My two momentous new projects

Nora and little K at the lighthouse museum in Victoria, PEI, Canada

Hello from beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada, folks! I’m having a fantastic summer with my family and working on two exciting projects that I can’t wait to share with you. As part of this work, I’ve been doing a deep dive on the origins of Everything is a Remix and breakthrough ideas. Let me tell you about all this!

The Remix Method

New video course coming September 6

The Remix Method is simply the creativity course I’ve always wanted. It’s not a collection of tips and tricks (although I do deliver plenty of those too). The Remix Method is a simple, comprehensive, step-by-step system designed to guide you through every stage of the creative process.

This two-hour video course is hosted by me and presented in a relaxed, fun, and accessible style. Whether you’ve never completed a creative project or you need to freshen up your process, this course will redefine how you think about creativity.

Everything I Know About Making Videos

Workshop runs September 20 - October 25, 2024

Everything I Know About Making Videos is what it says: it’s everything I know about making videos. In this six-week workshop I cover the full production process, from writing and research to editing, design, mixing audio, and more. It’s two decades of knowledge about video essay production distilled down into a single class.

This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from me about creating compelling video content. I’ll address your challenges and tailor the course to students’ needs. I have no plans to repeat this event. Visit here to learn more and to secure your spot now.

I believe in making creativity accessible to everyone. That’s why I’m offering several scholarships for those who need financial assistance. If you’re passionate about video production but need a helping hand, reply to this email with a bit about your situation for a chance to receive a scholarship. Spots are limited and will be granted by lottery.

The Origins of Everything is a Remix (Part 1)

As a teen, I struggled with originality, as I’m sure any creative person does. I idolized artists, especially musicians, and fully believed in innate talent. Some people had it. Some people didn’t. And that was your lot.

I had some talent and assumed that was my lot. Sure, I thought I could raise my game, but not a lot because I wasn’t highly gifted.

I was mystified as to how anybody could come up with anything original. This itch I had about originality and talent was what pulled me over the years to Everything is a Remix.

How do great artists and thinkers create original work? I wanted that answer.

That’s where your best ideas come from – some itch in your imagination. 

Music was the gateway

Music was the gateway through which I would make my discovery. As a teen, my main thing was music. One album in particular wriggled into my mind like a parasite and slowly grew. That album was Paul’s Boutique by The Beastie Boys.

When I first heard Paul’s Boutique I couldn’t truly grasp what I was hearing, but I knew it was a collage. I knew it was samples. I didn’t think they were playing all this stuff.

Here’s why that album was transcendent for me. It was like you were hearing so much more than just a band. Because it was this crazy array of samples, from all genres. It had an awesome breadth that a band couldn’t capture. It was like the greatness of human genius smooshed together into one thing.

It really stuck with me. And I basically never heard music like that again… until almost 20 years later. I’ll talk more about that later.

Back to life

Big detour after that, I went to university, worked as a graphic designer, published lots of zines and articles. I was just trying to get better at craft. Better writer, better designer, learn new software. I was trying to find my niche.

It wasn’t until my 30s that I started to feel like, okay, let’s make something good now, let’s do something new, something people haven’t experienced before.

I was making videos at this point, and I’m pretty good but more importantly, I’m improving quickly. And I’m getting some attention. There is momentum.

For a year or so I was making comedic video blogs, I was also researching my big idea: how do original things happen?

I didn’t know it at the time, but the Immerse phase of the creative process had begun. I’ll explain what that means next time.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy your summers, everyone!
Kirby

P.S. If you want to learn my filmmaking process directly from me, Everything I Know About Making Videos is your opportunity. Get your spot now.