btvsats20in20 ROUND 9: BtVS Season 5
May. 15th, 2015 01:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
red_satin_dollFinally it's here (after two extensions graciously granted by ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
starry_night)! My Season 5 (BtVS) set for ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
btvsats20in20 Round 9.
starry_night)! My Season 5 (BtVS) set for btvsats20in20 Round 9.TEASERS:
| 10 Themes | ||||
| Half and Half | Rotate 90 | Frame | Lemon & Lime | Shocking |
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| Blood | Close Crop + Two | Love | Lips | Group |
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| 5 Category |HUSH | ||||
| Cat 1 | Cat 2 | Cat 3 | Cat 4 | Cat 5 |
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| 5 Artist's Choice | ||||
| AC 1 | AC 2 | AC 3 | AC 4 | AC 5 |
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Screencap Sources: Bloodqueen, Pretty as a Picture , Leave Me the White, SMG France. Wooden frame in Frame icon from Your Picture Frames. Texture in Cat 2 snagged from
teragramm. MANY thanks to the wonderful
starry_night for extending the deadline (twice); and I cannot heap enough praise on my beta-Muse velvetwhip for once again whipping me and this set into shape - her screenname is very apt because the "whipping" was a most gentle one but she provides what I need time and again. I nearly gave up on this round and three or four days ago I was ready to. That I didn't is due largely to her generous assistance, guidance, ideas, meta analysis, and encouragement to motivate me.Alts & Extras:
1 - 7
8 -14
15 - 2115 -21) Image from Buffy vs Dracula, this set is, appropriately, very German Expressionist cinema (Nosferatu, Pola Negri, etc.) Also,
kikimay asked me to post more close crops of Sarah's face so here you go.The only guideline or focus I had going in to this was my usual: "Women of the Buffyverse". I consciously focused on the ladies and very much wanted to make some decent icons of Joyce and Dawn, who have been difficult for me to icon for some reason. I also tried to use images from the show I haven't seen capped often or at all. So for example, "Group" is the Maclays because I've seen a lot of icons of the opposite image, the Scoobies protecting Tara, from that episode. I've seen tons of Spike in FFL icons but precious few if any focused on Drusilla herself. And et cetera.
The relative absence of Willow here (in relation to her importance that season) isn't planned or meant as a snub of the character; I think because I've done a lot of Willow icons I ended up "giving her a break". I meant to make an icon of Glory, and also of Joyce and Dawn together but didn't get to those. I have meta thoughts about quite a few of these - the Drusilla one deserves it's own post - but for now I'll let you folks and the images do the talking.
~ DO NOT RE-POST TO OTHER SITES (INCL. FANPOP) OR LJ COMMUNITIES WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!
~ Take what you like for personal use but please credit if used :)
~ No hotlinking!
~ Comments are appreciated :)
Tags:
- art gallery,
- char: buffy summers,
- char: dawn summers,
- char: drusilla,
- char: joyce summers,
- char: tara maclay,
- char: willow rosenberg,
- comm: btvsats20in20,
- f is for feminist,
- fandom: btvs,
- form: icons,
- i have too many damn tags,
- icon challenge,
- icon(ic) thinky thoughts,
- ladies of awesome,
- my flist is awesome,
- pairing: willow/tara,
- setting: s5,
- sisters and other strangers,
- women of the buffyverse
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2015-05-15 05:45 am (UTC)Gabrielle
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Date: 2015-05-15 05:50 am (UTC)That's why I made a point to keep it in the set, naturellement. :D
THANK YOU again Gabrielle for everything - I wasn't kidding when I said a few days ago I was ready to drop out, but for your wise Muse-ings.
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Date: 2015-05-15 06:00 am (UTC)(BTW, the last picture is a kitten with photobucket saying no pic is available....)
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Date: 2015-05-15 06:15 am (UTC)(BTW, the last picture is a kitten with photobucket saying no pic is available....)
That's odd because I can see the photo just fine on mine - maybe refresh your browser?
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Date: 2015-05-15 06:45 am (UTC)/That's odd because I can see the photo just fine on mine - maybe refresh your browser?/ - I've tried, still no luck... Mah...
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Date: 2015-05-15 12:30 pm (UTC)Good luck with your exam! Is it for spoken English, written or both? Because your written English is excellent as far as I can see.
Interesting choice of film/book - I don't know that I'd call either one "good" (the movie is unintentionally hilarious and OTT). But, each is engaging in their own way. (The Vampire Lestat is the better book and elements of it were borrowed for the movie interview with a vampire, such as the girl's hair growing back immediately after it was cut.)
But I'd be hard pressed to think of a movie/book pairing in which they are both good, or at least similar quality *ponders* the Godfather, the English Patient, and To Kill a Mockingbird spring to my mind.
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Date: 2015-05-15 06:16 pm (UTC)And thank you, my dear! ♥
It's for both, actually. There are four parts: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
And, well, of course my writing is correct when I'm on the Internet and I can use mozilla's spell-check add-on... :D Getting it right on the exam is going to be a bit more tricky, though I'm mostly worried about my awful pronunciation if anything.
