New Vid: "It Depends On What You Pay" (Dollhouse)

[giandujakiss]

Song: It Depends On What You Pay from The Fantasticks
Artist: Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones

Fandom: Dollhouse

Summary: You've come a long way, baby.

Spoilers: Through "Haunted"

Sizes: 30.8 MB (540 x 360 .avi), 13.3 MB (420 x 280 .wmv)
Length: 2:48

Download from Sendspace: The .avi file is here and the .wmv file is here.

Notes and Warnings:

I'm really not sure if a warning is necessary here, but I'd rather err on the side of caution and say that the song may be a bit ... triggery? Possibly.

It Depends On What You Pay is from the 1960 off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks. The original production of The Fantasticks ran continuously for 42 years, making it the world's longest running musical. By 1990, however, for reasons that will be obvious when you see the vid, It Depends On What You Pay had been largely excised from the show. Recent productions of The Fantasticks either include the song with a different set of lyrics, or delete it entirely and substitute a new song in its place.

The version used in the vid is from the original cast recording, and is performed by Jerry Orbach. It has been edited for length.

Watch on Vimeo

Password: omega


Thanks so much to cathexys, danegen, sol_se, and Thuvia Ptarth for their comments. Any flaws are entirely my own.

Comments would be appreciated. Cross-posted to LJ.

Comments

[cofax7]

Oh, brava.

Seriously. This is the vid that was needed.

[giandujakiss]

Thank you! That's how I felt, too.

[musesfool]

Yes. This.

[giandujakiss]

Heh. Thank you.

[gchick]

Amazing. I'm completely torn between watching again and again, and scrubbing out my brain.

Exactly what the show calls for.

[giandujakiss]

Thank you! That's pretty much the reaction I was going for!

[wembley]

Now, I (as we both know), actually have come to like Dollhouse and even enjoy it (and that probably makes me a bad person), but that said: This is perfect. Perfectly gets at the heart of everything that's wrong about the show like a scalpel. Perfect song, perfect clips, perfect editing, perfect choices... You're a fucking genius.

[giandujakiss]

Oh, wow, thank you so much - and thank you for the rec, as well! I couldn't be more pleased that it worked for you - but also, duh, we're in fandom, no one gets to throw stones over the politics of the shows we like :-).

[elynross]

I'm pretty much watching Dollhouse at this point to see what happens and where it goes -- not even so much within the show, but to see if these kinds of issues are ever overtly addressed. And I can continue to only by not thinking too much about what you capture so perfectly here. You bring it all right to the direct, brazen fore, and brava for doing so.

[giandujakiss]

Thank you! Yes, exactly - the show avoids the word "rape," only deals with these issues on particular occasions, and the rest of the time just expects us to ignore them while it tells another story. I'm so glad it came through for you in the vid - thank you!

No rape

[(Anonymous)]

Of course they don't talk about rape, because *NOBODY* has been raped on the show.
The body is just a shell, it has no opinion. It is the "program" in the brain which makes the person, and all of these persons want to have sex - that's not a rationalization, that's just fact. That the previous "program" might not have wanted it is not relevant for what the current person wants.

What you may or may not have wanted in a previous life is not relevant for what you want now.

(can't register)

Re: No rape

[(Anonymous)]

Really?

I guess I need to re-watch because the owner of the body (shell? No-one is paying for a nautilus here) is coerced into this gig with no idea what they are in for. None of the programmed personality algamations are real, just crafted for the cutomer's enjoyment.

Should "Echo", or "Victor", or "Sierra" get to the end of their contract and are informed about what their bodies did while loaned out to the Dollhouse, I'm sure they aren't going to be as calm as you are ( a.k.a. a reason for me to keep watching). All of the actives are incapable of consenting. And they are kept that way, because who would consent to being free, skilled at killing, and anonymous but then return to be re-programmed into the next client's new flavour?

Liked the vid.

Shelly.

Re: No rape

[giandujakiss]

Thanks, Shelly. I'm very glad you liked the vid. And yes, I agree that it's rape simply because Caroline, and whoever the others are, have no ability to refuse.

Re: No rape

[lady_ganesh]

That's interesting, because when Sierra's handler was fucking her between assignments, I believe they actually did call it rape, and she certainly didn't want to. Not to mention the man Sierra did not want to have sex with who sold her to the Dollhouse. If anything, we have no proof they're consenting ever, at all.

