Chapter 1: The Importance of Personal Tastes

In today's world, it's essential for individuals to showcase their preferences and insights. Recommendations serve as a mirror of one's identity. So let's begin on a light note: promote your circle of friends — their triumphs become yours. An old saying suggests that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. I guess that makes me a reflection of my one and only heart! ❤️

What are your passions? Flaunt them. Show more care. Strive for improvement. That's what I'm attempting to do.

Gone are the days when we took pride in spotlighting our friends' websites on our blogs. Let us raise a glass in memory of the Myspace Top 8. Substack's latest writer referral initiative is innovative and is already generating network effects. For those who prefer corporate jargon, we could term it intra-network cross-pollination.

This is a game of attribution and affiliation, of connections. It’s all about deep links and profound insights.

I'm continuously observing how art and information circulate, especially in the digital realm. Over the past five years, I've made it a personal project, yet the visibility remains low. It's particularly amusing how representatives often neglect to highlight their clients on their sites. Instead, they tend to feature elaborate About pages that focus on senior leaders' credentials. Many agents or studio executives would rather mention events like the Telluride Film Festival to showcase their presence rather than discuss the films that resonate with them. I confess, I've been guilty of this too. Social media can easily become a platform for self-promotion and clout chasing. Everything becomes a stage for your persona.

Status symbols and signals abound. Individuals are often more inclined to tag locations like The Strand rather than dive into a good book.

The quest continues to uncover the artist's artist, or as we say today, the influencer's influencer.

Who truly drives social awareness and sets the strategic direction? The industry is filled with curators, creators, and influential figures. The leaders of our ‘free’ world embody all three roles. Their ecosystem thrives on reputation and relationships. Ultimately, it’s your taste, ideas, and financial backing that set you apart. Film festivals are marketed precisely on this premise.

Professionals in film and television have crafted careers, akin to a small casino, out of this dynamic. Although barriers within the industry have been diminishing for some time, inflated egos and ignorance often prevail. Many remain oblivious to upcoming changes. Time can be a foe, while business dealings often become allies. It's crucial to engage talent not by persuading their agents or managers first, but by connecting with their closest friends, partners, and colleagues.

Take the alternative route. Go directly to the source. We’re all adults navigating this landscape.

You might be surprised to learn how many creatives feel dissatisfied with their representation. I've heard discontent from some of the biggest stars, the last bastions of marketable talent, who express feeling under-served. Such negligence is disconcerting. The same applies to portfolio companies and their so-called value-adding VCs. It's about putting in the effort.

Assume responsibility. Attach your reputation to every submission email you send. Just one email can change everything.

The scene may seem lifeless, but long live the scene! Let's add this to the growing list of topics. Next week, we’ll delve into “impressions” and inside jokes from forums.

That’s all for now. Thank you for reading. The deluge of disposability continues. Until next week, only five left!

Chapter 2: Industry Insights and Trends

This video titled "Grimm's Fairy Tales - The Shroud, The Jew Among Thorns & The Skillful Hunter" offers a unique perspective on classic narratives.

In the "Warren Chang Demo" from January 24, 2022, viewers can witness the creative process behind art and its applications in contemporary contexts.

The landscape of content creation is ever-evolving, with various industry players raising significant funding and pushing innovative boundaries. Notably, Kyra, a video content studio, has secured $15 million. Meanwhile, Semafor, a journalist platform, raised $25 million, and Laylo, a CRM designed for musicians to connect with fans, garnered $8 million. Additionally, Stability AI raised an impressive $101 million for stable diffusion technology, while StoryFit, focused on audience insights, raised $5.5 million. The tech landscape is buzzing with developments, from Apple's iris-scanning headset to Klarna's introduction of shoppable video.

As we explore the future of entertainment and technology, it's crucial to stay informed about these trends and how they shape our social interactions and artistic expressions.