Heya, glad you liked our video! Was nice to see someone analyse my work and see what motivations they thought motivated our choices etc. As well as everyone else's thoughts cinematically in the comments. Thanks for your response!
Love your work man! Totally blown away by how inspirational and just totally genius Ren is, but I cannot but absolutely respect and admire the way it is portrayed and captured by you as well! Total fan of your work on the Tale of Jenny and Screech-trilogy too btw, the cinematographic choices there create such a unique universe (visuals and audio are sublime, as they are again in Hi Ren)… I have hundreds of questions going through my mind right now that I’d love to ask you (like when it says ‘a Ren and Samuel film’ how far does that collaboration go as to Rens part in cinematographic choices? And for all these one take-videos, how many takes did it actually take to arrive at that ‘one’ astonishingly perfect take? Seems like there is barely any editing involved after, is the work really mainly in a huge amount of coordination, preparation and rehearsal in advance or am I wrong there? And how do guys feel now you’re breaking the internet 😁? Etc), but I won’t bother you to actually answer those: I just want to take my hat of to you sir, and to say that I’m glad to see you as well getting some well deserved credit in vids like this one! Please keep doing what you guys are doing…. 👌✨👍
Ah! Sam! I’m glad for this opportunity to chime in and reiterate how brilliant your filming is. (I’m a choreographer and costume designer, and I’ve dabbled in making dance fiIms here and there). I know Ren is getting so much attention right now but you sir are a genius too. Your work is very effective and natural. Very subtle and unforced. Ren’s music can stand in its own, yes. But the VIDEOS are what’s bringing his work to the masses. If the production standards were less than excellent, it wouldn’t do the music justice. And the production standards are indeed excellent. Bravo to you!
This is a watershed moment. Ren is a vital voice in contemporary art. There's no turning back. Utterly astounding, fiercely intelligent, profoundly affecting.
I just hope he doesn't get choked or overrun by the reactor community. It seems combined there are more people watching and responding to the responders, than sitting through Ren's channel, reacting, liking and supporting it.
Of the many comments I've read across nearly 2 dozen reaction videos to this song, your comment may be the most underrated imho. Ren really is a vital voice in contemporary art and contemporary music, and unintentionally, contemporary medicine as well. His unique ability to tell a story, his story, with such incredibly high skill, with a nearly surreal range of vocal tones/musical styles/completely authentic words & lyrics. It really does leave you breathless when you take a moment to realize what we are seeing him do. If you've not seen it yet, HIGHLY recommend his video for Chalk Outlines.
@@drew10981 Many thanks. Just intuitively, I knew I had to share those thoughts. My jaw has a dropped a few times over the decades (I'm 54), but rarely has it dropped so low. P.S. I'm a psychotherapist and qualified psychiatric nurse, so yes, you won't be surprised to hear me say that the significance of this masterwork for communicating the battle with mental illness can't be underestimated.
I think I have watched 6+ reactions to this record and video, from a Psychiatrist, Therapist, others artists to now, yourself, a film maker! Its incredible how much this 1 record has resonated and connected woth people! I don’t think I will ever get bored of listening to it on its own or watching others experience it for the first time! It really is a work of art!
As a busker, performing in public places like subway stations and side streets, Ren must constantly be tuned to picturing how his voice and instruments bounce off the sheer variety of urban spaces he finds himself in. Always great, but the *absolute best* example of this is the immaculate use of reverb in "Violet's Tale".
@@GregDaniel78 the one moment in the stairwell... "she never stood a chance"... might be the most perfect moment of sound, imagery, emotion and meaning I've ever seen. It gives me chills.
So nice to see Sam acknowledged for his work. Ren is amazing and seems to have gathered an uber talented group of people around him, Chinchilla, Sam Tompkins,The Big Push . Luv them all. ❤ from NZ
This kid has managed to rock the world!!! Almost everyone I see doing a review is completely moved deep in their soul. This man's song has given me goose bumps almost every time I hear it. Unbelievable stuff! I hope he does more music related to similar topics
@@keywest63020 It's a matter of perspective, one could say that he's aged more due to his illness and having had such a rough time for so long. But you could also say that many years of a normal life was lost therefore not having lived as much as someone at that age would have. Also someone in their 50s or 60's could easily look at someone in their early thirties as a kid.
I've watched every reaction videos to this song I could put my hands on. Yours has the most sensible reaction as far as I'm concerned. No "like and subscribe", but "please get help, you're not alone". Thank you.
When he is evil Ren his movements and mannerisms are bold, carefree and mocking. In good Ren his movements are conservative, measured and timid. The only time he physically looks directly into the camera is during the empowerment section of the song. But at the end of the song he ends as he started, singing harmonies and the chaos of the light and shadows retuned as if to indicate he was not healed but he accepted the conflict. He confirms this in his monologue. Whomever directed this video understood the deep meaning of the song and interpreted it beautifully.
@@char_lou hi, just wondering , i have seen this one take argument a few times, but how can you explain the camera angles between 9:50 & 10:10 ? It certainly sounds as this is shot in 1 take but i really wonder how they can do these camera angles when they zoom out , there is no camera he is facing in the up-close shot. please correct me :)
@@NickG1010 It's been done in at least 2 live takes. A one-take would be impressive but imo would actually lessen the impact and creativity that they've managed to capture. Nevertheless the song, message and scene would still be great in a one-take but this clearly isn't. If I had to guess by the shots and scenes it's about 70% of take 1 and 30% of take 2.
@@NickG1010 Ah yes, more than one camera. I meant Ren himself performed it all in one take, and the camera work has been edited post filming (if I understood correctly). eta: perhaps I'm wrong 🤔 In any case, technicalities aside, Hi Ren remains a brilliant work of art.
In case no one has mentioned it yet, while suffering from chronic illness, Ren rapped, sang, played guitar, acted/performed co-directed and edited the video for this amazing song he wrote. *Edit: great reaction and insight. Liked and subscribed.
@@jonathanhiller_ The budget for this masterpiece is 1500$, recored live! Talking of genuis, he is the package deal, music, lyric, creative in evry way.
Thank you for the reaction. I fell into the Ren rabbit whole a few weeks ago with this very song. It hit so hard and I can tell it did the same for you. I send you love.
It's one of the most powerful things i've ever seen, i cried like a baby when i first saw it and now i find myself addicted to watching it have the same impact on others, like Jonathan. You can tell Ren put his heart and soul into making this, it's a masterpiece i doubt he will better but i hope he does.
Yes, thevTen rabbit hole, exactly what I've been calling it. Ren is so incredibly talented and I'm like loving all shapes and style of his music. He's a young man with a very old soul. His talent for storytelling and performing is out of this world. I pray his current path of healing brings him a full recovery. ❤️❤️❤️
hold on, hold the hell on Yeah, I'm obsessed with these reactions. The first thing you said, you pointed out how the lighting was used. Then I noticed the shadows on the ground, one darker, the other shadow a bit lighter. And then it occured to me, the line in the poem at the end of the song, "The brighter the light shone, the darker the shadow it cast" and the darker shadow was on the side of the evil Ren. Wow. That is why I watch all these reactions, thank you
Your the only other person ive seen notice that. Then i noticed how the lights usually out of frame are not the same distance from the camera vs in a more symetrical placement. Thats when i figured it was probably intentional for exactly that reason.
