A (long overdue) PROGRESS REPORT | Feb. 2022
Added 2022-02-28 18:21:05 +0000 UTCHello folks! I've been meaning to make this progress report for about two months now! Oopsie!
It's been a hectic start to the year, as I've been trying to catch up on:
- My videos, since I've been scrambling to get them out earlier in the month.
- My writing work with Karen, since we've been working on more projects and are trying to get our own scripts in front of the right people.
- My taxes. Did you know that when you quit your job and have multiple streams of internet income and then also move across the country it causes a lot of tax confusion? Haha! I love taxes!
- My Patreon—hence this very delayed progress report.
- The news. Boy is it hard to do any of the other things when about 70% of my brain is occupied by the things that are happening in the world.
But outside of all those things, the videos are going well! I've been working hard on the March video (pic above), which is turning out weirder/sadder? than I had anticipated, but hey, that's what happens sometimes.
After this video, I'm fully out of in-progress projects, which is simultaneously scary and fun! I've got a lot of other ideas in the ol' noggin, and I have no doubt I'll be able to come up with a little weird thing for April, but as always, I'm hoping to make something bigger.
If/when I begin working on those bigger projects, I'll probably need to skip a month or so on YouTube, at which point I'll give you all a heads up (and a lot more progress reports)! Even if I don't end up getting to that point soon, I've been thinking of some ideas that might freshen up this Patreon without completely wrecking my productivity. Things like:
- A monthly Patreon-only podcast where I have to watch/talk about a classic horror movie since I'm a little weenie but should probably know more about horror since I love making it so much.
- A "Dead Ideas" post, where I talk through the ideas that I've had to permanently shelve and explain why.
If there's anything I can do to make this Patreon more interesting/worthwhile, please let me know! I have toyed around with making a survey to ask all of your opinions, but I know that I personally would not fill out a survey, so maybe it's better to just let you all leave a comment or send me a message if you've got any specific ideas!
In conclusion, thanks for hanging out, and I hope you're all doing okay during this extremely fraught moment in time. I've been feeling pretty helpless these days, which can often metastasize into feeling selfish whenever I spend my hours working on silly videos, but I think those are pretty common feelings right now. I think I lack the eloquence to say something bolstering in this post, but at the very least, I'm wishing the best for you all, and I'm gonna keep working my hardest on the things I can actually change.
Talk soon!
Comments
Yes horror podcast!!! I love spooky movies, I'll devour every episode. xoxo
Empress Janeway
2022-04-01 19:56:17 +0000 UTCi love the horror podcast idea! love the horror genre and would also like to learn more!
Colin Fogt
2022-03-20 16:41:17 +0000 UTCWe never got a release of “Mr Smock” did we? Just because you say you have no in progress projects, did it end up being scrapped? Totally fair if so, just didn’t see a comment about it and was curious. Don’t mean to pry, thanks so much!
Morgan
2022-03-16 02:57:55 +0000 UTCI'm also a baby who loves horror, so I'd be down for that podcast. But whatever you decide to do will be a blast because it's you. 🤷🏻
Moira
2022-03-08 00:15:25 +0000 UTCI like learning about the creative process, so “dead ideas” sounds great!
Tiffany
2022-03-07 01:25:51 +0000 UTCI like your "Dead Ideas" concept a lot, partially because I miss DVD featurettes. And just the fact that you put the time into sending us these updates means so much; I don't need or expect them, but it's nice to feel even slightly included in what you're working on and thinking about. Please keep feeling selfish (your words) and making things you want to make. It seems like you've found something you love doing, and you do it well. Those are not small things.
Blair
2022-03-05 04:33:14 +0000 UTCI received my lil catterpillar pin btw :))) Thank you very much! very happy. This caterpillar may not have any clue what it's life will have in store for it or what it will do but I know where I'm going to pin it
Alec the Frog
2022-03-03 16:48:05 +0000 UTCKeep the videos coming my man. It always a joy to see that notification saying you posted a new video.
OZ-10
2022-03-03 15:14:54 +0000 UTCA horror podcast would be wonderful!!
Marlene Nolting
2022-03-03 14:52:11 +0000 UTCPost your tax return! It's all content baby
um yikes
2022-03-03 02:28:44 +0000 UTCHey love the update, we are here to support YOU in whatever form your creativity takes
Cooper
2022-03-01 04:10:20 +0000 UTCDo what you love and we'll love it too :)
Clee Alice
2022-03-01 01:55:07 +0000 UTCJust jumping on the thread to reiterate the common theme of "no pressure!" We're here to support you in doing whatever you do because we love your content, and we don't need anything else. If you wanted to do a podcast though, I'd love that -- I often relisten to Let's Make a Music while I'm working. But there's a lot going on (globally and otherwise), so if you need to take extra time for big projects or just for you, that's fine :)
spacecadet
2022-03-01 01:25:41 +0000 UTCTotally understand the creative paralysis, overthinking, and anxious helpless feelings because of what is happening in the world right now. Hang in there. I would certainly listen to the horror podcast and/or read the Dead Ideas posts if you end up doing any of them, these are both great ideas. An occasional Patreon post just like you do right now works for me too, I'd say do the extras only if you genuinely enjoy making them!
