The Minimalist Collecting Movement

[@jdboov6739]

Collecting should never be hoarding. Constant curating is the key to maintaining an amazing personalized collection

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

I could not agree more, JD! I have a lot more to say about this, and plan on doing so on the channel. Stay tuned! Thank you for the great comment! :)

[@SilverShine-tr5kr]

Sure! I'd like to see a video on the many types of oddball packaging.

[@ericcolacino1825]

Second that

[@FilmBloggerSam]

Great stuff pal! It's a testament to this community, that opinions and approaches to collecting can be varied but we all get on and support each other. Thanks for your input David

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

I agree, my friend. I'm just happy to be in on the conversation. It gives me an opportunity to interact with wonderful people in this community. I look forward to more videos from you on your collection. You've picked some real winners to keep in the collection!

[@CinemaDaveMedia]

Great thoughts on this topic. I've added quite a bit to my film collection in recent years. I mostly collect films that I love and can watch over and over or films/TV shows that peak my interest for study to expand my film knowledge. I agree that there are some films/TV shows that you don't initially connect to or be in the mood for but that might change over time. Like you, I also agree that collecting is very personal. I feel like I'm always going through my collection (TV, movies, CDs, vinyl) for titles that I will give away to libraries, Goodwill or other charities. Titles move in and out of my collection also very consistently. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic.

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Thanks for the comment, Dave! It sounds like we are very similar in our collecting mentality. I actually have a stack of books that I need to donate to my local library. I have shifted my reading habits a bit. I like to read novels and one-time read type books on my Kindle Oasis, and I like to have really high end collector books (such as the ones I reviewed this month on the channel), including film reference and history books on my shelf. I just had to find a way to stop the inflow because with how much I love to read, my shelves were getting pretty packed. Haha!

[@SilverShine-tr5kr]

Luckily, I don't have to worry about blind buys since I have a local library branch where DVDs are free to rent (unless you count late fees). This is a great since I have recently started exploring Criterion's catalog for films to view. My local library branch has HUNDREDS of Criterion DVDs in their catalog, so I can sample some of their catalog instead of blind buying their blu-rays for $20-$30 each taking a huge gamble discovering what I do and do not like. It's going great so far!

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

A library is a wonderful resource! I'm glad you're utilizing that. And that is really neat that they have such a wonderful collection of Criterion films. With my blind buying, I am very careful. I would say 8/10 blind buys end up staying put on my shelf. There are so many films out there and titles to discover. Thank you for the comment! :)

[@blu-rayswithnathanjones]

Really enjoyed this David! I'm really happy that we are all discussing this topic and having various takes on collecting and scaling back. It's why I love our community so much! Also do that packaging video, haha. Cheers man!

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Thanks Nathan! Yes, we are a part of a wonderful community. I look forward to putting together that packaging video. It's one of those weird side topics that might be just interesting enough. Haha!

[@MovieChatter01]

Hi David. Nice response video to the current community topic. I enjoyed hearing about how you personally manage your collection and collecting. I think for me, my main goal is stop blind buys all together. I'm like you with the routine clense of the titles I'm not feeling connected to anymore. I feel like this definitely keeps things from getting out of control. I told Nathan back in December that my personal goal for this year was to not use any of out of pocket to fund my collection. I knew that would cut the monthly pick-ups way down. I've become interested in investing, saving, planning more for my retirement and this seems like a good place to start. This year, my pick-ups will all be from gift cards I've saved, money from the channel or anything I happen to sell. That's it. But yeah, I too would have a really hard time just cleaning house on my full collection. I really love my media. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I'll be sure to link your video in my response. 👍👍

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Awesome goal, Stephanie! I look forward to seeing what you bring into the collection this year. We already have some wonderful announcements. Always great to hear from you. :)

[@SilverShine-tr5kr]

Yeah, I have also noticed that there are genres I don't like as much as other film buffs. For example, I'm not the greatest fan of indie films. I've seen some A24 films like The Florida Project, Uncut Gems, Ex Machina, The Farewell, Room, mid90s, and A Ghost Story since quarantine and I don't love them as much as all the movie buffs seem to do. I did somewhat enjoy them but not enough to purchase them.

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

That's the beauty of film. There is something for everyone! I've had to come to an understanding as a film collector, and part of the community that there are certain filmmakers that hold high status that I am just not going to connect with. And that's ok. There are a lot of things that I do connect with. But I do try and stretch myself out of my comfort zone from time to time, and in doing so, I have made some really grand discoveries.

[@Theomite]

A lot of indie film focuses on film as an art form rather than a storytelling medium. If you don't have an academic background in cinema, a lot of it goes over your head or seems pointless. It also lends itself to masturbatory self-indulgence and recycling. So indie film is to cinema what fashion is to textiles: art made out of medium.

