#love the slow motion shots in this trailer

[astrariums]

Drayon Age II (2011) Destiny Trailer

[hash-driveway]

Down With Me (Chapter Four)

I'M BAAAAACK Life happened right after i posted the last chapter, lol. I'm very happy to be updating this and I hope you all enjoy! The reception that this fic has been getting so far really means a lot to me. love y'all sm :*

Also on AO3!

PREVIOUS CHAPTER

Roxie’s lungs burned as she jogged along the dirt road of the trailer park.  She was just about to break the threshold of the part of the run where she felt like shit, and get into that feeling that people called “runner’s high.”  Just as she was about to do so, the sound of an engine idling nearby caught her attention. She looked up to see a black car creeping down the dirt path between trailers, with shitty music blasting from the blown-out speakers. The driver rolled down his window, and a tall, lean man with slicked-back hair leaned out, cigarette dangling from his fingers. He had a sharp, sly grin that made Roxie feel a bit uneasy, but he seemed friendly enough.

“Hey there,” he called out, his voice low and smooth, “Haven’t seen you around here before.”

She slowed to a stop, slightly irritated that he had interrupted her focus.

"Just heading home," she replied between gasps, eyeing him warily.

He chuckled, flicking ashes from his cigarette. "Ah, well, I don’t see many new faces around here. You from the park?"

She hesitated, not sure how much she should share, but figured there was no harm in being polite. "Yeah, sort of new here."

"Interesting. I’m Cyrus." He extended his hand out the window, as if expecting her to come closer to shake it.

“Roxie,” she replied, staying a couple of steps back. Something about him set her on edge, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

“Roxie, huh?” He said her name slowly, like he was tasting each syllable. “Nice to meet you. You look like you could use a little something to unwind.”

She froze, surprised at his perceptiveness. "What makes you say that?"

He shrugged, his smirk widening. “Just a hunch. And, you know, I happen to have a little green with me, if you’re interested.”

She blinked, considering his offer. It was tempting—she was tired of scrounging around for weed, and no one else seemed to be around. She glanced down the path, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ricky, but it was empty.

“Come on, just a little taste,” Cyrus pressed, his voice almost coaxing. “Special deal for the new girl.”

Roxie took a step closer to the car, peering inside. The seats were worn and the car smelled faintly of stale smoke and something sour, but Cyrus seemed relaxed, almost amused. She hesitated, feeling a flicker of unease but dismissing it as paranoia.

“Alright, I could use a little,” she said cautiously, slipping into the passenger seat.

Cyrus grinned, pulling a small bag from his glove compartment and handing it to her. "This’ll be enough to hold you over for a bit. But if you ever want more, you know where to find me."

She inspected the bag, nodding, as the engine rumbled to life. But instead of pulling over, he started driving forward, his eyes flickering with a strange intensity. "Let’s take a little spin, get to know each other better."

Her stomach twisted. “Uh, actually, I’m good. I’d rather just head back.”

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Relax, Roxie. I’m just taking a little drive. What’s the harm?"

Just as he turned the corner, the figure of Julian appeared in the rearview mirror, striding quickly toward them with a look of unmistakable anger on his face. He jogged up to the passenger side, motioning for Cyrus to stop.

“Pull over,” Julian commanded, his voice sharp and unyielding.

Cyrus let out an exasperated sigh, barely glancing at Julian as he continued inching forward. "What’s your problem, Julian? We’re just talking."

“Get out of the car, Roxie,” Julian said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

She shot a glance at Cyrus, who smirked, clearly unfazed. Reluctantly, she opened the door and climbed out, feeling Julian’s tense gaze on her the entire time. He took her arm, pulling her aside, his grip firm but careful.

“What the hell are you doing getting in his car?” Julian demanded, his voice laced with concern. Behind him, Ricky and Bubbles approached with urgency. Ricky was already shouting at Cyrus to "fuck off, Shitdick!"

Roxie folded her arms, bristling at his intensity. “I was just buying a little weed. You don’t have to freak out about it.”

Julian’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with barely contained frustration. "He’s not someone you want to mess with. Cyrus is bad news. Don’t ever get in his car again."

She scowled, irritated by his tone. "I can take care of myself, Julian. I don’t need you telling me who to hang out with."

“Fine,” he replied, his voice low and hard. “But don’t come running to me when he gets you mixed up in something you can’t handle.”

Cyrus leaned out of his window, his grin widening as he watched the exchange. "Julian, why don’t you calm down? Roxie here is smart enough to make her own decisions.”

Julian’s fists clenched, but he held back, his voice dangerously calm. “Stay out of this, Cyrus.”

Roxie couldn’t help but feel a strange thrill at Julian’s protectiveness. As annoying as it was to be treated like a damsel in distress, something about his intensity made her heart race. She shook her head, brushing him off as she took a step back. “You’re overreacting, Julian.”

The loud clang of Ricky hitting the roof of Cyrus' car with a taped-up hockey stick stole their attention for a moment.  Cyrus desperately tried to grab it through the window, but to no avail. On the other side of the car, Bubbles gesticulated wildly while berating Cyrus.

"Overreacting?" His gaze softened for a moment, but he was still visibly on edge. “I’m just trying to keep you safe. You barely know the people in this park, Roxie. Not everyone’s looking out for you.”

She swallowed, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. “I get it, okay? But you don’t need to babysit me.”

Julian exhaled, his frustration evident. “Just… promise me you won’t get in his car again.”

She glanced back at Cyrus, who watched them with a smug expression. His gaze flicked to her, and the way he looked at her made her skin crawl. Finally, she turned back to Julian, nodding. “Fine. I won’t.”

Julian relaxed, nodding once, though he still looked troubled. “Good.”

As Cyrus finally pulled away, she caught Julian’s eye, noticing the concern that lingered there. It struck her, the way he looked at her like he actually cared. A part of her felt flattered, warmed even, by his protectiveness.

“I’m sorry for snapping at you,” she said quietly. “I just… I’m not used to people looking out for me.”

Julian’s gaze softened further, his shoulders relaxing. “You don’t have to apologize. I just don’t want you to get hurt. Not here, not by someone like him.”

Roxie swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. She tried to keep her expression light, offering a small smile. “Thanks, Julian. I appreciate it.”

A warm silence fell between them as they walked the rest of the way back to her trailer, side by side. As they reached her door, she lingered for a moment, not quite ready to let him go. “Thanks for stepping in… even if it was a little intense.”

He chuckled softly, nodding. “Anytime.”

Before they could get too far, Ricky reappeared out of nowhere, jogging up to her with a sly grin on his face. Bubbles followed behind.

“Hey, uh, Roxie. Listen, after all that Cyrus bullshit, you might need somethin’ to take the edge off, huh?” He fished around in his pocket and pulled out a baggie of weed, holding it up like it was a prize.

Bubbles sighed, “You’re seriously pitching her weed right now?”

“Hey, I’m just sayin’,” Ricky replied with a shrug, “it’s top-quality. Better than anything that dick Cyrus is selling. And, uh, you know, since you’re new, I’ll give you the friends-and-family discount.”

She snorted, amused despite herself, “Friends and family, huh? Does that mean it’s free?”

Ricky looked genuinely horrified at the suggestion. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. I still gotta make a livin’, Roxie. But, like, ten bucks off or somethin’. Come on, don’t make me beg.”

Roxie rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smirking. “Fine. I could use it.”

As she handed over some cash and Ricky passed her the weed, the unmistakable sound of Mr. Lahey’s car sputtering up the dirt path reached their ears. Roxie groaned, stuffing the baggie into her pocket just as the rickety old vehicle rolled up beside them. Julian tensed up slightly, clearly stressed out.

The window rolled down, revealing Mr. Lahey’s flushed, overly intense face. Randy sat in the passenger seat, shirtless as usual, with his hands resting on his gut like it was a prized possession.

“Well, well, well,” Lahey began, pointing a shaky finger at Roxie. “Another innocent soul corrupted by the shitbirds.” He squinted dramatically, first at Ricky and then at Roxie. “You’d better stay away from these boys. They’ll drag you down into the shit abyss faster than you can say Sunnyvale.”

Roxie couldn’t help but laugh, her earlier tension melting away at the sheer absurdity of the scene. She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Oh, so you’re Barb’s 'pathetic alcoholic husband', huh?”

Lahey’s face went redder than a ripe tomato. Before he could stammer out a response, Randy leaned halfway out the window, his gut almost knocking over the car’s side mirror. “Hey! I’d hit you if you weren’t so pretty!”

“Randy!” Lahey snapped, smacking him on the arm.

Randy sat back sheepishly, muttering, “Just saying…”

Lahey ignored him and leaned further out the window, narrowing his bloodshot eyes at Roxie. “You listen to me, young lady. The winds of shit are blowing. And when the shit storm hits, you’ll wish you never got mixed up with these two shit streaks.” He pointed dramatically at Ricky, who looked unimpressed.

Roxie raised an eyebrow, struggling to keep a straight face. “Wow. Profound stuff. You write that yourself?”

“Don’t mock me!” Lahey barked, jabbing a finger at her before putting the car in gear. “Mark my words, missy. You play with shit, you get shit on.”

With that, he peeled off down the road, kicking up a cloud of dust. Randy waved enthusiastically from the passenger seat as they disappeared around the corner.

Roxie stared after them for a moment, then burst out laughing. Ricky stood beside her, looking mildly irritated.

“Man, that guy’s always ruining my sales pitch,” he grumbled. “Anyway, enjoy the weed.”

“Thanks, Ricky,” Roxie said, still chuckling as she turned and walked back toward her trailer.

For all its chaos, Sunnyvale was shaping up to be way more entertaining than she’d anticipated.

“So, Roxie, how’s the dating pool been?” Sarah called out from the dining table, her voice laced with curiosity as she toyed with her beer bottle.

Roxie sat on a barstool in Lucy and Sarah’s kitchen, foils folded into her hair. Lucy was busy peeling one apart to check the progress of the bleach, her cigarette dangling lazily from her lips. The air was thick with the scent of smoke, hair dye, and air freshener.