You instantly became one of my favourite reactors due to the unique and expert perspective you bring coming from a film maker background. I have a degree in Media Production but you blow my mind with some of your insights and cause me to look at the videos you react to in a completely different way. I have watched this video sooo many times through reactions but never noticed half the camera techniques you pointed out! Also I recently realised I have ADHD and am planning to seek a diagnosis to try and help me manage it so your comment at the end really hit home man, thank you! Now you've reacted to Hi Ren you MUST react to The Tales of Jenny & Screech followed by Violet's Tale (all in one video). They are truly cinematic and storytelling masterpieces I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on them!
@Jonathan Hiller Awesome getting a breakdown like that on this masterpiece. It's sad when beautiful details like those you pointed out are lost because people don't know how to see them. You reveal all this extra depth for us and make sure the work gets its due appreciation ❤ PLEASE do Jenny and Screech, I would love to see your breakdown on that absolute beast of a performance 👏🙌❤️🔥
@J D I would encourage looking at ADDitude magazine online. It has a lot of articles that can help you long before getting a diagnosis. I'm autistic and ADHD and a neurodiversity advocate, so they are my go-to place I send people who are also ADHDers to go to. I also agree with everything else you said. The Tales are hard to watch for me because of my own trauma, but the story and cinematograpy is great.
@@jonathanhiller_ please !!! you have to react to the trilogy make sure you visualise them in the right order, it is a master piece(s) in story telling ! including filming and acting ! all of them one take live !!!
Falling in reverse! The drug in me is you-reimagined, I'm not a vampire-reimagined, the trilogy which is as follows: losing my mind, losing my life, drugs. All are fantastic cinematic videos.
Great reaction! I would love to see your point of view for Ren's "The tale of Jenny and Screech (full)". It's a trilogy of songs, he is an amazing storyteller and I think you'd enjoy a lot from a filmmaker's perspective!
Yes! I agree with this! Completely worth the 13+ minutes. Ren is a master storyteller, modern day bard! And interesting from the film making too! Hats off to Samuel Perry-Falvey, a creative talent in his own right!
Finally! I've been telling everybody this is a masterpiece. Not just the song or the story but the cinematography as well. Can't wait to see what you think.
One thing I'm just noticing about this video..They got the lighting just right so you can see two side by side shadows on the floor representing the two sides he's portraying. Brilliant!
This is a masterpiece on so many levels, and Ren has reached so many people on such a deep level. This is one of the most profound works of art I know of produced in my time of 52 years.
I saw this 5 days ago for the first time. I have watched more reactions to this than I can count at this point. The best thing about it has been seeing so many people really relate to what Ren is saying 😊❤ I still actually feel it every time. I also found your observations from a film maker’s perspective very interesting. Thank you for sharing part of your story ❤
Everyone should be able to relate in some way. Illness or not. We all have this doubting, deceitful voice that tries to pull us the other way. Creators have imposter syndrome which is one part of it (just for a little perspective, but I don't think I could come close to being able to give it full perspective like he's done here). But we've all got this. But it is definitely MUCH louder for some people. And I think they find that relation much easier. But Ren touches on it in his video. "I'm the snake in Eden" He's talking about temptation. Which we all experience. The 7 sins, right? Beautifully written, directed and filmed. I'm with you, I've been immersed in this video.
It was great to get a take on the filming side of things. Samuel Perry-Falvey is the guy behind the camera, he's done a lot of Ren's stuff that is absolutely worth checking out. I recommend the tale of Jenny and Screech (full) if you wanna get into them a little more. Also very much loved the genuine emotion at the end there.
Wow, you were deconstructing it brilliantly, calmy, professionally and then Ren's poem at the end, i saw the tear roll down your cheek.... very moving.
I get the feeling the reason the hopeful voice gets a handheld camera is because that hope is unsteady, almost like that hope it trying to be held onto and not let go while the illness has been around longer so it’s set it’s foundation already so it’s steady.
Guys, Ren is having a difficult time at the moment, please take the time to go to his community page on youtube, read his latest post, and if you can, and if Ren's music touched your soul like it did mine, donate to his GoFundMe to help him pay for his medical costs. Even 5$ helps.
I like when he stands up they have the light up top in the frame. and after that point there are a lot of camera flares, like there is light shining down on him.
Great reaction. I have watched Ren busking many times over the last seven years in Brighton (UK) and one of the great things that has come out of his talent finally being recognised globally is how he is helping to break down the barriers of mental health stigma and this is encouraging others to share their own issues.
Also the aqua/cyan and rust/orange colors make the lamp shades, his face, and guitar stand out more. I'm just a simple guy but I noticed that. Anyhow, thanks for your reaction, subbed. (I also think showing the upper light when he says he's immoral also, giving him a halo, is intentional.)
I have been blessed to have been listening to Ren for several years! I know that seemed really dark Hi Ren but he is really an uplifting guy! With an incredible sense of humor! He is the modern-day Minstrel musical poet!🌿💔
I never looked at it like that. It is so intriguing to have your view point as a filmmaker. I noticed the lights. BUT you're mentioning the difference from a tripod to hand held is so fascinating. It makes me now look at videos like this differently. Thank you.
Yay oh yah . This morning NZ time. ' Hi Ren ' ... Just reached 5 million views on UA-cam and is continuing to climb. As an independent artist this is brilliant. I see this song is reaching every corner of the globe. 💛🌈
One of the best reaction videos I have watched for #HiRen (and believe me I have watched A LOT!) Your emotional response and personal message was genuine and beautiful. Thank you. 💚
Hello Jonathan! I haven't even got to the end of your reaction, but i already went and scrolled your videos for reaction to Ren - Story of Jenny & Screech & Violet and was surprised i couldn't find it. If you have not yet seen it, i can comfortably say that you are in for a treat once again. It is mesmerizing in the way the story takes you along, and the ending has not failed to surprise anyone so far, not one. Cheers for this reaction and hope to see more!
And the layers? Patient (gown), artist (musician, poet), religious (?) entity. Different postures, pitches, but always towards the viewer. Simple. Rich.
As somewhat of a filmmaker myself (previsualization and animated film director) this is the reaction I have been waiting for.I so wanted to hear other experienced peoples' opinions on the excellent cinematographic choices in this piece. Ren is a genius, which everyone gets, but so are the people planning and executing his video shoots, even in his single camera videos like "Chalk Outlines" have compelling camera work. Thanks for the great reaction!
It's exciting, how often you say "I've never seen anything like this before". It speaks volumes to the creativity in our world today. Just discovered you and watched Clouds, Watch the World Burn, then this.
When I was a teenager, and had my psychotic break, we all listened to The Wall, by Pink Floyd. The raw pain appealed. Ren gets it way closer to the root. I’m very grateful to feel understood. I pray he gets healthy again. ❤
The emotion and feeling he elicits from EVERYone who sees this is unparalleled - I loved how it moved you in the same way I was touched. The final call to camera is simply something else, Unique.
