We Don't Know Where We're Going ~ March, 2023

Friends of the studio,

2023 wasted no time showing up at the corner of Tutt and Carroll streets. In December's letter, I alluded to a coming year with fresh rhythms. Three months in, it seems appropriate to share a few with you:

• Go for a daily walk

• End today by making tomorrow’s task list

• Spend one day per week wholly on self-initiated projects

• Turn on Do Not Disturb for 3+ hours daily

I became interested in testing some rhythm-setting after listening to James Clear on Tim Ferriss’ podcast, saying: “You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” It landed heavily for me but with a sense that, within its weight, there might lie a path to lightness.

Two things felt clear. First, my systems were well-tuned to operating a modestly profitable studio with clients I value and collaborators I enjoy (this was not always the case, praise God for growth). But second, I was often setting goals for broader creative output and failing to rise to them. An indication: my latest essay on the blog was published 11 months ago, and my latest photo story, 15 months ago.

So, I’m doing my best to work within the structure of these four rhythms, trusting that there's a well of creativity and productivity to find within its walls.

Patrick O'Shaughnessy poetically summed up this posture on a recent episode of Making Media: “We don’t know where we’re going, but we know how to get there.”

These months in new client work, I traveled to Arizona and New York to help produce a television commercial with Viewrail, started pre-production on a video with iNDustry Labs, and collaborated with Kath Keur on her studio’s design projects with Wholesome Water and Misfit Society Coffee Club.

Before our filming dates in New York, I spent a couple of days roaming Brooklyn with John, talking about our new favorite book TRUCK nest, listening to Khotin at Public Records, eating the world’s finest gluten-free fried chicken at ACRE, and failing to secure the Lana Del Rey issue of Interview Magazine.

I’m happy to share a release date for my new photo book, Life In South Bend: Thursday, April 6th! If you missed the pre-order, a small restock is live on the shop today. We are hosting a release party for people who have purchased the book, so if you pick up one of these last copies, I will send you an invitation.

And in other news, Ms. Adeline, a short film I produced with Chuck and Ryan in 2020, is an official selection for River Bend Film Festival. The screening will be at the Goshen Theater at 2 pm on Saturday, April 22nd, and Sunday, April 23rd.

Good times at Tutt Street. Until next time,

Jacob