things i've learned making a documentary for (nearly) 2 years

just turned on the camera with this one. I hope some of y'all resonate!
check out the first video on me and my wife's channel, The Coleys: / thecoleyschannel
Patreon: / houstoncoley
Twitter: / artwithinpod
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[@houston-coley]

Thanks for being here, friend. I don't think I mentioned it in the video, but I'm recording from the flat where my wife and I currently live in Czech Republic! We'll be back in the states in May and then in England shooting for the rest of the summer. I'm hoping these videos will follow me wherever I go - and you can follow more of that journey on our shared channel called The Coleys. Link is in the description above. Either way, I'm glad to have you here. If you're kind enough to want to check out the Patreon, here's the link for that: www.patreon.com/user?u=1017531

[@The5DollarFilmSchool]

I'm so proud that the folk filmmaking community has inspired you so much! I never thought when I put the name of folk filmmaking out into the world it would reach as wide of an audience as it did!

[@houston-coley]

Thanks for playing a part in it man!! It feels like you’ve already had such a huge impact even in terms of sheer inspiration.

[@jonathanedewaard]

I feel like a great example of what you're talking about with searching for themes as you make the work, with multiple in tandem as it goes is Incredibles 2, which lost a year in production simply due to being "more complete" than Toy Story 4, when it's clear Brad Bird hadn't fully figured out the dominant theme of the film, expecting to have another year to correct things and streamline the narrative. And so there's like, 80 different themes lightly touched on with no depth. Planning on watching the first 20 minutes on Patreon & sharing my thoughts soon! So excited to see this project come together (and to hear ya in Interstellar Ranger Commence in a month!)

[@stagelinedpro]

You mentioned folk filmmaking. I do wonder what the future is for that platform.

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

I’ve been trying to make short films and this could really help. The thing that’s stopping me right now is the whole intimidating overwhelming nature of just filmmaking. So much to learn and memorize and I know so little and I’m a terrible procrastinator. Also video editing is so overwhelming. But this video offers some encouragement. But yeah I’d love more vids like this. Thanks Houston and thanks for liking my Letterboxd review of Licorice Pizza.

[@yash_kapoor]

That Green Knight poster tho

[@micahmarroquin5205]

Keep it up! Been a fan of yours for several years now. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the documentary. Thanks for being vulnerable!

[@defnotkevin]

Great video, really interesting discussion. I think a lot about the "will everyone watch it to the end" thing too and I agree, if so much as one person watches it to the end and hopefully feels something then that's a win

[@JimCullen]

You talked a bit about watchtime and related metrics. Do you know exactly how those work? For example, I watched the first ~17 minutes of this video at 2x on a break from work. And now I'm watching the remainder, also at 2x. How do the metrics reflect watching at extra speed, or more importantly, watching a video over multiple sessions on multiple devices?

[@houston-coley]

That’s something I’d love to know! Because I often watch videos in more than one sitting too. Thanks for watching to the end!

[@SovernGaming]

I know for certain that watch time is related to "real-time" time spent watching, as in, watching a 10 minute video at 2x speed counts as 5 minutes of watch time. I would assume then that watching across multiple speeds across multiple sessions would work the same way, where just real-time time is counted

[@haphazardpanda5364]

Excellent video! Very well-spoken and I relate to your experiences and thoughts in a lot of ways, being both a filmmaker and having a small audience of my own - Keep up the great work and I can't wait to watch the documentary! 🙌

[@JuannGarciaa]

Finally had time to sit down and watch this video. Yes, it always feels like things are coming apart when you're making them. You put so much time and effort and passion that it's almost inevitable to feel "why am I doing this? Is it worth it?" In the long run I'd say yes, even if you don't make it big or share it with anyone at all, because making art is inherently ours and we decide what we do with said art. Personally, I wouldn't share some of the things I've made because I made them for me, but I do understand the feeling of sudden "hopelessness" while working on something, it's just a matter of deciding what it means to you whether you share it or not. That being said, I look forward to your documentary. Love seeing this vulnerable side of yours in all your pandemic videos. Keep up the good work and don't worry about views, people like me would watch religiously.

[@Grizabeebles]

Dear Houston. I just want to speak to what you said about wondering if your work actually reaches people and if it's worth it. I subscribed to your channel back before you even graduated High School. I believe I said at the time that the KZbin algorithm was spitting out content creators at me who had just found their creative voice and go from hundreds or thousands of subscribers to the tens of thousands. In the past decade, you've grown into a professional filmmaker who knows how to find distributors and who travels the world making documentaries. You know how to find distributors and get your work out there if you really want to. Your work already features in lists with other filmmakers and has found a place in a genre and communities beyond just a single KZbin channel. Heck, you found someone and got married while you were at it! Me? I'm still sitting at home writing small essays in other people's comments sections and wishing I had the fortitude to finish writing a novel that I don't even dream about getting published any more. For every one of you, there's a hundred of me. Never be afraid to let yourself evolve. Never be afraid to let your story find its own path. You're just at another crossroads in your career. Take another leap. You've already done more with the last 10 years than I ever did.

[@bluesdjben]

Good luck with your documentary and other long-term projects! It's good to hear the thoughts and processes of other creators as I relaunch my podcast and start the planning phase for some longer form KZbin videos despite the fact that I am going to have to teach myself video editing as I go.