Mostly, the teacher wanted us to chose a book/movie pair because the Writing part requires us to choose between writing a proposal, a report, a letter and a review. The last option is supposedly easier and by choosing something that is both a movie and a book we're covered on both front. :D
Agreed that Interview with the Vampire is a bit weird (it's certainly not The Great Gatsby or Pride and Prejudice, which were some of the approved examples) but I have at least both watched the movie and read the book. While I can't stand The Great Gatsby's purple prose (though I loved the last two movie adaptations) and Austen bores me a bit (I always go: but wasn't that the period of the Napoleonic Wars, why wouldn't you give me some juicy naval battles too?). As for the Godfather I only watched the movie version and besides, isn't that plot a bit difficult to summarize too? Mmm, I don't know, I think I'd better rule out thrillers and the kind...
Back to Interview with the Vampire, I noticed that it generally had good reviews on the Net so I thought it was a suitable enough choice. Plus, I was fresh out of ideas and I remembered it well enough, that was mostly it... :D
And, well, of course movie is OTT: much like with True Blood, if it weren't for the campiness of it I'd be way more freaked out by all the murdering and blood-sucking going on. I'm a pretty sensible soul after all... :D
To me, what I found most interesting about Interview with the Vampire is that, as most gothic fantasies, it lends itself to metaphorical interpretation, how the vampirism itself is in a sense a plot device, a way of presenting characters who cannot die or age or be harmed, so that the philosophical questions of life itself can be explored.
Or, like Anne Rice said in an interview, the whole theme of Interview with the Vampire is Louis's quest for meaning in a godless world. (And I can totally relate to that.)
But yes, generally I prefer The Vampire Lestat too - and The Queen of the Damned which introduces all those new fascinating characters and all their complicated relationships! Actually, I think that one of the most fascinating thing of the Vampire Chronicles is that, as this interesting ao9 article says, "taken as a series, the books have a lot to say about vampirism as an inherently feudal, imperialist state. [...] It sets up a system of recognized bloodlines and reciprocal obligations straight from the Middle Ages, and vampires survive on the literal blood of the lower classes. (Let's never forget the time Marius made human Bianca into a vampire so she could do his grocery shopping for him.)
Rice's vampires all undergo moral qualms at regular intervals—even Lestat isn't immune to the occasional bout of devastating guilt. But they're often more interesting in their obliviousness, as adventuring, murderous royalty whose lives are endless and whose purpose almost luxuriously useless."
But, yes, maybe a bit too dark for an English exam... :D Pplus let's not forget pansexual vampires and all the overwhelming subtext.
Actually, the exam being in mid-June, I still have plenty of time to practice writing reviews, I think I might do that help-me-choose post after all. *nods*
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Date: 2015-05-15 08:11 am (UTC)Gabrielle
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Date: 2015-05-15 11:57 am (UTC)As Sam Stone said, "That oughta do it".
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Date: 2015-05-15 12:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-05-15 12:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-05-15 12:45 pm (UTC)Basically all the icons from 15 to 21, especially 19, I think, because I just adore strong coloring, but 18 is also so beautiful and it's incredible how much I like 20 so basically ALL OF THEM. Thanks! I also really love the screencap you used because SMG looks so beautiful and her face is perfect. This woman is so attractive, help me.
Other faves: close crop + two, lips (obviously) Cat1, Cat5, AC5 and basically all its variants (Tara looks stunning in that scene with her hair slightly wavy. Why the made it so straight during S6? WHY?)
Also 13 is very painful to look but I adore the coloring and the clarity of the image. And the Dru icon is such a sexual innuendo. XD
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Date: 2015-05-16 04:45 pm (UTC)THANK YOU sweetie! (Would you believe I have MORE alts of that image that I didn't post?
http://s133.photobucket.com/user/RedSatinDoll/library/BUFFY/Buffy%20ICONS/Btvsats20in20/Round%209?sort=6&page=1
And I probably have some on my harddrive that I didn't even put into the folder. That's a classic example of me going berserk with color and light variations. :D I LOVE playing with Sarah's face. TRY AND STOP ME.
This woman is so attractive, help me.
Yes, attractive is the right word - not "candy box pretty" in a conventional sense although she comes close to "conventionally pretty" in season 5(kudos to her stylists that year!). She was still little-girlish in S4 but in S5 - she becomes very elegant and womanly.
Also I wouldn't be interested if she had a "cute little button nose" for instance. I think that has a lot to do with it (and her luminous eyes...stopping now.)
Very happy that you snagged one as your default icon and that you appreciate the stylization and color. (most of the ones I made are more subdued, it's still a challenge for me to work with really bright saturated tones.)
And your other faves are among my favorites too. I LOVE close crop +two. Lips is actually a layering of two or three alt versions (incl alt 18 and one I didn't post here - a paler version of #16 without the text) to get those subtle colors and depth.
