Re: snapd and systemd
This is linux, and its open source. Learn how to compile it from source.
https://wiki.videolan.org/UnixCompile/
Props if you then do more learning and make a package, even maybe submit it upstream or take over being the vlc maintainer, I'm sure the repo people would be thrilled to accept the later version as you won't be the only person in that same boat. All those packages on your device were already put together by people doing this very process...