[@iselect1012]

I think you & me are in the same thought process I tend to respect smaller collections with better quality in them. Although I know of some collectors on YT with huge collections but their passion for films is a thing of beauty so it’s amazing watching & listening to them. Then there are others on here that buy everything & anything so you can tell that they’re not passionate about films as much as they are about just the act of buying.

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Great thoughts! Thank you for the comment! I am definitely about quality over quantity. :)

[@PeterHerget]

Loved your new intro - nice editing! On the topic of minimalist collecting, yes, and extremely intriguing topic. I need to do the same with my collection of gadgets...

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Ya, it is something that can certainly be applied outside of film collecting. I honestly think it's good life practice to carefully go about what we bring into our space. Thanks for the comment! :)

[@megamikethemovieman]

I’m a movie reviewer and collector as well, I get the movies I enjoy and that I think my audience will enjoy as well. Just reached 100 subscribers!!

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Congrats on the first 100 subs! Thanks for the comment! :)

[@stevelangton2467]

Hi David, I'm with you on this minimalist debate. There are some labels I stay away from, but like to support the boutiques as much as I can. Labels such as the wonderful Second Run, Indicator, MOC, Criterion etc. Would love for you to do a video on packaging. All the very best.

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

We seem to be on the same page. I do love the labels you mentioned, with the exception of Second Run, only because I have never purchased one of their titles. I'll have to look at their library. I look forward to filming a packaging video. Thank you, as always, for your input!

[@stevelangton2467]

@@FilmCollectorArchive Thanks David. Second Run have some wonderful Czech films amongst their catalogue. Stuff like Daisies, The Ear and the classic sci-fi Ikarus XB1 spring to mind. Well worth checking out.

[@Carmine1989]

I'm totally the same way. Some titles i've loved ever since i was a kid (for ex. Buffy) which i still love to this day, but certain other titles i hate now and have gotten rid of. In equal measure there's several titles i've rewatched the past few years i've ended up loving that i hated before, and some others i loved as a kid, lost in interest in but regained interest in after i became an adult (for ex. Twin Peaks). Because of this i've been doing the same thing as you so i have a bunch of titles i'm going to get rid of. There's also several titles i've upgraded to Blu-Ray and 4K. I too could never have managed to actually remove alot of the titles i own and i totally agree, it is a very personal thing.

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Thanks for the comment, Carmine! Collecting is such a fun journey. It is interesting to see how opinions change over time. There are titles that speak to me very differently depending on where I am at in my life. We are very blessed as collectors to have access to the amount of amazing work that we do. There are too many variables at play to say that there is a right or wrong way to collect.

[@futureboy77]

its really simple for me personally I collect the movie or show that I "like" .... period I would never buy something thought was a terrible movie or show etc ... that is a waste, a person should collect the things they like, "not collect for the sake of collecting" that can go out of hand in a downward spiral, the collector in someone's DNA can get carried away next thing you know they will start selling their collection cause they over bloat their collection. we do get a special high trying to hunt down the next collecting target and getting the next item in the mail, its giving yourself a gift and feel special which is a great feeling.

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Thanks for the comment! I agree. I love collecting titles that mean something to me. It's easy to get carried away, especially with the wide range of titles that are being announced these days. For me, it becomes more rewarding when I really focus in. And yes, I love tracking packages and the anticipation that comes from receiving something in the mail. :)

[@bryceanderson3679]

Down with musicals and period piece films. Great content and a great discussion to have when it comes to collecting. When is enough enough? When does the collection grow to big? Am I just bringing something that sits on a shelf collecting dust to then sit and collect dust on a different shelf? I look forward to hearing reviews and movie recommendations in future videos.

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Good questions to ask! Thanks for the comment, Bryce! I’m glad to have you here! :)

[@SHONNER]

I buy only DVDs. I prefer them over Blu Ray or newer formats. I only buy movies that I will watch more than once, and that have commentaries. Once in a blue moon, I'll buy a movie that I end up hating. Those I give away. In the last few years, I've bought maybe 7 movies? But that is only because Hollywood is in a death spiral. Good movies are simply not being made anymore.

[@Theomite]

It took me 6 views to like WITHNAIL & I, so I get it. But blind buying makes very little sense to me and I don't understand how it became a thing but then I had to remember that I grew up with video stores and movie marathons on TV. There was no algorithm determining what I watched or subscription gate to obstruct me. Not everything made it to streaming or Blu-ray, or hell, even DVD.

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Thanks for the comment! Ya, sometimes it takes time for a film to set in and connect with someone. Blind buying is an interesting concept. I do it all the time, and most of the time it works out. But I'd be lying if I said I haven't been burned before. I miss the video store days!

[@rkitchen69]

Funny, I also didn't like Withnail on first couple of viewings, but as I get older I understand it better and really love that film now.

[@9latinumStudioz]

Some b roll would be cool while you talk 👌✨

[@FilmCollectorArchive]

Thank you for the feedback! :)