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An open letter to reviewers of web shows and online video

Well said Rick! So true.

zadi:

I agree. Being honest and giving constructive criticism is always more helpful than just being nice… and in the long run, much more valuable.

rickrey:

Dear reviewers,

I know many of you, and I like many of you. But there aren’t many of you. Our web video community is still relatively small, so we’ve all had the opportunity to commingle and get to know each other. This is great for socializing, but it introduces a dangerous conflict of interests. I say dangerous, because it’s really starting to hurt the industry. Let me tell you why.

When you don’t give a bad review, because you’re fearful of the repercussions, or you don’t want to hurt feelings, or you don’t want to lose potential sponsorship opportunities - you aren’t a reviewer anymore. You’re a marketer. Not that there’s anything wrong with marketing! We need more of it in online video. But you see the danger in posing as one thing when you’re the other, yes?

This industry needs you now more than ever. We need you to hunt down the unseen gems that I know are out there - a lot of it is probably happening outside our little bubble, e.g. random YouTube channels, filmmaking communities, etc. - so it’s going to require some leg work on your part. But we need you to do it, because the more truly “good” content that bubbles up, the easier it is to convince the naysayers that our industry is the real deal. I can’t speak for other producers, but I don’t want to be in the “minor leagues” of television, nor do I want that stigma associated with my projects. Raising the bar is always a good thing.

And just as important as finding the good stuff, you need to be more critical of the bad stuff. Like, way more critical. Because here’s the thing. You’re too fucking nice. And it seems like you pick-and-choose your reviews too carefully. Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe it’s due to a lack of resources, whatever - in my opinion there is no good excuse. An announcement is not a review, it’s an announcement. If you announce something and hype it up, your readership will expect a review on it. Don’t back down on that. You will command a much more loyal and committed readership if you do this. Reputation is everything - you’re a journalist, and I know you know this.

So, I’m giving you blanket permission to bash the hell out of anything I work on from here on out, and I promise I won’t hate you, or disinvite you to parties, or not buy tickets to your events, or whatever other concern might be holding you back.

All I ask is that you’re fair and honest, and you don’t pull your punches.

Sincerely,
Rick

PS- this letter is not directed at any one person or organization.

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No wonder he's all happily married and stuff.

merlin:

An Incomplete Education

I’ll probably get skewered from every angle for this,¹ but what the heck. A pal asked me what I know about women for a project he’s doing. Here’s 10 minutes’ worth. Covered with grains of salt like:

1. Yes, a lot of this goes both ways. Obviously. Give it a rest.
2. Yes, some of these you won’t agree with. That’s why you and I never dated. Right? Exactly.

Anyhow, for what it’s worth:

Read More

Definitely read it. READ IT ALL. As an individually crazy female, not every single one of Merlin’s tips perfectly applies to me, but as a whole it’s a very sane, cool-guy-who-gets-it list. Especially those parts about the ring and the cunnilingus. Oh no I’ve said too much.

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That's not what I ordered...

ladimcbeth:

drew:

…So I sent it back.

I get emotional every time I think about those words.   I’ve waited to type them for months.

May 20th I sat in front of my Dr. while he told me that my life was about to take a detour.  I knew from the phone call that it wasn’t good.

Today, November 2nd, I sat there while he told me I was done.

This was my last treatment.  12 of 12.

12 visits every 2 weeks where I knew walking in that I was about to get my ass kicked.  I’d go home and vomit, hate the smell of food.  Not wanting people to even touch me or hug me.

But I made it.  With your help.

You can call me crazy, or call me stupid…but this whole blaming thing worked.  The power of positive energy, the power of distraction, the power of community, the power of support, the power of love.  It worked.  It made my cancer go away for good.

Treatment alone wasn’t enough, I firmly believe that.  There were moments where I could literally feel myself being pulled into depression.  Moments that I didn’t want to do this shit anymore.   Moments that I was ready to pack it in, never talk to anyone again and be pathetic.

But you wouldn’t let me.

14,077 People Have Blamed my cancer for 34,123 Things.

Fourteen THOUSAND.  How many of those people do I actually know?  Maybe a few hundred.  How amazing is that?  34,123 times, the word cancer was spoken out loud and in a very public place on Twitter.

Cancer can’t hide anymore, we’ve made sure of that.   We’ve got to keep the good work going.

I need a vacation badly, just some time to unwind and heal.   But our organization Blame Cancer is entering the phases of reality.  All of you are helping us form it and shape it.

I just got home from chemo but I wanted to write this and say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  For everything.

Cancer has no idea how in trouble it is.  Ya see, in 2 weeks, I don’t have to get chemo…so that means my body and brain will be healed that much more.  And I’ll recover from the chemo brain and the aches and pains.   And I’ll get closer to 100%.  We kicked cancers ass while I was about 40%, imagine what we’ll do now.

It’s good to be alive, and it’s good to have all of you as friends.

I love you.

<3<3<3

PS. In the coming days/weeks I’ll be personally thanking all of you.  It’s time for me to rest up a bit.

I wish there was a way for me to click that heart button a thousand times and have all those “likes” register. Way to go, Drew, you are a hero and an inspiration.

Best news ever. Congratulations Drew. If I ever met you, you’ll let me hug you, right? :)