Something has been on my mind over the past few months about the direction of Cardistry that I need to share. It may be important to you, it may not, but I have noticed a trend over the past year that, in my opinion, needs to change. When was the last time you saw a Cardistry video that struck a chord with you, had a lasting impression, or was memorable and made you want to watch it many times over simply because it meant something to you? I remember a handful of them that came out many years ago that I still go back and watch. But recently, I can't seem to think of one that really hit home or really inspired me. This is the issue I want to discuss.
Now obviously it might just be me, but I am curious as to how many of you feel the way I do about the current direction that Cardistry is going. In my opinion and seeing it from my point of view, I haven't really seen the Cardistry community grow and evolve as much as it did back in the 2007-2011 era. I could be completely wrong, but then again this is just what I see. Why do I think this? Here's why:
Part of the reason why I think Cardistry hasn't grown that much or why Cardistry has lost its uniqueness is because there is a HUGE lack of originality in the community. Am I talking about the Cardistry moves themselves? Absolutely not. I have seen more original cardistry moves than ever before! So what am I talking about when I say originality? It mostly has to do with performance videos themselves that showcase the Cardist's material. Let me get into this in more detail.
Over the past year, most of the videos I have seen include this formula:
(cardistry moves + dubstep or rap music) = cardistry video
Does this formula go for every video? Absolutely not. There are a few exceptions. But this is what I mean by there being a lack of originality that sets anyone apart from one another. Almost every video is the same, even though the moves and the setting are different. All I get from it is that you put some moves to music and that's it. There is no lasting impression and doesn't leave me with inspiration.
Granted, if you want to just showcase some moves you are practicing on, there is nothing wrong with filming a few moves and putting some music on top of it just to share. But if you want to make a performance video that wants to catch the community by surprise and really showcase what you've got, you need to make your own style and film a video that is meaningful to you.
I feel that the community is somewhat pigeon-holing itself into using a certain genre of music and a certain filming style simply because it worked for someone else. Something that is really important to creating your own style is not in just the moves, but how you showcase them to your audience. I also feel that to grow Cardistry and expand it to a wider range of people, you need a video that will connect with them. Make them feel something. This why I think that a cardistry video should tell a story about yourself or an experience. Most of the cardistry videos you really remember are the ones that made a connection with you and made you feel something different. Cardistry has the potential to do this again, but for right now it's pretty stale. The only thing that keeps me interested now are the moves themselves and whether or not they look cool. That shouldn't be the only thing it's about.
If you want to make a cardistry video that takes the community's breath away, please do not do the cookie-cutter style that is out there currently. Find a genre of music that YOU enjoy, match the moves to the music you choose to use, and using your own filming style, capture the moves in a way only YOU can. The cardistry community needs way more people that think differently, and it needs different voices.
Is this a rant? Kind of. But it's something that has been on my mind as of late. Essentially what I am trying to say here is that Cardistry is more than just manipulating playing cards and slapping some dubstep or rap music (that rarely ever matches) on top of it. Cardistry is an art and an expression of yourself. Be original. Be yourself. Don't follow the norm. Make it meaningful.
-Casey
Now obviously it might just be me, but I am curious as to how many of you feel the way I do about the current direction that Cardistry is going. In my opinion and seeing it from my point of view, I haven't really seen the Cardistry community grow and evolve as much as it did back in the 2007-2011 era. I could be completely wrong, but then again this is just what I see. Why do I think this? Here's why:
Part of the reason why I think Cardistry hasn't grown that much or why Cardistry has lost its uniqueness is because there is a HUGE lack of originality in the community. Am I talking about the Cardistry moves themselves? Absolutely not. I have seen more original cardistry moves than ever before! So what am I talking about when I say originality? It mostly has to do with performance videos themselves that showcase the Cardist's material. Let me get into this in more detail.
Over the past year, most of the videos I have seen include this formula:
(cardistry moves + dubstep or rap music) = cardistry video
Does this formula go for every video? Absolutely not. There are a few exceptions. But this is what I mean by there being a lack of originality that sets anyone apart from one another. Almost every video is the same, even though the moves and the setting are different. All I get from it is that you put some moves to music and that's it. There is no lasting impression and doesn't leave me with inspiration.
Granted, if you want to just showcase some moves you are practicing on, there is nothing wrong with filming a few moves and putting some music on top of it just to share. But if you want to make a performance video that wants to catch the community by surprise and really showcase what you've got, you need to make your own style and film a video that is meaningful to you.
I feel that the community is somewhat pigeon-holing itself into using a certain genre of music and a certain filming style simply because it worked for someone else. Something that is really important to creating your own style is not in just the moves, but how you showcase them to your audience. I also feel that to grow Cardistry and expand it to a wider range of people, you need a video that will connect with them. Make them feel something. This why I think that a cardistry video should tell a story about yourself or an experience. Most of the cardistry videos you really remember are the ones that made a connection with you and made you feel something different. Cardistry has the potential to do this again, but for right now it's pretty stale. The only thing that keeps me interested now are the moves themselves and whether or not they look cool. That shouldn't be the only thing it's about.
If you want to make a cardistry video that takes the community's breath away, please do not do the cookie-cutter style that is out there currently. Find a genre of music that YOU enjoy, match the moves to the music you choose to use, and using your own filming style, capture the moves in a way only YOU can. The cardistry community needs way more people that think differently, and it needs different voices.
Is this a rant? Kind of. But it's something that has been on my mind as of late. Essentially what I am trying to say here is that Cardistry is more than just manipulating playing cards and slapping some dubstep or rap music (that rarely ever matches) on top of it. Cardistry is an art and an expression of yourself. Be original. Be yourself. Don't follow the norm. Make it meaningful.
-Casey