Pre-announcement and other things
Added 2019-02-18 00:56:45 +0000 UTCThis is a challenging post to write, as at its crux it is effectively "this is an announcement that there will soon be an announcement", but I want to get this in place now as we aren't producing anything this month, and possibly next month, and want to give Patrons (especially at the $10+ level since your main reward is video production-related) the option to pause or lower .
So the first announcement, is, well, that - after some consideration, I've decided that after going pretty much nonstop for, well, a while (minus one small break in October) that it might be a good idea to build some breaks from production in from time to time, and now is a good time for several reasons.
First, if you follow me on Twitter you may already know that my co-editor, co-writer and Blingee artisan Angelina has just welcomed her first baby. In addition to that, Elisa (who moderates my YouTube comments, general correspondence and is generally in charge of this Patreon) is about to welcome her second baby in, oh, about a week. This is the winter of babies, and subsequently of maternity leave and me running the whole show by myself.
But there are other factors at play - the first (the one I can sort of talk about) is the process of leasing studio space here in LA! Wow, we're inching towards professionalism! Problem is I've a) never done this before so I have no idea what I'm doing and b) turns out that leasing commercial space means you need to go through all these "processes" with "permits" and "being ADA compliant" and "fixing the flooding issue that has happened because it has rained so fucking much this winter." Turns out, it's a whole thing! This has eaten up a lot of time this month and given that we're not even to the "go to the city to ask for permits" phase yet, it looks to be a while.
The other Thing that I'm working on is a non-video-related project that I have been working on for a long.... long... long...
long...
long time. One that has been confirmed but which I cannot yet announce. I'm hoping it will be made public within the next month or two. But rest assured, we are doing things! Those of us who are not nurturing precious new life and the future of humanity are keeping busy behind the scenes. As always, we thank you for your support and for keeping the lights on and giving us the means to have health insurance in our dystopian hellscape of a country.
-Lindsay
Comments
In my country employees get 3 weeks paid vacation per year. In other countries it's more. Also in most countries paid parental leave exists. I think most people on the planet won't hold it against you if you need a paid break.
2019-05-12 22:21:01 +0000 UTCYes, Patreon is about supporting artists so that they can create. Not buying content [although content is always enjoyed!]
2019-03-22 19:53:28 +0000 UTCI decided to finally become a patron after reading in the Wire article that you provide benefits to your staff. Keep up the incredible work at whatever pace is right for you and your staff.
2019-03-15 11:10:57 +0000 UTCGive less money? Oh no, no, no, I think the correct solution here is to give MORE money; so that you can expand your staff, and create more of that sweet, sweet content we all crave so much!
Jared A. de Seife
2019-03-13 05:21:01 +0000 UTCCongrats on the studio space and all the steps you're taking! (WARNING : shameless self promotion ahead) If you ever need an LA based animator or graphics dude for productions hit me up : ) @imsuze on insta.
2019-02-26 18:36:12 +0000 UTCWell, I'm not lowering my Patreon rate yet either. The content, when it is released, is substantive and high quality enough to warrant a few bunks a month. I feel very strongly about giving support where it is deserved.
Justin Boyer
2019-02-24 19:25:36 +0000 UTCI consider all of my future monthly Patreon contributions to be back-pay for the years of content you have provided my eyeballs and brain already. Take a hiatus, take a break, take a long walk on a beach, or work on some rad new projects. Either way, I'm happy to hang in at my level :)
Mister Joshua
2019-02-23 07:08:39 +0000 UTCAs long as this doesn't delay the 12-part "Directly Beneath the Enemy's Scrotum" from its Dec 2019 release, I'm cool with this. ;-)
Robert Gendron
2019-02-22 20:05:58 +0000 UTCMany of your videos, and some of the stories you have shared, have changed my point of view on many things, and thanks to this I am now able to deal with some family problems in a way my own self from 10 years ago couldn't have. What I'm saying is, you and your team have my gratitude.
