So, here we are: I have now been making silly videos every week for over 1/5th of my life. A lot has changed since 2003, in my own life, in the world, and especially on the Internet. There was way less video around then, for one. Yoube didn’t exist in 2003, neither did Twitter, or Facebook (it was still restricted to only certain universities).
When Graham and I started this site, we really had no idea what we were doing (some may argue that we still don’t), but I think LoadingReadyRun is really a testament to the power of just doing something regularly over a long period of time. Not only do you get better, but without even really thinking about it, you end up with this huge archive of work that you can look back on with pride. Anyone out there who is interested in any kind of artistic endeavor (especially video), DO IT. I can’t stress this enough. Even if it is shitty, it is far better to produce a finished product then to sit around thinking about what you could do if you had the time/money/ability.
I will probably wax nostalgic a little more on this week’s podcast, but for the moment, I thought I would leave you with a couple of news entries from LRR’s very first month of operation.
This is it. The big fanfare. It is important to remember that I don’t think even our parents were watching the site at this point.
Notice the date. LRR has a long tradition of lateness, but we still have never missed an update.
114! whooo! Notice how none of these posts have any comments. This was before the forum, too, so we were not getting any kind of feedback.
To paraphrase one of my favorite quotes, I think by Robert Rodriguez, “Everyone has 3 terrible movies in them, so it is important to get them out as quickly as possible. That way you can get on to the good stuff.”
I don’t know about you, but I think LRR is finally on to the good stuff.
I think you should break out those Avatars as a celebration, at least for a week or so.
Congrats on the 5 years! Looking forward to the next 5.
Comment by JesterJ. — October 14, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
114?! I had more than that in my first month, and that was just 14 days long!
Wow…I cannot believe you guys were ever so unpopular.
Comment by Lyinginbedmon — October 14, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
I agree with JesterJ. Put up your Canadian Waste avatars for the week to celebrate.
Paul, if you really agree with what Rodriguez said about the three horrible movies, what would you say those would be?
Comment by Tim — October 14, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
Paul “Anyone out there who is interested in any kind of artistic endeavor (especially video), DO IT. I can’t stress this enough. Even if it is shitty, it is far better to produce a finished product then to sit around thinking about what you could do if you had the time/money/ability.”
For what it’s worth, it inspired me. Maybe crossing Aliens with a dating sim is a bad idea, but hell, it’s an idea I’m going to finish it.
Comment by Emperor Gum — October 14, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
Paul, thank you so much for posting this. I am a crappy writer, but your experience gives me hope. The fact is, I still love to write and I am still proud of completed works even if they suck. The idea that I should keep writing even if it’s awful is encouraging and the thought I might even improve preserves my fragile dreams.
So because of you there will continue to be one more source of average literature. I hope you’re happy.
Comment by Shandi — October 15, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
So which of his three was Spy Kids 3D? haha
I’m glad you wrote this, I found it both nostalgic and inspiring.
Comment by Daniel — October 15, 2008 @ 2:01 pm