Patreon Exclusive: Going Full Time!

Congratulations Andrew! You've deepened my appreciation for all of the content you talk about. You remind me of someone - a good friend. Your panache, your voice. Your insights into music, production, and visual communications. I really like that you've 'taught' me the unseen or obscured foundations that have lead me to love these shows and movies. I also got a big kick out of 'the chord that ended classical music'! I'm happy that you're growing - wishing you every success!

Just joined. You are my very first patreon subscription, and I was inspired to join because your videos are not only always interesting and varied, but also seem very "non-corporate"? There are other channels I like that I don't worry will go away (thinking, e.g. Rick Beato), but yours seems to be more of a passion project that needs nurturing. You seem very sincere in your presentation. Perhaps I'm off base, but it's exciting to me that you are trying to do it full time, and I look forward to the new content.

Oh wow, I’m in Vancouver too. The algorithm just sent you to me. I always assume people are so far away. Jealous of your career! 🤯 I really hope you make it, man. This is the good stuff. You should definitely offer us a higher tier.

It's funny you express surprise at the performance of the Metaverse video. It had me laughing out loud while also providing compelling insight. That's what got me on the channel, and I joined here after finding through other videos that your thinking resonates deeply with me. Since you're taking the leap in to full time and asked for some feedback, I thought I'd point to a heavily underserved (on YT) series that I believe suits your style and interests, as far as I can tell what they are from here. It's is difficult to overstate the impact of The Sopranos. This is in my opinion the best that TV has to offer. I often tell people that the mafia subject matter is just a veneer for a TV show that fundamentally about philosophy. I liken this show to viewing great artwork. The acting, production quality, and writing make each episode feel like a painting that you can can sit with and interpret based on your own life experiences. Anyways, good luck with the new venture. This will work out for you, no doubt at all. Looking forward to all of your content. Cheers from MTL - Shea

Brilliant! Looking forward to more of your excellent content! I _love_ your videos about Star Trek, but didn't join up just because of that! (I still haven't watched your video about Pluribus, because I haven't watched the series yet!). And can I say here , thanks for the video about Q. I disliked that character before, but you helped me to see it in a different light. All power to your elbow (as the saying goes)!

I'm very excited for this chapter and congratulations and good luck! I'd personally love to see more videos about philosophy from a storytelling lens. And also vides that touch on the concept of "meaning".

I think if I had a suggestion, whether it's LOTR, Star Trek, or anything else, my favorite aspect of these videos is the thorough analysis of why a story, medium, or process matters. I love Star Trek because even though not every episode was great, it had a an aspirational ethos and one could, in theory, become a better person through the experience of watching it. All my favorite stories have a morality that cannot be ignored, and I think moral complexity and beauty are too often overlooked when present, or left out of things entirely. Keep showing us why certain stories matter, and why the ones that don't, failed in their objective (*cough* new star wars trilogy)

Maybe you could set up a web where people can recommend topics and media and books that they'd like to hear your take on (even just be a specific post where you request only suggestions as comments). Of course, just scanning through suggestions could become very time consuming!

Looking forward to hearing more from you. I enjoy your videos with musical analysis, as I think this is such an important part of storytelling. I would like more detailed music theory/analysis, but I understand you need to keep it at a level that doesn't lose people. For the Star Trek series, I'd love to hear your thoughts on some of the novels.

Happy to support a fellow Canadian content creator! Love your work. Trust your instincts when it comes to video ideas. They got you to this point. Cheers!

Congratulations, Andrew, yours is the only YouTube channel I have a Patreon for (should we say "that I patronise"? Doesn't seem right). Another comment mentioned "integrity" and I think that's a key word for me - your essays show so much respect for both the artists and the audience, and give us a grown-up, considered and thoughtful perspective. Which doesn't mean you can't also do terrible jokes, like the 'content creator' one. On topics - I would have first seen your LotR videos and I'll never say no to more of those! But I love the variety and especially the recent branching out into visual art, photography, philosophy and tech. Loved the AI one. Good luck for the future, I really look forward to what is coming next!

Maybe more long-form vids

I'm here because it's rare to come across someone who has insight worth sharing but combines it with integrity and imaginative flavor. I don't want to be talked at by someone who doesn't respect my capacity to learn and grow. I want to be invited along for a little journey that leaves the mind changed just a tiny bit. I would guess the above mentioned qualities have a part in your success thus far, so really just keep doing what you're doing. P.S I went back and checked the view counts on my favorite videos and they're almost all in that wonderful 10-15k view category, so there's at least SOME of us who like the niche ideas. Personally I would love to hear someone talk about the rabbit hole that is GWAR in a sophisticated fashion.

MORE videos? YES

I think you have star quality and may go very far. I love the videos where you go beyond analyzing media properties. More books would be great -- not so visual, but there's a lot of public domain illustration and photos out there (see: Ken Burns).

For me it was the Aesop’s fables, the naughty painting analysis, the western philosophy videos that captured me. Those videos were so unique and interesting. I love thinking about the foundations of storytelling and how stories influence us in the modern world in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. I also loved your internet video, I never thought of the internet as an exploration front. The analysis of storytelling and the creative process for me is interesting, I get less out of Star Trek/Star Wars analyses.

