Why Unfollowing Filmmakers Will Improve Your Filmmaking

[@Rheilffordd]

Austin, I can’t unsubscribe from your channel, at all, why? Because you’re the first and only Documentary/Film Maker channel here that speaks really genuine philosophical thoughts and ideas about documentary film making, without actively wanting to chase vanity metrics, push brands and products onto us, and as I struggle to get projects out, your videos speak to me to be motivated again! So thank you for sharing this and your very open encouragement to inspire people to create products of their vision! (Some of my transport themed documentaries are on my channel if you ever find yourself the time to have a view of any!)

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thank you so much

[@spikeboydell]

Profound and worthy advice, Austin. Despite having ‘Consume Less - Create More’ staring me in the face on my iPad lock screen, I find consumption is often easier than creation-though creation undoubtedly brings learning, growth, and satisfaction. As I highly value your insights, I’ve subscribed to your slightly becalmed yet thoughtful podcast so I can listen while going about my daily routines and walks. Interestingly, while I’m inspired to comment here, I was advised to turn off comments on my own KZbin channels! Apparently, it’s not ideal for algorithms, but it does wonders for your peace of mind. Keep up the fantastic work, and warm greetings from Sydney.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thank you so much! I gotta get back on that podcast game, huh? :) It's been too long since i did a longform interview! These youtube videos are taking up that time haha

[@IHCOYT]

These are some great points! I agree with you in some places and def have some interesting takeaways! Thanks for making this.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@IHCOYT my pleasure! Thanks for the love

[@MyJourneyAfter40]

I recently did the same thing and also cut my overall social media use down. My brain was getting the creative itch scratched by watching others create and not actually creating.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@MyJourneyAfter40 hell yeah. Love to hear that you came to that realization and made the change 💪

[@MyJourneyAfter40]

@@austinmeyerfilms it’s still a struggle to actually create but I did release my first intentional KZbin video last week and it felt really good! Planning for the next one now!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@MyJourneyAfter40 amazing! Congratulations 🙌🎉

[@commonprecisionaz]

Thanks for reminding me why I didn’t want to follow people to begin with. I want my ideas to be my own, even if someone else has the same type of idea.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Go get it!

[@theRk1300]

First time viewer, Great content. Let me introduce myself by saying that the film- The Social Dilemma, gave me no new information, I understood the trap behind it already by that time. Like what you said, looking forward for the algorithm to show me more of you by clicking like ❤😉😉 Still a little clickbait though.... Greetings from Bombay

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@theRk1300 thanks for watching!

[@ikechadmedia3116]

Interesting take. I can appreciate where you are coming from. I too have been influenced and have felt no inspiration from my social feeds. But I like coming across new creators, especially here on KZbin who seem to be going through the same struggles as I am. There is still inspiration and insight to be gained from social media. You just have to tune out the noise as you said.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Well said! I appreciate reading your perspective! Thanks for watching

[@BehindTheNeedle]

Love the message! Stop consuming, start creating! Case in point: I’m heading to Saigon tomorrow for the Vietnam Ink Show to showcase the tattoo artists and their amazing art through video. Keep going!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@BehindTheNeedle love that! Send me what you end up creating 💪

[@BehindTheNeedle]

@@austinmeyerfilms Thanks Austin! Will do!

[@MaineMountainMedia]

Thanks so much for the shout-out and the thoughtful response! It was truly a curiosity not a criticism and it seems like you took it that way so I'm glad. It's an interesting dilemma we're faced with as creators and film makers. We want to hold each other up, without all blending together. I agree with you that creativity is born in so many places, usually the "unlikely" places. I stay on socials because I enjoy consuming what other creative people make, but that's a personal decision and it's not right for everyones creative process. My strategy is turning off all notifications so I only view social content on my own time, but I like to sub so i get what I want, when i want. Keep up the great work! I won't unsubscribe...yet ;)

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@MaineMountainMedia thank you for inspiring this video!

[@MonsterS4R996]

Thanks for making this video. For many years, I had never subscribed to any channel. I just bookmarked the channel if I thought I'd like to comeback later on and watch some more. I don't do instagram, TikTok, even facebook. Only KZbin. On top of that, I HATE smartphones so much. Hate them with passion, I even made a 60 sec. short film about it. 😁 I just came back motorcycle ride, and somehow KZbin showed me this video. KZbin algorithm is evil, not only it is stressing out creators but also trying to lure viewers to binge watch KZbin videos. Now, it's time clean up my channel.😄

[@austinmeyerfilms]

So glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for being here, and I hope I can continue to bring you value whenever you feel like stopping by!