Hey man, thanks for the video! Your commentary putting me in a cinematography mindset in combination with PrymalChaos' commentary about where Ren is looking during a certain part of the video had me notice something, and I figure I ought to post it here as well both because you were half of the reason I noticed and because I figure you'd find it interesting. I just copy-pasted it, so it's still written as if addressing him, and you'll have to forgive me if I misunderstood your commentary or misuse any technical terms; I'm not involved with photograhpy or videography in any way myself. Pretty sure I *did* misuse dolly-zoom; I remembered afterwards that that's a specific thing, and what I actually meant was dolly-in. Anyways, copied comment starts here: I've been going through a bunch of these reactions to Hi Ren from different channels and picking up bits and pieces of detail as reactors and commentators point them out; there was a comment you made that I'd like to (try to) expound on, since I likely wouldn't have connected the dots if you hadn't pointed that out. Apologies for the wall of text, hopefully it's worth it. You mentioned after the hope character stood up about how it was there that it was the first time he looked straight into the camera and connects directly with the audience - after he stands... almost but not quite. For the majority of the video as his two sides are playing off each other and building on each others energy, positive and negative as they push back on each other and they both come back more vehemently each time, he's looking almost exclusively left, right, or down. That is, either at his other self, his guitar, or nothing (also notice he tends to look at his hands as he plays mostly when he's in the positive, somewhat anxious "light" character). This is Ren's internal struggle. We the audience watch on, separate. After the "light" Ren tries to suppress "dark" Ren once and for all, fails, and dark Ren takes control back - he's no longer looking exclusively at his other side. As he says "I am the snake in Eden" his head flips from side-on to head-on with the center camera. Not looking at it yet, but toward it. Next the shot switches to the right side camera which shows him looking head on at where the front camera would be, but not at our viewpoint. It jumps next to the left side camera as he raises his right arm and looks across the frame almost but not quite across center frame to settle on his hand, then back towards the center-front camera position. From there we switch to that center-front viewpoint again, but far enough away that it's tough to tell if he's looking into the camera or merely towards it, and anyway his face is shrouded in shadow as the camera dolly-zooms in. Next, before we get close enough to really clearly see his eyes we switch to right-side view and he again looks towards, across and up from what would be the new center frame. Then center-front camera as he looks forwards but above the active camera. Then left side as he's again staring dead on forward towards the camera we're not looking through. This sort of almost but not quite looking right at the audience continues throughout this section as dark Ren escalates and claims himself to be essentially primordial immortal pure evil. That whole section serves to subtly and progressively strip away whatever feeling of separation from the scene the audience feels while unsettling us. Pulling us in, breaking that fourth wall subconsciously and adding to that whole general unsettling feeling of that entire section. Jack Nicholson's character in The Shining does something similar. Throughout the entirety of the movie Nicholson looks directly into the camera for just a few frames before looking away. He's the only character who does, he does it repeatedly across the film, never more than once per shot, and it's never addressed. Its as if both Nicholson and dark Ren are acknowledging the audience is there without deigning to address them. You're not safe from what's going on in the shot, you, the audience are part of it. In the next sequence, Ren as Hope raises his head towards the camera and says "Just as sure as the night has dawn", his eyes lock dead on to the active camera as he utters "dawn". There's no evasion, no subtle look near the camera, he looks right at us as if to say "I see you. I'm addressing you as well". Throughout the sequence with Ren as Hope, he looks straight ahead and level but doesn't look directly back into center frame of the active camera until after he stands and he utters "...floor. And I go by many names also...". From here, he's locked onto the camera for the majority of the shots. As if to say, I see you, I'm speaking to you, I know you. The camera is also handheld for the majority of the shots after he stands. Where before we had a cinematic experience from a tripod; the shot at least was fairly stable, clinical, a view into this scene from afar - now it's more real, more personal as he stares at the audience and says that he won't be defeated. He's looking straight at the audience as he says "You know how I know that I'll prosper? Because I stand here beside you today" Speaking to his dark side and the audience in equal measure. Standing beside us as well. A filmmaker points out in another reaction I watched that these closeup handheld shots are performed physically close up, with a wide lens. It serves to still show a lot of the background but brings the audience closer in to the subject. Less room to breathe. Closer. More personal. Now he puts his guitar down, long since having stripped any audience separation away on a subconscious level, now speaking directly and exclusively to the audience about his own internal struggle, and as he finishes it all he states "I must remember, WE must remember that we are human beings". Driving that nail of connection firmly in, including us EXPLICITLY. *WE.* We are human beings. He says this immediately after defining the separation between humans, angels, demons, and gods as being the "eternal dance", which immediately before that he defined as his struggles with mental health. His struggle with the light and dark inside himself. Without actually speaking the words, he says to us the audience: "I see you. I know you struggle. It's okay. It's going to be okay. We're all human. We all struggle. You're not alone". He and the videographer have been progressively working towards disarming the audience, and the message is that much more powerful because of it. From the moment he speaks his first "Hi Ren", he's put himself and his self doubt on display for all to see, bearing his soul to us. Here we are at the end, feeling equally transparent, as if we've been looking into a mirror the whole time as the mirror stares back somehow. Incredible.
Thanks for your perspective. The videographer, along with Ren are doing something I've never seen before. I'm obviously not the only one to tell you to take a look at The Tale of Jenny and Screech. I recommend watching the "full" version rather than viewing each tale separately. You can find it on Ren's YT page.
The fact that Ren and those involved are so engaged and open to discussion is so wholesome and exactly the kind of treatment all artists should aim for with their fans
I always liked the sound of rap, but not the violence it brought with it. This young man is phenomenal. He is addressing a great need for change in our society in the caring for others who are struggling not only with their health, but also with other things that we are facing today as a whole. Songs like this shed light on what needs to be done, and how it can be achieved with unity and love for each other instead of hate that is being promoted by the "powers that be."
The reason there is violence in Rap music is because unlike other genres of music that take you out of reality, rap or punk music goal is often to do the opposite: remind you how reality really is. While other styles make you dream, hiphop and punk wake you up. It's like the Blue/Red pill thing. Where other styles are blue, rap and punk are red. But I totally agree with you there should be more of this... on mainstream. Because outside mainstream there is a lot of things happening. This song becomes special because it serves you both the Red and Blue pills, but tells you at the end that both are RIGHT and both WRONG. In a few words: the Yin-Yang.
Well such informed insight from you, For me as a musician such a different perspective to give us - the visual impact of this powerful statement. I think this magical but disturbing work of art from Ren has grabbed us all and what I have noticed most of all is that the deepest reactions are in fact silence! How lucky are we that he has created such an expressive form to communicate his difficulties to us all. Truly inspirational
I love SO VERY MUCH to finally hear a reactor comment so quickly about that flickering light. That detail is so very good and so very important. Thank you!
One thing I love is at the start when he sings the lights are normal and his guitar strumming was smooth. And at the end he said you are a coin to a different side. Then strummed more chaotic at the end with the lights flashing while he sang. I feel like accepting both sides to himself and knowing his will shall carry him forward! Great reaction!
One of the best reaction videos to this song I've seen. I feel like I gained a bunch of insider knowledge to how this was made & why.... much respect 🙏
Ive watched a ton of creators reacting to Hi, Ren but you mentioned a some things that others did not and brought attention to certain parts. This was so great.
I hope there's a way that Samuel Perry-Falvey (the videographer) gets to see your reaction. He and Ren have made several absolutely wonderful videos together!
You have an honest face in your reaction and I very much appreciate that. If the past year has been the best you've had so far, I can only say that I wish you continued growth and happiness in the years to come. I won't pretend that I have some impact on that beyond being subscribed to your UA-cam, and consuming the art you share here. Best wishes Jonathan.
I had a similar reaction to the first time i saw this. No words could describe how understood i felt. I felt my personal struggle and eventual learning of tools to live WITH my issues in a happy healthy way were all in front of me. I wish i could have been shown this when i started to have issues. I send it to anyone I know that's struggling. I can be so representational to so many different personal struggles. I can't say enough about it, i truly think its brilliant
Several years ago I realized that I was angry ALL THE TIME! My family suffered the most from it. I was never physically violent, but I yelled a lot. I got help to save my family and to save me.