Re: No rape

[anotherslashfan]

If it is called rape or not and on which occasion is mainly decided by whose POV is made to be most important. Especially in the first season, we are mostly inside the Dollhouse, sharing the very skewed view of the various handlers, of Topher and DeWitt, all of them reliably sociopathic considering they even work for this institution in the positions they are in. Ballard might see it differently at the beginning, but it is this character's most notable failing that in season 2 he is far too accepting of the ways things are done (and people are treated) in the Dollhouse.
Aside from that, the show does ravel in the rapefantasies rather than distance itself from the Dollhouse's general wrongness - and that really is its biggest problem: you cannot have the interesting story without getting lots and lots of bullshit thrown at you.

[innocentsmith]

Here via wembley, and...good lord. Yes, exactly. And I really do like Dollhouse and find it fascinating, because I think the show really does know that it's doing this - which, I know not everyone agrees about that - but there is still the question of whether that's justifiable. This vid takes the same sort of strong stomach to watch that the show does: I really enjoyed it but spent the whole thing jawdropped in horror and at the end I wanted to scrub my brain with bleach and steel wool. So - very appropriate to the source.

Amazing job. And, wow, the song is...wow.

[giandujakiss]

but spent the whole thing jawdropped in horror and at the end I wanted to scrub my brain with bleach and steel wool

Then my work here is done!

Seriously, I'm very glad you liked it and delighted it provoked such a strong reaction - thank you!

The video

[(Anonymous)]

As counter balance, I didn't like it :)

Didn't hate it, didn't get angry or upset (perhaps a bit annoyed that the original song was censored from the musical) - i just thought it was a bit silly. And that perhaps you have some personal issues

Re: The video

[cofax7]

And that perhaps you have some personal issues

Wow, stay classy.

Re: The video

[(Anonymous)]

Right, because no one could have personal issues with rape. How abnormal.

Seriously, this vid was killer. Blackly funny and very biting. Good work!

Re: The video

[giandujakiss]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it :-).

[lynnenne]

What she said. I love the show, but this vid is a brilliant critique of it.

stultiloquentia recced this, and I have to agree with her on the use of the Topher clips, directing the action the way a composer directs a symphony. Beautifully done.

[giandujakiss]

Thank you so much! I've never vidded using musical theater before, and I'm happy it worked for you!

[kass]

Oh My God. :-)

This is...fabulous and makes me go "ow" a lot. *g* Which I'm guessing is what you were going for.

The song is awful and therefore just perfect. I come away particularly struck by your use of clips which are less...obviously objectionable, I guess is the best I can come up with. I mean, Echo in the dominatrix outfit is a gimme, but there are more innocuous moments here (Echo walking through the dollhouse; the quiver of someone in the brainwashing chair; even Ballard kissing Mellie before he realizes that she's a doll) which become much more sinister in this context. Brava.

[giandujakiss]

there are more innocuous moments here (Echo walking through the dollhouse; the quiver of someone in the brainwashing chair; even Ballard kissing Mellie before he realizes that she's a doll) which become much more sinister in this context

Oh, yes, that's exactly what I hoped would come across! I'm so glad you liked it - thank you!

[kass]

On a second viewing, I'm struck by the whimsy, especially where Topher is concerned. I love him conducting (and that final shot -- brilliant!), "costumes from the east," the clips showing the backup dancers rehearsing. It's a surprisingly funny vid, in places, for one which I also read as so righteously furious with the source-text. Like watching a very angry kick-boxer be at once entertaining and lethal. :-)

[giandujakiss]

Thank you again! Yeah, the song is funny - or is, umm, supposed to be - so I needed to match the tone of it to make the vid work. And in some ways it was easy; there's a certain stereotypical set of scenarios, and both the song and the show hit them. The song is actually a lot longer, and I hated to cut some of the lyrics because including them would have driven the point home even more, but this really couldn't have gone on for over 4 minutes - I felt like I was pushing it even at 2:48. Anyway, I'm delighted that both the anger and the humor came through for you - thank you!

[wembley]

Oh, wow, you edited the song, too? I've never heard the song before this vid and I had no idea it was even edited. Flawless, dude!

[giandujakiss]

Hee - yeah, it's much longer. There's like a whole 'nother deeply offensive verse in there. It pained me to leave it out.

[stultiloquentia]

A few moments that struck me as especially brilliant: the prim instrumentals over Topher tapping on his buttons -- because he's a composer -- an artist!, the timing of archery guy zipping his fly, the olé at the end. All your clip choices are amazing, though. Thanks a lot for making this.

I hope somebody with a Whedonesque account lobs it over there....

[giandujakiss]

the prim instrumentals over Topher tapping on his buttons -- because he's a composer -- an artist!,

Hee! You got that! I wasn't sure it would read!