“Ehh…” Roxie let out a small chuckle, shrugging. “I wouldn’t exactly call it ‘dating.’ More like… just trying to have a little fun, you know? Enjoying my freedom.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow, taking a long drag from her cigarette before exhaling a plume of smoke.  “You say that now, girl. But trust me, ‘a little fun’ can turn into a lot more real quick if you’re not careful.”

Lucy led Roxie to the kitchen sink and began pulling the foils from her hair. Roxie laughed, shaking her head, “Oh, I’m not looking for anything serious right now. After my last relationship… I need a break.”

Sarah cocked her head, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. “Yeah? What happened there? I mean, if you don’t mind sharing.”

Roxie hesitated, feeling the old familiar sting in her chest. It was still raw, even after all this time. But there was something about the two women that made her feel safe, like she could finally let her guard down a bit.

“Well…” Roxie took a deep breath. “He was controlling. Financially, mostly. He made way more money than I did, and he never let me forget it. He’d throw it in my face anytime we argued, always reminding me of everything he paid for.” Her voice dropped, the pain from those memories bleeding into her words. “Tried to mold me into some perfect little housewife, like I was his property.”

Lucy glanced at Sarah, her expression darkening, “He sounds like a real piece of work.”

“He was,” Roxie muttered. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to keep going. “It got worse after he found out I couldn’t have kids.”

Her mind flashed back to having to hide from him in the bathroom as he tried to break the door down.  The bloody nose he gave her once he got in.  The way he acted like he cared about her when he spoke to the nurses at the ER.

“Oh, Roxie, I’m so sorry,” Sarah said, her voice soft with sympathy. She reached across the table as if to touch Roxie’s hand but hesitated, unsure if the comfort would be welcome.

Roxie gave her a small, tight smile. “Thanks. But that wasn’t even the worst of it. He started getting distant, colder. I knew something was up. One day, I was using his computer, and he’d left his email open. I saw these emails to some woman from his job. They were sending pictures to each other, talking about meeting up…” Her voice trailed off, the bitter memory making her feel sick to her stomach.

Lucy’s eyes narrowed, her now-gloved fingers massaging dye into Roxie’s hair. “That fucking asshole. Did you confront him?”

Roxie nodded, letting out a humorless laugh. “Oh, I confronted him, alright. Caught him with her at a restaurant. I made a huge scene, threw his drink in his face, yelled at him in front of everyone.”

“Good,” Lucy said firmly. “He deserved that and more.”

“I even keyed his car on the way out,” Roxie added with a small grin, a hint of satisfaction in her voice.

Sarah let out a low whistle. “Damn. You went full scorched earth on his ass. Respect.”

Roxie nodded, staring at the countertop as the memories washed over her. “I thought that would be the end of it, but things got worse after that. He isolated me from everyone—my friends, my family. I had nowhere to turn. I’d never felt so alone.”

There was a beat of silence as the weight of Roxie’s words settled over the room. Lucy finished her work, wrapping a towel around Roxie’s wet hair.  She squeezed Roxie’s shoulder gently as she led her away from the sink, “You got out, though. That’s what matters. You got out, and you’re here now.”

Roxie nodded, her eyes stinging. “Yeah. I packed up and left without a word. Moved here, and honestly… I’m happier now. I feel like I can breathe again.”

“Fuck that guy,” Sarah said bluntly. “He’s not worth another second of your time.”

“Agreed,” Lucy added. “You’re better off without him.”

Roxie took a deep breath, feeling a little lighter after getting it off her chest. “Thanks, guys. It feels good to talk about it. Most people just look at me like I’m damaged when I bring it up.”

Lucy frowned. “Well, they’re idiots. You’re not damaged—you’re a survivor. And trust me, you’re in good company here. We’ve all got our shit.”

“Yeah,” Roxie said, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, we do.”

A comfortable silence fell upon their conversation as the hairdryer drowned out all remaining sounds. Lucy finished up with Roxie’s hair, turning her around to face the mirror. Roxie’s eyes widened at the sight of the red highlights woven into her dark brown hair, the vibrant color catching the light.

“Wow,” Roxie breathed, running her fingers through her hair. “Lucy, this looks amazing.”

Lucy grinned. “Glad you like it. You deserve a little pick-me-up.”

Roxie felt a swell of gratitude. She reached into her purse, pulling out her cigarette case. “I have a little something to repay you both.”

She pulled out a neatly rolled joint, offering it to Lucy and Sarah. Their eyes lit up with excitement as they followed her outside to the steps of the trailer. The cool night air was a welcome relief, carrying away the thick smoke and heavy emotions from inside.

“Ladies first,” Roxie said, passing the joint to Lucy. Lucy sparked it up and took a long drag, holding it for a moment before exhaling a cloud of smoke.

“You know,” Lucy said, passing it to Sarah, “I’m glad you’re here, Roxie. This park needed some new blood. And some good company.”

Sarah took a hit, nodding in agreement as she exhaled. “Yeah, for real. You fit right in with us.”

Roxie smiled, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the weed. “Thanks, guys. I really needed this.”

As the joint made its way back to her, Roxie took a deep drag, letting the smoke fill her lungs. The familiar burn was comforting, the buzz slowly creeping in to dull the edges of her anxiety. She leaned back against the steps, staring up at the stars.

The three of them sat there for a while, the joint passing between them. The night was quiet except for the faint hum of music from another trailer and the distant sounds of laughter and chatter from the other residents. Roxie felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. For the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of belonging.

“What happened after you caught him cheating?” Lucy asked gently, breaking the silence. “How did you leave?”

Roxie let out a long breath, staring down at the joint between her fingers. “It wasn’t easy. After I caught him at the restaurant, he tried to make me think I was crazy for accusing him. But I knew what I saw. He got angry, blamed me for snooping, said I drove him to it because I was ‘acting distant.’’” She scoffed, shaking her head. “I tried to leave that night, but he wouldn’t let me. It got ugly.”

Sarah’s face twisted with anger. “That’s so fucked up.”

“Yeah,” Roxie agreed, her voice hollow. “I felt like I was trapped. But, it was weird because I felt more free after finding out. The next morning, while he was at work, I packed up everything I could fit into my car and just… left. I didn’t tell anyone where I was going. Just drove until I ended up here.”

Lucy let out a low whistle. “That takes guts. Seriously, Roxie. I’m glad you made it out of there.”

Roxie nodded, blinking back the tears that pricked at her eyes. “Me too. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but… I’m finally starting to feel like myself again. Like I can rebuild.”

“You will,” Sarah said firmly. 

“Guess what his name was.” Roxie paused, “Bradley.” 

Lucy and Sarah groaned in disgust, “What a douchey name! So fitting.” 

Roxie laughed with them, “I know! At least he was consistent.”

“And if you ever need us to beat the shit out of some Brad-lookalike asshole, just say the word.”

Roxie smirked, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The three of them laughed together, the sound carrying out into the night. As the joint burned down to a roach, they passed it one last time, savoring the final few puffs before stubbing it out on the concrete. The shared laughter, the easy friendship—it was a small but meaningful moment for Roxie, like a crack of light breaking through a long stretch of darkness.

Lucy stood up first, brushing ash from her jeans. "Alright, I think we all need some water after that," she said, playfully fanning her face. "My throat is feeling like a desert right now."

Roxie grinned, pushing herself up as well. "Yeah, I could use a drink. Thanks again for listening, guys. I haven’t had friends like this in a while. I almost forgot what it felt like."

Sarah slung an arm around Roxie's shoulders as they made their way back inside. "Well, you’ve got us now. And we’re not going anywhere."

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, fading light across the trailer park as Roxie made her way home from Lucy’s. She tugged her hood up over her head, feeling the chill of the summer evening set in. 

Her heart raced with a mix of nerves and anticipation for the party tomorrow. It wasn’t just about being the new girl in the park, though that was part of it. It was the first time she’d be around everyone all at once, and she couldn’t shake the worry of how she’d be perceived. Memories of standing awkwardly at Brad’s side at countless social gatherings flooded her mind—his sharp looks whenever she spoke too much or too little, his possessive hand on her lower back. 

As she recalled the bitter memories, that same spot on her back seemed to burn. Those parties had made her hate the spotlight, made her shrink into herself. Roxie shuddered, closing her eyes and taking a long, deep breath.  She forced herself to instead focus on the soft crunch of the road beneath her shoes, and the smell of freshly mowed grass.  She reminded herself that she was not trapped anymore– That she was safe. The tension in her shoulders released slightly, and her new sense of reality made her feel thankful for Lucy and Sarah being her friends, as well as being familiar with Bubbles, Ricky, and… 

She opened her eyes and glanced up to see Julian approaching, a casual smile on his face. The sunset behind him stretched his shadow along the road, with what remaining light that was present reflecting off of the ice in his drink.  For a moment, Roxie felt like her breath caught in her throat. 

"Hey, Roxie," Julian greeted, his voice smooth and warm. "You headed home?" 

She swallowed, suddenly aware of how dry her mouth felt and how stoned she was.  Her heart pounded at the mere sight of him.  She couldn’t deny her attraction to Julian, but there was something about being alone with him.  The light of the sunset cast shadows on his face that accentuated his features.

"Yeah," she replied, swallowing the dryness in her mouth. The weed from earlier had her feeling a little spacey, but she liked the slight haze—it made her feel less nervous, less on guard. "Just leaving Lucy’s."

"Got your hair done, huh?" He motioned to her hood with a grin. "Let’s see it."

Roxie hesitated, feeling an inexplicable flutter of nerves. It wasn’t just the fact that she was stoned; it was the intensity of his gaze, the way he looked at her like he was really seeing her. Slowly, she reached up and pulled the hood down, running her fingers through her freshly styled hair. The deep red highlights caught the remaining light, giving a shimmer against her dark brown strands.

Julian’s smile wavered for a moment as he took it in, making Roxie’s nerves hike again.  Before she could overanalyze any further, Julian’s smile returned. 

"Looks good," he said simply, his tone genuine. "Really suits you."

