 by Lyle Masaki
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Alaina Alexander's tribute to the victims of homophobic violence
Update: In the comments section, I've been alerted that there's an older, longer version of this video which is not accompanied by Alexander's vocals. I've switched the video the the original version by Lavender Liberal. Former American Idol contestant Alaina Alexander, along with LavenderLiberal.com, has released a video with an original song for Pride month. The video of "Life, Interrupted" shows a montage of people who were killed by anti-gay violence, we see the pictures of the victims along with their names and additional facts about them. "Life, Interrupted" is an amazingly effective tribute. The images are powerful, leaving you with a feeling that you're getting a glimpse of how these people lived -- lives cut off at the wrong time. There's also a wide variety of people found in the video, a reminder that homophobic violence doesn't limit itself to geographic regions, race or age. The video also includes heterosexuals who were victims of anti-gay violence. Meanwhile, Alexander's voice strikes a frustrated, mournful turn. The video ends with the comment, "Some were gay, some were transgendered, some were straight, homophobia killed them all." You can check out Alexander's video after the cut. I warn you, however, the video is a powerful one. Don't think you can watch this one with dry eyes. Submitted by on Mon, 2007-06-18 13:50. |
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Not quite so moving for me
This is not the original 'Life, Interrupted' video.
I am the creator of the original "Life, Interrupted" video.
I wish to to clarify that this video was not made by, for, or in collaboration with Alaina Alexander (or anyone else), although I find it flattering that everyone thinks we are associated.
We are not in any way associated. I have never had any contact with Alaina Alexander.
Most importantly, the video as you see it here on AfterElton.com, Queerty.com, Bgay.com, and other sites, has been altered. It is NOT the original video; it has been shortened in length by half, and it was NOT created with Alaina Alexander's song (as wonderful as her song is).
I mean no disrespect to Ms. Alexander, but in light of the increasing number of complaints I have received, I must state that my video -- which took months of research, image manipulation, and editing, was re-edited and dubbed without my knowledge or permission.
The original video may be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwji7g_VK0U
Now, if you don't like my original video, that kind of criticism I can handle.
At this point, I am undecided as to whether I will ask Ms. Alexander to remove the altered video; I am leaning in that direction, however, because I am receiving undeserved criticism for something that has been... well, hacked to shreds.
I would have been more than happy to re-edit the original video to fit Ms. Alexander's song, but I have never been contacted by Ms. Alexander, or anyone else, with such a request. Perhaps Ms. Alexander would appreciate a re-cut, rather than a removal.
First off, what was most
First off, what was most objectionable to me, the poor editing on the final splash, was not part of the original material. So I certainly retract any criticism of your work based on that.
However, the speed of the text was not affected. It looked like the major "editing" done to the piece was hacking off the historical contextualization at the beginning, which I liked in the original, what I could read of it.
The most pervasive problem was still the speed with which the text disappeared from the screen. I'm the sort of person who gets ahead of movie credits and taps his foot impatiently as the text scrolls across the screen. This was too fast for me.
I do want to commend you on the research and image sleuthing. It was an exceptionally thorough examination of homophobic violence, even if it confined itself to those who died. The work is both worthwhile and well conceived. But I have to be honest and question the execution of the video.
Thank you, Jonathan.
Duly noted. And yes, the original video does move too quickly for many viewers' liking. On one hand, I want the viewer to be positively overwhelmed (dare I say "shocked and awed"?), and feel compelled to watch it a second and third time, just to absorb even half of it.
That doesn't mean I haven't been listening to (this most valid) criticism; I've been contemplating re-editing a slower version (to not supplant, but merely complement the original). The truth is, it was such a deeply emotionally draining experience to create, I have to get myself in the right mindset to be able to stare into the eyes of all those faces again.
Would that I only had the time to cover everyone who has died; as it stands, for every face in the video, there are countless more I have on file, but had to cut for time.
I'd like to do one featuring those who have survived their attacks -- but I can't begin to imagine how many stories there are.
Anyway, thanks again, Jonathan, for taking the time to check out the original -- yours is constructive criticism!
Lyle, thank you very much...
Thanks for spending so much
Excellent, but....
....an extra 3 seconds or so of each of the text would not have made the video that much longer, but would have allowed the viewer a bit longer to contemplate each person. They deserve as much.
If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.
Very moving! thank you!