Rodrigo V. Perez
2019-02-21 23:14:30 +0000 UTCTake your breaks, girl! We'd much rather you be mentally/emotionally sound and infrequent (a la Folding Ideas) rather than burnt out and consistent. So, so excited to hear what else you're working on... :3
Eddie Pollau
2019-02-20 02:10:30 +0000 UTCGod dammit, Lindsay, you edited your Twitter bio and now you're repped for books. PLURAL? *internally freaks out* Edit: and I note a tweet about wordcounts. A post probably too late to have been the War of the Worlds video. Non-video project indeed.
Aimee Thorne
2019-02-19 16:10:22 +0000 UTCHA! I'm kool with breaks. I'll miss seeing the content (i really look forward to it!) but life happens. Though I adore that lovely 'mother's guilt trip' last line. perfect :D
Sterling Treadwell
2019-02-19 15:39:02 +0000 UTCCONGRATS TO YOUR TEAM!! I'm sad there won't be any videos for awhile, but I'm glad you're taking a break to do what you need to do to keep the show running and allow your staff to be mothers. I won't be lowering my pledge because I'm not donating to you with the expectation that you'll give me content on the regular, but because I want to support you in your ventures, and that includes times like this! Looking forward to your return ~ <3
Dyce
2019-02-19 15:31:43 +0000 UTCBreaks are always important. You have been working so hard to give us great content. Please take care and relax!
2019-02-19 02:55:16 +0000 UTCDon't worry about it. I'm sure we all won't mind the wait and are looking forward to your nest high-quality content drop. We'll be here when you get back. ;-)
Edwin Moses Jackson
2019-02-19 01:42:30 +0000 UTCI get paid vacation days and paternity leave. I see no reason why you shouldn't get them too. Time off is important! Excited to hear what else you are working on.
2019-02-19 01:11:23 +0000 UTCIIRC, the change (on this channel) from per video to per month was done for the benefit of patrons so that there wouldn't be any surprises at the end of the month if they were to drop 2 or 3 videos instead of just 1. That way, there would be more consistency on both sides.
2019-02-18 23:02:05 +0000 UTCI actually upped my subscription from last year's $2 per video/month to $20 per month this year specifically to help you guys deal with parental leave, so I'm glad that's happening. When I did that, it was with the mental commitment of a full year at that level, then I'll reassess based on what I can afford and whether I'll be keeping my Crave subscription for another year as much as anything. I'll do my best to keep my credit card from being maxed out at the end of the month. I'm happy for you guys and wish for nothing to come your way that you can't handle.
2019-02-18 22:47:50 +0000 UTCWell that sound exciting!
Millie
2019-02-18 17:42:28 +0000 UTCLife wasn't meant to be easy... but it was supposed to be fun! Have fun!
Nick Cohn
2019-02-18 17:20:37 +0000 UTCWhatever you have to do, we'll be here when you're ready to return.
2019-02-18 16:46:21 +0000 UTCGood for you! Vacations are important! Sleep is important! Go get all the rest you need.
Eric Mulder
2019-02-18 15:41:00 +0000 UTCI have been watching you since the Black ships came, and if you need to take some time off, you can count on my continued support.
Randy Philipp
2019-02-18 14:33:45 +0000 UTCMy donations is for you to continue to make your amazing work and the show of dedication to quality, and I'll always wait patiently for such :) You'll never have to worry about making a video constantly out of sense of guilt, not for my sake. Take your time ;)
2019-02-18 12:56:03 +0000 UTCI may be wrong to assume the per-month model was originally intended as a buffer for a per-video patronage that's not 100% regular at small numbers of videos per month, but regardless it functions that way for many people. So I am impressed you took that group into consideration while the rest of us can safely say: We support you working on making videos, including the free time that any job should include and including the necessary work that's required for the endless improvement you've put into your work for as long as I remember following you. Or at least that's how I interpret the supportive messages above. Big thumbs up!
2019-02-18 11:52:15 +0000 UTCAppreciate your honesty and transparency! :) But we're behind you all the way.
Smutts McGoo
2019-02-18 11:07:17 +0000 UTCBeen following y'all for years and I trust you as creators and professionals because your work has only gotten better and better over time. Have a wonderful break (and many in future) and know that so very many of us will still be here whenever you come back!!!
