So that happened! I started this insane challenge exactly one year ago today, and I finished it last night with 365 more films under my belt than when I started. Actually, more than that. In total I think I watched closer to 400 new films over the year (even more if you count the older movies I somehow found time to rewatch). Actually watching the movies was the easy part too if I’m honest. Making a damn cinemagraph for every single one of those movies, on the other hand, was a total pain in the ass as you can imagine. But no pain no gain, and I was able to really improve a skill I already had and make something special with it.
So was it worth it? Absolutely! This challenge overhauled so many aspects of the ways I do things, things that go beyond just the way I watch movies. Like I actually have pretty decent time management skills now for example, which I’m excited to put to use on new projects this year (more on that in a bit). I’m also much more analytical now than when I started, which is actually a bit of a double edged sword. After watching close to 400 movies in such an assembly line method, you really get a greater sense of narrative patterns and tropes and such, so it makes me really appreciate certain movies a lot more, but also ruins others. I’m pretty sure I would have liked Aquaman A LOT more had it come out in 2017 or earlier in the challenge for example. It is what it is.
On a personal level, I proved to myself that I can see something through to the end, no matter how outrageous or taxing. This whole challenge might not seem like that big of a deal to most, but to me, seeing this through as well as I did means everything. I feel like I can do anything now, which leads me to the whole point of this epilogue.
What now? As mentioned, I want to start working on other projects. I want to do more with video, like maybe make a few short films, finish a short documentary I filmed earlier this year, create a series of shorter social media pieces, stuff like that. You know, really make use of that YouTube channel of mine. I for sure plan of taking my podcasting game to the next level (multiple shows?) and enhancing the one I already do now. I also don’t plan on slowing down on the cinemagraphs anytime soon. I’m no doubt going to continue looping moments in films (and shows) that resonate with me, but I’d also like to to do more original cinemagraphs. I don’t do that nearly enough. Plenty of ambitious ideas and creative desires, so we’ll see how that goes.
As for this blog, I’m gonna keep it going, but not after some tweaking and rebranding. Once I get things a little more established, I’m going to shift it away from the 365 challenge and turn it into more of a project blog/diary. Basically, it’s going to be updates on everything I’m working on, my thoughts on the films and shows I watch, and anything else I feel like putting out there. Maybe I’ll introduce a video or audio aspect to it too!
Once again, looking forward to all the new creative challenges this year will no doubt bring, and I want to thank everyone who has supported me up to this point. Happy New Year!
-Adrian