I bet that footage looks stellar at full res! Nice rack focus work in parts. And I like the way you let some of the rides appear unannounced into the frame. Looked great! Makes me feel like I was there.

The score and sights of twilight combined forces to make it so, and I'd be happy if this was the last entry for the fair.

Was the score something you created?

It has been a true pleasure following you around these eleven days, and hope it comes 'round again next year.

Regards,
Sentry XIII

Hey, thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. The score was something I banged together around 2 AM after I edited the video. I can't take credit for the drum track - that was prefab - and the mix could be clearer, but hey, it was 2 AM.

Next year, they'll all be widescreen. Can't wait.

And I can't wait, either, for the widescreen goodness. By then, my Lorelai will have gone from a white iBook G4 to a black MacBook with a Penryn inside.

I also can't wait for the Lake Lilac Fair near The Diner; I should be there as soon as I've caught up with all of your podcasts--currently hanging in the '80s with the PbDbTRftF that you may or may not have sent back into the past from the future.

Enjoy your Labour Day, you deserve it.

Truly excellent, James!

That was the perfect ending for the Fair blogging--very nicely done. And the score, again, was great. Thanks for bringing the Fair to all of us who couldn't make it there.

James,

I usually read and go. But this video was fantastic. What a great way to tell a story.

BobH

Enjoyed the video and the score. What kind of MIDI keyboard do you use? Great job.

You're just too freakin brilliant, James. I've loved every moment of your Fair coverage, and this video is my favorite. If I could just tap into your talent for one day! (I'd take over the world! muahahaha)

Thanks for what you do. Your efforts are *very* much appreciated.
~Fae
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-:¦:- Bling Blog -:¦:-

Outstanding! A wonderful job on both the video and the music. For those of us in far-flung places (i.e. Texas, where I am), this may be as close as we get to the real thing, and you've really brought it to life. Thanks for all your hard work; I bet it'll be great to get back to the "normal grind" after this.

The Quicktime didn't load (yes I'm Firefox) and the Flash was pixellated...
No Windows Media?
I only ask because I would love to enjoy your fine work.
Be well

James,
How do we contact your newspaper overlords, in order to tell them what a great job you're doing? I can't imagine that any other feature at the Star Tribune has the national appeal of your work.
-Brent

I'm always reminded why I've been a long-time fan of your writing (since "Falling Up the Stairs")and your other artistic endeavors. That was absolutely beautiful with just the right touch of poignancy. Thank you for the excellent coverage.

I wish someone would pay *me* to fair blog. I'm a fair junkie but always feel guilty if I just hang around after seeing everything.

Very nice indeed. I tried it in Mac/Firefox, and the MP4 was much better than the Flash; came out 8 1/2 x 4 7/8 on my screen. Hints of Ferrante without Teicher in the score (or the other way around).

Down here at Knox College we don't have a Labor Day break. I'm meeting with seven first-year advisees (for about an hour each). Just ran across the street to the convenience store for lunch--frozen breakfast burrito (pray for me)--and sat down for thirty minutes of non-advising. And what do I get? All summer in a day, to quote an old SF story--Bradbury?--the Fair spinning restfully by, bright and inviting, a mini-vacation to cap off the season. Thanks so much.

Remarkably well done.

The visual composition when showing the rides very effectively conveys the rhythm of motion, while retaining a nice abstract quality -- almost dreamy. And the downbeat soundtrack, even a bit somber, is a perfect accompaniment to an End-of-Summer idyll. Hooray for you!

Sprague

I enjoyed your take on the fair immensely. It was vastly more fun (and way less tiring) filtered through the James Lileks Mind.

Excellent, truly. It was great...I'm replaying it over and over. Great editing. Good tune.

Bravo, Mr. Buzzman! You are making internet history & we couldn't be prouder of our Minnesota, our State Fair, & our favorite mediameister. Not to mention, musicmeister...very fitting score: I hear the rhythm of the fair, a twinge of sweet sadness, a definite feeling that something special is about to fade away but the afterglow remains. I love the 'crowd sound' coda. It's obvious you are having some serious fun creating these vidcasts. Believe me,we are having great fun watching & listening. Thanks for your fine work!

Look, this is getting ridiculous. Is there any medium in which this man cannot work expertly? Lileks is like the Sting of Internet content creation.

Awsome video and I loved the score. Once again I am truely amazed at what you do. I wish you could come to Texas for our State Fair next month and blog from there.

I appreciate all the kind words, folks - glad you enjoyed the project, or shebang, or whatever you wish to call it. More to come! But not this week; I think I'm going to throttle back a little. I need sleeeeeeep. Lots of it.

Wow! That was amazing. You have such a good eye. Really enjoyable.

Loved that. It felt like an industrial film from the 50s. The kind that show happy happy industry--Here's how robots make bottled catsup! And it captured the melancholy we fair lovers feel at the end. You've got me all ready for my local fair now, thanks!