I guess if owned a time machine and went back in time to tell my younger self some things about video ministry I would definitely give him the following notes.

1. Always ask people to watch your edit and then tell you what they interpreted. You’d be surprised how someone’s point of view completely differs to yours.

2. Never give up honing your craft. You need to practice new things all the time and then practice getting good at them. Don’t ever stop learning.

3. Story is king – This is Pixar’s motto. If it’s good enough for Pixar, it’s good enough for you.

4. Never compare yourself to other Christian media. To be honest, apart from a few stand outs, you are setting the bar far too low. It’s sad but true. “Christian” media varies in quality right across the board.

5. Be willing to accept criticism. People usually drop out after this point cause they can’t stand the heat! Just learn from your mistakes and move on. One of my favourite quotes is from Robert Rodriguez who said “Ever director has at least 10 bad films in them”.

6. Don’t compare yourself to other people. There is ALWAYS going to be someone better than you. ALWAYS! That isn’t the point. The point is that you are there, sitting at your computer, shooting with your camera, being the producer, making the motion graphics, rendering away for the Kingdom of God. You and you alone are the person chosen for this task. And if you follow steps 1-5, you will get better.

7. Money/Equipment should never be the reason you can’t get something done. If it is, you’re not thinking hard enough. You are creative, so find a creative solution. Otherwise you shouldn’t be in the biz (oooOOoooo harsh but true…)

Not sure if 22 year old me would listen to 32 year old me. He’d probably say “wow you have really let yourself go…”
In any case, heed my words of wisdom. Heed them!!! And you shall be the fairest in all the land!!

Anyways I couldn’t leave you all without a video to inspire you. This one kind of has it all. It’s what I’d imagine would happen if Toy Story was a real emo movie.
Enjoy!