I'm very happy you liked the vid, thank you :-).

[stultiloquentia]

I see it made Feminist SF this morning.

[giandujakiss]

Yes, I know - the person who posted it asked my permission to link. I'm very gratified that people like it - I had a lot of doubts while I was making it whether this was really a good idea/a justifiable thing to do, so it's nice to know that at least for some viewers, yes, it was :-).

[monanotlisa]

This was recommended to me; definitely need to see. Thank you!

[giandujakiss]

Oh, you're welcome! I'm glad you liked it!

[monanotlisa]

Hadn't watched it yet - now I have, and must say: wow. Jesus. Christ. This is magnificently crafted and creepy, or perhaps the better way to phrase it is that it makes the creepy of this show stand out even better.

(Also, best use of "string quartet" ever: not musicians but puppets in the greater context.)

[giandujakiss]

Oh, hee - I'm now glad you liked it, then :-). I'm particularly gratified that the string quartet thing is working - it was one of the last clips I added, because I couldn't figure out what to do with that lyric. So, thank you!

[femmenerd.livejournal.com]

Wow. Yeah.

[giandujakiss]

Heh. Thank you :-).

[eggcrack]

Magnificent.

[giandujakiss]

Thank you :-).

[idlerat]

Outstanding - perfect song, and a light touch really brings it home.

[giandujakiss]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

[yourlibrarian.insanejournal.com]

My, I've heard of the Fantasticks but didn't know anything about it. It amazes me that it could have kept that song in there for 30 years, but then I don't know the context.

Very well put together vid (I was startled to see clips from Friday's ep already!) And speaking of which it certainly makes me wonder about Ballard's decision and "what you pay" might end up meaning for him.

I haven't even seen another Dollhouse vid around yet -- I wonder if no one's quite ready to tackle the subject matter yet.

[giandujakiss]

Thank you! I'm happy you thought it was done well :-). As for Haunted, well, the vid was essnetially complete before the episode aired. I was just waiting for it, and once it did I was able to quickly work in just those scenes.

There are other Dollhouse vids, actually - butterfly made a lovely one, and there's actually an LJ community, dollhousevideos.

[livrelibre]

This was excellent! I loved the dark humor of it and thought the critique was apt and the editing excellent, esp for maximum creepy effect. I am still conflicted over the aims of the show and how well it pulls them off but this was great additional food for thought.

[giandujakiss]

Thank you! You're hardly alone in your conflicted feelings about the show - I actually have spent a lot of time thinking about this issue and trying to articulate the different things that were bothering me (as I'm sure you've seen!). I'm glad that the vid can ... contribute to your thinking? :-)

[redbrickrose]

This is fantastic and chilling and just . . . yes.

[giandujakiss]

Thank you! I'm very happy you liked it.

[ktempest.livejournal.com]

Fantastic! :) I love puns

but seriously, yes to all this.

also, this song made me remember something I'd long forgotten -- my mother once took me to a play and the only thing i remember about it is that there was a weird thing where someone staged a kidnapping but kept calling it a rape. i was 8, and had to ask my mother to explain WTF to me, which she did. I also remember the girl in question saying that she always wanted a man to kiss her on her eyelids. is that this play?

[giandujakiss]

Yes, that's the play :-). It's really a very good musical, unfortunate song notwithstanding.

I'm glad you liked the vid, thank you!

[ktempest.livejournal.com]

I'd like to post this on Fantasy Magazine along with a discussion, is that all right with you?

[giandujakiss]

Whoops! Wasn't logged in - Sure, you can post. I'm flattered you like it so much. Thank you!

Why invite regret?

[tablesaw]

The repurposing of that line is brilliant.

Re: Why invite regret?

[giandujakiss]

Thank you! Yeah, I just find the lyrics to this song ... scarily appropriate for Dollhouse.

Brilliant

[da-zhuang.livejournal.com]

Very well done, great choice of song. Bravo!

Re: Brilliant

[giandujakiss]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked!

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, well done. (I arrived here via the Angry Black Woman's blog.) I have been a huge Joss Whedon fan, and a great believer in him as a feminist, and yet I saw two episodes of Dollhouse and my confidence has been smashed. I am hopeful he will be equal to the task of dealing with the issues that he's created, but I don't have a ton of faith.

Great critique! (And snappy editing!)

[giandujakiss]

Yeah, I don't have a lot of faith either. Between what I gather Fox demanded, and Joss's comments in interviews, I'm not convinced he fully understands the problems and/or is motivated to deal with them so ... yeah.

But I'm delighted you liked the vid - thank you so much!

