Brief Summary
In this video, Cera and Luke, two Canadian expats living in Hanoi, engage in a natural conversation covering a range of topics from the challenges of being on camera to the importance of perseverance and learning from mistakes. They share personal anecdotes, discuss their creative processes, and offer advice for aspiring content creators. The conversation also touches on cultural observations, language learning, and humorous everyday situations in Vietnam.
- The difficulty of being natural on camera and the pressure to perform.
- The importance of perseverance and learning from mistakes in achieving success.
- The challenges of content creation, including perfectionism and maintaining quality.
- The value of creating for oneself and finding a balance between personal passion and audience expectations.
- Tips for language learning and cultural adaptation in Vietnam.
Intro
Cera introduces Luke, a fellow Canadian living in Hanoi and a rapper. The video promises a natural conversation between the two, covering various topics and offering useful phrases and words for English learners.
Being in front of the camera
Cera and Luke discuss the feeling of having to "perform" when in front of a camera, which makes being natural difficult. They relate this to the challenges actors face, noting that acting seems easy but becomes unnatural when done on command. They share the story of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck writing the script for "Good Will Hunting" to create roles they were perfect for, highlighting the inspiring journey from obscurity to success.
Overnight success doesn't happen overnight
The conversation shifts to the idea that "overnight success" is a result of years of effort. They mention the survivorship bias, where people only see the success and not the hard work behind it. They celebrate individuals who break through later in life, citing JK Rowling as an example, and emphasize that persistence is key to achieving goals.
It's never too late
Cera and Luke agree that it's never too late to pursue one's goals, as long as one doesn't give up. They debunk fake inspirational stories and use the analogy of filmmaking to illustrate their point: just as multiple takes are needed to get the perfect shot, life requires continuous adjustments and perseverance.
Learn from your mistakes
They emphasize the importance of acknowledging and learning from mistakes rather than blaming external factors. They stress that continuous improvement and adaptation are essential for growth and success.
My failed channel
Cera shares his experience of creating a YouTube channel inspired by Mr. Ballin, where he told true stories for English learners. Despite investing significant time and effort, the videos didn't gain many views. He considers re-uploading them to his current channel, recognizing that finding the right audience can be challenging and that passion is crucial for motivation.
Making videos is hard!
Luke and Cera agree that making videos is a lot of work, a fact often underestimated by viewers. They discuss how their experience in filmmaking has changed the way they watch movies, making them more aware of the technical and creative effort involved.
Why I don't release new videos every day
Cera explains why he doesn't release new videos every day, emphasizing the time and thought required to produce quality content. He shares that he sometimes films a video multiple times to ensure it meets his standards. They acknowledge that while the audience may not notice minor imperfections, creators often have higher standards for their work.
The problem with perfectionism
The discussion turns to perfectionism and its potential drawbacks. Luke shares his approach to music creation, focusing on letting the music happen naturally and avoiding overthinking. They agree that art is subjective and that it's important to balance personal passion with audience expectations.
Advice for people who want to make videos
Cera and Luke offer advice for aspiring creators, encouraging them to take action, improve incrementally, and enjoy the process. They stress that creating something new and improving it in one way is better than trying to make the first one perfect. They highlight the importance of enjoying the process and avoiding the anxiety that comes with a perfectionist mindset.
Cat touches tripod
A brief, lighthearted moment where Cera's cat interacts with the camera tripod, adding a touch of humor to the conversation.
Luc is moving
Luke shares that he is moving to a new apartment nearby, which he found through a real estate agent friend. The new place has two bedrooms, allowing him to dedicate one room to music production.
Organizing your workspace
Luke expresses his excitement about having a dedicated space for his music equipment, making it more accessible and easier to use. Cera relates this to his own experience with filming, emphasizing the importance of having a well-organized setup to minimize friction and maximize creativity. They discuss the benefits of having a consistent setup for filming and recording, which saves time and energy.
Our trip to Ba Vì
The conversation shifts to an upcoming trip to Ba Vì, a mountainous area near Hanoi. They acknowledge that it will be hot due to the current heatwave.
Heatwave in Vietnam
They discuss the intense heatwave affecting Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia, expressing concern for those without access to air conditioning and shelter. Cera recounts his experience filming outdoors in the heat, highlighting the challenges of working in such conditions.
Pocari Sweat
Cera and Luke talk about Pocari Sweat, a popular Japanese sports drink. Cera recalls his initial reaction to the name, finding it strange to associate sweat with a beverage.
Can you drink sweat...?
The conversation takes a humorous turn as they ponder whether drinking sweat could replenish electrolytes. This leads them to question the health benefits of consuming one's own sweat.
Asking Chat GPT if we can drink sweat
They use ChatGPT to find out if drinking sweat is beneficial. ChatGPT advises against it, explaining that sweat contains waste products like urea and is mostly water, making it counterproductive for hydration. They extend the query to whether drinking pee is safe in a survival situation, with ChatGPT advising against it due to the concentration of toxins.
Can you understand us?
Cera addresses the audience, suggesting that if they can understand most of the conversation, their English is quite good. He explains that the conversation is natural and reflects how they would talk in a casual setting.
How Luc learns Vietnamese
Luke shares his approach to learning Vietnamese, which involves listening to natural speech and paying attention to the context of conversations. He mentions watching Andrew Baang's vlogs and using real-life situations to reinforce his vocabulary. Cera discusses the use of Vietnamese subtitles in his videos, explaining that they are intended to provide context and nuance for learners.
Tèo appearance
Cera's cat, Tèo, makes another appearance, this time inside a bag.
Goodbye!
Cera and Luke wrap up the conversation, thanking the audience for watching and hoping they found it helpful. Luke humorously concludes with the phrase, "It's the humidity that gets you."