Philippa K
2019-02-18 10:10:21 +0000 UTCTake a break Lindsay, you've definitely earned it! 👍 I'm not pausing patreon though, what kind of monster would I be not paying for breaks and maternity leave!?
Yvonne ̴ ̮͠ ̴
2019-02-18 09:59:41 +0000 UTCI support what you, i dont need a monthly video as "payment" i will contribute as long as i am able to. It seems like a especially good time to keep paying. Good luck with everything, give all the mothers and babies all the love and we will see you when we see you. I will Always be your patreon (Sung to "i Will Always be your soldier - Marit bergman)
2019-02-18 08:01:48 +0000 UTCGood luck, have fun, and have a good break!
2019-02-18 07:40:41 +0000 UTCBest of luck with all the things :) very excited to see what you have in the works!
mud
2019-02-18 07:23:46 +0000 UTCHappy to be playing a part :)
mud
2019-02-18 07:22:33 +0000 UTCCongratulations Angelina and Elisa! And good luck to you with your other projects.
Mar MB
2019-02-18 07:11:45 +0000 UTCIf any creative person has given me an appreciation for the number of necessary personal, technical and administrative things that need to go on behind producing content that I like, you... would be in the top 5. Behind a few Nintendo things. But still very important, so yeah, absolutely manage that stuff. I'm a far cry from the point where seeing a preview of a Thumbelina video made me think that you hadn't disappeared forever.
Matthew Dunne
2019-02-18 06:10:14 +0000 UTCIt would honestly never occur to me to lower my donation because the videos you've posted are worth so much more than what I can give at the moment, especially considering how often I watch them. (Seriously. Sometimes I just put them on in the background while doing boring everyday chores, it's great.) Reading this I sort of wish I could do more to help instead. If you, or any person in the production, have any need for a soon-to-be librarian in Sweden for whatever reason, just say the word. Best of luck to you all!
Lexie Lou
2019-02-18 05:59:40 +0000 UTCReading post aloud to wife, her reaction to: "... give Patrons the option to pause or lower" was: "why would I do that?" We're both happy about everything we read here. Best of luck!
Alien6981
2019-02-18 05:12:56 +0000 UTCYou’re good; good luck on the new-and-stressful stuff!
Thomas Hogdahl
2019-02-18 05:03:36 +0000 UTCCongrats on the new babies and I look forward to your other announcement.
Ashley Stoering
2019-02-18 04:35:30 +0000 UTCHonestly it's great to be funding things like healthcare and maternity leave. You know, things that take some stress out of people's lives so they can make cool things to benefit everyone. Taxes are ostensibly for such things, but not for the great land of individuality I guess. Gratz on all the developments, and looking forward to whatever pops up next!
CodeTako
2019-02-18 03:52:47 +0000 UTCSince you just posted literary representation info in your Twitter bio, I'm guessing book. But I look forward to whatever it is! Congratulations to the team!
Joe G
2019-02-18 03:23:06 +0000 UTCThanks so much for your transparency with your patrons. I only support a little bit, but I'm so glad it's being put to good use, and look forward to your future work after all is well!
2019-02-18 02:58:50 +0000 UTCI think it's cool that you're announcing it instead of just not saying anything. I'll keep my donations going though, even for my broke ass, two bucks a month ain't much, lol. Good luck with all that's happening!
Sarah Jesness
2019-02-18 02:38:04 +0000 UTCI feel like if nothing else I can do a patreon-only "hey, check out this warehouse"
Lindsay Ellis
2019-02-18 02:36:32 +0000 UTCgdi patreon
Lindsay Ellis
2019-02-18 02:35:43 +0000 UTCOkay, so you're in a tough transitional period. To me, that's exactly what Patreon support is for; I shall not pause.
Crescent Minor
2019-02-18 02:35:14 +0000 UTCThank you for the update. I'll be here for you and your team, though this break and into the future. I love the work you all do, and treasure the videos you upload, most of which I go back to time after time (like you should with good books and movies you enjoy). Take care, and be well.
