04 - Should you create content?

Hey friends 👋

I have been thinking about opening a new YouTube channel named The Marrow Of Life. This is a channel to discuss cinema, and explore the depths of some of my favourite films. The idea has been there in my mind for a while, but I'm constantly asking myself this question - Should I create content? And honestly, the answer is I don’t know.

I have this itch to share my thoughts on my favourite movies that I watch. It is not for gaining a million subs or being recognised by people etc. It's this true urge to discuss my favourite films the way I want to. And I'm convinced that this is a good enough reason for me to get started. I'm not sure if I'll enjoy the process of creating content, but I should at least try creating a few videos to figure this out.

But how? Where do I start?

I came across this simple framework for starting to create content by Varun Duggirala. He has a 4 question framework which helps you structure your content creation journey & also helps you reflect back when needed. The 4 questions are:

1. Why do you want to create content?

2. Why are you the right person do talk about this?

3. What's your unique take / perspective?

4. What are the things you never want to change about the channel & what are the things you are open to changing in the future?

This is a simple framework that helps me figure out the fundamentals. I'm answering these questions for my channel - The Marrow Of Life. I would love to talk to you if you are thinking about starting a channel! Reply to this email & let's chat. For others, I'll share my answers to these questions in the next week's newsletter.

💫 This week in Read Write Run

🎥 Movie: Kantara

Kantara is a Kannada movie by Rishab Shetty. It's one of the best theatrical experiences I have had this year. The movie discusses the land politics between Kannada tribal group, their landlord, & the Indian government. I wish they dwell deeper into this tension between these 3 groups, but they choose to take a good vs evil mystical angle. The first 30 & last 30 mins were spectacular to watch on the big screen. Do watch it in theatres if you can.

🎥 Movie: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Oh god! What do I share about this wonderfully innocent yet deep movie! Marcel is a Shell, that's 1 inch tall, with shoes. Marcel takes us on a journey of finding his lost community & talks about simple yet deep ideas that make you think. The movie is filled with comedy & cuteness. Highly highly recommend this movie.

🎙 Podcast: How Hasan Minhaj escaped the YouTube Algorithm

If you are a content creator, definitely watch this interview. Hasan is a master storyteller & he shares his insights about creating content online & being a creative person in this world driven by algorithms.

Also, let me know if you want me to share notes for these podcasts.

🎭 Standup show: The King's Jester

I couldn’t wait to watch The King's Jester after watching the interview of Hasan Minaj with Colin & Samir. Again a brilliant standup show. I was a huge fan of the Patriot Act & this standup felt like closure to that show. This standup is personal, intimate, powerful yet funny.

🏃 Run

I couldn’t complete the weekly goal this week :( But feel short just by 0.8 km.

From Monday to Friday, I did an average of 4 km every day. I was sure that I'll achieve the weekly goal on Saturday. Then something happened, I fell down the stairs on Friday and hurt my leg! It's not a serious injury but I couldn’t wear my shoes. Hope I can run this week, let's goo!

So that's about it for this week's issue. Thank you so much for reading till the end. If you have anything interesting to share, do reply to this email & let's chat! See you next week, bye-bye 👋

To infinity & beyond,

Rajesh RaghavanTwitter | Blog