In the chaos of numerous projects on the go at the moment, it was by accident that I rediscovered a half finished letter that I had written a few years ago. My intention after leaving film school in 2008 was to make a bit of money before pursuing film and video in a bigger market by 2010. However, by then I had carved out a pretty nice situation for myself here in Medicine Hat. With lots of creative projects keeping me energized, ultimately I decided to stay.
This letter I found was the beginning of a thank you that I intended to give to Barb and Julie, the owners of Stream Media. They gave me my first job out of film school as a junior editor and videographer, and most importantly, they gave me a crash course in the operations and demands of being involved in a small production company. Fresh out of school, it was the best thing that could have happened to me.
A lot has changed since I scribbled out my rough thank you letter, but I thought I'd give it another go now. With the Stream office closing last year, and the business taking a more casual approach for the time being, it's hard to say what my involvement may be like moving forward. It's kind of what makes this feel like the right time to get these thoughts out. So here it goes.
Barb and Julie,
Thank you. For as often as we've joked around, shared stories, caught each other up on what everyone was watching, or what clever ideas we were inspired by, I'm not sure that I've said thank you enough times for the experiences you've given me while working at Stream Media.
I remember my interview with you both. I remember how much you pushed to get me hired, Julie. I remember how you were the one I had to win over, Barb. It was the start of a new chapter for all of us, and when things kicked off that summer in 2008, I can't tell you how proud I was to be a part of the team.
I loved that only a week after being hired you gave me the opportunity to shoot aerial photography from a helicopter. I loved that you handed me footage from the college and let me show you what I could do with it. I loved that there was no delay in letting me shoot for you, edit for you, and brainstorm about concepts. Really, I loved that you were both willing to take creative risks, and at the end of the day, that it was always about making something that we could all be proud of - even if the project was basic.
The things I learnt from both of you in my first year became tremendous building blocks that really allowed me to grow creatively. I continued to gain more confidence as you gave me the freedom to make mistakes, experiment, and bring ideas to the table. In general, the work I did with both of you made me a stronger filmmaker, editor, and photographer.
In addition to this, I feel like the support you showed me came at a time when I really needed someone to give me a chance. You were both influential in nurturing my style, while also offering constructive advice to help me improve. When I look back at 2008, I can't help but think about what a diverse amount of work we did and the unique experiences that I had behind the camera and in the edit suite in a matter of months. It was the education I wished I would've received more of in film school. In retrospect, the only upset is that it didn't last longer.
So, let this message be a reminder and formal declaration of just how much I appreciate you guys and what you did for me. You're both amazing in my books, and I hope the final chapter hasn't been written on our time working and collaborating together. You know where to reach me. Stay awesome.
All my best,
Luke
The final part of my exploration of the abandoned Towne Theatre was to head up to the two small upstairs cinemas. These two rooms were actually in pretty nice shape, and were the one part of the building that didn't look much different than I remembered them. The seats were redone only a year or two before the theatre closed, so without much use they still looked relatively new. Even the light strips on the stairs still worked.
Further back in the building the main office of theatre was now empty. Just a few random stickers and magnets from several decades of movies were left covering the filing cabinet drawers. What better way to end a tour of an old movie theatre than with a nostalgia kick? I'm glad I had the chance to see it all up close again and document it to share with you.
Every year that I write one of these anniversary posts it reminds me of just how much can happen in 365 days. If hitting my five year milestone last year clued me into anything, it was that the success of this site has come from the continued pursuit of achieving the creative goals I've set out for myself. Each year has been a learning experience, and year six of Editing Luke was especially incredible in that respect.
Photography and video have always been the backbone of this online project, but it was the focus that came from turning the lens on my hometown that really kicked off a new chapter in year six. Around the Hat has not only allowed me to showcase the passion I have for what I do, but it's connected me with a lot of amazing people in my community. From contract offers to image sales, the ripple effect has stirred up a lot of excitement, and once again, has redefined the influence and impact of my site.
After six years it's amazing to look back at the stories I've documented and shared. Everything has been a stepping stone to something bigger and better, and it's been a thrill to top my past achievements - like when I raved about first hitting 10,000 video views back in 2007 for instance. It's these things that remind me of just how far I've come. Now with over 1.38 million online video views, I'm still shocked that all of this grew out of a simple desire to make my work seem more relevant as I was preparing to leave film school. The numbers aren't what make this special though, it's the fact that I can see how my work is resonating and connecting with more and more people each year. The persistence of keeping this project alive has allowed me to build momentum, and it's amazing how much has happened on the back of that.
It's like I said last year, "I don't go a month without sharing something I've created, shot, or edited. The upkeep of this project has resulted in a personal obligation to live by my words, to dream out-loud, and to build some form of context while doing so". If there was any advice I could pass on, it's that you should pursue your ambitions with key goals in mind. Nothing pans out all at once, but you'll be amazed how much ground you've gained just because you've given yourself things to aim for. Six years in, and not only is this still fun for me to do, but it's become a lightning rod for new opportunities and contacts. I can't wait to see what another year brings.
Stats After 6 Years - 1394 Blog Posts - 271,135 Blog Views - 1.38 Million Video Views
