Mood:
lazyNow Playing: Not Paramore or Daft Punk
So I think this will be my first sort of messy post. Up until now, I've picked a topic and for the most part, stuck to it. I think it's okay for a blog to not always be so essay-like. In fact, my guess is that variety will keep people interested more than a constant string of essays. So, here goes - what's on my mind, juggling wise, this Monday, May 12.
First of all, happy birthday to Wes Peden. He's finally 18. I always joked about how he seemed to be 17 forever - well, he's finally gained a +1 Age UpGrade which makes him able to vote for Vova here in the US! Seriously, though, happy birthday Wes! We in the juggling world are so lucky that he is so good at 18. I can't wait to see his skills post-Sweden. And his performances, as I'm sure he's working equally hard on both.
Does anyone know that on YouTube you can subscribe not only to people but to TAGS? That's right. For those of you who don't know (THE SOURCE HAS A WHITE OWNER!!!), you can subscribe to words on YouTube. Don't ask me how - I figured it out like a year ago. Anyway, I've subscribed to the word "juggl" without the "e" because that means that "juggle", "juggling", and "juggler" all get sent to my daily subscription page.
Anyway, I guess it's easier to criticize than to create, but honestly, there are so many juggling videos online these days that it's hard not to complain. I'm no Oskar Wrango when it comes to film knowledge, but I'm getting seriously tired with the lack of creativity. Screw creativity - just do something new. Like Wes said in "what the duck", he doesn't even care if it's bad - just do something new. I'm probably preaching to the choir in this blog but here are some quick guidelines to all of you juggling video-makers out there. I'll keep it simple:
1)Don't use music by Paramore or Daft Punk. Nuff said. Also, please don't use juggling music that has been on another juggling video. This pisses me off to no end. Especially if the juggler who used the music first made a much better video than you.
2) If you're using Windows Movie Maker, do not use the default blue background with white text for your intro.
3)Do not number your freaking videos. Thomas Dietz is the only exception. If you are not Thomas Dietz or are not making your videos as part of a series (ala Tricks of the Day, Karas Kwickies, etc.) do not put a number after your freaking name. This will guarantee I will not watch them.
4) Trailers? Really? Like I said, there are exceptions. I've been excited by trailers from the following people - Brett Sheets, Wes Peden, Thomas Dietz, Anthony Gatto. Hypocrite? Yes, I made a trailer to "Normal Like You" but it was mostly dancing. If I haven't heard of you (believe me, I do my research), you do not need a trailer. Just release the video.
5)No more 744. I don't care if you want to show the world you can do it. So can everyone else.
6)Fill the frame. If you're doing a low three club trick, what do you need all the space above your head for? I'm watching a video for the juggling, not for the sky.
7)Don't say "thanks for watching" at the end of your videos. It just screams amateur. Put it in the description box or something.
I guess that's it. I'm doing my best not to sound conceited. I'm really not. And I doubt this will have any effect on YouTube juggling videos. I just wish that so much hard drive space wasn't wasted by the exact SAME juggling video, the only difference being, quite frankly, the juggler.
On a final note, adding to the long list of inspiration I received while attending the JAQ Montreal Fest: I've decided to switch to Russians. I know. This is a big thing for me. I've been a diehard beanbagger for seven years now. I've had my affairs with MMX and even stage balls, but I've always come back to beanbags.
However, after seeing so much beautiful BBB stuff both at Montreal and in Japan Tricks Peden, I've realized that russians are the way to go. Emmanuel had given me seven back in January at TurboFest and I finally shook the dust off them and learned BBB. It's so much freaking fun, I'm a bit giddy. Also, I've been mad experimenting with chin trap stuff and have a lot of new stuff that I've never seen anybody else do before. Much of it is Japan and Aoki inspired. So yeah, this may be another affair, but I agree with Julien that russians have so much "life" in them compared to beanbags and I love the fact that they do maintain their shape. Also, they roll but not as fast as stage balls. I've been able to do my 4b leg roll trick much easier with Russians. I suppose in many ways, they're like cheating :-)
And last but not least,here's a Chassidic Juggling Show! Enjoy, my Jewish friends:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hnR3sEkyuw