"Thanks," she murmured, tucking a piece behind her ear. His compliment made her cheeks flush.

A moment passed before she realized that she was staring right into his eyes.  He can definitely tell that I’m stoned , she thought to herself. She cleared her throat and averted her gaze in a failed attempt to dismiss her embarrassment. 

“You going to the party tomorrow?” he asked, sliding his hands into his pockets and leaning a little closer, as if he couldn’t help it.

"Of course," Roxie replied, trying to sound casual, even though her pulse was racing. "Wouldn’t miss it."

"Good," he said, nodding at her response as if taking a mental note. "It’ll be fun. I think everyone’s looking forward to having you there." He glanced away for a moment, then back at her, as if studying her reaction.

“I’m looking forward to it, too.” It was a half-truth, but true nonetheless. Roxie felt the tension ease a little, her nerves settling in the wake of his smile. "What about you?" she asked, arching a brow playfully. "Out on a night patrol?"

Julian chuckled, shaking his head. "Something like that. I like to walk around the park at night sometimes, make sure everything’s quiet. It helps me unwind, you know?"

She nodded, understanding more than she could put into words. It was like a shared need for solitude, a craving for the quiet moments where you could just breathe. "Well, thanks for making sure we’re all safe," she said lightly, though the sincerity was clear in her voice.

Julian looked at her, his gaze softening. "It’s just in my nature, I guess. I used to look after my mom and grandma. Learned early on that if you care about people, you do what you can to protect them."

Roxie felt a pang of empathy, mixed with admiration. "That’s really sweet," she said quietly. "You don’t see that often. Most people are just out for themselves."

"Maybe," he murmured, looking down briefly as if embarrassed by the compliment. "I don’t really think about it. I just… do what feels right. It’s what I have to do."

She laughed softly, a genuine smile breaking through her usual guarded expression. "You really don’t give yourself enough credit."

Before she could continue to compliment him further, he changed the subject, “I’ll walk you home, if you want.”

“I’d really like that,” The words slipped out before she could stop them, and she silently hoped that she didn’t seem too eager.  Julian’s smile remained, so she decided not to make herself worry about it. 

They walked in silence for a moment, side by side. The air was cooling quickly, carrying the scent of distant bonfires and pine. The trailer park prepared itself for the evening, with most people heading inside their homes to retire for the night.  Roxie stole a glance at Julian, noticing the way his eyes scanned their surroundings. It was like he was constantly on alert, always watching, always protecting. It made her feel oddly safe, like she could relax in his presence.  He exchanged nods and waves with some folks as they walked.  They waved at her as well, and she couldn’t help but return the polite gesture. 

"Hey, thanks for listening to me this morning," Roxie said after a beat, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t usually open up about… all that stuff. But with you, it felt different. Like I wasn’t just dumping my baggage, you know?"

Julian glanced at her, his expression serious. "No problem. You’ve gotta talk about that stuff. Sometimes you just need someone who understands." 

“I’ve never been part of a community like this before. Everyone looks out for each other,” she glanced away, “I’m not used to it.”

"This place, this park… it’s where people come to be themselves, without judgment. We’ve all got a past. But it doesn’t define you. Besides, you’re getting along great so far. You fit right in."

Roxie looked at him, a smile tugging at her lips. "You really are something else, Julian. Your mom and grandma raised a good one."

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "They taught me to look after people, make sure they’re alright. I guess it stuck."

Roxie’s gaze softened, her admiration for him deepening. Before she got stuck staring at his soft, blue eyes again, she nudged him with her arm, “Just make sure that you take care of you , too."

He shook his head, his expression less stoic now.  He was embarrassed, "Yeah, yeah," he muttered, brushing it off even though she could see the faint blush creeping up his neck. "I don’t really deserve it."

"Yeah, you do," Roxie insisted, her voice gentle, “Keeping track of Ricky is a job in itself. You can afford to relax once in a while.”

She met his eyes, her heart doing a little flip at the look he gave her—something soft and unguarded, like she’d caught him off balance. She felt her cheeks warm, and she quickly turned her gaze back to the path ahead.

When they reached her trailer, they both slowed to a stop. The night was still around them, the sounds of the park distant and muffled. Roxie felt the words catch in her throat—an invitation, maybe, or just something to keep him there a little longer. But her nerves got the better of her, and she couldn’t quite bring herself to say it.

"Well," Julian said, looking at her with a warm, lingering smile. "I’ll see you at the party tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Roxie replied, nodding quickly, maybe a bit too quickly. "See you there."

Julian hesitated for a moment, as if he might say something else. His eyes locked with hers, and she felt a jolt of electricity pass between them, something unspoken but palpable. Then he nodded, giving her one last smile before turning away and heading back down her porch steps.

Roxie watched him go, her chest tightening as he continued walking down the road. She let out a long breath, her fingers curling into the fabric of her hoodie. The anticipation, the tension—it was almost too much. 

Shutting the door behind her, she leaned against it as she let out a long, shaky breath. Her heart was still thumping in her chest from the moment she shared with Julian on the porch. She could still feel the electricity in the air, lingering like a static charge that hadn’t quite dissipated. Pushing herself off the door, she walked to the small kitchen area, her hands busying themselves with the dishes piled in the sink.

The clinking of plates and the sound of running water filled the quiet space, grounding her racing thoughts. Her mind replayed the look in Julian’s eyes when he hesitated at the bottom of her steps—like he had something else to say but held back. She scrubbed a mug, her fingers running over the chipped rim, her thoughts drifting.

Roxie glanced out the front window, catching sight of the faint glow from Julian’s driveway. The park was mostly quiet now, the distant sounds of life fading into the night. She sighed, shaking her head at herself. 

Get a grip, Roxie, she thought. It wasn’t like she was some lovesick teenager. But still, the pull she felt toward Julian was undeniable, and it scared her how quickly it had taken root.

She finished the dishes and wiped her hands dry on a towel, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was late, but she didn’t feel like going to bed yet. Instead, she flicked on the TV in the living room, flipping through channels until she landed on a rerun of some old sitcom. The laugh track filled the room, a comforting background noise.

Even with the TV on, her eyes kept drifting back to the window, as if pulled by an invisible thread. She peered outside, scanning the road for any sign of Julian. Her gaze traveled over to his driveway, and  saw the dim shape of Ricky’s car parked there. One of Bubbles’ cats loafed on the roof, curiously observing the cloud of smoke drifting lazily out of the open window. 

Bubbles stood at the side of the car, his hands gesturing animatedly as he spoke to Ricky, who sat slouched in the driver’s seat.  She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but their conversation seemed lively, judging by Bubbles' expressive hand motions. 

Roxie’s eyes darted back to the road, and her breath caught when she saw Julian approaching. He walked with that easy, confident stride of his, a drink in one hand and the other at his side. Roxie froze, suddenly hyper-aware of how she must look—standing in her dimly lit trailer, staring out the window like some kind of voyeur.

As Julian got closer, she noticed Ricky glancing in her direction. His eyes crinkled with amusement as he nodded toward her trailer, gesturing with his thumb. Her eyes darted to Bubbles, whose magnified eyes stared directly at her.  Panic shot through her, and she quickly ducked behind the curtain, her pulse racing. She pressed her back against the wall, holding her breath as if that would make her invisible. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, a dozen anxious thoughts racing through her mind. Fuck. They definitely think I’m spying on them.  

She stood there, hidden, trying to decide what to do. The sound of muffled voices reached her ears, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying. Her fingers clenched the fabric of her hoodie, and she cursed herself for being so obvious. The idea of Julian knowing she’d been watching made her feel exposed in a way she hadn’t expected.

Roxie stood, acting as if she needed a drink.  She walked as casually as possible to the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water.  As she conveniently faced the window on her way back, she peered out just in time to see Julian turn his head toward her trailer. Her breath hitched and Julian raised his hand in a wave.  He gave her a warm, easy grin that sent a rush of conflicting emotions through her. It was like he was saying, Hey, it’s okay. I see you.

Ricky gave Julian a playful shove, clearly teasing him about something as he pointed back at her trailer. Bubbles laughed, clapping a hand on Ricky's shoulder. Roxie felt a mix of mortification and a strange fluttering in her chest. Were they talking about her? Was Julian saying something to them about her? The thought filled her with a mix of dread and excitement she couldn’t quite make sense of.

Before she could overthink it further, Julian turned back to his friends, saying something that made Ricky smirk and Bubbles chuckle. He gave one last glance at her trailer, a look she couldn’t quite interpret, before he headed up to his own. Roxie let the curtain drop, her face hot, her mind racing with a thousand possibilities.

Stumbled away from the window, running her hands through her hair as she tried to calm her pounding heart. What if they were talking about me? The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn’t decide if that idea thrilled her or made her want to hide under the covers forever.

Turning off the TV, she made her way to her bathroom to get ready for bed. She looked at herself in the mirror as she brushed her teeth. The sight of her new hair led her mind back to Julian’s reaction to seeing it earlier. Part of her didn’t want to believe that he liked it that much. Her cheeks certainly were flushed, and she scoffed in a desperate attempt to brush her reaction off.  She washed her face, silently hoping that it would calm her nerves.   It didn't.

She made her way to her bedroom, taking a large swig of water before setting it on the bedside table. She slipped under the covers, pulling them up to her chin as she stared at the ceiling. Her mind kept drifting back to Julian’s smile, to the way he waved at her even after catching her watching. It wasn’t a mocking smile; it was warm, almost reassuring. It made her wonder— Did he like that she was watching him? Was he glad to see her looking at him?

She tossed and turned, trying to shake off the self-consciousness that lingered. Despite her embarrassment, a tiny spark of hope had ignited inside her. Maybe they were talking about her, and maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. The idea of Julian thinking about her, even talking about her with his friends, made her heart skip a beat.

[echoesofwisdomcountup]

27 Days until Tears of the Kingdom Release. More trailer analysis today for y'all. I have watched it an unhealthy amount of times but like the music slaps so hard that rewatching it is not a chore at all. I'm sure most of you by now have heard that the main lead in instrument is a Saxophone which is sick imo.

