Hey Reader...

I've been a fitness nut for years. And one time during high school, I decided it was time for a major bulk.

Sigh...if only I had known. This ties into a lesson, but hang on with me for a sec.

You see, after years of hearing "eat big to get big" I took it to heart. I went all in. 3,500 calories a day.

And slowly but surely, over the next 6 months I gradually grew to 190lbs.

Translation: I accidentally got fat (ehh....fluffy might be a better word).

And then I realized something.

Just because you cram a bunch of food into your face cave doesn't mean you'll build a bunch of muscle.

Fast forward to today, and I've learned a lot more about fitness and how to gain weight the right way. I'm now eating the same calories a day, but at a much healthier 170lbs.

The difference? Experience x quality information.

You see, we all think we just need more information to solve our problems.

NUH UH. No we don't. We need the right information + trial and error.

I heard this quote the other day that blew my socks off: “Confidence is naturally born out of accomplishment…accomplishments are born out of failures." -Fr Moses.

So not only do you need quality info to guide you, but you need to fail. A lot.

One method I've learned is "failing forward."

We've all been trained to see failure as negative. Heck, I still do. But I've slowly been training myself to see each flop as a benefit to me. Every failed project or fallen-through deal somehow serves me. It's a bit of a brain-twister, I know. But it's a different way of thinking.

Most people think more info will solve their problem.

Newsflash: it won't.

But how do you know what the "right" information is?

One way is by vetting the people you get your info from. One red flag is if they don't practice what they preach. Everyone sometimes lets their guard slip, but chronic talk-the-talkers are a red flag IMO.

Another way is simply by acting on advice, then learning from the results. I had heard "eat big to get big" as a mantra for years without understanding two things:
(A) if it applied to me situation specifically
(B) how to apply it effectively

Knowing those two are key, and I can't discern them for you. You can only find that out by trail and error.

I hope to be a good source of inspiration and information to you. That's why I made a horror film this summer. That's why I'm releasing video essays on Youtube. That's why I'm writing this.

And now it's bulking season. But for your brain.

[insert big brain meme here]

I've gotten many requests:

• "What's your thought process?"
• "How do you tell scary stories as a Christian?"
• "Can you help me tell a good, scary story?"

And while I hope my emails and youtube videos help, sometimes you need to go a level deeper.

I'm going to be completely honest with you. I'm writing to you for two BIG reasons:

1. To offer you value so that I can support myself
2. I really, really want Christian art to be known as the best in the world.

If you've gotten this far, I can reasonably assume you care about Christians making amazing art (I should hope).

You know what? I'm 100% confident we can make it happen. In fact, it's already happening. But like my story from earlier, only the right combo of information + action will help you create art that contributes to God's kingdom.

So here's the deal. I'm dropping some crazy stuff for the next few months.

Starting next week, I'm dropping episode 1 of the behind-the-scenes of Doomscroll.

How on earth do I square my Christian convictions with horror? I answer that.

How do I make sure my films are distinguished from "the world?" I answer that.

What's my approach to having a "message" in the film, and how do I do it? I answer that.

And I'll be upfront: I'm still learning. We're on this together. If you learned something, share it with me! Patreon members get access to a monthly call with me and other members. If you have something you learned or a project you're working on, well I want to hear it!

If that interests you, click the big ol' button below and pick a membership tier.

If not, no worries. Reading these emails and watching my videos still means a ton.

There are some big projects on the horizon, and I want you to be involved in them. Having you as a co-creator lights me up like nothing else. I get to make films for a living, and you get the stories you've been craving. That's a win-win.

Stories are how we're gonna change culture. I believe it with my whole heart.

Yours,

Ryder