UP | uncultured project

Is it really supposed to be this hard? That’s the question I find myself asking this morning. And by “morning” I mean that the sun is starting to come up. I didn’t sleep at all last night. Or the night before. In fact, I spend almost every waking hour of every day working on this project – and I keep at it until my eyes can’t stay open anymore.

Is it really supposed to be this hard?

I wish I could say there’s a gazillion videos that I’ve been able to upload to YouTube to show for all this time I’ve spent working – but there isn’t. The fact is I have the daunting task of editing over 100+ hours of high definition footage, spanning 3 years, and 5 continents and turning them all into nicely edited and captivating videos of 3 to 5 minutes in length. And I’ve just scratched the surface.

Is it really supposed to be this hard?

Part of the problem is that, especially with the kinds of stories I want to tell, I find it best if my videos are timed to music. In fact some of the most popular stories I’ve told are ones which have strong musical pieces to them. But the problem is that, finding such music is nearly impossible. When I do find a song that would tell a good story – 9 times out of 10 it’s something copyrighted.

Is it really supposed to be this hard?

In between searching the multitudes of copyright-free music for that one song that might fit the video I’m trying to make at the moment, I’m trying to get my foot in the doors with various charities. Having proved the value and interest of what I’m doing, I would have hoped that it would be easier to team up with international NGOs and charities. But, even with charities I’ve worked with, every new project is like starting from square one.

Is it really supposed to be this hard?

In between, trying to network with charities and trying to edit videos and trying to find copyright free music that I can use, I’m keeping track of your donations.  After all, it’s one thing to make a mistake when it’s my just Xbox 360 savings – it’s another thing when it’s your donation. On top of that, I have to make sure I log how I spend each donation, make sure I get as many receipts as possible, and make sure I do both well to keep any potential tax man at bay.

Is it really supposed to be this hard?

Making the donations aspect even more complicated is the fact that I’ve started to accept donations for operations & equipment. To be honest, such donations have left me in a frozen panic. I desperately need new equipment – but there just isn’t enough money for everything (even with a new generous sponsor that I tweeted about back in December). I’m faced with a daunting prospect – do I spend the money on what I need now (like equipment) or do I save it for what I need later (like operational costs in the field)?

Is it really supposed to be this hard?

On top of this, I have the crazy idea of growing this project – not just keeping it afloat. One of the ways I’ve been trying to do this is by getting friends involved. Whether it’s a friend whose spent some of your donations while on a service trip (like Matt in Uganda) or a friend who offered to help me find (or make) some music to use in my videos. What should be helping me take a load off and make things easier – actually does the opposite as I now have to make sure my friends stick to (but often slip on) various deadlines.

Is it really supposed to be this hard?

The same question keeps ringing in my head because, at least from what I can see, it sometimes feels like I’ve somehow miraculously found the hardest possible path with the greatest possible hurdles. It would have been so much easier if all I did was fund raise for things from home, didn’t care to film things, didn’t care to edit, or didn’t care to ensure your donations were not going into my pocket. But it’s more than that.

I follow a lot of charities, founders of charities, aid workers, and celebrities on Twitter. Maybe it’s a case of the grass is greener on the other side – but it seems like they have a hell of an easier time than me. Celebs, as I’ve talked about before, need only pick up a phone and a charity will be at their beck & call. Whereas I spend weeks writing proposals and ask favors from every contact I have for such opportunities. Especially in Canada, even many charity founders are mini-celebs in and of themselves – so they travel the world and a TV crew follows them. That sure must make things easy.

And, a lot of the time, it just feels like my work is pulling me in so many different directions that I’m not sure what to tackle first. If I try and find music to use – my video editing falls behind. If I try and network with a charity – than everything else falls behind (and there are tons of false leads too). It just seems like… there aren’t any big breaks coming. And I’m not sure if this is just a hump or if it’s an endless downward spiral.

Is it really supposed to be this hard?