Spoilers under the cut for those avoiding things.

Picking up where we left off yeasterday, we know have giant sinkholes in the desert. They could be quicksand or pits of death but they could also grant access to an underground section beneath the desert. Considering this is Arbiter's ground, these things might be related to the rising structure earlier in the trailer. Whatever the case, I know that one of my first courses of action will be to walk right into one of these to find out just what they are.

This part to me really hammers in that the underground sections of the game are no joke. They seem to be large and extensive and I'm so ready to explore them. Of course this place is also giving me dungeon vibes which is awesome. Also interesting to see the fire resistant armor mostly unchanged (from what I can tell at least.)

FLYING BOATS!! Are they ghost boats? Magic boats? Zonai tech boats? Who knows but I like the way they look. I think I made it very clear in the first trailer analysis that I needed to explore the giant tornado in the sky. Thank you Nintendo for showing more of the stormhead (although I'll get to the similarities with Skyward Sword another day.) You can see that this boat the trampoline that we see later in the trailer. Its going to be fun to use those.

Now this construct is fairly massive and it isn't the same as the minecraft looking one from the previous trailer. However, I wonder if this one will actually fight us or if its a larger construction construct (hehe). Either way it looks very cool and I am leaning towards fightin given the amount of boss fights this trailer highlights.

My jaw dropped the first time I saw this (although tbf it might have been dropped lower since so much of the trailer had me in shocked awe.) I love the new jump animation Link has (its shown much better later on) which as far as I've seen is only used in gravity manipulation sections. Also yeah gravity manipulation. I've seen several reactors look at this and the weird steps later on and talked about slowing time. Nah its gravity. The little green circle is keeping the water orbiting it at the center. Although, I wonder exactly how common this will be. I hope its used more than once.

Look at that flight suit!! It reminds me of a flying squirrel and I love it. Also mission impossible style laser dodging is not what I had on my totk bingo but I'm not complaining. However, if this section is motion controlled I think I can confidently say that many of us will need several tries. Still a cool use of the new diving mechanics. After this is the shot in the orb but I don't really have anything to say about it except the thing in the background looks like a gumball machine.

If this isn't one of the labyrinths in the sky, I will eat my shoe. In fact, I'm willing to bet that this is in that cube that haunted me in the past trailer.

Sick new spear, same animation, horse that looks very similar to Epona (oh I hope), and most importantly NPC's FIGHTING ALONG SIDE US!! I'm very stoked to see the other members of Hyrule fighting in groups against monsters. It's not just Link. Hyrule is everyone's home and I'm so happy that Nintendo is letting regular the NPC's fight to defend it. Even if their equipment is a little haphazard.

I love Link's expression so much. A little guy. But also he has the shiekah slate and it's got a usb connection into the spool of wire. I'm guessing this is right after/before the little robot arms shot in the past trailer. I have no idea what this is about but I'm curious. Maybe they are viewing more memories stored in the slate? Either that or plugging the wire into the slate is for upgrades or it accesses a specific area.

I have no clue who this person is but I am intrigued. They kinda look like the wall painting showed off in a past trailer but I have no idea what that means. I give this figure props for being mysterious and interesting looking. (Some people said this was in the art book but again I avoided that.)

This part of the castle is very pretty but I don't believe for one second that Link is actually there in the present. He is either reliving a memory or has time traveled because the throne room for sure hasn't been fixed in his time. Magic is involved here.

Zelda looks like she is at an altar. I'm very much reminded of Skyward Sword. I don't know what this means for her but maybe it has something to do with the Master Sword or her goddess powers.

Hmm I mean the random figure saying Link is the last line of defense is cool and all but this shot confuses me. Link's hand should be damaged/be the ancient hand. Is this even Botw Link? Also why is he pulling out the Master Sword again? We know it was damaged so did Zelda stick it back in the pedestal to recharge? So many questions.

Random figure talking to Zelda (who I think might be related to the Owl/the Sage in OOT that talks to Link in the sacred realm) has a similar looking hand. Maybe it's the same one that Link gets or maybe several Zonai have arms like this. Either way we get the first look at the tears part of Tears of the Kingdom but I'll talk about them more the next time.

That's it for today. The only other news I have is that Nintendo has apparently confirmed we will be starting the game in the sky. I'm assuming we either have a very long starting cutscene before they let us have control of Link or we do Great Platau 2.0 first and then we descend to the ground and have to explain what happened to someone like Impah and then the game gives us the explanation cutscene. Anyway, bye for now.

[aemiron-main]

Patty Posts Made After Seeing The First Shadow

(click here for the main Patty section of the google doc)

(click here to go to a tumblr post with the Patty posts I made BEFORE seeing the first shadow)

“Gay Henry Truthers Are Erasing An Interracial Relationship During The 50s”: No We Aren’t, The Struggles Of An Interracial Relationship Are Still Very Much Present Even With Gay Henry & You’re Actually The Ones That Are Erasing Key Aspects Of Both Henry and Patty (x)

This is Your Dream: Was TFS Patty’s Dream? At Least Partially? Did Patty Go Missing At Age 12? Are Her And Henry Hooked Up To NINA Together? (x) 

But It Wouldn’t Be Make Believe If You Believe In Me: It’s Only A Paper Moon, TFS, and Things Not Being Real (x)

Dream A Little Dream Of Me: Is Patty Real? (x)

The Stolen Girl: Was Patty Stolen By HNL? (x)

It’s Not About Him, It’s About Dad: How Patty’s Puppy Love For Henry Ties To Her Issues With Mr Newby (x)

Henward, TFS, Rabies, and Patty’s Bat Wings (x)

I Love You: Gay Henry, Puppy Love Creelby, and Virginia-Patty Parallels (x)

Hentty, Mileven, Kisses and The Fleshflayer (x)

Patty vs El Asking About Her Mother (x) 

You Don’t Know Him: Hentty and Edward (x)

TFS, Twins, and a Henward Concept (x)

The Man Behind The Curtain: The Wizard Of Oz and TFS and Patty Being Dressed Like Dorothy (x)

Patty and Henry Being Compared To Romeo and Juliet (x)

That Lab Extra That Looks Like Patty (x)

Anything Is Possible: TFS Creelarke Crumbs and a Patty-Scott Parallel (x) 

Say It: Even More Hentty Familial Parallels (x)

Well, Now Where Do We Go? Nowhere! vs The Girl From Nowhere (x)

Stolen Babies: Patty Being A Stolen Baby Vs Mr Newby’s The Stolen Baby Jesus vs Victor Calling Alice “My Baby” (x)

His Great Shame Was On The Other Side (x)  

Patty Holding Her Coat The Way El Holds Her Lab Gown (x)

Mystery Meat, Patty, Heather and The Fleshflayer (x)

Who My Real Mom Is (x)

That Wasn’t Me, That Was Patricia: Split, ST, TFS, and Miss Patricia vs Patricia Newby (x)

Music Boxes, Changelings, and The First Shadow (x)

Maxine, Patricia and Brecna (x) 

I'm The Only Friend You'll Ever Have: Did Patty Get Agent Smith’d During TFS? Why Is Brenner Everybody? (x)

Not A Child, But Instead, A Small Woman: Patty Vs Suzie, Orphan (2009), Daughters Becoming Wives, Growing Up Too Fast vs Not Growing Up At All, and NINA Being A Small Woman (x)

Patty and The Balrog (x) 

The Girl From Nowhere? What About The Old Drug Dealer Man From Nowhere? (x)

TFS, The UD vs Oz and Will's S2 Poster (x)

Patty’s Slow Motion Fall: Did Henry Slow Time? (x) 

The Resemblance Is Uncanny: Patty Newby and The Uncanny Valley (x)

Patty’s OTS Shot In The TFS Trailer (x)

[zelda-photography]

TOTK Trailer 3 Analysis

Alright, let's do this. There was a whole lot in this trailer, and just so you know i'm not going to be dissecting every second or everything that made me go 'oh cool!' Like, the rocket is way cool but I won't be providing a picture. Anyway, without further ado, here we go!

I really liked seeing the little robot guys doing stuff on the island, especially this little one fending off a chuchu :D I think it adds a lot to the understanding of the role of these robots

Not sure what's up with all the mushroom stuff but I love it! I like seeing that the villages are going to be changed :D

Yay, settlements! People trying to move into this area! A shame that the castle is gone now. I also really like the birds on the old fountains.

Big round rock is very interesting. It reminds me of the speed boost things in skyward sword, so that's my theory on what this one does.

Big thing rising from the Gerudo desert. It's probably going to end up just being Ganondorf's castle, but I really hope it's Arbiter's Grounds because that place horrifies and fascinates me.

Presumably a back shot of Ganondorf, and I gotta say I love his hair all glowing and crazy like that. He seems to be watching something explode, but I'm not sure what? Baby theory with the only proof of 'idk it'd make a modicum of sense', maybe it's the great plateau he's destroying?

Putting these two together since they seem to go together - ways to get below ground? Very interesting. Not psyched about having to wear the lame lava armor again, though. (and when I say go together, I realize this is probably an underground cavern in the Eldin area and not in Lanayru)

Flying ship flying ship let's go!!! Looks way cool and makes me wonder who is manning it. Robots? Monsters? The Zonai???

Floating balls of water are cool, but more than anything make me wonder if there will be a better swimming mechanic, maybe even diving?

Mostly took this picture because I like the red bird outfit Link is wearing. Presumably it'll slow his fall more than other clothes, but I also like the reference to the crimson loftwing.

Finally, the being we've been seeing on the wall carvings and ruins. What's her deal? Is this what all Zonai look like? She looks rad that's for sure. I've heard some people say she looks like a lizard, but personally I think she looks more like the three dragons.

At first, this is kind of a boring shot, until I remembered that Hyrule castle probably was very much destroyed in the final battle of BotW. Was it repaired? By the little magic sparkles around, I'd guess either Zelda is repairing it with magic, or this is some kind of memory.

Finally, the girl. Strange dais she's standing in front of, I'm so worried for her.

