Too Many Systems
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I don't think it is difficult for you, dear reader, to surmise that I am in a creative struggle with my essays. I think I know why.
I've been spending a whole lot of time the last six or so weeks exploring systems; new methods of project organization, new tools, new ways to approach work. I've implemented kanban boards, tags, statuses, etc. I have spent more time thinking about how to track the making than actually making.
I don't think it is working.
I've been so focused on how I could go about creating The Thing™ that I haven't been making The Thing™ at all. It's a dangerous loop that I been stuck in.
Thanks to my fancy little "Previously On Max Frequency..." feature on the ol' blog, I have been reminded that I made three video essays in the span of like 3-4 months and then another one by January. Since then, nothing. Zero tangible output. Plenty of ideas. Plenty of thinking about essays, but no making. Why have I fallen into this trap of not doing the work?
I'm not sure. What I do know is that I am tired of it. I don't need sweeping changes to my system—I need small ones.
This week I have been experimenting with a shift in my morning routine and it feels like I have unlocked an extra hour of time for me. Three days into the new routine and I have already edited one episode of Chapter Select Season 7 - Metroid Prime that has been sitting dormant on my drive for a whole year. I think my next iteration of this lil' experiment would be dedicating days to certain activities, for example, two days a week to editing, two days for writing, three for playing. But I'm not getting ahead of myself and orchestrating some master schedule. Maybe the next experiment is looks like trying two mornings to editing just to see what that feels like.
The small shift has felt like a major win and I want to try and keep the wins rolling. I could use a few more of those.
As for more of a focus on the essays, I got this reminder today.
Time to see if it looks like an "alien relic bought at a junk-shop."
I did work a bit on this essay's video element though. I have this CRT shot in my head that I mentioned in Memory Card 53 - Integral Shenanigans.
"I'm toying around with the idea of capturing the game off-screen on my CRT for the proper effect of the
HIDEOmoment. I have this idea of practically switching scenes of the CRT and pushing in on the frame, but I'll have to test it out first."
I worked on some test footage and have landed on implementing this effect in post-production, rather than doing a practical shot. My thought is a wide shot that slowly pushes in as these various scenes change channels between. This is a test of what the HD games would look like CRT-ified. Making this quick concept gave me clarity on direction. You can watch the test footage here, but as a heads up there are light spoilers for the first fight in God of War: Ragnarök and an optional achievement in Outer Wilds with no story spoilers.
My other option was to make a 4:3 version of the clips and load it on my PS3 then record the CRT playing the video in real life.
Until next time...
This letter is one block from the newsletter Memory Card by Max Roberts. Thoughts? Send me an email at max@maxfrequency.net.
Max is the writer and producer behind Max Frequency. cultivate and curate curiosity—both for himself and for others—by delighting in the details and growing greatness from small beginnings.
He's written a rich history and dive on the making of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part II, celebrated the 15th anniversary of Super Smash Bros. Brawl with the voice behind its hype, and examined how Zelda "stole" Fortnite's best mechanic.
Memory Card is a real-ish time, raw, drip feed newsletter of his creative process for telling these stories. It’s how The Thing™ gets made.
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Wanna see The Thing™? Check it out on YouTube. Read it on The Blog.