September 1, 2011

Graduation

I didn't start this blog with a bang, and I won't bother trying to end it with one. So, I won't. End it, I mean - at least not permanently. But it's been clear to anyone visiting on a regular basis over the last four years that Getafilm has been limping along for about 18 months, and it's time to acknowledge that I'm either not willing or not able to focus on watching and writing as much as I'd like to at this time in my life.

It's been interesting for me to ponder: is it because I'm unwilling or because I'm unable, and how long does a season in life last? Fortunately I don't need to determine all of that. I don't have to pull the plug or delete everything I've written. I can just turn the lights off in this room and come back if and when I feel like it - the door will be closed but it won't be locked.

To entertain the masses that are sure to continue to flock here on a daily basis, I've tagged several dozen of the 625 archived posts here as my personal favorites, based on the writing, the discussion in the comments, or for an entirely personal reason.

I'll also leave four lessons I've learned, perhaps one for each year of writing to date:

1. Virtual relationships are real relationships. I stopped paying attention to my site traffic a couple of years ago, but the latest data shows that about 170,000 unique visitors have checked in from 193 countries and territories. If you're impressed, you're merely uninformed: popular blogs and websites will rack up those numbers in a morning, while it's taken me years. But what I value much more than the hits (I've never profited a dime from traffic) are the relationships - even friendships - I've developed with some of those visitors who have taken the time to engage with this blog. Some of them I've met, others I hope to one day meet; making friends with strangers has never been so easy.

2. Don't treat a hobby like a job (especially if you already have a job). I almost learned this the hard way as there were times Getafilm actually threatened to damage my relationship with film. As any amateur blogger can tell you, the pressure (entirely self-created) to post something on a regular basis can be overwhelming. Fortunately I gave up that concern some time ago, and have since enjoyed not writing as much as I've enjoyed writing. Why I devoted thought and digital space here to movies like Elegy, Margot at the Wedding, Observe and Report, and Semi-Pro, I have no idea. By far my favorite writing is found in my "Taking It Home" reviews: not only did those get to the heart of my relationship to film, but they were also done on my own time and under no pressure. I never started blogging with the idea that I would become a full time film critic, and, although I'm glad for the opportunity to write freelance reviews when asked, I'm perfectly at peace as an amateur, independent writer.

3. Nothing improves your writing like writing (and reading the writing of others). This should go without saying, but if you are reading this as a beginning blogger or a potential blogger or writer of any kind, I can't overstate how helpful it can be to write on a regular basis. And also read the writing of others (see my blogroll for a few of my inspirations). Putting words to a page forces you to distill and organize your thoughts, helps you form persuasive and well-reasoned arguments, and, perhaps most importantly for any writer, improves the economy and efficiency of your expression (at least for most people - you can tell it's still not my greatest strength).

4. Maintain perspective. This is basically an extension of #2 and should be true about anything in life, but it's worth repeating. People start blogging because they have creative energy they're trying to channel in some way, but it would stand to reason they have interests in life entirely unrelated to their blog. I know that's true for me, at least. I'm passionately interested in film, but also in quite a number of other things to which I'd like to focus my limited free time and energy. So, I don't see this hiatus or hibernation as a departure from film and writing (I'm actually hoping to watch more movies than I have been recently), but an indefinite break to give myself an opportunity to breathe without the weight of the blog, reflect, and maybe pursue some of my other interests. But it's not necessarily the end - I might feel compelled to write about a movie I see next month, or next year, or maybe not until next decade.

Until whenever that may be, thank you for reading. I have learned more about film, writing, history and culture in this little corner of the internet than I ever could have hoped. You've helped me earn a four-year degree in movie blogging, and am going to enjoy my graduation and relax for a bit...

22 comments:

  1. You are missed, Daniel and I trust (hope) you are well in the offline world.

    Meeting you in LA that day remains one of the nicer unexpected results of my own little blog journey.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Craig, to say the feeling is mutual wouldn't cover it - LiC was one of the first blogs I actually started reading (never having read blogs before I naively started my own) and remains one of the few that I continue to regularly follow.