[hammerxsword.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen Dollhouse so I can't comment on the very important issues clearly raised here, but wow, what a vid. Of the 'omg watching a rather brilliant executed car crash' kind of way, so well done for making me twitch and wince. Kudos for the execution.

[giandujakiss]

Thanks! I'm really glad it had such an effect on you, even without knowing the source!

[jesse_the_k]

Thank you for eloquently explaining why I just couldn't stomach the show. I kept hearing "just wait 'til #6" and like its earlier iterations I was watching through my fingers until I threw the remote across the room.

*shiver* that song! yay you!

[giandujakiss]

Yeah, Episode 6 didn't fix it for me either. I think the show got better and more interesting, but the fundamental problems remain and in some ways got worse for me. I'm glad the vid spoke to you - thanks!

[lady_ganesh]

This is amazing. And depressing. Thank you.

[giandujakiss]

You're welcome! I'm glad you thought it worked, even if it was depressing. It was depressing for me, too.

[lady_ganesh]

Yeah, I don't envy all the work and re-watching that must've gone into it!

[mswyrr]

They're having a discussion of Dollhouse over on Hathor Legacy and I was about to cite your vid until I saw that somebody else had: it's just perfect. You've used your amazing skill to tenderly and ruthlessly dissect every vicious note hiding not so far beneath the surface of the show, and because it's visual, you can use the images the PTB themselves put together to make your point. Marvelously effective, and I'm so glad you took the time and effort to do it. Bravo!

Now, for the purposes of my own mental health, I'm gonna go watch your Mulder & Scully vid, because it makes me so happy.

[giandujakiss]

Oh, thank you so much! I'm so happy that you liked both vids - and heh yeah, it was a very different experience to work on them :-). I'm really glad It Depends On What You Pay worked for you; I was very uncertain about it while I was making it, but I've since been very gratified by the response. So thank you!

[eisen]

I never managed to make it past episode 2 of DOLLHOUSE; thank you for explaining why in visual form, because I was a bit confused about why I wasn't giving it more of a chance myself, given how many people I knew who were, and given that I'd said I would try.

But, you know, this makes it perfectly clear! I have enough series I follow with dubious consent issues and faily bits, I don't need another one. Especially not one where the writing is bad (or untrustworthy), too. My initial reaction after watching this was, in fact, to rear back in horror and go AUGH! really loudly and console myself with the fact that I'll never, ever actually have to watch DOLLHOUSE again. (This vid, if anything, reminds me most strongly of "Handlebars" for DOCTOR WHO (new series) and "Women's Work" for SPN as vids that so utterly rearranged the way I looked at the canon that I was glad when I realized I no longer had the time or interest in watching the series they were made about because the vids had squicked me out so effectively I'd never be able to shake the nausea in my gut while watching the shows ever again.)

Also, dear God, I've never actually seen THE FANTASTICKS, but that song, aaaah. Is the rest of the play that mercilessly vicious?

[giandujakiss]

Oh, it's such an incredible compliment to be put in the same category as Handlebars and Women's Work, so thank you so much! And if your initial reaction was to rear back then - that's great, it's pretty much what I was going for :-).

As for the play - it's more, umm, bittersweet? I'm not really sure how to describe it, but it's hilarious and bittersweet and sort of wistful. It's really a wonderful musical - there's a reason it ran 42 years and then was revived just 4 years later. It Depends On What You Pay just sort of ... stood out, more and more over time.

[acari]

It's finally a new month so I can watch this vid without blowing my download cap.

I watched the last two episodes after I had reached a breaking point early on with a scene your vid only featured briefly. The one where "Echo" is a thief and pretends to have been assaulted to gain access to security. That scene pissed me off so much. Shows which have built a relationship of trust with me can do that, Dollhouse had no right to expect me to swallow that without wanting to break things. It seems like Dollhouse recovered from the 'omg so boring' issues I had with it, but I still find it hugely problematic how it wants to have its cake and eat it too.

I find it funny that of all the Dollhouse staff, the one I find most icky both on the show and in your vid is Topher. The clips of him you chose were perfect. I want the little artiste to die in a fire.

Dollhouse deserves all the critique it gets and this vid works very well to illustrate its skeeviness. The cheery song makes the lyrics and visuals extra creepy.

[giandujakiss]

I'm glad you liked it! Yeah, it bugs me that as the show goes on, we get more and more signals that we're supposed to like Topher, that we're supposed to feel sorry for him - and it's just ... among the many issues I have. I'm so happy you thought the vid illustrated the problems with the show - and with Topher specifically. Thanks!