Dominique Charbonneau
2022-03-01 00:19:55 +0000 UTCI'm here to let you know that I'm extremely interested in the Dead Ideas post.
Maxwell Huber
2022-03-01 00:10:48 +0000 UTCOh my God I'd love the horror podcast. My wife is a huge horror buff and I'm a little baby about it and she's always making me watch horror movies.
Nate Matthews
2022-02-28 23:38:54 +0000 UTCI love watching your vids + bloops, but those 2 ideas (horror podcast, dead ideas) both sound super fun too!
Lonnie Mann
2022-02-28 23:08:59 +0000 UTCI would love a podcast I would listen to you talk about anything. The horror movies sounds great. You could do editing livestreams maybe? Or workshoping songs or something Any just casual videos/podcasts whatever would be fun for me personally
Lucas
2022-02-28 22:13:05 +0000 UTCI want more Dale content. I love Dale, he’s my favourite character of the BDGverse. Please bring back Dale, I’m sure he’s happy being an accountant somewhere but I would love to see him again.
Gaïa Lamiot
2022-02-28 22:00:09 +0000 UTCI love both podcast ideas and would also be willing to take a survey! Frankly though, even if these updates and your lovely BTS videos were all you posted to Patreon, I'd be very happy with that. I find joy in simply knowing that I get to play my part to help you make the art that you want, even if we didn't get any extras. Keep on keeping on, I can't wait to see what's next!!
Ollie W S
2022-02-28 21:14:42 +0000 UTCSpent the past 2 hours rotating this in my mind trying to work out who you remind me of in this, and I have realised: it's Griffin from Men In Black 3. Do with this information as you will. EDIT: ok so this was meant in good humour but I now realise it relates to the themes of the video just a little too well? I don’t know what to say except for a casual sorry.
Well-Spoken Rambler
2022-02-28 20:37:00 +0000 UTCI don’t normally like watching someone watch something else (never really been snagged by twitch streaming) or horror films (despite watching a fair few) but your take on a horror movie scene by scene would peek my interest. Also you just be you, scincere and caring. Not that your just two descriptors but they count for a lot.
greg Foster
2022-02-28 20:26:12 +0000 UTCI'd be super interested in the dead ideas talk!
Ondynmael
2022-02-28 20:01:14 +0000 UTCFirstly, as everyone is saying, no pressure from us to do more special patreon stuff. From your update it sounded like you were hoping to do more progress updates when you are making a bigger thing, and I think that counts in the "something extra" column. One of my favorite parts of being a patron is getting a peek behind the curtain of how the stuff you make comes together.
Sylvia
2022-02-28 19:38:26 +0000 UTCJust my two cents on the survey; On Patreon especially since I am paying, I personally am a lot more likely to fill out a survey, especially if it pertains to the content I'm getting! Thanks for all you're doing Brian, I'll be here for whatever you do
Logan Rees
2022-02-28 19:32:09 +0000 UTCThose sound like great ideas! I would especially love to see dead ideas posts. I agree with others in the comments though that there’s no big pressure to do extra stuff like a Patreon-exclusive podcast (as much as I would enjoy it) as you’re already doing quite a lot already and I’m happy to support you as things are! Also on the subject of podcasts — is there any news on Let’s Make a Music? Again I know things are crazy, so of course take the time you guys need, I would just love to know if/when it’s coming back.
Amber Miller
2022-02-28 19:18:22 +0000 UTCI love the horror podcast idea. I think anything where we can a less produced, more conversational check-in with you would be fun. I remember you mentioning how much you were enjoying playing video games without the pressure of making a script. It would be cool to have an avenue to hear what you're playing, watching, reading lately that's been exciting to you or hearing about other creative projects you've been exploring.
Pete Imbesi
2022-02-28 19:06:17 +0000 UTCI like surveys and it might make it easier for you and us. 1. puts info in one place for you 2. You give us options we can pick from of things you want or are willing to do vs. random things people think up. Survey monkey is free and hella easy to use. Yes to you watching horror movies. You could even make it like a watch along which people like! Also more ice cream content/recipes would be cool. I got a ice cream maker for Christmas (thanks to you high five and my husband who bought it) and we have made jalapeño cornbread( so good), goldfish crackers (weird but still good) and cinnamon toast crunch ice creams.