As someone who hates to ask for help, hearing you identify it as humbling completely resonated with me. Sharing the positive outcome of taking that step encourages me to be more open to doing so myself. Thank you for being willing to expose your struggle alongside your strength and expertise. Today wasn't the first time I watched your reaction; I'm not even sure why I chose to do so again. However, today, I HEARD you message in a way that I glossed over the last time. Thank you for the humility, honesty, and strength you demonstrate by sharing.❤
That was a beautiful reaction. Thank you for enriching our understanding with your perspective. Sam Perry-Falvey, also from the UK, is the producer and director of photography. I would love to hear your thoughts on The Tale of Jenny and Screech, also low budget but amazing cinematographic storytelling.
This Ren Hi REN is a bloody genius . he makes so many statements but Damn he Says it in his own way and that is the making of a musical prodigy. Bravo Bravo.😎👍
Thank you so much for your reaction! You and Ren brought me to tears. Years of untreated PTSD have disrupted my life. You are right, there are others and there is help. Thank you for reaching out to others!
Great reaction. I noticed that while you started to, and wanted to break down the cinematic beauty and understated symbolism, the power of the song took you to another place. This is pure art. Your reaction was poignant and heartfelt. Thanks.
Something I noticed by the lights on top is that when its "innocent ren" the lights shine more on his face and you see his face more clearly, vs the opposite with the other voice.
12"36... Your reaction Jonahan is priceless. You cannot fake it. Ren's performance is so profound. and honest. A real tear-jerker I can relate to for different health issues. It speaks to me like it looks like it speaks to you too.
That’s fair enough but Ren doesn’t really have a ‘type’. If you prefer say traditional blues, watch the band he plays in, ‘The Big Push’ doing one of the best live street performances you could hope for doing a cover of ‘By the Water’. Both singers in the band are phenomenal vocalists. Ren is probably a multi-instrumentalist, because at that gig he’s playing Bass but as the lead.
I've seen this video so many times but this was the first time I noticed that one personality always have his face lit up from the backlights while the other side always seems to be in darkness.
Thank you for this reaction, your content is insightful as a filmmaker but it's actually really interesting to see how a an insider to the craft can be so moved by a work of art like this. Keep up what your doing, subscribed
I went through the OCD pinnacle in 2020 as well, being home on furlough x4 months. my wife finally told me to get help or we were done for. i've been on a path and working towards getting better since with help. my ocd, anxiety, and ADHD are more under control now, but will always be a constant battle I have to fight. This video hit me so hard when I saw it, I'm glad it made it's way to you as well, and I'm glad you're getting help too. much love.
I have really bad social anxiety, so that fucked up evil voice in his head just hit home a little to good for me. What a great performance, and I like your reaction very much too.
This brilliant masterpiece is so important, it not only gives a voice to those unable to articulate what they are experiencing but it also creates a window for others who do not understand the struggles those with mental health issues have. It also creates a starting point for communication. There is one more of rens masterpieces that you have to experience, especially since your background is in film, it is jenny & screech's tale (FULL). I personally would love to see this one in a theater. You HAVE TO DO THIS ONE. Dive in, it is sooooo worth it
I've been following Ren's music for years and I love what he does because he gives a space to people and issues that otherwise tend to get swept under the carpet. I didn't know you before - sorry - but you also crept into my heart within these 14 minutes of the video. This honest and sensitive reaction, concluded with your comment "There is help, don't give up on yourself". touched me so much. As a music lover, as a once sufferer of mental illness, and not to forget .... as a human being ... I am so moved by what Ren's song, what Ren's video has triggered. All these reaction videos that show "You are not alone. I know these struggles too, even if my life seems so perfect on the outside". Thank you. ♥
12:15 - Watching the first time someone experiences this moment is a powerful thing, and watching it hit you and wash over you and through you choked me up as much as it did the first time I experienced this.
![[柴犬ASMR]曼玉Manyu&小白Bai 毛发护理Spa asmr](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0TsXQ7z2Dh4/mqdefault.jpg)
Heya, glad you liked our video! Was nice to see someone analyse my work and see what motivations they thought motivated our choices etc. As well as everyone else's thoughts cinematically in the comments. Thanks for your response!
Yay! A chance to say to you directly, Sam how much I appreciate the wonderful cinematic artistry of your camera work on this
Love your work man! Totally blown away by how inspirational and just totally genius Ren is, but I cannot but absolutely respect and admire the way it is portrayed and captured by you as well! Total fan of your work on the Tale of Jenny and Screech-trilogy too btw, the cinematographic choices there create such a unique universe (visuals and audio are sublime, as they are again in Hi Ren)… I have hundreds of questions going through my mind right now that I’d love to ask you (like when it says ‘a Ren and Samuel film’ how far does that collaboration go as to Rens part in cinematographic choices? And for all these one take-videos, how many takes did it actually take to arrive at that ‘one’ astonishingly perfect take? Seems like there is barely any editing involved after, is the work really mainly in a huge amount of coordination, preparation and rehearsal in advance or am I wrong there? And how do guys feel now you’re breaking the internet 😁? Etc), but I won’t bother you to actually answer those: I just want to take my hat of to you sir, and to say that I’m glad to see you as well getting some well deserved credit in vids like this one! Please keep doing what you guys are doing…. 👌✨👍
Ah! Sam! I’m glad for this opportunity to chime in and reiterate how brilliant your filming is. (I’m a choreographer and costume designer, and I’ve dabbled in making dance fiIms here and there). I know Ren is getting so much attention right now but you sir are a genius too. Your work is very effective and natural. Very subtle and unforced. Ren’s music can stand in its own, yes. But the VIDEOS are what’s bringing his work to the masses. If the production standards were less than excellent, it wouldn’t do the music justice. And the production standards are indeed excellent. Bravo to you!
You two are killing it and creating art, keep it up!!!
thanks so much for finding this humble little video. deeply appreciate your words and wonderful work!
This is a watershed moment. Ren is a vital voice in contemporary art. There's no turning back. Utterly astounding, fiercely intelligent, profoundly affecting.
I just hope he doesn't get choked or overrun by the reactor community. It seems combined there are more people watching and responding to the responders, than sitting through Ren's channel, reacting, liking and supporting it.
Of the many comments I've read across nearly 2 dozen reaction videos to this song, your comment may be the most underrated imho. Ren really is a vital voice in contemporary art and contemporary music, and unintentionally, contemporary medicine as well. His unique ability to tell a story, his story, with such incredibly high skill, with a nearly surreal range of vocal tones/musical styles/completely authentic words & lyrics. It really does leave you breathless when you take a moment to realize what we are seeing him do. If you've not seen it yet, HIGHLY recommend his video for Chalk Outlines.
@@drew10981 Many thanks. Just intuitively, I knew I had to share those thoughts. My jaw has a dropped a few times over the decades (I'm 54), but rarely has it dropped so low.
P.S. I'm a psychotherapist and qualified psychiatric nurse, so yes, you won't be surprised to hear me say that the significance of this masterwork for communicating the battle with mental illness can't be underestimated.
Twenty one pilots Trench trilogy....start with jumpsuit
I won't even try to put it any better than this
He did this live, which makes it all the more incredible.
mind-blowing.
Are you serious! That is even more impressive than the video, which is spectacular.