    Also, still waiting for you to visit Minneapolis so I can treat to you lunch; if I make it out there again first I'll be sure to check in on you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Daniel - Congratulations and enjoy your post-graduate career. I have enjoyed your blog, and I've really enjoyed your comments, often shooting logic holes in science fiction movies. I'll miss you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hokahey, I miss the opportunity to shoot logic holes in blockbusters. I know I've missed a few gems this summer already (I took a minor jab at Super 8 a while ago) and it's definitely something I still think about when I'm watching, even if I haven't had the time to flush them out here, Knowing-style. Thanks for always being a good sport in those debates (rare that people can have fun arguing and/or disagreeing in this day and age)!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've never minded the debates over movies (good and bad) that I love. I'm getting to the end of my third year of blogging, and in all that time, counter arguments coming from other bloggers have never dampened my enthusiasm for a movie I like. (I saw lots of logic holes in Super 8. That movie I was enthusiastic about disliking.)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sad to hear you are giving up the blogging gloves Daniel. Good luck to you in your career and maybe we will see you back at it down the road!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree, Hokahey - debates always make for the richest experiences. It's why we engage online this way, isn't it?

    Castor, thanks for your fellowship along the way. I'd say there's a decent chance I'll take the blog for a ride again at some point, but for now it's going to chill in the garage for a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Daniel: Can I suggest there's a Part B to No. 3? "Nothing improves your understanding of movies like writing about them." That doesn't mean that every movie needs to be written about. It means that the experience of writing about them, of looking into those fine details, shapes the way you watch movies thereafter. Or maybe that's just me.

    While my blog keeps plugging on without posting much more frequently than you will be in your official (but perhaps not permanent) retirement, I have tried to maintain the same attitude you express here. Indeed, I never want this hobby to be a job. And as the actual job has gobbled up time in recent years, I've made peace with the fact that the hobby -- because that's all it is -- has to suffer for it. So be it.

    I greatly appreciate all the support you've given my way; it means a lot. And even more I appreciate the good reads you've given me.

    Stop blogging, fine. But I hope you don't disappear. Drop in sometime. Check up on me and Hokahey so you can help me explain just how silly Nic Cage's next movie is. I'll be glad to see you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jason, thanks as always for your thoughtful comments. I totally agree with Part B to #3 - in fact, for the purposes of writing on a blog, the improved understanding of movies is as if not more important than improved writing.

    Rest assured I have and will continue to read yours and others blogs, even if I haven't dived into the discussions (I did watch Rear Window again recently and referenced your post while viewing). Your reviews are unquestionably among my favorites for your breezy writing style and critical clarity, often picking up on details that most people miss (logical impossibilities or otherwise).

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy for you but sad for myself and the movie blogging community, but then again, as you should know, I've been somewhat sad at your absence for much of the 18 months you referenced. However, I can take solace in knowing that you're out there bettering the world and not wasting your precious time writing words about how lovely Penelope Cruz's breasts were in Elegy. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fletch, you were one of the reasons I was inspired to jump in feet first, with LAMB being a kind of safety net or comfort blanket. For what it's worth I was sad to see you shutter BC, but have been following you at MILF!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for that, Daniel, but you surely didn't need my help at all.

    Yes, do keep up and stay in touch. How's married life treating you?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Come back soon Daniel. I liked reading your views on films. A few reviews in particular e.g. Star Trek I wouldn't have written if I had not been a reader of your site.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dylan - very well! Sorry for the delay..

    Film-Book, I appreciate the sentiment but am not yet feeling the pull to return this to my mental space right now. Incidentally I have been seeing quite a number of new movies, though, and am at least for the moment enjoying the "freedom" of seeing them without feeling a kind of obligation to write something (not that that was ever imposed on anyone but me in the first place).

    ReplyDelete
  15. You eloquently sum up the joys and mini-sorrows of blogging...I expect you'll be back round these parts again someday...We'll leave the light on for you...

    ReplyDelete
  16. The late visit to this post only illustrates how I have deserted you after a very long time of immersion in the daily goings-on at this place.

    You are a gentleman and an exceedingly gifted and fair-mided guy, who I considr a friend, sight unseen or not.

    I wish you and your lovely wife the best always, and have a great holiday season.

    ReplyDelete
  17. My best to you and your family as well, Sam!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the blog. Too bad there are no recent posts.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for coming by anyway, film. I haven't been itching to return to writing at the moment (and I definitely don't have the time to regularly maintain it), but maybe new films in 2012 will inspire me enough to make an attempt.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wish you luck with everything you do, so talented shame no new posts but it's ok.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails