The “Inspiration Rut”

Ever had too many ideas? I’m sure I’m not the first to suffer from this very strange affliction. It actually affects many parts of my life – so many things to get done, I have no idea where to start… and so I don’t actually start anything. Instead, I poke around the edges, make excuses (“seriously, I need a steadicam before I can even BEGIN that project…”) and generally get frustrated at my lack of progress.

In the past I referred to it as “But First” syndrome – that amazing process where you get up in the morning and your day goes something like this:

• “Today I am going to get a heap done, starting with the dishes… but first…”
• “I’ll just go outside and get the paper before the neighbours steal it… but first…”
• “I’ll just check the weather, and make sure I’m appropriately attired for the day… but first…”
• “I’ll just quickly check my email, and maybe see if there’s anything new on FB I should worry about… but first…”

See the problem – it’s the reason we all get to the end of the day exhausted at all the activity and how busy we’ve been, only to reflect on the day and not actually be able to identify a single real achievement!

Well, now my “But First” syndrome has evolved, turned into a new plague of sorts – the “Inspiration Rut”. I’ve gots me some ideas, too many ideas, big ideas, WORLD CHANGING IDEAS!!! Dammit… and I would do them all, except they are all awesome, and need to be done immediately… like now… but first….

I’ve got so many things I want to do, I’ve not been able to do any of them! At all – well, I’ve poked around the edges, purchased more gear, spent time on eBay, started a few things moving, you know how it is! #firstworldproblems as they say

But frustration is a real thing, and I find these virtual roadblocks most irritating. Particularly since they are of my own making! But enough of my rambling, time and focus will resolve at least some of these challenges (as soon as I get my two new websites launched… but first…)

On other things, the Inspiration Rut clearly needs to draw inspiration from somewhere, and I’ve noticed how much amazing talent there is out there in the film space… Fill-lum, feeeelllmmmm, talkies… Even worse, there’s amazing talent right here in Melbourne, and another huge pool of awesome just up the Hume in that other city famous for some shells and a bridge, what are they called again?? 😉 If you have nothing to do with your day and want to be inspired, check some of these…

Le Sigh…

• Oh Yeah Wow – in particular, I found their Gotye clip and the Clubfeet clip both amazing (but all their work is astounding, and they’re here in Melbourne!)
• “Fix it in Post” by Autodesk is surprising in how much can be achieved outside the camera, and it’s a taste of the power of software! However, I also dislike Autodesk for being part of the Apple/Microsoft/Adobe problem of pricing software downloads different in AU vs US. Don’t buy their software here, you are being ripped off for the exact same item
• Damn I like Ken Burns – “All story is manipulation…” This is a great little doco worth a watch.
• A small team of amazing animators lives over in Collingwood, check out Dirty Puppet for all your crazy animation needs!
• Josh Logue, Mathlete and The Feds – they all do my head in, if they were in Melbourne I would be camping on their doorstep, fanboi-style! Move to Melbs please, kthxbai
• CameraClub.tv are producing some pretty amazing content as well, definitely worth a look (another one in Melbourne!)

BTW, ShutterClass Studios is moving home, probably to Kensington (and perhaps into a space twice the size of the current studio!!). Check out the latest ShutterClass update for more info… And my Syrp Genie finally arrived, huzzah! Astounding timelapse here I come… but first…