Haldon Lindstrom
2019-02-18 02:17:13 +0000 UTCThanks for the update! Also if you're ever interested in makin a short vlog about the struggles of inching towards professionalism in production... well, I'D certainly watch it
2019-02-18 02:03:31 +0000 UTCFirst, Huzaa! to the new members of the team. May they have long and happy lives. Second, you (all!) take as long as you need. Subscribed for the long term.
michael mccafferty
2019-02-18 02:03:18 +0000 UTCI've enjoyed your videos for so long, I'm happy to keep supporting them in your hiatus. It's like I'm making back payments. <3 Congrats to the new parents and I probably speak for everyone here when I say we're happy to wait as long as you all need. :)
2019-02-18 01:55:59 +0000 UTCThis promising that things are happening that I can't show you is familiar to me since I've worked in backend web development. Things are happening I promise! 90% of the work the clients don't see. Good luck learning to do business things. :)
2019-02-18 01:50:27 +0000 UTCI'm excited for you, and I support you -- you'll have my two dollars a month indefinitely, for whatever it's worth (two dollars?) I hope things go as smoothly as they can for you, you're amazing and deserve all the success in the world!
Jacqueline Pineda
2019-02-18 01:47:36 +0000 UTCSounds fine to me, I'll still be here.
2019-02-18 01:47:35 +0000 UTCI think this is fine, It's more like a monthly donation to support the work, and your stuff has gotten leaps and bounds more complicated lately. I do have to point out one thing though. Patreon no longer offers the option to pause, you have to cancel and then re-Patreon.
Aimee Thorne
2019-02-18 01:46:43 +0000 UTCBecame a patron and will continue to do so regardless.
2019-02-18 01:43:33 +0000 UTCYOU CANNOT DISSUADE ME. I SHALL GIVE MONEY. }:[]
Becky Pennock
2019-02-18 01:43:02 +0000 UTCCongrats on doing big things! Hopefully stuff still goes well for everyone!
2019-02-18 01:40:03 +0000 UTCGoing to wish you the best of luck, also. And I never viewed my $10 a month as paying for content so much as a thank you for the content you've produced. So not pausing or lowering. Looking forward to seeing what comes next.
2019-02-18 01:40:00 +0000 UTCThanks for the update!
Mary Kimball
2019-02-18 01:38:46 +0000 UTCCongrats on everything that I do and don't know about. Hope everything goes smoothly and have fun/less tense break!
Bardcraft
2019-02-18 01:37:44 +0000 UTCI'm not saying it's NOT related to my Starscream/Megatron erotica but...
Lindsay Ellis
2019-02-18 01:36:15 +0000 UTCBest of luck with the new project, and congratulations to your coworkers!! I'll still be here :)
Vladimir Barash
2019-02-18 01:33:13 +0000 UTCFingers crossed for book or podcast 🤞
Nick Sullivan
2019-02-18 01:31:28 +0000 UTCKind of odd timing, I juuuuust became a patron a couple of weeks ago lol. But it's all good, you do what you gotta do and I'll still be here! :-)
2019-02-18 01:29:49 +0000 UTCBut where else would I spend my disposable income?
Jennifer Miller
2019-02-18 01:29:30 +0000 UTCHappy to contribute during this busy time! Good luck to all of you with these big and exciting changes! 💛
2019-02-18 01:28:59 +0000 UTCThe Shut Up and Sit Down crew always put it best when they talk about running a website off donations, the good thing about working for individual supporters is they understand you're a person who needs to take breaks or you'll burn out and they don't want you to burn out because like you, not just your platform. My first thought when I saw your Twitter non-announcement was "Book or baby?" So now that I'm pretty sure it's not a baby I'm wondering if it's book or tv show, or book or documentary, book or short film, book or a brand new website. Anyway, good luck with whatever it is. Publication/production is such a long process. Congratulations to Elisa and Angelina by the way.
De
2019-02-18 01:27:06 +0000 UTCCongratulations to the new mom, best of luck to the soon-to-be mom of two, and my prayers are with you for the commercial space, getting anything becomes so much harder when you're upfront that it's for making money.