The Baby! Teba really said 'I'm too old for this shit' and is having his baby fill in for him! Rip Teba you were, well, a normal guy opposed to all the other champions. Here's to your cool kiddo.

I think I said this in my analysis of the last trailer, that I thought Link's vehicles would be able to transport Hylians, and I feel soooo vindicated right now! Yes, helping the citizens! I love it!

This is ridiculous and I love it. Just us with our dumb machine against a bunch of monsters. Reminds me of that woodcutting machine from beauty and the beast, I think because of the little arm making kind of chopping motions

BIG FUCKING MONSTER ATTACKING THE LITTLE BABY! I'M SO EXCITED FOR BOSS BATTLES NOW!

No idea what the little magatama is still other than 'probably what they mean when they say tears'

I have mixed opinions on ganondorf's design, but overall I think I like it :) He's green still, which is a little weird, but I guess he is technically a zombie, and damn did he rehydrate well.

Putting these two together to make a point (may also make it it's own post too) that I think Zelda isn't just wearing the above woman's outfit, I think the above woman is Zelda, the one from 1000 years ago. (I'll also mention now that what if the male voice talking to Zelda is some version of Ganondorf?)

At one point I was going to make a video about TotK theories, and one involved getting to fight with civilians. It was more of an escort idea in there, but hey, still looks exciting! I love all these people who are stepping up to the plate and aren't just going to let another calamity hit them!

Riju haircut! Sidon is King! Kind of weird that we say three of the four races, really hoping the gorons are doing okay. I'm really excited to see how the powers and strengths of the allies have evolved. From the footage, you already get the idea that Riju has started to use Urbosa's lightning powers.

Gleeok! We've all seen him coming, but hey, he's officially here! That's pretty rad!

Hard to see, but we're getting more of the wall mural thing, this time featuring ganondorf. I hope this thing will be, like, a physical thing in game so we can look at the whole thing.

And finally Zelda. My bets are that she's a) going to be found sleeping on that thing, very similar to Zelda 2's ending or that b) she's going to end up being sacrificed on it :(

[cinematicann]

Deadpool and Wolverine

Yesterday I went to go see Deadpool and wolverine. My thoughts...

I love this movie. The merc with a mouth is back and loving it. With the merger between Fox and Disney, there was always talk about bringing in the X-Men into the mcu world and they delivered. Right at the beginning of the movie had me laughing till my chest hurts.

Quick one sentence of the plot, Deadpool needs to find wolverine to save his world (kind of shown in trailers).

With the finale of Loki season 1 and 2 pushing off to have more expansions of the multi-verse and have more stories. It gave Deadpool a way to be within the MCU without actually being "in" the MCU 616 universe. As shown in the trailers, they do get stuck in the void for while and get to see lots of CAMEOS! I'm not great with actors names, I've never had. But seeing alot of characters from the X-men movies that I got to grow up from in a Deadpool movie just made me so happy.

For the cameos, I won't get to much into it since I know a lot of people enjoy being surprised by them. All i'll say is they just about have a cameo from a good chunk of the fox movies. Take that as you will.

The one big issue I did have with the movie and it's personal preference on my end. There would be shots where the characters would jump out of something or where it would almost go in slow motion. The CGI would be super over detailed that it looked like it was from a video game. Which kudos to the FX editors to make it look really good. It just brings me out of the movie just a little bit, but it didn't ruin my experience overall.

If your a fan of superhero movies or just a fan of Deadpool movies. I would highly recommend this movie. It has so much crude humor and violence. I'm here for all of it. I can't wait for it to come out on Blu-ray, so I can do a marathon of all 3 movies.

[shewholovestoread]

My Journey To You - Thoughts and Impressions Part 1 of 2

I realise that I've been missing these past few months, i've been on a consumption binge but with little to no bandwidth to write about any show/film irrespective of how much I may have loved them. (depression is an ass) But I can, once again, feel thoughts tingling in my brain and I've decided to get back to writing, something that I deeply enjoy. Anyway, enough about me, let's get started.

To keep the post from getting obscenely long, I'm going to split it into two. This post will be about the technical aspects of the show. Part 2 will focus on the characters.

My Journey To You is a 2023 fantasy, Wuxia show (shows/films that are based in ancient China with martial arts warriors being capable of superhuman feats, like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). It was highly anticipated owing to the amazing trailer (one of the best I've seen)

Plot: The series tells the story of Yun Wei Shan, a spy longing for freedom, who infiltrates the Gong residence to complete a mission. In the eerie and treacherous Gong residence, she encounters love and friendship, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, and finds the determination to move forward. Together with the rebellious nobleman Gong Zi Yu, they grow and mature through their shared experiences. (via mydramalist)

It stars: Yu Shu Xin (Yun Wei Shan), Zhang Ling He(Gong Zi Yu), Ryan Cheng (Gong Shang Jue) and Lu Yu Xiao (Shangguan Qian), Tian Jia Rui (Gong Yuan Zhi), Jolin Jin (Gong Zi Shang) and Sun Chen Jun (Jin Fan)

Written by: Edward Guo.

Series directed by: Edward Guo & Luo Luo

I'll talk about everything I liked before I get into the stuff that I didn't.

Right off the bat, this show has some of the most gorgeous characters you'll come across and this applies to both the men and the women. The costume and make-up departments do an amazing job making already attractive people look ridiculously attractive. They also help the actors really inhabit the world seamlessly. The costumes are especially incredibly detailed and intricate, you can see the care that went into crafting the look for each of these characters. Shout-out to Huang Wei (costume designer) and Shi Hui (Make-up)

One of the best aspects of the show is the cinematography by Wei Hong. This show is aesthetically beautiful, so many absolutely stunning shots. Chinese shows (and Korean shows) love slow-motion shots, and while at times, it can be a bit much, this show makes great use of them, especially during the fight scenes.

The cinematography is helped to a great extent by the excellent production design, courtesy Jiyao Zhang. Like the costumes, the production design too is detailed and intricate. The world feels fully realised and yet also lived in. Each of the different clan mansions, the Front Hill and Back Hill are so incredibly different and distinct that you can immediately tell where you are. An insane amount of hard work went into the show and it shows in every frame.

You can tell that they had a good budget to work with and every bit of it was spent on making the show look as stylized as possible, there is not an ounce of realism to be found here, cue slow-motion beautiful hair flying shots. (Every day I bemoan my inability to make gifs) But the screencaps below illustrate the beauty of the show, it's so gorgeous that you could literally use screencaps as wallpapers.

The fight scenes in the show are some of the best I've seen. They are intense and thrilling and always coherent, you can always tell who's fighting who. The fight scenes are also so aesthetically pleasing, like an exceptionally deadly dance.

Now, we come to the not-so-great stuff.

First off, the marketing. The show was marketed and advertised as an action fantasy show and while there is action and it is excellent, it's not an "action" show. The main focus of the show is on the characters and the internal power struggle of the Gong family. There are also whole scenes, sometimes making up the bulk of an entire episode which are just conversations. I've seen a lot of viewers disappointed and it makes sense. they thought they were coming for action and instead they got verbose conversations.

The pacing also comes to a near-halt in some of these scenes and instead we're treated to lengthy expositions which isn't necessarily a bad thing but it becomes tedious when it happens repetitively.

Now, let's come to the worst thing about the show, it's ending, specifically the last 5 minutes. This end is ridiculously mindbogglingly bad when you consider that there is almost no confirmation on a 2nd season. It's just such a bad idea to end on a cliffhanger like this. If they wanted to leave things open for a potential 2nd season, they could have ended with the Wufeng elders coming together at that character's home, possibly to hold them ransom or something, like literally anything else.

if you're planning on watching this show and I do recommend it, keep in mind that it does get slow and don't watch the last 5 mins of the show. Trust me, you'll like the show a whole lot more if you follow that approach.

Part 2 HERE

[thegeminisage]

ok, i'm shifting into zelda mode. i have until friday to finally beat this sucker which i think has actually wound up being a good thing - i was playing less and less of it and less and less often, partly because of time, partly because of brain chemistry, but mostly because i was getting tired of the like. grind. koroks shrines lightroots etc. i don't really want to burn out on totk, so i think if i stop and play pikmin, it will be a nice little break and motivate me to come back to zelda and actually enjoy it instead of just. going through the motions. which is great because i do enjoy this game and i want to remember that i enjoy this game, and also it means i have more of it to enjoy later - at WORST, i will come back for 100% when the inevitable dlc comes out. map fatigue of doing botw twice (nearly 100%ing it the first time, doing it all the way the second time) has been my biggest problem with totk, and it's possible that i will never play either game again (or if i do it will be a very, very, very, VERY long time from now, like at least a decade), so ultimately i'm not mad about stretching it out to make it last longer than just one summer. it's going to be a REALLY long time before we get another zelda. as in, i could very well be in my 40s by then. might as well shorten the wait if i can

anyway the first order of business is to go back and finish the mineru quest. i wanna enjoy actually having her in my party for awhile before i take her to the final boss fight - i should have done it ages ago lol

oh yeah i quit bc of a hinox lol but he was super easy

deeply unfortunate: found several enormous piles of minable rock. which i felt compelled to break all of even though it wasn't fun. the good new is one of them was made of zonaite somaybe soon i can upgrade my battery again

another giant pile of zonaite. im thrilled to have the mats but like...please let me do something else now lol. even mineru's arms have durability. i need my weapons. i've used like 40 bombs. i can't do this with yunobo over and over

also love and light to mineru but she is straight up in my way, and at this point in the game i can't dismiss her. like she wants to be close so she can kneel so i can piggyback and the mech is awesome when im in the mood for it but i am trying to do something. and she makes so many noises also. i think the sages, controlswise, are my least favorite gameplay element of this. they are SO. ANNOYING. i wish there was a limitation where only one could walk around with you at once and the rest were mapped to buttons lol

ok, got it mined. now to the actual spirit temple

aww i like the music here. i like the little lightroot piano cue. i wish i had an actual lightroot lol my hearts have been decimated

little bit worried about this boss.

oh shit i was exploring the arena and fell into the water while riding the mech and now i cant find her?! is she ok......................

oh whew there she is. rip i wanted to go get that big poe...i guess not. i'm sure after the fight i'll be teleported out and even if not it is so much swimming in the dark

oh SHIT evil construct?? DARK MINERU??? why can we have dark mineru but not dark link???

aaaah the old electrified fence arena

i wish i hadnt had to use a rocket to get in here. this fight feels slow and clunky without the benefit of a fan on mineru's back

FOUR ARMS?? OH SHIT WE GOT GENERAL GREIVOUS OVER HERE

GOT HIS ASS

oh my god it's MINERU like it was mineru but now she looks like a person and not a robot

oh god is she gonna give me a CUTSCENE?

like we just got one but am i gonna get another memory

THE

MURAAAAALLLLLLLL

this is breaking so much lore.

