Your Mom Lied–Stop Being Yourself

Your Mom Lied–Stop Being Yourself

“Oh don’t worry, just be yourself.”

Sound familiar?

This phrase has to be one of the most well-intentioned sentences ever spoken, yet at the same time, one of the most misinterpreted.

I know this saying is often meant to calm your nerves in the moment, (maybe in a social setting) but how helpful is this phrase the rest of the time?

If you truly want to be the best version of yourself, then you need to embrace the unknown and uncomfortable version of yourself.

While “Be yourself” may be a nice gesture to say to someone, it is not a great life motto to live by.

I hate to break it to you, but you can’t get where you want to go by being yourself.

Life is like a video game, and each level requires a more capable and determined version of YOU.

When I first started making videos, I had no clue how massive of a learning curve I had ahead of me.

But I think that’s one of the most rewarding parts of life–Remembering where you once were and recognizing how far you’ve come.

While no one likes to look like the newb, it’s the only way to level yourself up.

I don’t care if you’ve been doing something for 10 days or 10 years, stay humble and never stop learning and growing.

As soon as I start to feel comfortable, I remind myself happiness is found in the journey, not the destination.

Your chances of being miserable only go up once you’ve decided you’ve “made it.”

And while achieving a goal feels good at first, that feeling eventually wears off and you wonder why your life just isn’t the same as it once was.

So instead of embracing the stagnant notion of “being yourself”, choose to consistently “level up yourself”.

Life is too short not to.

You got this👊🏻

-Landon

PS - Dr Joe Dispenza’s interview on The Diary of a CEO Podcast was the inspiration behind this week’s topic. You can check out the full YouTube video HERE.

Nikon shocked us all this last week when they announced their acquisition of RED which may have significant implications for camera development. While not as expected as Nikon taking over Panavision or Sony, this move has the potential to reshape the camera market landscape. RED, known for its disruptive entry into the industry in 2005, faced skepticism initially but has since become a successful cinema camera company with a strong brand image. Despite catering to high-end production, RED has a wide following, even among those who may never afford its products.

The acquisition positions RED as a subsidiary of Nikon, with Nikon gaining control over all of RED's intellectual properties and patents. This development follows a recent legal dispute between the two companies over the use of Nikon's compressed raw codec in RED's cameras. While the details of the agreement are undisclosed, it likely paved the way for this acquisition. However, questions linger about the future of RED's patented technologies and whether Nikon will continue to enforce them against competitors.

Beyond legal implications, the acquisition opens up possibilities for technology exchange between RED and Nikon. This could lead to the integration of RED's camera technology into Nikon's mirrorless market, potentially introducing features like Nikkor cinema lenses and REDCODE compression. Moreover, the association with RED enhances Nikon's company image, providing a significant boost to its market presence. Overall, while the full impact of the acquisition remains speculative, it undoubtedly heralds significant changes in camera development and industry dynamics.

Since its release in theaters, Dune: Part Two has mesmerized filmmakers for its visually stunning cinematography. The man behind the cinematography for Dune, Greg Fraser, recently sat down with Dolby to discuss his work on Dune Part Two. Having previously collaborated on projects like The Batman and Dune Part One, Fraser won his first Academy Award for his work on Dune: Part One.

Dolby’s conversation with Fraser shares insights into his preparation process for Dune Part Two, highlighting the unique challenges faced during pre-production. Despite the interruption of the Academy Awards in the midst of preparations, Fraser and his team navigated technical and creative hurdles, leveraging their experience from Dune Part One to explore bolder artistic choices for the sequel. The acquisition of knowledge from previous projects, such as The Creator, influenced Fraser's approach, emphasizing a blend of practical effects and CGI to maintain a sense of realism throughout filming.

Additionally, Fraser discusses the role of color grading in enhancing the visual storytelling of Dune Part Two and goes through the intricate process colorist David Cole went through to allow for a seamless transition from on-set production to the final grading phase.

Fraser also shares their unconventional method of capturing digitally on the Alexa camera but opting for a film-out process to 35mm, which then gets scanned back in, adding a unique texture and depth to the visuals. Overall, Fraser's insights provide a glimpse into the meticulous craftsmanship behind the visually stunning Dune Part Two.

You can watch the whole conversation HERE.

CREATOR SPOTLIGHT

From Filming Parkour to Becoming An Editing Master

The story of Kamil Ignatowski

Ever since I was a kid growing up in Poland, I've been captivated by the magic of video. I loved filming my friends and I doing Parkour and spending countless hours meticulously editing the footage into awesome videos with cool effects. But my passion for filmmaking wasn't limited to just Parkour - I also enjoyed creating videos with more elaborate plots and storytelling. As I got older and entered college, my videography took a backseat as I focused on my studies. I graduated with an engineering degree, and after college, I found myself working as a 3D graphics designer at my best friend's company. Although I enjoyed the work, my passion for videography slowly started to resurface. It kept calling me back. So, after careful consideration, I decided to invest some money in new equipment. Within a few months, I took the leap and started pursuing videography as a full-time career, reigniting my love for crafting captivating visual stories. In 2020, I discovered Full Time Filmmaker and purchased their course, which would prove to be a turning point in my journey as a filmmaker.

Eager to take my skills to the next level, I dove into learning After Effects to add even more visual wizardry to my projects. That's when I had my "aha!" moment and realized that my true calling was in editing and crafting mind-blowing animations. With this newfound clarity, I created my own post-production studio, Editing Ninja. I also started sharing my knowledge with others, first by creating a free Premiere Pro course in Polish on YouTube, and later by making After Effects tutorials in English under the same Editing Ninja channel. The channel quickly gained traction, and now it receives hundreds of views every day from aspiring filmmakers and editors eager to learn and grow.

My video editing journey took an exciting turn when I moved to Mexico and met my lovely fiancee, Milene. As a professional marketing expert who has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, she has been an incredible source of motivation and support, helping me to grow both personally and professionally. With her encouragement and guidance, I've been able to take my career to new heights. Now, I'm thrilled to work with several retainer clients, some of whom I've collaborated with for over two years. Full Time Filmmaker has been a game-changer in my growth and success. Their mini-courses are packed with valuable insights, and the vibrant FTF Facebook community is an incredible resource for connecting with fellow creators and finding new opportunities. In fact, nearly 90% of my current clients came through the group! I'm truly grateful for everything Full Time Filmmaker has created. Last month alone, I closed deals totaling over $10,000, which just goes to show that with hard work, dedication, and the support of loved ones, you can achieve amazing things in this industry.

What advice would you give to someone getting started?

If you're just starting out in the world of filmmaking, my advice is to begin by taking on free to fee projects. This is a fantastic way to build your portfolio, make connections, and gain valuable experience. Having a strong portfolio is essential, and I highly recommend showcasing your work on a dedicated website rather than relying solely on Instagram, Vimeo or YouTube. It's a more professional approach. As you develop your skills and experience, don't be afraid to recognize the value of your time and expertise. Remember, it's okay to charge what you're worth! Hard work and dedication are key - I wouldn't be where I am today if I slept in until 10 am and only worked 3-5 hours a day. If you put in the effort, you can achieve great things.

Check out Kamil’s website HERE and his YouTube channel HERE.

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