Apparently it wasn’t in one take it would’ve not been possible
It's not one take
They did 4 takes, intending to choose the best one. This was number 4.
I think I have watched 6+ reactions to this record and video, from a Psychiatrist, Therapist, others artists to now, yourself, a film maker! Its incredible how much this 1 record has resonated and connected woth people! I don’t think I will ever get bored of listening to it on its own or watching others experience it for the first time! It really is a work of art!
❤ isn't it
Seems to touch us all. The reactions are consistent- tears, goosebumps, and stillness. ❤❤
You're the first person who has mentioned that absolutely gorgeous reverb when he quits singing. It's beautiful.
🙏🙏🙏
Agreed. You're the first person i've seen comment on it.
As a busker, performing in public places like subway stations and side streets, Ren must constantly be tuned to picturing how his voice and instruments bounce off the sheer variety of urban spaces he finds himself in. Always great, but the *absolute best* example of this is the immaculate use of reverb in "Violet's Tale".
Also 1st I've heard to mention the use of the hand held cam when hope is being introduced. I keep waiting for ppl to mention it 😊
@@GregDaniel78 the one moment in the stairwell... "she never stood a chance"... might be the most perfect moment of sound, imagery, emotion and meaning I've ever seen. It gives me chills.
So nice to see Sam acknowledged for his work. Ren is amazing and seems to have gathered an uber talented group of people around him, Chinchilla, Sam Tompkins,The Big Push . Luv them all. ❤ from NZ
This kid has managed to rock the world!!! Almost everyone I see doing a review is completely moved deep in their soul.
This man's song has given me goose bumps almost every time I hear it.
Unbelievable stuff!
I hope he does more music related to similar topics
He's not exactly a kid any longer...he us in his 30's now.
@@keywest63020 It's a matter of perspective, one could say that he's aged more due to his illness and having had such a rough time for so long. But you could also say that many years of a normal life was lost therefore not having lived as much as someone at that age would have.
Also someone in their 50s or 60's could easily look at someone in their early thirties as a kid.
The silence after the song ends ….the reactors so moved by what they just seen & heard . Amazing
I've watched every reaction videos to this song I could put my hands on. Yours has the most sensible reaction as far as I'm concerned. No "like and subscribe", but "please get help, you're not alone".
Thank you.
When he is evil Ren his movements and mannerisms are bold, carefree and mocking. In good Ren his movements are conservative, measured and timid.
The only time he physically looks directly into the camera is during the empowerment section of the song.
But at the end of the song he ends as he started, singing harmonies and the chaos of the light and shadows retuned as if to indicate he was not healed but he accepted the conflict. He confirms this in his monologue.
Whomever directed this video understood the deep meaning of the song and interpreted it beautifully.
I believe Ren directed it himself, and it was all shot live in one take.
🙏🙏🙏
@@char_lou hi, just wondering , i have seen this one take argument a few times, but how can you explain the camera angles between 9:50 & 10:10 ?
It certainly sounds as this is shot in 1 take but i really wonder how they can do these camera angles when they zoom out , there is no camera he is facing in the up-close shot. please correct me :)
@@NickG1010 It's been done in at least 2 live takes. A one-take would be impressive but imo would actually lessen the impact and creativity that they've managed to capture. Nevertheless the song, message and scene would still be great in a one-take but this clearly isn't. If I had to guess by the shots and scenes it's about 70% of take 1 and 30% of take 2.
@@NickG1010
Ah yes, more than one camera. I meant Ren himself performed it all in one take, and the camera work has been edited post filming (if I understood correctly).
eta: perhaps I'm wrong 🤔
In any case, technicalities aside, Hi Ren remains a brilliant work of art.
In case no one has mentioned it yet, while suffering from chronic illness, Ren rapped, sang, played guitar, acted/performed co-directed and edited the video for this amazing song he wrote.
*Edit: great reaction and insight. Liked and subscribed.
amazing stuff! thanks so much 🙏🙏
@@jonathanhiller_ Ren is currently in Canada undergoing daily treatments for the next six months...Ren is a really genuine human being.
@@jonathanhiller_ The budget for this masterpiece is 1500$, recored live! Talking of genuis, he is the package deal, music, lyric, creative in evry way.
this was unedited. It is shot and released as a one-shot live recording.
I think the image of a sick person standing when he speaks it into being to fight the very worst of himself is one of best things ive ever seen
“ I did not expect that” followed by stunned silence. ❤❤❤ pretty standard response.
My man Love from Sri Lanka! next react to Ren - The Tale of Jenny & Screech (full) as a filmakers point I think it will be a damn good one
thank you so much! greetings from the states
I love watching the trilogy as a 'film' of excellence! It's just done soooo well.
Thank you for the reaction. I fell into the Ren rabbit whole a few weeks ago with this very song. It hit so hard and I can tell it did the same for you. I send you love.
thank you so much!
It's one of the most powerful things i've ever seen, i cried like a baby when i first saw it and now i find myself addicted to watching it have the same impact on others, like Jonathan. You can tell Ren put his heart and soul into making this, it's a masterpiece i doubt he will better but i hope he does.
@@mrintomesee you’ll doubt he will better?
i did the same but it started with the jenny story for me
Yes, thevTen rabbit hole, exactly what I've been calling it. Ren is so incredibly talented and I'm like loving all shapes and style of his music. He's a young man with a very old soul. His talent for storytelling and performing is out of this world. I pray his current path of healing brings him a full recovery. ❤️❤️❤️
My son who’s 8 worked out something I didn’t notice. He saw two shadows created by the lights.
Ren and Sam are meticulous about timing everything perfectly. This is especially important when shooting a one-take video
hold on, hold the hell on
Yeah, I'm obsessed with these reactions. The first thing you said, you pointed out how the lighting was used. Then I noticed the shadows on the ground, one darker, the other shadow a bit lighter. And then it occured to me, the line in the poem at the end of the song, "The brighter the light shone, the darker the shadow it cast" and the darker shadow was on the side of the evil Ren. Wow.
That is why I watch all these reactions, thank you
Foreshadowing lol
Precisely
such good insight! thanks so much
Your the only other person ive seen notice that. Then i noticed how the lights usually out of frame are not the same distance from the camera vs in a more symetrical placement. Thats when i figured it was probably intentional for exactly that reason.
You instantly became one of my favourite reactors due to the unique and expert perspective you bring coming from a film maker background. I have a degree in Media Production but you blow my mind with some of your insights and cause me to look at the videos you react to in a completely different way. I have watched this video sooo many times through reactions but never noticed half the camera techniques you pointed out!
Also I recently realised I have ADHD and am planning to seek a diagnosis to try and help me manage it so your comment at the end really hit home man, thank you!
Now you've reacted to Hi Ren you MUST react to The Tales of Jenny & Screech followed by Violet's Tale (all in one video). They are truly cinematic and storytelling masterpieces I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on them!
thank you so much for this comment, and i'm so glad you're getting help to manage your ADHD. so so appreciate you!
@Jonathan Hiller Awesome getting a breakdown like that on this masterpiece. It's sad when beautiful details like those you pointed out are lost because people don't know how to see them. You reveal all this extra depth for us and make sure the work gets its due appreciation ❤
PLEASE do Jenny and Screech, I would love to see your breakdown on that absolute beast of a performance 👏🙌❤️🔥
@J D I would encourage looking at ADDitude magazine online. It has a lot of articles that can help you long before getting a diagnosis. I'm autistic and ADHD and a neurodiversity advocate, so they are my go-to place I send people who are also ADHDers to go to.