NOT THE HYRULE CASTLE THEME

oh a man of great evil here we go show me the boy it's been too long

SCREEEEAM THERE HE LITERALLY IS!!!!!!

oh my god the theme from that very first announcement trailer

THE SHOT FROM THE TRAILERS!!!!!!!

HOLY SHIT ZELDA USING RECALL BABYGIRL YOU ARE SO COOL

YOOOOOOOOO

rauru sealing ganondorf with the fma scar movement. he threw his whole body weight behind that fist 😏

this is gay

IM LOSING MY WHOLE ASS MIND. REMEMBER THIS NAME: LINK. AND THE MAIN THEME STARST PLAYING

AND AT THE BEGINNING. IN THE VERY FIRST CUTSCENE. I REMEMBER SCREAMING OUT LOUD BECAUSE HE RECOGNIZED US. HE REMEMBERED. THE NAME

holy shit. holy shit!!! they literally are just frozen like that just like in my movie pitch <3

ANOTHER cutscene?? i am literally eating

WAHHHH fi's theme

oh im wailing she and mineru love each other so much...neither of them wants to lose the other bc theyve already lost sonia and rauru :(

GOD ZELDA BEING WILLING TO DIE FOR LINK...girl they said you WONT be able to change back ik bc of spoilers that she does but AAAAAA

idk why all the zonai are so long and wiggly. like kaminoans. i don't like it

"even if my body should perish i will be with you in spirit" zelda about to lose mom #4 :(

oh NICE i have unlocked some cool zonaite shopping options...which i refuse to use until i max out my battery, lol

wow. i even got to get those poes

popped out of the spirit temple and was able to grab a lightroot. perfect stopping point bc now i have stuff i have to do lol

[snaprollproduction1234]

Cinematic Wedding Videographer in Delhi – Snaproll Production

A wedding is an event once in a lifetime, and how you capture its beauty in a cinematic style is what turns your memories into a stunning movie that you will treasure all your life. If you are looking for a cinematic wedding videographer in Delhi, Snaproll Production is your ideal option for converting your love story into an unforgettable cinematic work.

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Each couple has a distinct story, and we tailor each wedding film to their experience. Our videography styles are:

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Our crew is comprised of experienced cinematographers who are well aware of the intricacies of wedding functions, providing smooth coverage of each and every moment – from bridal preparations to the last goodbye.

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Advanced Editing Techniques – Add-on special effects, color grading, and music choice to make the movie more engaging.

Aerial Drone Footage – Shooting sweeping views of the wedding location and celebrations.

Seamless Sound & Music Integration – Precise synchronizing of visuals with background music to amplify emotions.

Client Testimonials

"Snaproll Production made our wedding moments a fairy-tale movie. The narrative, sound track, and visuals were all so perfect!" – Priyanka & Rohan

"They captured every emotion and detail with such perfection. We felt like movie stars in our own wedding movie!" – Anjali & Vikram

Book Your Cinematic Wedding Videographer Today!

Searching for the top cinematic wedding videographer in Delhi? Have Snaproll Production craft a work of art and eternal wedding film for you.Cinematic Wedding Videographer in Delhi – Snaproll Production

A wedding is a one-time affair, and shooting its essence in a cinematic manner turns memories into a beautiful film that you can treasure forever. If you're looking for a cinematic wedding videographer in Delhi, Snaproll Production is your ideal option to convert your love story into an unbeatable cinematic masterpiece.

Why Select Snaproll Production for Cinematic Wedding Videography?

At Snaproll Production, we are convinced that each wedding is a special story waiting to be told. Our experienced wedding videographers employ high-quality equipment and innovative storytelling skills to create beautifully crafted wedding movies.

Cinematic Storytelling

We don't merely record moments; we knit them into a gripping narrative brimming with emotions, love, and laughter. Our wedding movies are made like a film, so every frame captures the enchantment of your wedding day.

Top-Notch Videography & Editing

We employ the latest cameras, drones, and gimbals to record high-definition footage. Our skilled editors employ the latest techniques, music overlays, and special effects to produce a flowing and entertaining cinematic experience.

Personalized Wedding Films

Each couple is different, and we tailor each wedding film to tell their story. Our videography styles are:

Traditional Wedding Videography – Documenting cultural rituals and tradition in detail.

Cinematic Wedding Videos – Narrative storytelling with beautiful scenery and emotional nuance.

Pre-Wedding Videos – Revisiting the romance before the wedding.

Highlight & Teaser Videos – Concise and exciting wedding day preview videos.

Aerial Wedding Drone Videography – Flying shots for dramatic cinematic vantage points.

Highly Qualified Wedding Filmographers

Our crew includes professional cinematographers aware of the subtleties of wedding affairs, covering each moment with ease – from bridal prep to the last goodbye.

Budget-Friendly & Flexible Packages

We provide economical cinematic wedding videography packages designed to suit various requirements, delivering excellent quality at affordable prices.

Our Cinematic Wedding Videography Services

Full Wedding Cinematic Film – A thorough storytelling process that covers every moment in exquisite detail.

Wedding Teasers & Trailers – A brief and tear-jerking foretaste of the wedding day.

Pre-Wedding Shoots – A romantic cinematic movie of the couple before the wedding.

Destination Wedding Videography – Filming weddings at exotic locations with a cinematic flair.

Slow Motion & Time-Lapse Videos – Inching an artistic touch to wedding memories.

What Makes Our Wedding Videography Unique?

Professional Grade Cinematography – Top-notch lenses and gear for exquisite imagery.

Creative Direction & Storytelling – A thoughtfully crafted story that makes your wedding movie unique.

Advanced Editing Techniques – Adding special effects, color grading, and music choice to make the film more appealing.

Aerial Drone Footage – Recording wide shots of the wedding location and festivities.

Seamless Sound & Music Integration – Synchronizing visuals with background music flawlessly to maximize emotions.

Client Testimonials

"Snaproll Production made our wedding moments into an enchanting film. The narrative, music, and cinematography were absolutely perfect!" – Priyanka & Rohan

"Their team captured every emotion and detail so perfectly. We felt like movie stars in our own wedding film!" – Anjali & Vikram

Book Your Cinematic Wedding Videographer Today!

Searching for the finest wedding cinematographer in Delhi? Have Snaproll Production make a beautiful and classic wedding film for you.

[thatalice-idle]

Stay reacts: YEJI "Air" M/V

Truth be told, after the album trailer I had really high expectations from the MV for some reason. The title "Air", album trailer having all these plants, oxygen, see-through briefcase. It all made sense together.

Upon watching the MV it kind of went flat? Not because of Yeji, she did an amazing job, there was probably some wirework so props to her for that first of all, filming alone is NOT EASY. What seemed off the most on the first watch is the editing? The scene cutting seems very erratic? I'd have to search who directed it too, because I kinda see the vision but it's scrambled in some places. I had a similar experience watching ATEEZ's "Crazy Form" MV when it came out. As if everything was happening too damn fast, but it visually slowed down with time. Only a bit though. Maybe it's the overuse of motion blur.

Edit: i found the director, @ songtaejong on IG. it seems that it was also them who did the album teaser. From their personal works posted on IG, the quick cuts seem to be a thing with their style, but they're contrasted with static subjects. I'd love to see or read their commentary on this project.

It may also be a slightly biased opinion because I happened to watch Seulgi's "Baby not Baby" MV beforehand and some elements mirror slightly? Just to be clear, I'd never even DARE comparing the two on a musical level. It'd be damn stupid. I can use "Baby not Baby" MV AND JUST THE MV, as a reference though.

Let's get talking:

The shots - stunning, all of them individually are masterpieces. Falling from the sky, the walk confident af, the energy is there the entire time and I loved to see it. Dancing parts SO. DANN. GOOD. I heard that that sofa pose is a reference to something from ITZY discography so it's really heartwarming 🥺♥️. Wonderful visuals and voice and music is where the harmony ends and chaos begins.

As mentioned before, the watching experience is ERRATIC. Shots that would work wonderfully as pictorials are being thrown in with little to no sense at times, at least to me. There's falling off the sky, then there's airwalking, no air but what are ya doing at the store? Why are you attacking the car? I can only assume that sliding off of that car was not intended to have a comical element but it low-key felt like a deflated balloon right after crash landing on that sofa. There is a theme set by the lyrics and followed in about 30sh % by the MV, but the in between is an incoherent mish-mash of shots I personally don't know the purpose of(?). What I'm trying to say is that this lacks plot in a lot of places EXCEPT the beginning TBH.

One (me) can try to interpret the aforementioned chaos as the RESULT of the lack of air experienced by the subject in the song. Like, usually when you're out of air shit gets dark and spinning, things don't make sense and all. But. Still, while watching I couldn't shake off the feeling it was all thrown around aimlessly between the beginning and end. And when I thought about it more I think I found what was missing to me.

Transitions.

There's lots of cuts, a lot of angles and jumps, but they're so crude and sudden it gives off a feel of being thrown into the new scene instead of transition. A spin or a warp would work with the air deprivation, even a still being sucked into another location on the beat. It's the only thing missing to me in this experience.

