Insane Films: Videoblogging Week 2007 Day 2: vj040207

interesting. I think people like me (no talent for performing arts) see people like you (too much talent, not enough outlets) and think it looks cool. And what the heck, we have to technology to sit in front of a camera or just a mike and talk. girdle

retardedbitch.com is taken….damn!

Just from what I know trying to make my own meagre (but improving) living, which seems to work along similar (consumingly creative, total control) but different (nobody pays directly for what you produce, you’re still working for the man) lines, I think anyone trying to make a living without selling their soul needs these three things, at least:

1. The creative bit – something people need and can enjoy, in whichever way
2. Exposure – ways the right people can find your work, in order to enjoy it
3. Source of money to pay for it all (and a way to collect that money, etc)

You’ve got the creative side, no problem there.

On the money side, I would say that you definitely need more sponsorship, since there’s only so many domain names people can buy, and you really need more exposure, because that is very important to you gaining sponsorship. Bit chicken and egg, that. It would be good if there were other ways to make money.

I think I’ve said before that the people who would enjoy your work are definitely out there. They know YouTube exists and they probably see that Podcasts thing in iTunes too, but if they not really living online and are being fed the same shit as what’s on the TV, then they won’t know there’s something better out there. Not something anyone can crack alone I don’t think, but the likes of Amanda Congdon are managing to make headway, slowly but surely.

Actually, someone I know who makes a living, standing on his own two feet, is Don McAllister, ScreenCastsOnline. He still puts out free stuff, but makes money through $25 subscriptions, which can be renewed every 6 months. The paid-for subscribers get longer / more shows, HD versions (esp. good now for the Apple TV), no adverts and shows sooner than everyone else, too.

People seem to think it’s worth it too, because he’s been at it a year now and seems to be doing well. He also does some training courses, produces tutorials for companies too (e.e. for their internal use) and things like that. He probably does have an advantage because his work is about Macs and stuff, so his audience is online anyway.

So maybe the answer lies in being creative with how you make the living, too. It’s got to be possible to achieve in a non-sleazy way and without it being too much of a drain on your sanity. This stuff can take time to build momentum though, so the sooner you start thinking, the better. Maybe also experiment, while you have time.

Hi, I’ve got problems getting your video week entries to play on my iPod. The bitrate seems to be too high. I think a solution would be changing the order of the links to the different versions (high and low) in your blog entries. Like that, iTunes can stay stupid enough and just grab the first one.

Thanks for great content! Or as we would say in Sweden: Grymt!

I think I know what you’re talking about. I really wish there was a way the powers-that-be could get what they need from your doing your art. Personally, I love seeing how you use and abuse your equipment as well as the medium. You’ve been an inspiration in the way you do that. You’re kind of like taking a little technical LSD — I think.