Weekend Flashback; Chicago; May 2003 -James Marsters
I re-watched this video about a week ago and was just about knocked out (again) by this actor guy, James Marsters. The deep level of respect he held for each question posed, and the glowing affection given to each fan, just shines from the inside out. And maybe some things need to be seen to be believed and so at this time, I'm choosing to post this video as gift and testimony to a man who clearly loves human beings and has an intimate understanding of the kind of people who look to the art of storytelling for their healing. (alright--geeks)
Always respectful, I asked at the theatre if it was alright to video tape and was told 'yes, as long as I wasn't in James's face.' And so I went promptly to the back of the house and shot from there, thus guaranteeing an image that makes this valuable only to 'us.'
Granted the poor conditions--there is still a nice mix of full length, three quarter and close up shots. Let's credit the shaky stuff from laughing hard and maybe a little fatigue--hey, it was at least 55 minutes and though the bones may be willing, the flesh is weak--artistic disclaimer aside, it was a great experience and I think it shows up in the video. We were all very merry indeed and I hope you enjoy it as well in the best voyeuristic tradition via this teeny tiny two dimensional window.
Now, I split this up into 11segments over four pages and rendered it in Windows media for loading and space concerns, I am truly sorry if this knocks anybody out. Each segment is approx 5 minutes. I discovered the longest my system would consistently buffer the file was at a break point of 8 minutes or so. But in streaming video terms--it's still a huge file, and so it's gonna take some time to buffer. Seriously. Anywhere from 5 to twenty minutes, but just pretend it's like, say the old days, like eighty years ago maybe and you can spare fifteen minutes of the day to go make, like, a cucumber sandwich with a light dill sauce. Whatever. It's up to you...but you may find just one more cliche ringing true like the bing of the bell announcing microwave popcorn complete that: 'yes indeed, good things come to those who wait.'
Some tips: I'm gonna suggest, that a few minutes after starting number !--play number 2 to get the buffer going ahead of time. You know your computer best, though--and what it can support, so use your judgement on that as well. But it would be a way to move from one to another with less time in between.
Note the Play, Stop, and indicator strip. You can stop play on one window, (say if window two is ready while still on window one) and then resume--but if you exit the page--THE FILE WILL BE DUMPED. And you will have to re buffer.
If it starts to play before buffered to 100%--say, if the file starts playing at 96%; it will play through to the end of the loaded file and then resume buffering until file is complete. You can always use the slider to go back and play any segment over again after it is fully loaded. Make sense?
Those are some of the warning lights, but go ahead, carpe video! Go ahead, what better way to lift your spirits and send some love and gratitude over the air waves to James. Certainly better than passenger pigeon.
Fiesta! Frolic! Feast! For tomorrow we re-buff! (But are not rebuffed)
love,
lizerrr
This is a lesson in impermanence--please do not transcribe or reproduce other than in the poetic methode of human recall. The low quality of the video is insurance against piracy--but as a reminder, this is strictly for advancing our good feelings toward these actors and gaining a deeper appreciation of them as individuals, as beings with their own lives and opinions, separate from BTVS. Please feel free, though, to come back as often as you like.
No money or goods or services has been exchanged or will be exchanged in the sharing of the booty. If Management for the actors or the organizers of Flashback Weekend request this video deleted. I will do so without delay.
This is just a little something to make you smile. (and maybe a little advertisement for humans in general)
O.K., disclaimer done--go on now to the next page. James is waiting to be buffied. Oh, I mean buffered.