I also agree with everything else you said. The Tales are hard to watch for me because of my own trauma, but the story and cinematograpy is great.
@@Spotastic9 Thanks very much for making me aware of this. I also consider myself as having both ADHD and Autism so I'm sure it'll be very useful!
@@jonathanhiller_ please !!! you have to react to the trilogy make sure you visualise them in the right order, it is a master piece(s) in story telling ! including filming and acting ! all of them one take live !!!
Falling in reverse! The drug in me is you-reimagined, I'm not a vampire-reimagined, the trilogy which is as follows: losing my mind, losing my life, drugs.
All are fantastic cinematic videos.
“I did not…expect that” literally everyone’s reaction when they heard this song 😂
Great reaction! I would love to see your point of view for Ren's "The tale of Jenny and Screech (full)". It's a trilogy of songs, he is an amazing storyteller and I think you'd enjoy a lot from a filmmaker's perspective!
That would be brilliant!
Yes! I agree with this! Completely worth the 13+ minutes. Ren is a master storyteller, modern day bard! And interesting from the film making too! Hats off to Samuel Perry-Falvey, a creative talent in his own right!
I also want this. I think the trilogy is good enough to be made into a full production movie.
Yes please!!
Finally! I've been telling everybody this is a masterpiece. Not just the song or the story but the cinematography as well. Can't wait to see what you think.
🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@jonathanhiller_ you also need to watch Violets tale please
Enjoy your videos❤
@@jonathanhiller_ depends where you look for help and how. I seen some disgusting things at a place that was suppose to help. Peace
One thing I'm just noticing about this video..They got the lighting just right so you can see two side by side shadows on the floor representing the two sides he's portraying. Brilliant!
The two different contradicting outlooks is just toooo relatable.
This is a masterpiece on so many levels, and Ren has reached so many people on such a deep level. This is one of the most profound works of art I know of produced in my time of 52 years.
Amazing video! Seeing from a perspective of a film maker is tottaly different! Thank you!
so glad you enjoyed it!
Right-no one expected that- hats off to you- hats off to ren. The world is changing-
The dark shadow and light shadows on the ground as well….this is stunning
I saw this 5 days ago for the first time. I have watched more reactions to this than I can count at this point. The best thing about it has been seeing so many people really relate to what Ren is saying 😊❤ I still actually feel it every time. I also found your observations from a film maker’s perspective very interesting. Thank you for sharing part of your story ❤
thank you so much!
Everyone should be able to relate in some way. Illness or not. We all have this doubting, deceitful voice that tries to pull us the other way. Creators have imposter syndrome which is one part of it (just for a little perspective, but I don't think I could come close to being able to give it full perspective like he's done here). But we've all got this. But it is definitely MUCH louder for some people. And I think they find that relation much easier. But Ren touches on it in his video. "I'm the snake in Eden" He's talking about temptation. Which we all experience. The 7 sins, right? Beautifully written, directed and filmed. I'm with you, I've been immersed in this video.
It was great to get a take on the filming side of things. Samuel Perry-Falvey is the guy behind the camera, he's done a lot of Ren's stuff that is absolutely worth checking out. I recommend the tale of Jenny and Screech (full) if you wanna get into them a little more. Also very much loved the genuine emotion at the end there.
👌👌👌
Yeah, the camera falling in that one, late in act 2? fucking brilliant.
Wow, you were deconstructing it brilliantly, calmy, professionally and then Ren's poem at the end, i saw the tear roll down your cheek.... very moving.
I get the feeling the reason the hopeful voice gets a handheld camera is because that hope is unsteady, almost like that hope it trying to be held onto and not let go while the illness has been around longer so it’s set it’s foundation already so it’s steady.
great thoughts 👌👌
Thanks for being open and sharing your battle 🙏🙏🙏
more openness.. more awareness. thank you so much
@@jonathanhiller_ You've welcome. I loved the NF and HI Ren vids can't wait to see more. 👍
Guys, Ren is having a difficult time at the moment, please take the time to go to his community page on youtube, read his latest post, and if you can, and if Ren's music touched your soul like it did mine, donate to his GoFundMe to help him pay for his medical costs. Even 5$ helps.
Wow how hasn’t he be signed?
As a filmmaker, can't believe you didn't comment on this being one take,LIVE!!
I like when he stands up they have the light up top in the frame. and after that point there are a lot of camera flares, like there is light shining down on him.
This is my second time hearing this song and both have been in reaction videos. And it still is pretty awesome.
👌👌👌
One Artist acknowledging the Passion...Talent...and creativity of another. Respect!
8:16 I love that the camera starts low and when Ren stands the camera then pans up simulating the viewer standing up with him.
What’s even more insane… they did this video in one take from beginning to end.
Great reaction. I have watched Ren busking many times over the last seven years in Brighton (UK) and one of the great things that has come out of his talent finally being recognised globally is how he is helping to break down the barriers of mental health stigma and this is encouraging others to share their own issues.
incredible. i bet he’s fantastic live
@@jonathanhiller_ Mesmerising.
THANK YOU! You are the only reactor I've seen so far who mentions the reverb! It was such a sweet touch.
👍👍👍
i love how it ends like it started , back to enjoying making music and not let your dark self win
Also the aqua/cyan and rust/orange colors make the lamp shades, his face, and guitar stand out more. I'm just a simple guy but I noticed that. Anyhow, thanks for your reaction, subbed.
(I also think showing the upper light when he says he's immoral also, giving him a halo, is intentional.)
I have been blessed to have been listening to Ren for several years! I know that seemed really dark Hi Ren but he is really an uplifting guy! With an incredible sense of humor! He is the modern-day Minstrel musical poet!🌿💔
incredible! thanks for the comment
I never looked at it like that. It is so intriguing to have your view point as a filmmaker. I noticed the lights. BUT you're mentioning the difference from a tripod to hand held is so fascinating. It makes me now look at videos like this differently. Thank you.
Finally the lights are mentioned by a reactor. Of course the filmmaker.
I didn't even have to see the frame. The music and words told me exactly what was happening. Touched my heart. The dance. Amazing. Loved it ❤
Yay oh yah . This morning NZ time. ' Hi Ren ' ... Just reached 5 million views on UA-cam and is continuing to climb. As an independent artist this is brilliant. I see this song is reaching every corner of the globe. 💛🌈
One of the best reaction videos I have watched for #HiRen (and believe me I have watched A LOT!) Your emotional response and personal message was genuine and beautiful. Thank you. 💚
Hello Jonathan! I haven't even got to the end of your reaction, but i already went and scrolled your videos for reaction to Ren - Story of Jenny & Screech & Violet and was surprised i couldn't find it. If you have not yet seen it, i can comfortably say that you are in for a treat once again. It is mesmerizing in the way the story takes you along, and the ending has not failed to surprise anyone so far, not one. Cheers for this reaction and hope to see more!
Wow the thoughtfulness to include the hotline number, is worth the praise just as the song. Thank you 🙏🏼
Wonderfully talented Ren. Great reaction. Did you notice the shadow he cast was darker on his demon side, even at the end .
totally.. genius level directing.
And the layers? Patient (gown), artist (musician, poet), religious (?) entity. Different postures, pitches, but always towards the viewer. Simple. Rich.
