YouTube: Art or Reality?

About the every-month thing: I would be unhappy with only one video a month, but I'd be down with one fantastically-produced vid per month (like your recent spate of awesomeness) plus one or two old-school talk-to-the-camera philosophy lessons. Or something else short and pleasant and easier for you to pull off.

This was fantastic. Thanks :)

Not only has this video inspired me to become a patron, but after watching it like... 3-4 times? I decided to check out the play you took inspiration from, The Pillowman. You do great work, thank you!

IcyKitty

I really appreciate this topic, as I have been wondering about what it means to be authentic. And I think you explored it in a very enlightening way. Also, loved the performances. LOVED the black and white treatment, the contrast looks really striking :D Oh, and I'm ok with one video a month :)

Dan

This reminds me of a lot of the questions I've asked myself (and others) about authenticity in stand-up comedy. (Here are some interviews with comedians I did years ago which touch on the subject: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUUBKeSUTTc" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUUBKeSUTTc</a> One of the interesting things I notice about myself on stage as opposed to off stage is that even though my onstage persona only resembles who I am about 1% of the time and is a heavily filtered version of myself, it's still more authentically "me" than the person I am when I'm offstage, or about 99% of the time. Like for example, on stage, I call myself by a stage name that reflects my personality, I wear clothes that convey an image of me as I see myself, and I talk about things I observe (rather than things like where I'm from), which I find much more interesting... but off stage, I call myself a name that was assigned to me and doesn't reflect my personality, I wear clothes that are entirely practical, and my conversations rarely go beyond small talk or work-related things, which don't really interest me. If I (or someone else) is telling a story on stage, I'll exaggerate, throw in sarcasm, or leave out or change unimportant details, for the sake of better comedy. But sometimes, I'll see a comic who completely makes up a story, and I'll tend to think of them as sort of "cheating" at comedy, i.e. being inauthentic. It really is a matter of degree. (Also, cool that you mentioned Adam Ruins Everything. I love that show!)

Shawn Ravenfire

This is next level stuff, Ollie. Love it, and I love where you've gone with the channel this year. If you want to make one video a month and think it'll be good for you, I say go for it.

William Heathcote

I really love this video. I feel weird sometimes about how connected I feel to you and other creators - particularly when I recognize that we have a shared experience of trauma. It's wonderful and edifying to know that you read our comments sometimes and feel the same way. I think we're right to just call it a social relationship at that point. There's a sense of awe that comes from knowing how shared your experiences are, more powerful than the judgement of good or bad. Thank you for everything you've shared, you've helped me feel better about being alive.

Wodenborn

I really enjoyed this video (I enjoy most of your videos, though). Especially the credits. Is that weird? I have heard a lot of about YouTube personalities and authenticity lately. I think it's an interesting conversation. There are many artists I feel speak to me and I feel a connection to (musicians, comedians, writers, etc.). I have never doubted their authenticity. I enjoy and identify with many of the YouTube personalities I follow and support. I don't doubt their authenticity either. I know this isn't who that person is 100% of the time. Everyone code switches for different life circumstances. Please keep up the good work. If that means 1 video a month, I'm into it. Your videos have gotten flashier and more produced, which definitely takes more time/work. You are a finite resource, so do what you have to do to keep yourself in working order.

If you keep up your current (amazing) style, I'd be more than happy with one video per month!

dominic