Audrey Phelps
2022-02-28 18:54:28 +0000 UTCboth the podcast and dead projects post sound awesome, but honestly you're truly doing enough at the moment, a month or two break from youtube will not change the value of this patreon for me. hope you and everyone has a good day and can find something good!
Maia
2022-02-28 18:47:24 +0000 UTCp.s. horror movie weenie podcast sounds like great fun and dead ideas posts also very good (i still think about 360 sometimes, i'm very curious), and if you wanted to pod about anything else you liked, i'm always interested in hearing exuberant yells about why something is good
rionsanura
2022-02-28 18:45:13 +0000 UTCSolidarity on the tax situation -- I'm also self-employed and it's an absolute nightmare. As far as I'm concerned your Patreon is great as-is and there's no need for any "extras" if you have to skip a month or two on YouTube videos to have time for a bigger project. But I also think the podcast and dead projects ideas sound interesting!
Nichole
2022-02-28 18:44:02 +0000 UTCI would love to hear about dead projects and why they got shelved!
Candy Emberley
2022-02-28 18:40:38 +0000 UTCI love the idea of a dead projects post, that would be fascinating to read.
AuthorMx
2022-02-28 18:40:08 +0000 UTCThis is something I have mentioned to my wife who is also a creative who feels things going on in the world really heavily. For some people, your creative output is that little treat that makes the day easier to get through. You're not selfish for working on your projects and enjoying yourself. Nobody wants you to suffer either!
Kai Vee
2022-02-28 18:39:29 +0000 UTCLike so many have said, your videos/ time you spend with all of us makes a lot of people's days better. I know it might not feel like you are doing enough, but please know that providing a break from how awful a lot of things are lately is so incredibly valuable. Thank you so much! Also, the scary movie stream sounds fun! I'm also a weenie so this would be lot of fun to scream/laugh with everyone. Anyways, have a great day!
Lollerskate
2022-02-28 18:37:10 +0000 UTCI love the podcast ideas! I'm honestly perfectly happy to support your patreon just to give you the ability to make more videos, but if you have the time to share more content, I'm a big fan of anything longer that I can put on while I play my own little video games or do a craft to unwind.
Ella
2022-02-28 18:36:43 +0000 UTCPersonally, I don't need patreon to be fresh/interesting. I just want to support a creator I think is good, not to gain anything from it. I'd be totally fine if the patreon was just stems/mp3s. I love the behind the scenes a lot though.
Shiftweave
2022-02-28 18:34:29 +0000 UTCthe thing is, it's extra nonselfish to work on videos, let alone silly videos, at a time like this, because it makes a significant amount of other people feel better
rionsanura
2022-02-28 18:31:04 +0000 UTCA of all: your silly videos help me keep my chin up. One of the things I love most about humans is the stuff people create, sometimes for no reason at all. Someone made a doll(?) of a pumpkin cowboy. And then you made a cool video about a pumpkin cowboy! That's so fun and silly and it's weird that humans are just like hmmm....you know what would be cool: a pumpkin cowboy! As much as the world sucks, I find a lot of joy in creative weirdness. Second of B: I love the idea of dead ideas posts, especially if they maybe include some footage...especially especially if it includes stuff from the scrapped 360 video. Doesn't have to be good b/c it's a dead idea post!
ashurredly
2022-02-28 18:30:44 +0000 UTCI think it would be cool and hopefully not too much work to hear your thoughts/reviews of anything you're enjoying, whether it's horror or some other kind of movie/book/music/food/whatever. I do love a podcast! My sympathies on the taxes. It's hellish and I don't know why the IRS doesn't just bill us. Re: feeling helpless - I completely understand, it's normal to feel that way. And also, I do think it's important to keep doing your own unrelated work. It helps people to have a way to take a break from despair and recharge, so someone has to make the content that lets people do that. And realistically, few of us can do much to change things, and the pressure and guilt is not constructive to actually doing the few things we can do.
Misha Grifka
2022-02-28 18:30:29 +0000 UTCHonestly appreciate that the videos aren’t always happy all of the time. Sometimes we all go a bit weird and sad, especially these days, and it’s more real to acknowledge that without losing hope in the silly and happy, if that makes sense. Those ideas sound interesting! I’m aware I do a lot of suggesting on here already so I won’t offer anything up for the time being, but if anything springs to mind that’s like, irrepressibly “good ideas material”, I’m sure it’ll find its way to you somehow! Hope everyone’s doing as OK as they can in the meantime.
Well-Spoken Rambler
2022-02-28 18:27:29 +0000 UTC“Dead Ideas” post would be super interesting. As someone with plenty of abandoned personal projects myself, it would be cool to hear how you decide to stop working on something or what limitations factor into that choice
GreatBearShark
2022-02-28 18:24:48 +0000 UTCPatreon content idea: you livestream doing your taxes, including social security numbers and banking info
Kieran Meehan
2022-02-28 18:23:51 +0000 UTC