As somewhat of a filmmaker myself (previsualization and animated film director) this is the reaction I have been waiting for.I so wanted to hear other experienced peoples' opinions on the excellent cinematographic choices in this piece. Ren is a genius, which everyone gets, but so are the people planning and executing his video shoots, even in his single camera videos like "Chalk Outlines" have compelling camera work. Thanks for the great reaction!
thanks so much!
never thought of having ocd as 2 you's, fits in very well
It's exciting, how often you say "I've never seen anything like this before". It speaks volumes to the creativity in our world today. Just discovered you and watched Clouds, Watch the World Burn, then this.
When I was a teenager, and had my psychotic break, we all listened to The Wall, by Pink Floyd. The raw pain appealed.
Ren gets it way closer to the root.
I’m very grateful to feel understood. I pray he gets healthy again. ❤
The emotion and feeling he elicits from EVERYone who sees this is unparalleled - I loved how it moved you in the same way I was touched. The final call to camera is simply something else, Unique.
I love that at the beginning everyone is awkward about the yodel and at the end, it's our fuggin battle cry.
Hey man, thanks for the video! Your commentary putting me in a cinematography mindset in combination with PrymalChaos' commentary about where Ren is looking during a certain part of the video had me notice something, and I figure I ought to post it here as well both because you were half of the reason I noticed and because I figure you'd find it interesting. I just copy-pasted it, so it's still written as if addressing him, and you'll have to forgive me if I misunderstood your commentary or misuse any technical terms; I'm not involved with photograhpy or videography in any way myself. Pretty sure I *did* misuse dolly-zoom; I remembered afterwards that that's a specific thing, and what I actually meant was dolly-in. Anyways, copied comment starts here:
I've been going through a bunch of these reactions to Hi Ren from different channels and picking up bits and pieces of detail as reactors and commentators point them out; there was a comment you made that I'd like to (try to) expound on, since I likely wouldn't have connected the dots if you hadn't pointed that out. Apologies for the wall of text, hopefully it's worth it.
You mentioned after the hope character stood up about how it was there that it was the first time he looked straight into the camera and connects directly with the audience - after he stands... almost but not quite.
For the majority of the video as his two sides are playing off each other and building on each others energy, positive and negative as they push back on each other and they both come back more vehemently each time, he's looking almost exclusively left, right, or down. That is, either at his other self, his guitar, or nothing (also notice he tends to look at his hands as he plays mostly when he's in the positive, somewhat anxious "light" character). This is Ren's internal struggle. We the audience watch on, separate.
After the "light" Ren tries to suppress "dark" Ren once and for all, fails, and dark Ren takes control back - he's no longer looking exclusively at his other side. As he says "I am the snake in Eden" his head flips from side-on to head-on with the center camera. Not looking at it yet, but toward it. Next the shot switches to the right side camera which shows him looking head on at where the front camera would be, but not at our viewpoint. It jumps next to the left side camera as he raises his right arm and looks across the frame almost but not quite across center frame to settle on his hand, then back towards the center-front camera position. From there we switch to that center-front viewpoint again, but far enough away that it's tough to tell if he's looking into the camera or merely towards it, and anyway his face is shrouded in shadow as the camera dolly-zooms in. Next, before we get close enough to really clearly see his eyes we switch to right-side view and he again looks towards, across and up from what would be the new center frame. Then center-front camera as he looks forwards but above the active camera. Then left side as he's again staring dead on forward towards the camera we're not looking through. This sort of almost but not quite looking right at the audience continues throughout this section as dark Ren escalates and claims himself to be essentially primordial immortal pure evil.
That whole section serves to subtly and progressively strip away whatever feeling of separation from the scene the audience feels while unsettling us. Pulling us in, breaking that fourth wall subconsciously and adding to that whole general unsettling feeling of that entire section. Jack Nicholson's character in The Shining does something similar. Throughout the entirety of the movie Nicholson looks directly into the camera for just a few frames before looking away. He's the only character who does, he does it repeatedly across the film, never more than once per shot, and it's never addressed. Its as if both Nicholson and dark Ren are acknowledging the audience is there without deigning to address them. You're not safe from what's going on in the shot, you, the audience are part of it.
In the next sequence, Ren as Hope raises his head towards the camera and says "Just as sure as the night has dawn", his eyes lock dead on to the active camera as he utters "dawn". There's no evasion, no subtle look near the camera, he looks right at us as if to say "I see you. I'm addressing you as well". Throughout the sequence with Ren as Hope, he looks straight ahead and level but doesn't look directly back into center frame of the active camera until after he stands and he utters "...floor. And I go by many names also...". From here, he's locked onto the camera for the majority of the shots. As if to say, I see you, I'm speaking to you, I know you. The camera is also handheld for the majority of the shots after he stands. Where before we had a cinematic experience from a tripod; the shot at least was fairly stable, clinical, a view into this scene from afar - now it's more real, more personal as he stares at the audience and says that he won't be defeated. He's looking straight at the audience as he says "You know how I know that I'll prosper? Because I stand here beside you today" Speaking to his dark side and the audience in equal measure. Standing beside us as well. A filmmaker points out in another reaction I watched that these closeup handheld shots are performed physically close up, with a wide lens. It serves to still show a lot of the background but brings the audience closer in to the subject. Less room to breathe. Closer. More personal.
Now he puts his guitar down, long since having stripped any audience separation away on a subconscious level, now speaking directly and exclusively to the audience about his own internal struggle, and as he finishes it all he states "I must remember, WE must remember that we are human beings". Driving that nail of connection firmly in, including us EXPLICITLY. *WE.* We are human beings. He says this immediately after defining the separation between humans, angels, demons, and gods as being the "eternal dance", which immediately before that he defined as his struggles with mental health. His struggle with the light and dark inside himself. Without actually speaking the words, he says to us the audience: "I see you. I know you struggle. It's okay. It's going to be okay. We're all human. We all struggle. You're not alone". He and the videographer have been progressively working towards disarming the audience, and the message is that much more powerful because of it. From the moment he speaks his first "Hi Ren", he's put himself and his self doubt on display for all to see, bearing his soul to us. Here we are at the end, feeling equally transparent, as if we've been looking into a mirror the whole time as the mirror stares back somehow. Incredible.
To watch Ren grow over the last 8 years has been amazing to see him go from Brighton to this pure art form!
Thanks for your perspective. The videographer, along with Ren are doing something I've never seen before. I'm obviously not the only one to tell you to take a look at The Tale of Jenny and Screech. I recommend watching the "full" version rather than viewing each tale separately. You can find it on Ren's YT page.
I like how when the more manic voice is speaking, his face is in darkness. In contrast the more uplifted side, his face is bathed in light.
totally. fascinating work.
I felt it...Ren brings something different. I have never seen anything like this before.
The fact that Ren and those involved are so engaged and open to discussion is so wholesome and exactly the kind of treatment all artists should aim for with their fans
I always liked the sound of rap, but not the violence it brought with it. This young man is phenomenal. He is addressing a great need for change in our society in the caring for others who are struggling not only with their health, but also with other things that we are facing today as a whole. Songs like this shed light on what needs to be done, and how it can be achieved with unity and love for each other instead of hate that is being promoted by the "powers that be."
The reason there is violence in Rap music is because unlike other genres of music that take you out of reality, rap or punk music goal is often to do the opposite: remind you how reality really is. While other styles make you dream, hiphop and punk wake you up. It's like the Blue/Red pill thing. Where other styles are blue, rap and punk are red.
