By Blackraven

Video made by: SanjayaMalakarsgurl!
Posted: February 2008
Current views: 586

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Okay, so I'm a sucker for the fanvids. These past two weeks, as I've sorted and sifted through dozens of these videos, have been quite the emotional experience. Perhaps because every fanvid creator to some extent is putting their own unique stamp on what Sanjaya has meant to them, yet somehow that experience still manages to speak for all of us. Though as a reviewer, my job was to determine which ones were better (deserving of 5 stars) and which ones maybe not as much, that's a particuarly hard task for a category like this. Because although it could be argued that some of the vids might be better quality than others, and sometimes it might boil down to as simple a thing as music taste (maybe liking or not liking a particular song) the one thing that can't be denied is that each and every one of these comes straight from the heart of a fan. Thus, every fanvid is as unique as the personality behind it. And just as beautiful.

However, only one can be chosen as our Feature Video, and the verdict appears to be in.

Next To You is a sweet collection that brings back some of the "Best of the Best" memories from the Summer of Sanjaya. Although we get a few shots, mostly early on, of a solo Sanjaya performing in concert, most of the stills are comprised of candid backstage shots from Dazers. Many memories as well as many familiar faces you'll probably recognize! I have to say, it can be quite an emotional experience to go back through the journey this clip takes you on...how many have come and gone; some we no longer hear as much from, others who will be around till their dying day , but all in all, the clip serves as a reminder that for one magical summer at least, we were all united in the Universe of Sanjaya.

Perhaps what I love most about this clip is that it truly exemplifies what Diana Ross meant when she said, "Sanjaya Is Love." This is a little taste of The Sanjaya Magic, and one of the best examples of why his fans love him so much. Because if you've ever had the fortune of being caught up in one of those famous bear hugs, you know...Sanjaya is love incarnate.

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INTERVIEW

Throughout the past year, SanjayaMalakarsgurl has been one of the most prolific fanvid creators. Recently, she took the time out to answer a few questions about the process of creating a fanvid:

BR: You seem to be one of Sanjaya's most prolific fanvid makers. Could you tell us a little bit about how you got started doing this, and why?

SMG: I got started doing this fan video making because I wanted another way to express my love for Sanjaya. After I saw that people liked my first fan video I made and began subscribing to me, I felt like making more.

BR: What fanvids have inspired you the most? In other words, if you had to pick 1 or 2 as the ones that "made me want to do this" which ones would it be?

SMG: My very first one, Sanjaya Dedication and probably my most viewed one, Sanjaya's On My Heart Just Like a Tattoo.

BR: Do you always have a specific theme in mind when you create a new fanvid, or does the theme just evolve sort of organically out of the frames and music that are chosen?

SMG: Not really. I normally don't have a theme. I just listen to the music I am putting in the fan video as I put the photos down and I let the music kind of help me in making my videos. But for like when I want to do a special video, maybe one of mine with the Sanjaya quotes, I will have that in mind before I start on making it.

BR: Could you tell us a little bit about the process, from original concept to the selection of the pics and images to the choice of music? Does it always follow a precise pattern, or does each video sort of take on a life of its own?

SMG: I don't really have a kind of pattern or anything that I follow. I just put my all into the videos. I guess they do take their own path.

BR: Do you have scripts, outlines or a storyboard format that you work from?

SMG: I follow a storyboard format. If anyone wants to get into the fan video making process, I use Windows Movie Maker. There is a storyboard format on that program.

BR: Which is more difficult to do, the ones with live footage or the ones with still photos? Or when you combine the two (that would seem the most challenging to me!).

SMG: I don't really know because I haven't done the live footage but I would think it is difficult. The still photos are easy though.

BR: Could you tell us a little about the editing process, how the finished product all "comes together?"

SMG: I'm kind of short on words on this part. Really, while I am making these fan vid.s, I listen to the song I am putting in it and I relate the photos to that or the theme I maybe using.

BR: Do you have a favorite?

SMG: I do have quite a few favorites. Ever Ever After, I Miss You, Think Of Me, Always Be My Baby and More Than Me.

BR:I've noticed that you've made a LOT of these videos using tracks from Jordin Sparks's CD. I assume you're a fan of both Jordin and Sanjaya. But is there any other significance as to why so many Jordin songs? Do they just seem especially appropriate?

SMG: Yes, I am a HUGE Jordin Sparks fan! I may not show it but I am one. The reason I put her music in my fan videos is not only because I like her voice or music but because I feel the songs on her album, a lot of these fans can relate too. Even I have found myself lost in her songs.

BR: When people who are Sanjaya fans watch your vids, what do you hope they take away from the experience?

SMG: I really hope that Sanjaya fans can understand how I feel towards Sanjaya and that I really do love him. They've found more things in my videos that I've ever saw in them so it's hard to answer this question.

BR: What would you say you hope that NON-fans take away from the experience, say if and when they happen to stumble upon one?

SMG: A lot of non-fans that do stumble across my fan videos are very rude and don't have any respect for Sanjaya at all. But I do hope that they see how dedicated I am to supporting Sanjaya and being his fanjaya and that might help them realize if his fans love him this much, he can't possibly be that bad.

BR: Do you personally keep up with all your hits and views/replies on Youtube? If so, what is a typical day like of monitoring all the many vids you have up?

SMG: Yes, I do. A typical day is fun most times. It's really nice hearing what your subscribers think of this fan video and that one. I'm always reading my comments. It just makes me want to make more and helps me to see what they like in my videos the most and what they didn't like. Feedback is always accepted with me!!!

BR: Has Sanjaya seen any of your work? If so, what do you hope HE might take from the experience?

SMG: As far as I'm concerned, Sanjaya has not viewed any of my fan videos. Though, it would be nice to have him see some of them. I would like for him to look at them. It would be nice to hear what his thoughts are on my videos.

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