Gift Vid: Small Words, Bigger Lessons - for Nicole Anell

[chaila]

Title: Small Words, Bigger Lessons
Recipient: Nicole Anell
Vidder: Cara Marie
Music: Polka Dot Dot Dot, "Small Words, Bigger Lessons"
Summary: Weaver hires John Henry teachers; she doesn't think about what Savannah teaches him.

Link: Link to signed vid post.

Comments

[nicole_anell]

Omgs! OMGS! What do I even do with this vid?? I love it! :DD Why is a math book sad?

I love how bouncy it is and how that makes it downright twisted in places, with the killing Dr. Sherman (ALL HUMANS DIE EVENTUALLY) and Weaver on the early "my mama told me" bits and his interactions with Ellison. Oh John Henry, infinite knowledge and trying to make sense of the world and creeping out Ellison in the meantime. And then Savannah with her PRECIOUS LITTLE FEET and their surprise friendship.

His little almost-smile at 2:01 unlocking the prison, oh my god.

And then I don't even have words to talk about the verse after when it turns into "Yo, Cameron, were you raised in a barn?" and the shifting meaning of 'mama' and omgs. You told such a great story here with an unlikely song, I feel like I need to watch it many more times! Awesome vid.

[ghost_lingering]

Awwwww, I definitely need to watch this again, but I love how you explore and deconstruct what John Henry is told, what he's learned through observation, and how Savannah cuts through so much of that. I <3 Savannah.

[chaila]

This is so great! I love all John Henry's teachers' reactions to him, how Dr. Sherman relates to him naturally like a child, and Ellison is like whaaaat even is your mother teaching you? His reaction faces are the best. And how Weaver tries to learn from the same teachers and teach herself to relate to Savannah too. But then Savannah sweeps in and makes besties with John Henry and the whole meaning of the song changes to contrast John Henry with Cameron, which makes their final "confrontation" and running off together so complex and interesting. Love the shifting roles of the mamas and the papas too!

[goodbyebird]

eeeeee John Henry growing up and learning and evolving and YES. I absolutely loved the song as well. Will definitely wait fir reveals to I can pounce and dl this beauty!

[laurashapiro]

Fantastic. Great song choice and great use of the song. I love how you highlight the different things all the "kids" -- John Henry, Savannah, and Cameron -- learn from their respective parents, and John Henry trying to make sense of it all.

[colls]

Wow! This was really unexpected and definitely fabulous.