But I totally agree with you there should be more of this... on mainstream. Because outside mainstream there is a lot of things happening. This song becomes special because it serves you both the Red and Blue pills, but tells you at the end that both are RIGHT and both WRONG. In a few words: the Yin-Yang.
I learned from your comments about filming, but what i liked most is that you were real in your closing. Thank You!
Well such informed insight from you, For me as a musician such a different perspective to give us - the visual impact of this powerful statement. I think this magical but disturbing work of art from Ren has grabbed us all and what I have noticed most of all is that the deepest reactions are in fact silence! How lucky are we that he has created such an expressive form to communicate his difficulties to us all. Truly inspirational
thank you so much for the detailed comment. truly appreciate it
OMG this was intense. Absolutely beautiful. Another great reaction
thank you
I love SO VERY MUCH to finally hear a reactor comment so quickly about that flickering light. That detail is so very good and so very important. Thank you!
🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for allowing yourself to be vulnerable.
One thing I love is at the start when he sings the lights are normal and his guitar strumming was smooth. And at the end he said you are a coin to a different side. Then strummed more chaotic at the end with the lights flashing while he sang. I feel like accepting both sides to himself and knowing his will shall carry him forward!
Great reaction!
One of the best reaction videos to this song I've seen. I feel like I gained a bunch of insider knowledge to how this was made & why.... much respect 🙏
🙏🙏🙏
Ive watched a ton of creators reacting to Hi, Ren but you mentioned a some things that others did not and brought attention to certain parts. This was so great.
I hope there's a way that Samuel Perry-Falvey (the videographer) gets to see your reaction. He and Ren have made several absolutely wonderful videos together!
👌👌👌
You have an honest face in your reaction and I very much appreciate that. If the past year has been the best you've had so far, I can only say that I wish you continued growth and happiness in the years to come. I won't pretend that I have some impact on that beyond being subscribed to your UA-cam, and consuming the art you share here. Best wishes Jonathan.
🙏🙏🙏
More Ren reacts please! I think you will really appreciate the Tale of Jenny and Screech (live).
will look into it!
@@jonathanhiller_ Don't do the live one, do the (full) one! It's recorded live too, but shows off his acting in the dark alleys of London
I had a similar reaction to the first time i saw this. No words could describe how understood i felt. I felt my personal struggle and eventual learning of tools to live WITH my issues in a happy healthy way were all in front of me. I wish i could have been shown this when i started to have issues. I send it to anyone I know that's struggling. I can be so representational to so many different personal struggles. I can't say enough about it, i truly think its brilliant
Several years ago I realized that I was angry ALL THE TIME! My family suffered the most from it. I was never physically violent, but I yelled a lot. I got help to save my family and to save me.
As someone who hates to ask for help, hearing you identify it as humbling completely resonated with me. Sharing the positive outcome of taking that step encourages me to be more open to doing so myself. Thank you for being willing to expose your struggle alongside your strength and expertise. Today wasn't the first time I watched your reaction; I'm not even sure why I chose to do so again. However, today, I HEARD you message in a way that I glossed over the last time. Thank you for the humility, honesty, and strength you demonstrate by sharing.❤
ikr...what gentle moment ❤
❤
That was a beautiful reaction. Thank you for enriching our understanding with your perspective. Sam Perry-Falvey, also from the UK, is the producer and director of photography. I would love to hear your thoughts on The Tale of Jenny and Screech, also low budget but amazing cinematographic storytelling.
nice! thanks so much for the tip
@@jonathanhiller_ Really appreciate the information for help at the end.
This Ren Hi REN is a bloody genius . he makes so many statements but Damn he Says it in his own way and that is the making of a musical prodigy. Bravo Bravo.😎👍
Humility becomes you brother. You are never alone
Thank you so much for your reaction! You and Ren brought me to tears. Years of untreated PTSD have disrupted my life. You are right, there are others and there is help. Thank you for reaching out to others!
thank you so much for the share, and i wish the best for you!
Great reaction. I noticed that while you started to, and wanted to break down the cinematic beauty and understated symbolism, the power of the song took you to another place. This is pure art. Your reaction was poignant and heartfelt. Thanks.
Something I noticed by the lights on top is that when its "innocent ren" the lights shine more on his face and you see his face more clearly, vs the opposite with the other voice.
This is one of those songs you watch the reactions of to see the moment when the reactor stops talking and realizes what they're witnessing
12"36... Your reaction Jonahan is priceless. You cannot fake it. Ren's performance is so profound. and honest. A real tear-jerker I can relate to for different health issues. It speaks to me like it looks like it speaks to you too.
Everything about this is gold! You can feel his words and the visual representation pulls everything together.
'I don't know who this artist is, I've never heard this before'.
Yea mate, I can relate.
Yet here for the review. Lol
Yea, I lowkey want my 4 mins back 😂
Not my type 😂
He can play tho.
That’s fair enough but Ren doesn’t really have a ‘type’.
If you prefer say traditional blues, watch the band he plays in, ‘The Big Push’ doing one of the best live street performances you could hope for doing a cover of ‘By the Water’. Both singers in the band are phenomenal vocalists.
Ren is probably a multi-instrumentalist, because at that gig he’s playing Bass but as the lead.
I've seen this video so many times but this was the first time I noticed that one personality always have his face lit up from the backlights while the other side always seems to be in darkness.
Thank you for this reaction, your content is insightful as a filmmaker but it's actually really interesting to see how a an insider to the craft can be so moved by a work of art like this. Keep up what your doing, subscribed
thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
@@jonathanhiller_ and may I humbly recommend: Falling in Reverse - "The Drug in me is Reimagined"
I went through the OCD pinnacle in 2020 as well, being home on furlough x4 months.
my wife finally told me to get help or we were done for.
i've been on a path and working towards getting better since with help.
my ocd, anxiety, and ADHD are more under control now, but will always be a constant battle I have to fight.
This video hit me so hard when I saw it, I'm glad it made it's way to you as well, and I'm glad you're getting help too.
much love.
I have really bad social anxiety, so that fucked up evil voice in his head just hit home a little to good for me. What a great performance, and I like your reaction very much too.
I love the 'A Clockwork Orange' reference, one of my favorite dystopian movies and you caught the nuances without making it cringe.
This brilliant masterpiece is so important, it not only gives a voice to those unable to articulate what they are experiencing but it also creates a window for others who do not understand the struggles those with mental health issues have. It also creates a starting point for communication.
There is one more of rens masterpieces that you have to experience, especially since your background is in film, it is jenny & screech's tale (FULL).
I personally would love to see this one in a theater. You HAVE TO DO THIS ONE. Dive in, it is sooooo worth it
I've been following Ren's music for years and I love what he does because he gives a space to people and issues that otherwise tend to get swept under the carpet.
I didn't know you before - sorry - but you also crept into my heart within these 14 minutes of the video. This honest and sensitive reaction, concluded with your comment "There is help, don't give up on yourself". touched me so much. As a music lover, as a once sufferer of mental illness, and not to forget .... as a human being ... I am so moved by what Ren's song, what Ren's video has triggered. All these reaction videos that show "You are not alone. I know these struggles too, even if my life seems so perfect on the outside". Thank you. ♥
The thing that catches me are the two shadows on the floor. One in the dark, one in the light.
One of the better reaction videos to this song/video. Thanks.
12:15 - Watching the first time someone experiences this moment is a powerful thing, and watching it hit you and wash over you and through you choked me up as much as it did the first time I experienced this.