Overall I give the MV a solid 8/10 dancing queens

I loved the song, the rhythm, Yeji's voice was truly out of this world and the visuals so beautiful. I'm so happy for her solo debut and wish her all the best on her journey 💙

-love, demi

[twittercomfrnklin2001-blog]

Stroszek

Bruno S. carries the weight of absurdity on his shoulders. In just two films, Werner Herzog’s THE ENIGMA OF KASPER HAUSER (1974) and STROSZEK (1977, Tubi, Plex, YouTube), he established an indelible image of a man perplexed by the world around him. He’s like a slow-motion Buster Keaton wandering through a landscape of devastation. Only Keaton had personal resources on which to draw. Stroszek has none. He doesn’t fight back against his tormentors. Hell, he doesn’t even lock the door to his apartment. All he does is drink.

In STROSZEK, he’s an alcoholic street performer recently released from prison. The warden warns him that if he drinks again, he’ll probably end up breaking the law and may have to be institutionalized as a hopeless addict. So, the first place he goes is his neighborhood pub. There he meets a prostitute (Eva Mattes) he knows and offers to shelter her from her brutal pimps. As the harassment escalates, Mattes turns enough tricks so they can travel with their landlord (an hilarious Clemens Scheitz) to stay with his nephew in small-town Wisconsin. But Bruno’s inability to cope with reality isn’t cured that easily. When things go wrong, he drinks and makes disastrous choices. He’s every one of us who procrastinates and gives in to self-destructive behavior.

Bruno may be more presence than actor, but Herzog knows how to get a performance out of him. The first section of the film, set in Berlin, includes elements from the performer’s life. It’s set in his apartment, mentions his time in jail, shows him singing an old ballad outdoors and, in one moving sequence, includes a story about his persecution for wetting the bed while in a Nazi youth camp. A lot of the actors in the film are non-professionals, but the few pros blend naturally with them. Mattes is particularly fine, delivering a richly textured low-key performance. And her character, who welcomes Bruno’s protection and then grows tired of him, is the perfect mirror of the puzzling world in which he moves.

Herzog loves to hold on images. We get to savor them as expressions of character and the director’s world view. After a while, you may find a certain beauty in a shot of Bruno playing his accordion and singing a silly song in an apartment house’s courtyard or Mattes lying in bed eating junk food. In the bleak, flat Wisconsin landscape (near the home of serial killer Ed Gein, who fascinated the director), he finds the perfect metaphor for Bruno’s strangely disconnected life. It’s all flat and desolate, and the most exciting thing about it is the fact that there have been four, possibly five murders recently. And the absurdity persists. Bruno can’t pay for his trailer home. He spends most of his meager salary on beer, cigarettes and junk food. When the bank forecloses, he and Scheitz go out for revenge, with the tiny, desiccated Scheitz carrying a shotgun almost as big as he is. The final scenes in a Cherokee, NC, amusement arcade are almost a summation of the movie. As he wanders through an amusement arcade, Bruno drops coins in various machines that make a rabbit pilot a fire engine and a chicken dance. Through a glitch in the mechanism, the chicken keeps dancing. It even gets a curtain call, but then, in the world according to Herzog, we’re all chickens, forced to dance and unable to stop.

[kobyklinghoffer]

Capturing Your Love Story: The Art of Wedding Cinematography

Wedding cinematography transforms your special day into a cinematic masterpiece, offering a dynamic and emotional way to relive every precious moment. Unlike traditional Wedding videography, Wedding cinematography uses advanced techniques, such as creative camera angles, slow-motion shots, and artistic editing, to craft a narrative that reflects the essence of your love story.

From the bride's radiant entrance to the heartfelt vows and joyous celebrations, wedding cinematographers capture not just the events but also the emotions, personalities, and details that make your day unique. With professional expertise in lighting, framing, and sound design, they ensure your wedding film feels like a personal movie trailer, with you and your partner as the stars.

Wedding cinematography immortalizes the beauty of fleeting moments, making sure they last a lifetime. Whether it’s a romantic beach ceremony, a rustic countryside celebration, or a grand ballroom event, this art form creates a vivid, cinematic memory you can cherish forever.

[tilbageidanmark]

MOVIES I WATCHED THIS WEEK (#198)

MASTER, A BUILDING IN COPACABANA (2002) is considered one of the best Brazilian movies of all time, and justifiably so. The large 'Edifício Master' is a 12 story apartment building situated in a lower middle class area of Copacabana of Rio. Important documentary director Eduardo Coutinho rented one of the small 1-bedroom units there for a month, so that he could meet and interview dozens of the tenants who live there. In a sparse, simple and unadorned manner, they each talk about their lives, which often were filled with pains, loneliness, hardships and separation. Many of the stories are emotionally sad, some even tragic, and all very human. But so many of them also recite some of the poetry they write, or sing some of the samba songs they compose, and generally opens up without pretensions. Simple and non-judgemental. 9/10.

(I want to see his 'Jogo De Cena' but I can't find a copy online with English subtitles! - HELP, please!)

🍿

PIROSMANI (1969) is my first Georgian masterpiece which was not made by Sergei Parajanov. It's an awe-inspiring biography of Nikolai Pirosmanashvíli. He was a self-taught, naïve Georgian painter who lived during Vincent van Gogh's time, and like him, died destitute and unappreciated by his piers, only to find prominence decades after his death. (Japanese Trailer Above.)

It's an absorbing and visually-stunning film, composed of rural tableaux and primitive folk setting, a mixture of Henri Rousseau, Gauguin, Édouard Manet, Bruegel and Jodorowsky. A sad, slow and formal composition, full of sublime pathos and simplicity. Best film of the week!

After watching it, I discovered an excellent explainer from a YouTube channel called 'Plan-Séquence' (which offer similar analyses about other less-known masterpieces).

(Pirosmani later was also the inspiration for a Russian pop song called 'A million roses', which apparently became a big hit in the 1980's).

🍿

2 CZECH MASTERPIECES:

🍿 First watch: ECSTASY (1933), the controversial, groundbreaking erotic romance, the film that Hitler banned throughout Nazi Germany. Gorgeous, young Hedy Lamarr swimming naked, running naked, showing her breasts, making love and having an orgasm (off screen) was far too indecent for "proper" society to see.

The drama played in a silent movie style, with very sparse dialogue. I saw it in the original German, but there were also French and Czech versions. It also contained an early example of 'Smoking after sex', long before 'The Graduate' and even before 'Now, Voyager'.

Good for Hedy [Not 'Heddy'!] to have invented Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), which enabled code-division multiple access (CDMA) communications in World War 2.

🍿 Mr. Prokouk: A Horseshoe for Luck (1946), my earliest slapstick film by famed Czech stop-motion animator Karl Zeman. It introduced the character of Mr. Prokouk, which became an 'Everyman' symbol in Czechoslovakia, as popular as 'The Tramp' and Mr. Hulot. An anti-superstition fable, but also a PSA for recycling.

🍿

I previously only saw 'Larisa', Elem Klimov's biography of his wife, Larisa Shepitko. THE ASCENT (1977), a harrowing World War 2 nightmare, is my first searing masterpiece by her, and the last film she finished before dying young at a car accident. Two Russian partisans starving in the snow, fighting the Nazis, going through hell and losing their souls. it's as heavy as the most depressing Dostoevsky novel, and a prelude to her husband's even darker 'Come and see'. The film was shot outdoors at forty degrees below zero, and you freeze just by watching it. [*Female Director*]

🍿

ANNA KENDRICK X 2:

🍿 WOMAN OF THE HOUR, her new, directorial debut is an ominous feminist nightmare masquerading as a true crime thriller about a sadistic serial killer.

This light comedy about a stupid television show is transformed into a creepy tale of systematic misogyny and degradation. Women led to live in a watchful state of fear wherever they went, always assessing everything and everybody around them, lest they be harmed. The men, and not only the creepy-as-fuck killer, were casually abusive, contemptuous and sexually-harassing. In 1978, it was in the air and water, and completely unremarkable. Thank God it's not like that any more, and women don't have to 'Choose the Bear over Bachelor Number Three'... /s.

Technically, it was well done, with menacing sound track of White Noise ambiance. 7/10. [*Female Director*]

🍿 She's my crush from 'A simple favor', 'Up in the air' and 'Alice, darling' but I didn't realize that she started as a talented child actor and that she could sing (''Ladies who lunch" at 17), and dance as well as act.

THE CALL (2014) was just a little improve thingy where she plays herself in a pink sweater and in an office setting.

🍿

'Color guard' is a combination of cheer-leading/baton twirling/marching band/spinning choreography and high-school dancing competition.

David Byrne staged a big event in 2016 and produced the documentary music performance CONTEMPORARY COLORS because he found this less-known art form fascinating. And he brought in other artist friends to spice it up, like The Beastie Boys, St. Vincent, and Nelly Furtado. Apparently, the making of this production led him to the format of ‘American Utopia’, which was much better, and which I now want to re-watch one more time.

🍿

2+ CHAPLIN MUTUALS FROM 1916:

🍿 THE PAWNSHOP, Chaplin's 6th film at Mutual, and one of his funniest two-reelers. For 25 minutes, he clowns, pratfalls, slapsticks and pantomimes. Edna Purviance is also lovely here. Perfection! 10/10.

🍿 THE RINK (Colorized) was his 8th (out of 12) film for Mutual Films. He plays a clumsy waiter, as well as a master skater, calling himself Sir Cecil Seltzer, C.O.D. Later on, he will show his skating skills again in 'Modern Times'.

🍿 Bonus: I never heard of his home movie NICE AND FRIENDLY from 1922. It's a 10-minutes improvised sketch he made as a wedding present to his friends, the Mountbattens. Strange and private, it's not on a level of any of his 'finished' productions. It features 8 year old Jackie Coogan, a year after 'The Kid', and it ends with the title card: "All of which goes to prove something very profound but we are not quite sure just what it is".

🍿

Max Barbakow's 'Palm Springs' had been one of my favorite Guilty Pleasures in the last few years, and I've seen it 15 times or more, and enjoyed it every time. I just love everything about it. So I was waiting to see what he will cook up next. But the only commonality with his new comedy BROTHERS was the one-time use of the slur name 'Shitbird'... There were simply zero redeeming qualities to this flat, unfunny, formulaic suckface, not even the scene where Josh Brolin was jerking off that orangutan. One point for this being T. Emmett Walsh's last movie. 2/10.

