Progress Report: Mr. Smock & Other Things (Patreon)

I'll split this progress report into 3 sections: UPCOMING VIDS, UPCOMING NOT VIDS, and OTHER STUFF.

UPCOMING VIDS:

So the good news is that I finally have a line-up cut of Mr. Smock (Pic 1) and the most colorful timeline I've ever made. It's because I had all of the shots color coordinated based on how I would had to stand in front of the green screen (Pic 2 is the script, also color coordinated, and Pic 3 is my "storyboard" of shot templates. You can tell it's the end because of my note saying "This is taking too long and I have to film tomorrow so I'm gonna make shot templates instead"). I'll upload the full script and storyboards for the Novelty Instrumentalist tier when the video comes out!

But that's the bad news. The video is still very far from coming out, and I've hit that point in long video projects where I think "Hmm, this is bad, and I don't like it anymore." Granted, the video is only 30% done, 'cause it needs graphics and sound effects and music. Maybe that will make me like it again, or maybe it won't! I don't know! Either way, I'll finish it up, and I will at least upload it here to Patreon, probably in late August or early September.

Luckily, I'll have a new shorty out for you next week (Pic 4, "i'm not superstitious but"), and I'm still planning to release a shorty every 3 weeks or so, even though I'm making good progress on the other two edits (Pic 5, "X dance moves to try at the club" and Pic 6, "this song is not a metaphor"). Why am I planning to release them every 3 weeks or so instead of as soon as they are done? Well...

UPCOMING NOT VIDS:

The next three months of my life are going to be unbelievably hectic. I do not have a single completely free weekend until maybe October, and even that could change at any moment! This is because of trips (some business, some weddings, some just seeing family for the first time in over a year), and the fact that I'm most likely going to be moving at the end of September. 

Filming things while moving is one of the worst experiences (I've had to do it a lot), which is why I've tried to film as much as I possibly can up front, so that way I can conceivably just edit videos on my laptop while propping myself up on a bunch of recently packed cardboard boxes.

Also, there are a few other projects that are taking up some time! A few are things I cannot talk about, and a few are things I can talk about, like setting up a merch store and making a special collaboration ice cream with The Charmery in Baltimore and making a very silly Halloween-themed music project for October! Woo! You'll hear more about those things soon (and if you have any specific merch ideas I am all ears)!

This is just to say that even though I've got lots on my plate, I don't want to throw a bunch of junk on my YouTube and call it a day. I'll give you all a heads up if I ever can't manage to publish a monthly video (and I probably won't charge on Patreon for that month), but here's hoping I can stay afloat!

OTHER THINGS

This is a catchall section, but the big thing I want to point out is that I have been able to turn down ~15 sponsored video opportunities in the last month because of this Patreon, and holy hell I am so grateful. If I see one more email about R**d Sh*d*w L*g*nds, I'm gonna lose my cool. 

Look, maybe someday I'll work with a weird sponsor who will give me the means to do something completely unhinged, but I'm extremely thankful that I can support myself without having to sell mobile games in my videos. I've now managed to do a half a year (whoa) of complete independence, and I cannot thank you all enough. Seriously. Thank you thank you thank you.

Other than that, I'm growing a mustache again. It's for my friend's wedding, but also just for me. That's the only other major update, I think. Talk soon!