[@himynameisnickolas]

I think you should definitely try to move toward making things that you enjoy instead of what you think your “audience” would want to see. The more into something you are the better the content will be and most of the people on here will likely have a similar interest. Also, I didn’t even know you were married. lol

[@lowbudgetvisions]

Loved your comment about making your films for people who are going to like them anyway, and agree that it's very freeing once you embrace that. That's been a big change in how I've approached filmmaking in the last year, too. I always have to remind myself that no film is going to be enjoyed by everyone.

[@Boanerr]

I’m still waiting on the documentary on Hive

[@jeddy681]

Super excited to see this documentary!

[@socialtortoise852]

just watched this + the movie whisperer patreon preview and my mind is buzzing with so many thoughts i don't really know where to start. i'll elaborate later but what you're doing right now is very inspiring but not in a vague intangible way (e.g. like seeing la la land at 16 and deciding i want to be a director). it's been illuminating watching the steps you take to make what you want and learn from every part of it

[@houston-coley]

Ayyyy thanks Christian. That means the world. I’m always so glad to hear from you.

[@thebookwormninja9193]

Found it really interesting what you said about the beauty and difficultly of people watching things on their own terms, just as a video instead of theatre etc. There’s certainly a sense in which people almost are able to make content their own when it’s consumed in an individual setting. The communal nature of the internet/KZbin particularly makes it easier (in my opinion) for people to pay attention to what you’re saying as a fellow human instead of just as a filmmaker- to connect, resonate, and be actively thinking even as they watch. They see the individual and the individual’s craft/art form in a big picture yet up close way, instead of just seeing it from a distance, as a documentary and the people it’s about. Regardless, can’t wait to watch this one when it comes out. It’s been a joy to follow your journey for the past five years or so (holy cow). I appreciate how you’re always looking for ways to self assess and grow and then share that with your audience in a very authentic/open way. Hope this and all your future projects go well. I’m excited to see what you and Deb come up with!

[@houston-coley]

Thanks for your lovely comment! Thanks for the encouragement. I'm definitely in agreement on that "fellow human" idea with internet media; it's interactions like this that wouldn't be possible in a larger distribution model. I'm blown away that you've been here so long!

[@yourselfproductions]

Dude, watching this video was like watching my current experience being read out loud to me. I've been working on a short film for almost a year now, and man, as you know it is NOT easy. I still remember little naïve me last year thinking "a 20 minute short film? I could totally do that in like a month!" And here we are... A YEAR LATER and only halfway done. Now, not to say that it hasn't been a great experience, it's been a great one. I met so many talented people who helped me out and are now some of my best friends, but I totally get what you're saying about things constantly changing throughout production. My original script changed like 25 times throughout production (for the better) due to me either learning more about writing or just not having enough time to film everything. Like you said, the main thing that's hard to keep are your CORE THEMES, which have been clear from the start, but man, it's so hard to keep them when you get less and less days to film and have to cut things out. Luckily I've been able to keep the themes at the heart of the story, but it was definitely a rollercoaster to get there! Another great point you touched on was about "who are you making your movie for?" and I couldn't agree more. I used to make short films and videos with certain people in mind who were usually hard to impress, and let me tell you, it was such a bad way of making content. For a college mentorship assignment I had recently spoken to someone who used to work at Sony Pictures and on the topic of trying to please others he said something that really stuck out to me which was "If you're not making something YOU like, then what's the point?" Anyways, that's my little ramble. Good luck on the documentary, man!

[@houston-coley]

I love all these thoughts, man! I totally agree. I don't know why I was always trying to impress these aloof imaginary people in my head when so many cool people are right here. Good luck on your film - I know that feeling of having a project dragged out so long can suck so much of the spontaneity and energy out of it. But the refreshing thing I've learned is that that long rambling process usually doesn't often show up onscreen.

[@andrafan1]

I think I've been subscribed to your channel since your first Infinity War video and I have to say, I love this shift in direction you've taken with it. Your videos are so insightful, and so often I feel like you're articulating thoughts I've had as well but never knew how to express. Keep doing what you're doing, Houston! I wish you luck in your filmmaking journey, and I can't wait to watch your documentary and any other videos that you have in store for us! :)

[@houston-coley]

Thanks man!! It's so cool to hear from people who have been around so long - and even cooler that you like the new direction. It's because of comments like this that it's been such a good time being more conversational with videos.

[@seanestoque1395]

will they make narnia 4?

[@darrellglenn4113]

😞 pr໐๓໐Ş๓

[@jblitz1556]

I really appreciate this video. These video diaries are great for your reflection and wonderful insight into the process, particularly the folk filmmaking process as that's far more personal and largely seen as amateur. There's absolutely something about the nature of KZbin which makes people treat it with leisure, but then you look at Netflix/streaming services, which have the same KZbin goal as maintaining retention (Although KZbin is harder because other videos are constantly being shoved in your face). I'm sure you look at streaming analytics and find a similar story. The same goal applies, which is to keep an audience interested and I think that's a great realization you came to. I think posting to KZbin just naturally feels more like showing this cool thing you made to your friends (mostly thanks to the comment section), whereas Netflix Is The Way To Distribute Movies. Completely different styles. Let me also take this opportunity to say that I'm genuinely shocked you still have 63.4K subscribers because the quality of your videos just feels far more polished and intelligent than that. Still, with a base as supportive as yours, you've got a great bunch. Also wow that documentary with your wife traveling the world sounds lovely, your future plans are very exciting.

[@houston-coley]

Thanks for the encouragement my friend!! I really like the description of KZbin as “showing something to your friends” because that’s always how I feel. I’m really excited to show more.