(LOST) Man In Black || Once I Was Real

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This is my entry for the Paradox challenge of SoYouThinkYouCanVid. I wanted to bring out the tragic/sad side of a character that is usually viewed as evil and manipulative.

FOR THE JUDGES:
I realize that not all of you have watched Lost, so that being said, I'm sure this video will come across as quite confusing. So basically, I'm just going to give you a synopsis of the character the Man in Black (the main villain of LOST). He was a long-time inhabitant of the Island and was once a normal man. His mother crash landed on the island when she was pregnant with him and his twin brother, Jacob. But, just after his real mother gave birth, the character "Mother" killed her and took the children for herself. As they grew older, MIB showed a much bigger curiosity about the world than his brother Jacob. MIB eventually finds out that "Mother" is not his real mother and leaves to live with the other survivors from his real mother's shipwreck. He is constantly desperate to leave the island and wants nothing more than to go 'home' to the real world, but "Mother" is determined to keep him on the island. She eventually thwarts his plans to leave by killing all the survivors in his village. MIB, in a fit of rage, kills his mother. Jacob took revenge by casting him into the Heart of the Island, which transformed him into the Smoke Monster. He was no longer human, but instead a manifestation of evil and eternally damned to never leave the island. As the smoke, he can manifest himself as people who have died on the island. (this is where the video might get confusing, because the character appears as many deceased people over the course of the show.) The brothers spent the following centuries in conflict, drawing people to the island to test their nature. Though their mother had prevented them from hurting one another, the Man in Black eventually killed Jacob indirectly by assuming the form of John Locke and convincing Benjamin Linus to stab him. He then tried to kill Jacob's replacements and he used Desmond Hume to deactivate the Heart of the Island, planning to free himself and destroy the Island. This rendered him mortal, and before he could leave, he died at the hands of Jack Shephard.

I've always seen MIB as a very tragic character personally. I know many feel differently, but I always felt that Jacob and "Mother" were much more responsible for all of the terrible things that happened. MIB (before he was turned into the smoke monster) was nothing more than an intelligent and curious person who wanted to see the world. That's what I was mainly trying to get across in this video. He was once real, and he really didn't deserve the hand he was dealt.

Song inspiration from this AMAZING Once Upon a Time video by hurleybirdprod:

HUGE HUGE HUGE thanks to Dennis (djcprod) for brainstorming w/ me for scenes to match to lyrics in this vid. Everyone should sub to him. He is incredible.

and just a side note... For all you LOST fans out there, PLEASE watch this incredible video by Rob (Redeemingtheuneven2) ... It is one of the best Lost videos I have ever seen:

Longest description in the history of descriptions? I WIN! haha... I applaud you if you're still reading this.

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Song: Once
Artist: Bradley Caleb Kane
Fandom: LOST
Software: Sony Vegas Pro 10

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"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

[__moonwolf__]

It's so sad because they're kind of depicted as good and evil but the dark haired kid wasn't ever evil, he just wanted to escape and was driven to being a bad person.

[paulinemaloie]

Finally the right kind of acknowledgement for MIB, that lad has been through enough shit in his life XD

[jojolostie]

One of the best descriptions of MIB's struggle I've ever read. Bravo on a beautifully edited video. You have truly captured their struggle. Keep making more videos. You are very vert talented. Namaste.

[GreysALIASAnatomy]

Titus Welliver FOR ALL THE AWARDS AND FOR THE WIN. Guy is awesome, played it so well, so did Terry obviously, but giving my major props to Welliver for doing his thing in the 3 episodes he had! I loved this. I am currently watching him right now on something else so best timing ever. I hope you do well.

[indubitablelover]

Wow, this was amazing. And I agree, MIB was actually a really tormented man, mostly because of Jacob & his supposed mother. He is actually just a person who wants to go home more than anything else. And I found his struggle quite heartbreaking. He gave up his immortality in order to leave the island and then he simply died. But at least he was free at last. It's quite a tragic character.
Beautiful video! <3

[FairyKingdom]

Wow! This was absolutely stunning. I just really love how you interpreted this character and his story. Amazing job! Excellent song choice.

[djcprod]

This is so damn perfect Lauren. You made me feel for the character. I especially loved the parallel of them fighting. They should just give you the title now. No point in dragging this out any longer.

[HoustonSoto]

Wow, that was beautiful and brilliant all at the same time! Superb editing and matching the lyrics to the images. MiB is truly a tragic villain, and amazingly portrayed by all three actors. Well done!

[valamd]

Wow, this is...beautiful. I don't even know what to say beyond that! This is the perfect character study for him...I am in awe.

[djcprod]

I'm on my phone right now so I'll wait to watch but i just have to commend you for that epic description and what's sure to be an epic vid.

[emlaur]

AMAZING <3 I watched Lost because of your amazing vids and it's the greatest show I've ever seen :') Glad that I actually understand them now lol

[xLearnToHatex]

I love it when you make LOST videos, there always so fantastic

[dreamIndustry]

this was STUNNING - even if i never watched lost or do have any clue whats it about..x.x
so, congratz! :)

[RedeemingTheUneven]

You've floored me again. Lauren, you pro. There couldn't be a better song for MiB and you interpreted the lyrics to a tee. I mean, there ain't a single thing out of place in the whole fucking thing. It's scary. And the editing itself is totally badass. Anybody who watches your vids and doesn't consider you one of the best editors on YouTube is downright crazy.

You're a shoo-in to cruise through this round of the comp and I'm betting you'll win the whole damn thing down the track.

[shotgunsandstakes]

I think this was great! Beyond great, it was perfect. I really liked MIB after all. And love the song. :)

[Divour]

aww, it is fine! truth perfectly!!!
I love these brothers most of all in series! and in the childhood they are beautiful boys:)

[hurleybird]

Thank you so much for putting me in your description haha. Seriously, this song and Lost from you? I am dead. I was always a huge Jacob fan so I never felt emotional invested in MIB but you honestly made me feel for him in this video. I loved your coloring, so stunning and it didn't overshadow the quality of your clips. This was a perfect video for the paradox theme. Seriously I adore your Lost videos, you revive all my love for this show every time I watch them. <3

[brooke]

Gah, your editing is soo incredible, just perfect!

[Patt]

This is absolutely amazing. <3
*runs to watch the OUaT video to the same song* It will make me feel ALL THE FEELINGS again, I just know it.

[CrazyDaBulls]

This is freaking brilliant!!!

I never heard this song before but I love it now ... perfect choice for MIB.