As both of you know (both being you two who RSS this blog), the frequency with which I've been posting has been low. I think that has had a lot to do with my personal plateau of transmission and digestion of social media and my need to have a voice. Well, my need for a voice has always moved forward, but my need to express that, in this way, has always been conflicted. I think the best gift I could give as a "blogger" is to be more committed to posting genuine, inspired content rather than content for activity's sake. I stand by that. In fact, it points to the rewards of following a site or blog in an automated way, because I don't use up the currency of your interest in my content.
I have no plans to increase my posting regularity, though I am hoping that more posting will come out organically and feel somewhat necessary. Or worth while.
I also think I've felt a dull pressure to subscribe or revolt against photography blog paradigms, and in the end chose to abstain from following forces in any direction. After all, no answer, is, still an answer.
But there are new catalysts in my creative flow, and I think they will help generate more content. They are video, and gaming. These two things have been captivating my attention for a while now, and I'm beginning to find my sea-legs. More than other things I've pursued, I feel less self-conscious about how rudimentary my current efforts are. I've always wanted to present a finished, perfect result. And now I'm not so committed to that, as it's felt like a handicap, rather than a positive trait.
That being said, I'd like to share some interviews I did at the WCG Ultimate Gamer, Season 2, open casting call in NYC. They are limited. Or succinct. I guess that is to say I'd like to go a whole lot further. But what I do feel I accomplished is the beginning of a broader conversation. One that not only affords these pro gamers a space to speak and express beyond sound bytes and stereotypes. But also a space that makes them actually think through the answers. And maybe even change their minds or consider points of view they'd not previously stood behind.
How often do you get to hear a celebrity athlete talk about things that are personal or personally interesting to him? And how many of those are NOT publicity tripe, bootstrap struggles or apologies?
These people want to talk. And I want to nurture that while they're still allowed.
Here are three randomly chosen entries from that day. There are more in the Gamers Album on my Vimeo page that you can click to.
Shidosha Hodges proves the case for celebrity being about character. Yes, to a degree you're born with it. And very clearly he's adopted the tropes of hyping oneself up without bragging. But there's an evenness in his timber that feels like he believes every bit of way he's laying down for his audience.
Trevor Scanlon makes a reasonable, though contestable argument. There are holes in it, but for the most part, I agree with his take on the magnitude of the audience to narrative ratio.
At this point, I am taking all kinds of notes about what you think is successful or unsuccessful about these pieces. Though I've likely criticized the unsuccessful parts already. I'd love to hear what you would like to see, or see more of in this type of content. This goes doubly for those who are not already interested or familiar with gaming or competitive gaming.