[@MonsterS4R996]

@@austinmeyerfilms Thanks. I've discovered your channel fairly recently. Really appreciate your honesty, like in the "Cinesaddle" video (You stated that if the one is using light weight set up, it won't be necessary. So I saved that $400 😄 I'm located in the Bay Area, also (in Marin County). So nice to see local people on this platform ! Subscribing is not the only way to support my favorite creators. Leaving comment is one, watching the contents all the way to the end is another. I enjoy the videos that I can learn something, something I can take with me after watching, rather than the video that makes me feel like I need to spend money on something.

[@HasanAmin]

I can relate to what you are saying here, Austin, I did the same, I found the correlation very obvious, the more I consumed the less I produced, so I had to strike a balance. Thanks for being you. Keep going my friend 👏🏼

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thank you, Hasan!

[@RockWILK]

Damn man... I did the same thing. Twice. lol. If we are to grow as artists, we have to be willing to let go from what has gotten too comfortable and find that uncertain space to re-define ourselves again and again as artists, but most importantly, as human beings.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@RockWILK love this. Thanks for sharing your reflection!

[@thetraveltitan]

Thank you to my 114 incredible subscribers! 🙌 I appreciate you!! Today’s a bit rough, but it’s another step forward. Just wanted to remind myself - and anyone reading - to stay strong and keep going. We’ve got this! 💪✨

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@thetraveltitan you absolutely got this! Keep goin ❤️

[@thetraveltitan]

@@austinmeyerfilms thanks a lot mate 🙏✌️

[@micahcrews]

I have cleaned out my socials periodically and found it beneficial to "clear the mechanism". I do have a short list of creators that I follow whose focus (like yours) is on technique, skills, and storytelling. When I am researching gear, there are a few gear agnostic channels (CVP, PROAC, B&H) that I will look up but I choose to not follow them. This is good advice. I also limit my social platforms Facebook is family only. Instagram is focused on displaying my photography and video projects, KZbin is video only - some working DPs, faith focused and news content as well. Good advice, Austin. Limit to create, focus on learning not gear, and gather from wide sources. My external input is watching docs, films, classic tv and films, reading all sorts of different books, and spending time with people. I prime the pump for story telling in different ways. This fall I am directing a theatre project that a friend wrote. It is times when I am focused on a project like this that I find I am most creative. The pump is primed and the ideas flow.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@micahcrews thanks for sharing these reflections, Micah! Totally agree with finding inspiration from some of those long form story mediums. There are definitely creators I get inspired by on KZbin as well, but it’s easy enough for me to seek them out by searching their name every once in a while.. intentionally seeking out rather than being served

[@RobertCreating]

Nice vid dude!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@RobertCreating thank you!

[@fireplaceinacozyroom2064]

“Just Do It!” like the Nike Ad says, and go out telling a story that speaks to the doc filmmaker. I found that most of the time, social media are a waste of time, and a big distraction. People tend to forget that great Hollywood DPs/Directors don’t even have a Facebook account. They’re not looking for “likes”, they’re looking for an audience that will go see their work in movie theatres /TV Networks and pay for that (“likes” vs actual $$$). Keeping following a very few DPs’ KZbin channels is for now my route in all of this. Thanks!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@fireplaceinacozyroom2064 thanks for sharing your thoughts! Love that “just do it” motto 🔥

[@mannythehunter]

I think instead of saying unfollow everyone we need to learn how to limit the amount we watch! This is extremely hard because it becomes easier "click" on a video.. then another.. and another. Next thing we know we have wasted 2 hrs watching videos and haven't accomplished anything. I have had to start limiting my weekly youtube activity to once or twice a week.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@mannythehunter like I said, I don’t trust my willpower against these social media algorithms! Haha

[@eifionjones8513]

Great video. Signal vs noise

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@eifionjones8513 great way to put it 🔥

[@FilmshooterOH]

Well I'm going to show you, Mister!!! and subscribe to even more channels. ;) Just kidding. I hear what you're saying and I know I can get sucked into the KZbin timewarp and the next thing I know, a hour has passed. Good advice!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

hahah, thank you!

[@LouisLuzuka]

How long did that take because I follow so many people 😮😅😢

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@LouisLuzuka it took me a little while! Haha

[@baruchratz512]

Surprise surprise, this is the video that made me follow you...

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@baruchratz512 you were warned! 😜

[@ZvilgantisKailis]

Did not finished to watch video just going to unfollow.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

@@ZvilgantisKailis 👏👏