Eileen Nguyen
2019-02-18 01:27:02 +0000 UTCI'm happy to support a content creator who supports her staff. Yay women - friendly policies!
Kat B
2019-02-18 01:24:54 +0000 UTCDidn't know Elisa was still so involved, cool.
Alex Wright
2019-02-18 01:24:03 +0000 UTCCongrats on so many exciting announcements!!! Yay babies! I can only speak for myself, but no matter how tight money may get, your level of content is always well worth the wait. Very excited about you going ‘professional’ and hope the process goes smoothly! (Let us LA folks know if you guys need any PAs. Very willing to volunteer when possible).
2019-02-18 01:22:58 +0000 UTCI didnt join this patreon just for new content, I joined to show appreciation for some of the best damn content on the internet for like, a decade. Yes, on the internet as a whole. As far as I'm concerned, you have a backlog of appreciation going back to early Nostalgia chick days. Glad to be a small part of a system that invests in talented people, and that includes breaks and time off for child care.
Adam Roy
2019-02-18 01:20:09 +0000 UTCThanks for letting us know. I'll miss these in my feed, but I think I'm prepared to maintain through, and I hope things go well.
2019-02-18 01:14:33 +0000 UTCIt's worth the wait. Congratulations to all.
2019-02-18 01:11:46 +0000 UTCWell I for one am aghast, AGHAST, that you would treat your crew to such indulgences as parental leave and... occasional free time. (Definitely won't feel compelled to pause pledge - you all deserve comfortable pay all year.) <3
Ugino
2019-02-18 01:09:43 +0000 UTCI love your work! Please take a break and take it easy! My donation will not change, of course.
Paul John Showalter
2019-02-18 01:08:00 +0000 UTCCongrats to the new mothers for creating life! Congrats to Lindsay and everyone for growing your enterprise. I look forward to the new productions!
Mister CPU
2019-02-18 01:07:59 +0000 UTCCongrats on all the good stuff! I can be patient with the delays. I also live in the LA area and this really is one hell of a winter! More like the Bay Area than SoCal. Definitely the wettest and coldest in the 10 years I've lived here.
Kyle Williams
2019-02-18 01:07:44 +0000 UTCGood luck and well wishes! Sounds like a whole process you'll be going through. Thanks for the heads up and looking forward to whatever comes up in the future.
Tennelle Flowers
2019-02-18 01:07:37 +0000 UTCSo... you getting your own tv-show/ Movie to direct? I hope its a Star scream Origin story. Keep up the great work with enough pauses!
Rodri
2019-02-18 01:06:33 +0000 UTCLove you lindsay! Longtime supporter here and I'm not planning on leaving any time soon. Keep up the work and do what you need to keep producing.
Ethan
2019-02-18 01:05:46 +0000 UTCCongrats to everyone! I'm looking forward to whatever you and the crew are going to produce in your fancy new space in however long it takes to get there!
Aaron Nemoyten
2019-02-18 01:04:06 +0000 UTCDo whatever you need to do, we're patient. Best of luck with your studio!
LiannaBlanca
2019-02-18 01:02:53 +0000 UTCCongrats on the babies and you keep doing you! And i hope the mysterious production is awesome (i'm sure it will be)
2019-02-18 01:01:52 +0000 UTCMan, as someone in the process of moving house, I can't even imagine the levels of stress dealing with obtaining a commerical space brings. You're adulting at a whole other level. Good luck!
Jay
2019-02-18 01:01:47 +0000 UTCI know you can't say what it is but I hope it's a book I'd read the hell out of a book if you wrote it
Tama Hero
2019-02-18 01:01:19 +0000 UTCCongratulations to everyone on the bebes 🎉🎉🎉!! We will wait. Most of our favorite shows in life we have to wait a long time for, so we can wait. Good luck in everything! Sounds exciting!
2019-02-18 01:00:59 +0000 UTCCongrats to the new babies! May the odds be ever in their favor.
T. Delligatti
2019-02-18 01:00:36 +0000 UTC