🍿

GEOFFREY JONES X 2:

🍿 LOCOMATION (1975), a terrific British industrial documentary about the transformative history of trains, from it "primitive" beginning in 1825, and how it altered the landscape, the world. It uses a montage of prints, paintings, lithographs, photographs and and clips set to electronic music, but without any words. 7/10

🍿 Jones must have been working for British Rail. His riveting crisp SNOW (1963) was also about the excitement of train riding. From a group of railwaymen shoveling snow on the tracks, to the cozy fun ride in a blizzard, this too was a wonderful hymn to traveling by train. If he was American, this film would be selected to the National Film Registry. Great rhythmic collage, and jazzy soundtrack too.

🍿

I love Ali Wong and seen all her stuff more than once or twice. In her 4th nasty standup which just dropped, ALI WONG: SINGLE LADY she continues to overshare in specific details her intimate and depraved sex-life, but none of it is new or shocking. I still admire her taboo-breaking feminist strength, her constantly-horny independence, and the fact that she doesn't take shit from anybody. But the Chinese-American version of the abject materialism she revels in is not so funny any more. From her decade-long public confessions, I feel sorry for her ex-husband. 4/10.

🍿

3 SHORTS:

🍿 THE GOALKEEPER, a fine mime piece by Jacques Tati. Not sure when or where it is from.

🍿 ESSUN DORMA (1987) was directed by Ken Russell, part of the British anthology music film, 'Aria'. Ten filmmakers were tasked with interpreting a piece of classic opera. M'eh: You could get away with a lot back then.

🍿 ANÉMIC CINÉMA (1926) was the only avant-garde "film" made by dadaist Marcel Duchamp, basically showing some spinning disks like a Seriograph with superimposed dirty, nonsensical proverbs. As offensive as the urinal 'Fountain'.

🍿

BOOKWORM is a new family film from New Zealand about a gifted girl of 11 and her estranged father on an adventure trip out in the wilderness. It started well enough, and I'm a sucker for this plot line, (I watched the similar, and much better, story 'Gifted' with Chris Evans - twice!) - as the girl reminded me of somebody I know... But then I took a break right in the middle of it, and when I returned to it the next day, the whole thing crumbled into a disappointing, unbearable mush. Kiwi nature shots were lovely, and the film was coated with a filter of A.I. sheen, the kind you see on r/midjourney. 2/10.

🍿

2 POLITICAL DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT JAMES CARVILLE:

🍿 "I'm the son of a great salesperson. We have come to devalue salesmanship. But if you're not willing to sell, you're not willing to win."

CARVILLE, WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID is my 3rd documentary by Matt Tyrnauer (After 'The Reagans' and 'Where's my Roy Cohn?'). It's a CNN-produced and CNN-deep exposition, slick and watchable, that can be consumed in the background while doing the dishes. It was made during the last 6 months of Biden's campaign until his bumbling debate in June 2024.

🍿 And, being a completist, and not expecting much from it, I thought I'll also sit through D. A. Pennebaker's (and wife) 1993 THE WAR ROOM, the behind-the-scenes documentary about the Clinton for President campaign. But this is the difference when you have a 'good' filmmaker behind the camera.

It's odd to relive this whole sordid affair a generation later, when all the players were young, unpolished, and relatively untarnished. Fascinating to see how things were done then - as compared to now! 8/10.

🍿

I started watching Elaine May's celebrated A NEW LEAF a couple of times before, and failed. This time, I promised myself that I'll sit through it. Unfortunately, in spite of gritted teeth and frequent stops, I could only tolerate 46 minutes of this overrated 'comedy', before throwing in the towel. I hated everything about it: Walter Matthau as a romantic but asexual anti-hero "playboy", the hoity-toity lifestyle of the ultra-rich class of 1971 Manhattan and herself as the fumbling spinster with her awkward round glasses. Unfunny to the core, annoyingly cringey. Couldn't finish it. [*Female Director*]

🍿

(ALL MY FILM REVIEWS - HERE).

[epicfx]

Best Wedding Cinematographer: Capturing Your Special Day in Cinematic Style

Introduction

Your wedding day is one of the most significant events of your life. It’s a moment filled with love, joy, and memories that you’ll cherish forever. To preserve these precious moments, hiring a professional wedding cinematographer can make all the difference. While traditional wedding photography captures still images, wedding cinematography transforms your special day into a cinematic masterpiece, telling the story of your wedding in a way that feels like a feature film.

In this article, we will explore what makes a best wedding cinematographer stand out, how to choose the best one for your wedding, and why their services can elevate the experience of reliving your wedding day. Additionally, we’ll answer five frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision.

What is a Wedding Cinematographer?

A wedding cinematographer is a professional who specializes in filming weddings, creating a cinematic narrative rather than just documenting the events of the day. Unlike traditional videographers who capture raw footage, cinematographers craft your wedding video like a film, adding artistic touches such as dramatic shots, creative angles, and editing techniques that enhance the storytelling experience.

Why Cinematography Over Videography?

While both wedding cinematographers and videographers capture video footage, the key difference lies in the approach. A videographer typically shoots footage in a more straightforward manner, often with minimal editing. A cinematographer, on the other hand, creates a visually stunning piece that tells a story with cinematic techniques like slow motion, drone footage, creative lighting, and music synchronization.

How to Choose the Best Wedding Cinematographer

Selecting the best wedding cinematographer involves more than just hiring someone with a camera. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the perfect cinematographer for your wedding:

Review Their Portfolio

A professional wedding cinematographer will have an extensive portfolio showcasing their work. Review previous wedding films they've created to see if their style aligns with your vision. Are their films cinematic? Do they capture emotions, reactions, and key moments effectively? Is their editing style consistent and engaging?

Check Their Experience

Weddings are unpredictable and fast-paced. An experienced wedding cinematographer will know how to anticipate important moments and capture them seamlessly. Make sure to hire someone with experience, as they will be better equipped to handle the challenges of a live event.

Communication and Collaboration

Your wedding cinematographer should be open to discussing your ideas and vision. The best wedding cinematographers will work closely with you to understand your preferences, your love story, and the unique elements you want highlighted in the film. Clear communication ensures that the final product aligns with your expectations.

Ask About Equipment

The quality of the wedding film depends largely on the equipment used. Cinematographers often use professional-grade cameras, lenses, lighting, and stabilizers to capture high-quality footage. Some may even incorporate drones for stunning aerial shots, or advanced audio equipment for crisp sound. Don’t hesitate to ask about the gear they plan to use.

Understand the Editing Process

Editing is where the magic happens. The best wedding cinematographers are also skilled editors who can transform hours of footage into a beautiful, cohesive narrative. Ask about their editing style and the timeline for delivering the final film. Some cinematographers also offer teaser trailers or highlight reels, which can be a nice addition to the full wedding film.

Budget Considerations

While hiring a top-tier wedding cinematographer can be a significant investment, it’s important to remember that you’re paying for quality. The cost will depend on factors such as the length of coverage, the number of cinematographers, the complexity of editing, and additional features like drone shots or same-day edits. Be clear about your budget and ensure that the package you select offers value for money.

The Impact of a Wedding Cinematographer

Hiring the best wedding cinematographer will significantly enhance how you remember your wedding day. Here are a few reasons why:

Emotional Storytelling

Wedding cinematographers are skilled at capturing the raw emotions of the day—laughter, tears, excitement, and joy. Through creative editing and the use of music, they weave these emotions into a compelling narrative that helps you relive those special moments.

Cinematic Quality

The cinematic techniques employed by wedding cinematographers elevate your wedding film beyond a simple recording. High-definition cameras, cinematic angles, creative lighting, and professional sound design make your film feel like a high-quality production.

Attention to Detail

A wedding cinematographer doesn't just focus on the bride and groom—they capture the small, often overlooked details that make your day special. From the intricate lace on your dress to the reaction of your guests during the vows, these little moments are what bring your wedding story to life.

Personalized Experience

The best wedding cinematographers tailor the film to reflect your unique story. Whether you want a romantic, whimsical, or dramatic feel, they can adapt their approach to match your personality and style.

Long-lasting Memories

Your wedding day may fly by, but your wedding film will allow you to experience it again and again. A wedding cinematographer ensures that these memories are preserved in a way that makes you want to revisit them for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Cinematography

What’s the difference between a wedding videographer and a wedding cinematographer?

A wedding videographer typically captures events in a straightforward, documentary style, while a wedding cinematographer uses cinematic techniques like creative camera angles, professional lighting, and artistic editing to create a more polished and narrative-driven film.

How far in advance should I book a wedding cinematographer?

It’s recommended to book your wedding cinematographer 9-12 months in advance, especially if you are getting married during peak wedding season. Cinematographers with excellent reputations often book up quickly, so it’s best to secure their services as soon as you have your wedding date.

How long does it take to receive the final wedding film?

The delivery time for the final wedding film varies depending on the cinematographer. Most wedding cinematographers provide the film within 3-6 months after the wedding. Some may offer teaser trailers or highlight reels sooner, but it’s important to discuss the timeline during the initial consultation.

Can I request specific songs or moments to be included in the wedding film?

Yes, most wedding cinematographers are open to incorporating specific songs or moments into the film. It’s essential to communicate your preferences clearly during the planning process. Some cinematographers may have limitations due to music licensing laws, so be sure to discuss options with them.

What should I expect to pay for a professional wedding cinematographer?

Prices for wedding cinematographers can range widely based on experience, location, and the package you select. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 for high-quality wedding cinematography services. More elaborate packages, including drone footage, additional cinematographers, and same-day edits, can increase the cost.

Conclusion

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and hiring the best wedding cinematographer will ensure that every meaningful moment is captured in a way that allows you to relive the magic for years to come. With their artistic approach, attention to detail, and ability to tell a story, a wedding cinematographer transforms your wedding day into a beautifully crafted film.