panic DVD thoughts

[sailorstkwrning]

I'm going to catch up on recapping their Twitter(s) later, since they were collectively chattier than everyone else.

In the meantime, I have some Thoughts and Feelings about their latest DVD:



- first, it was kind of trippy because that New York show was MY show, and, I don't know, it was kind of a jolt, having it there on the DVD? I think I must be used to their DVDs happening in far away places like Chicago, or Denver, that having it here at a show I attended is just strange.

- I love love love that Brendon wears that South American fan-ring everywhere. In the DVD footage its clearer how chunky it is, and less sleek, like a wedding ring would be. Mainly I just love that he wears it like it's perfectly normal, and not, I don't know, performative? It doesn't seem to be a Thing? It's just there? It's such a small, simple gesture, and yet it warms my heart every time I see it.

- Spencer referring to Brendon as "B." I was kind of like, WHAT? FOR REAL? Because I always associate that particular nickname with fic. But no, Spencer actually uses it.

- The "My brain hurts" "Are you tired?" exchange, because, just, you guys: so cute I can't stand it. It was just such a sweet little moment. I realize Spencer is often and heavy-handedly characterized as a mother-hen, but that moment, to me anyway, suggested maybe he is, now and then, just a little bit.

- also, I'm kind of reflecting on how this DVD shows them at the end of the regeneration process. They talk about how it was rough going at first, they were sad, didn't quite know what to do, etc, but we don't actually see that, and probably never will. Mostly, I'm glad; I'd rather see this than those first few terrible months. But part of me wonders how many of their various PR people and handlers and whatever were watching all of this activity with just the two of them and holding their breath.

- also interesting: Spencer's comment about getting so famous so fast, and so young, and not really being able to choose any of it, and having to adjust on the fly, as it were. And, as becomes clear, to depend heavily on each other in a variety of ways. Much was made before of how Panic moved in their own little insular bubble-world, and I get the feeling they kind of still do. Though perhaps the bubble is a little bit more permeable, these days.

- The scene in the elevator with the cameras - I echo the rest of the internet in wondering how many pictures of Brendon does Spencer have, at this point, while also noting how comfortable Brendon was with Spencer all up in his face - the nervous joking was directed at the stranger (?) with the video camera, not Spencer.

- the last few minutes, post-show, when they're talking and Brendon flops down on a pile of stuff, there's maybe 10 whole seconds when all of his exhausted relief (we made it! we did it! they liked it!) is in every line of his body, and then it seems like he remembers the stranger with the camera and snaps back into "on" again. In that 10 seconds I was extra glad to have been in that audience, stomping and screaming and singing and dancing and welcoming them back.

Comments

[almostblue.livejournal.com]

I feel like you've summed up so many of my favorite moments here, but at the same time, I think everything from that DVD is...kind of my favorite moment. I was trying to describe to someone who is fannish (but not in bandom) why I found that DVD so incredibly resonant, and the best I could come up with was that I think it's one of the sweetest documentaries of male platonic friendship that I've ever seen. Like, putting my tinhat aside? The way they obviously adore each other and take care of each other in tiny ways just kills me. The way Brendon's obviously spent time talking Spencer through interview nerves, and the way Spencer takes charge of the stage stuff so Brendon can focus on the music? The way he's all "You know what you're going to say? Have you done x?" Ugh.

I also think it's interesting just how much of Brendon and Spencer's characterizations fandom seems to have gotten right. Obviously, people are complex and complicated, but it surprised me in a few places just how close it was.

[sailorstkwrning.livejournal.com]

and the best I could come up with was that I think it's one of the sweetest documentaries of male platonic friendship that I've ever seen.

YES that is it EXACTLY. Their true affection for each other is like an extra in every scene.

(And yes, I agree, pretty much all of it is my favorite part. Even Brendon's "I was operating under the delusion we would never break up" from the beginning, which just breaks my heart and makes me want to hug him at the same time. Oh, baby.)

I also think it's interesting just how much of Brendon and Spencer's characterizations fandom seems to have gotten right. Obviously, people are complex and complicated, but it surprised me in a few places just how close it was.

Yes, again, EXACTLY. Mainly I thought this odd resonance was an indicator of how little artifice is involved in their public presentation - like they are who they are all the time, pretty much.