I can't quite remember how I stumbled across the channel, but I think the Metaverse video may have been the first I saw (and it was brilliant). I've since watched a ton of The Lord of The Rings and Star Wars ones, and the most recent video on AI was excellent and resonated so much. I only recently became a Patreon after seeing you mention you're doing this full time and I think it's awesome and would love to support you in some small way. Keep up the great work! 👏

Congrats on doing this full time!! Wishing you all the best and hope you don't put too much pressure on yourself this year. You're gonna do great. Enjoy!!

I joined the Patreon to try and support this transition - really looking forward to the creations that come from a full time dedication 🙏🙂 Almost wish there was a way to collaborate, since these are the kind of things I often think about, but I unfortunately don't have the bandwidth or YouTube skills to pull off something like this, and thus am I grateful for your efforts 🌄

I actually found this channel through your Chrono Trigger video. I’m not much of a Trekkie but your Darmok video really captivated me. I think you have a lot to say about so many aspects of storytelling and an engaging way to present yourself. Congratulations on going full time. I hope you only keep doing it as long as it’s fulfilling for you. And I can’t wait to see what you have in store!

I would personally LOVE a star trek episode each month. I also would like to say that you're one of my favorite content creators. Not just because of your content but, because of you too. Please keep your layed back demeanor. It's a great attitude that feels extremely fresh these days. Thank you for the work that you do and I'm also looking forward to the future.

I can't remember what was the video that convinced me I needed to support you on Patreon (never did before!), but let me say that even just the title of your channel resonate with me. When I found your channel it was like good, I finally got what I was lookinng for. So it's kind of mutual, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. Congratulation, again, can't wait to see your next video!

Andrew, I couldn't support your decision more. The world needs creators like you, brother! My writer's workshop and I continue to view your videos regularly, and we always resonate so much with your perspectives on story and storytelling. Wishing you so well from Kentucky brother!

Very happy for you, congratulations! Love your videos!

Don’t become too serieus. Don’t loose what makes it fun to create for you and watch for us. What spoke to me is the ‘storytelling’ part of the idea. Good luck! Can’t wait to see where you’ll take us next.

Congrats again on going full time. Really excited to see where it goes from here. Your content has been incredible and considering that it’s only been a part time thing for you so far I think we all have a lot to look forward to. If you’re familiar with the show Avatar the Last Airbender I’d be really interested in hear you talk about it. Otherwise I really like your Tolkien videos and the ones you do on topics more tangentially related to storytelling. Your recent AI one was a great exploration of the topic.

Your depth and nuanced wisdom delight me -- pick whatever you like then be incisive for us, please. However, since you're going full-time, might you consider modifying the membership pay structure please -- $1 or $5 seems insufficient, perhaps you could allow followers to select something >$5.

Very exciting - can’t wait to see how this evolves.

just adding to the congratulations, i've raised my tier in celebration

That's so exciting! Congratulations on the step, I can't wait to see more and hope it brings you a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment (along with plenty of success!). Each one of your videos stoke a genuine sense curiosity and delight that always stick with me. I've even used some of your videos as teaching tools when mentoring other writers at work. It may seem small on the surface, but know the impact of your own passion goes very far indeed. Keep up the phenomenal work!

Along with the analysis you do in the videos, I enjoy your sense of humor.

Congrats, and here is to a long run!! In terms of topics, I would love to learn more about how elements of experience that are “transcendent” (or maybe mythic/mythological/mystical) require story to really be “taken seriously.” I feel that the best moments of pretty much every book or movie I enjoy touch on a theme that would somehow not really “work” if it was a “news story.” It then becomes so important all of a sudden to ask “but why did they do that?” Whereas when it is a (fictional) story, I can simply relax into the mythical aspects and accept that the character is fulfilling a purpose in completing an arc…

Love your videos! I probably discovered you via Tolkien videos, but have enjoyed TNG and SW as well. I do like how you bring historical references and context (ie: say the Hero’s Journey, Faustian bargains, and the like) what about going deeper into those older source materials? Gilgamesh, Beowulf, Ramayana, etc. there’s a whole history of world mythologies to dive into, either on their own, or tying their origins to more modern adaptations. Looking forward to joining you on your next era.

Hello from Nova Scotia. Congrats on the big step, Andrew. I watch all your videos and decided to become a patron because I really value the lens through which you view story. I love the way you break things down, particularly The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and how you can elucidate episodes of Star Trek like "The Inner Light." I'm an aspiring author, and listening to your take on story arcs and character development feels like getting pro advice. I'm curious whether you'll ever get into Game of Thrones. I'm not sure if it's your cup of tea, but the books in particular (though unfinished) are, in my opinion, second to none when it comes to characterization. And with the show's first five seasons being heavily based on the books, they're compelling as well. Anyway, best of luck with this endeavour. I look forward to all your videos and trust your content selection. Whatever direction your curiosity takes you, I'm interested. Jeff

Very happy to see more of you—content, duration, and frequency. Glad you are following a dream. That's such wonderful accomplishment! Congratulations. I will likely increase my Patreon commitment as well. Artists and creatives must ally!!

Your voice is a net positive for me. I appreciate your choice.

The Star Trek videos hooked me. The thoughtful, nuanced approach to stories brought me onto the boat. Make whatever your heart and mind leads you to. I'll be in the seat, day one, on Patreon, and then again on YouTube to boost engagement. I haven't been this excited for a launch in a while. We're here for YOU, not the topics.

Incredible achievement Andrew! Congratulations

So happy for you! And for us. Love every video - TNG, LotR, Painting, Music (more music!) and so on.