We don’t live in bubbles of seclusion, or information-blocking castles surrounded by a stagnant moat of uninfluenced thoughts. Isaac Newton hit the nail on the head, we all stand on the shoulders of giants. Whether that giant is a globally known and admired film director, or your friend who comes up with a clever idea that you then run with. Influence surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together. That’s not to say that you can’t have an original thought, but generally the flame that sparks an idea is rooted in an experience, an individual, or an event happening somewhere on planet Earth. Even the inspiration to write this entry came from an outside source. That source would be James Rolfe. Some of you may know him better as The Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN). James is turning his beloved web series into a full length feature film. This is an incredible feat, and one that should be admired by not only lovers of movies and games, but by anyone who has ever had a dream to tackle a creative project.
If you haven’t taken the time to research the
Angry Video Game Nerd Movie, be sure to watch the video on the right. The heart and soul that is being poured into James’s project is incredible, and if his story doesn’t inspire you to pick up a camera, brush, or a pen, I don’t know what will. As you can already guess, I’m a huge fan of
The Nerd. I’ve probably been watching his videos, on and off, for nearly a decade. I recently received a message from a HelloGreedo viewer mentioning that I used a line from an AVGN video in my
Star Wars Holiday Special review. I didn’t realize this, and at first I didn’t believe him. I then proceeded to sift through old AVGN videos to find the exact phrase I was being accused of using. I found it. Of course me using his phrase wasn’t on purpose, it was a simple mind-slip. A case of a hearing something years ago, and using it without putting two-and-two together or remembering the source. A drawer of thoughts from the past being opened, and a memory slipping through the cracks. This sort of thing happens in comedy, speeches, and even in visual mediums such as film or photography. So, I cheers a Rolling Rock to you James. Sorry about that one buddy.
I promise it won’t happen again.I have had correspondence with HelloGreedo viewers who say that my YouTube channel inspired them to pursue a creative project. That is an incredibly humbling thought. The idea that something I am so passionate about was the spark that aided someone in their pursuit, simply put, is an amazing feeling. Sure, HelloGreedo started as just a man. An individual. One guy with a camera and a voice. But just as HelloGreedo has grown up, so have I. HelloGreedo has become a symbol (at least in my mind) for the pursuit of enjoyment. It’s so much bigger than just another Star Wars YouTube Channel. It is the idea that, in the year 2014, you don’t need a studio. You don’t need a label. You don’t need a publisher. There is no reason you shouldn’t pursue your art.
So, I raise a big snifter of scotch to everyone who ever had an influence on me. From my dad helping me film stop-motion movies with Jurassic Park action figures, to the big man Lucas himself. Everyone who has ever helped me with a HelloGreedo video, whether in filming or simply juggling ideas, thank you. Inspiring an artist is one of the easiest things you can do. So, do your good deed for the day, tell someone you know that you dig what they’re doing. Tell them to keep it up, and press on. Tell them to continue developing their music, or make that indie film they’ve been talking about for years. Tell them to open an Etsy store and start selling their paintings. Inspire him to start a Star Wars YouTube channel, and grow a fan base that ends up inspiring him.
– HelloGreedo