Why the made it so straight during S6? WHY?
Different set of stylists? IDK, that was when the show changed to another network so I'd have to check the credits. She also looks very pretty during S4 and I forget that. Because S6 - my favorite Tara for her awesomeness BUT - ugh, the styling, PUH-LEEZ.
I almost didn't post 13 but it breaks my heart too.
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Date: 2015-05-16 05:14 pm (UTC)THANK YOU sweetie! (Would you believe I have MORE alts of that image that I didn't post?
http://s133.photobucket.com/user/RedSatinDoll/library/BUFFY/Buffy%20ICONS/Btvsats20in20/Round%209?sort=6&page=1
And now I'm even more confused! Which one should I pick as default icon? Should I stick with this one with bright colors? Or should I use a b&w one? Or maybe a more natural one? I like them all! I really, really like this image and all the close crops. I don't anything anymore.
Also I wouldn't be interested if she had a "cute little button nose" for instance. I think that has a lot to do with it (and her luminous eyes...stopping now.)
She's just super attractive. Lots of it has to do with the fact that I really love her character, Buffy, so I'm attracted also emotionally - which makes the attraction stronger - but she looks so touchable and I'm in love. Send help.
Very happy that you snagged one as your default icon and that you appreciate the stylization and color. (most of the ones I made are more subdued, it's still a challenge for me to work with really bright saturated tones.)
It's really an amazing icon and it reminds me your vamp!Xander/vamp!Willow one because of the colors. It's perfect for me because it has Buffy face in it. <3 <3
Different set of stylists? IDK, that was when the show changed to another network so I'd have to check the credits. She also looks very pretty during S4 and I forget that. Because S6 - my favorite Tara for her awesomeness BUT - ugh, the styling, PUH-LEEZ.
You understand me. I get that, maybe, they wanted her to look more maternal and, Idk, grown up? But Amber's a gorgeous lady and she didn't look good sometimes. (Which, again, maybe because the character was so insicure about herself? It does makes sense in a way) I have issues with her hair during S6, instead I love it during S4. She's, IMO, one of the few people in this world who can pull that platinum blonde without looking over-processed. Not even Sarah manages to do that.
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Date: 2015-05-15 07:35 pm (UTC)Your cat set is lovely ... and I like how they run in the set.
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Date: 2015-05-15 09:30 pm (UTC)I seem to be obsessed with the Buffy & Joyce relationship. I thought about you when I made the Joyce icons - I am FINALLY making Joyce icons! Took me long enough.
(I miss having you participate in these rounds you should know, but RL comes first.)
Your cat set is lovely ... and I like how they run in the set.
Oh thank you! I'm pleased with the set but I put it and the AC set together at literally the last minute - I had NO plan or concept for them because the only guideline for the Cat set was "textless icons". I switched the two icons of Joyce around at the very last so I think the entire cat set has a nice softness to it.
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Date: 2015-05-16 02:23 am (UTC)texture in Cat 2 snagged from teragramm. Thank you for saying that but I didn't make the texture I just snagged it from someone many years ago.
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Date: 2015-05-16 04:49 pm (UTC)The only one you named I wouldn't call a favorite it half and half, but other people have singled it out as well so clearly I'm not a good judge of my own stuff. (but we knew that.) I wish I'd gotten better clarity on that one, but I do like the way the flow of their hair matches up in the center.
Thank you for saying that but I didn't make the texture I just snagged it from someone many years ago.
Yup. that's why I said I snagged it from you and not that you made it (I didn't know and didn't want to assume.) it's one of the few times I remember exactly who and where I picked up a texture. (I'm trying to get better about that.)
Friday May 15
Date: 2015-05-16 05:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-05-17 03:50 am (UTC)But anyway, back to the icons...
Your colouring is beautiful and I love your cropping, especially in the close crops which you do so very well. I adore the Cat set - it's so pretty and flows beautifully through each icon. I also really love half and half, rotate 90, lemon and lime, close crop + two, lips, AC1, AC3, AC4 and alts 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 15-21. Great work!
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Date: 2015-05-18 05:21 am (UTC)the close crops which you do so very wellI adore the Cat set - it's so pretty and flows beautifully through each icon.
Thank you I'm really pleased with it too. The direction of their glances fell together nicely; I switched the two Joyce icons at the last minute (AC1 was originally Cat 1) and when I did that the Cat set felt perfect; it's softer overall & with more glow than the AC set. And it's ALL ABOUT DAWN - all five of of those icons are about her either in subtext or context, and I didn't realize it until after the fact.
Most of the ones you named I'm very happy with - except half and half, I wish the clarity had been better. Lemon and lime was the very first one I made (and for a while the only one); the colors come from the cap itself, which was nifty, but I had to make several color variants and layer them to get the lightness and clarity I wanted.
Good luck at whedon elite, btw! :D
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Date: 2015-05-21 07:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-05-22 03:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-07-08 01:45 am (UTC)Top 5 Art and Sound
Date: 2016-01-16 09:01 pm (UTC)