hilarious. The quick cut of 3:34 from young, innocent Tommy, to disheveled older Tommy breaks my heart as well. The entire sequence of Tommy is heart-breaking, and is appropriately lit in a drearier, more somber tone than the other scenes.

3:50 is the one shot I can't not tear up at. It's a truly heart-shattering shot. In less than a second, so much emotion is conveyed. So much for the audience to take in in a single second. The actor's face says so much in so little time, and every time I see it it overwhelms me with emotion. Tommy is regretful, sad. His life is obviously not in the greatest place right now. The record brings him back to that time, and then he parts with it. I'm tearing up a bit as I write this down, actually. Ace to Tommy, best character in the short.

Couple more transitioning shots, and then we focus once again on the lighter. Instantly, we are brought back to the beginning of the video. We've been through so much with these characters in so little time. Still a nervous wreck, James makes his way through the record store, seemingly out-of-step with what he sees. He's older now. Much older. More Brian shots. And then we hit it, the big emotional payoff.

4:20, James' little smile conveys nostalgia, and the audience too is given a quick cut back to late 20's James. We're down. It's got us. We were setup and fell to the emotional punch.

All these characters' lives have gone on, they've grown old, and gone separate ways. Some good, some bad. But the record continues to be passed among them, survives it all, and finally comes full-circle in James' hands. The audience is left to wonder where it will go now, and the film wraps up with a nice shot of James moving through the record store, including a cameo from Benny.

...what an awesome short.