Opening a Virtual Streaming Studio - The First Year

In reflecting on a successful year of building a production studio during a pandemic, the items that come to mind are numerous and extensive. I will continue to share throughout this year as Imaginology turns 25 years of age in 2021, but I have outlined some top thoughts and insights gleaned from the last year of preparing for business.

Having dreams of a dedicated studio or physical location for decades and finally achieving this vision during a year of pandemic complications, economic disruption and political chaos somehow seems impossibly appropriate for the dualistic nature of the universe. In difficulty, comes opportunity. In chaos, comes order. In failure, comes success. In the form of lessons and long-term commitment. True are these things, especially if we validate that nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come, when combined with fortune favoring the prepared.

Although envisioning and intention work was undoubtedly required, it was only a small fraction of the complex formula and sacrifice required to advance a vision from mental exercise to action and implementation. The vision for an Imaginology studio is several decades in development and did not instantly appear. Thinking back to it's origins, Imaginology has always demanded a dedicated space and has had a handful of small offices and cubicles over the years. At it's most homey, Imaginology was installed into the garage of my home. Once your company has taken over your basement den and displaced your vehicles in the garage for the space required to complete production projects, it is clearly time to make the mighty move to establish a physical production studio location. (insert divorce, loss of home, bankruptcy, depression and a near death experience and you have a few more of the required ingredients for success, perhaps).

Family and friends - the secret sauce. Many individuals have committed to facilitate, support and enable Imaginology projects and productions over the years. The cost to create independent productions is a small fortune and the Imaginology community has paid dearly over the years and deserves any and all rewards, returns and recognition for their contributions that they reasonably request or require. It has always been an Imaginology belief that the individual has unlimited potential. Working with Imaginology leverages the individuals experience working with the brand and organization and enhances their experience in life in various ways and by experience design and the Imaginology CurriculumTM. The possibility and perhaps viability of an Imaginology studio exists as a direct result of the family and friends associated with and sometimes barreled over by the existence of a vision whose time has come. As Founding Director, it has been my personal responsibility to ensure the continued success and growth of Imaginology. Sometimes, just a simple association with me, results in a commitment to the organization, as I have fully dedicated my life's work to "improve the human condition" and therefore have pre-existing conditions associated with maintaining personal and intimate relationships. Separating work from self seems disconnected or disingenuous when attempting to accomplish projects and productions with precision, clarity and fidelity. Ultimately however, I Nathaniel Jack Greene, work for my kids. They will ultimately be the success or failure of me and have sacrificed the most. They should then withhold the majority stake in any future endeavors. They should both be included in our film productions as they are both incredibly beautiful and talented people inside and out.

Failure - the inevitable teacher. Undeniably, I have failed in my career as Chief Imaginologist and Founder. I have failed to meet the commitments required to grow the business as the potential demands. I have failed to expand internationally as the organization has needed. I have failed to fund projects and productions with the resources that would ensure global distribution or visibility and sometimes commercial success. I have failed to scream loud enough for help when I really, truly needed it and have also been just too stubborn to ask for the help that does not require screaming. I have failed to write or communicate about my failures as I am now. I have failed to maintain relationships for which the organization may have further benefitted from or been of benfit to. I have failed to cash in short term, for the prize inside at the bottom of the box. I have failed in my intimate relationships and loves. I have failed my family and I have failed myself. These acknowledgements of failure help inform success and are not acknowledged as a form of disappointment, rather, the hard, real-world truths of a business in the process of becoming and developing beyond the constraints of these failures. Acknowledging shortcomings helps to inform future decisions and success.

Humor - the essence of the human existence. Yes, it is ALL funny. Even in the most painful way. To have humor in the darkest hour is what the soul demands to survive during crisis. To chuckle at the imperfection of everything reminds you of just how human we all truly are. With a global pandemic at hand, America on fire and uncertainty being the new operating system, humor may be the antidote to the depressive nature of social politics that predominate the American psyche if not the global psyche. Funny thing is, we are now entering a new era of politics in America. Arguably, one of new direction and energy.

Advancements - The advancements we have made with Imaginology over 25 years are priceless and may only ever be counted by future generations. This is now by design, as we intend to extend the vision for an improved human condition into the next millenia as is increasingly necessary. Imaginology Foundation 2021-3030. Imaginology.org.

In conclusion, there is no conclusion. The process continues. Failures. Success. Hard work. Humor. Family and Friends. Those who have taken a strong stand with the mission to improve the human condition will continue to flourish as we establish the next generation of Imaginologists. Please contact me directly if you feel a gravity to our cause or wish to leverage our shared vision. We are seeking present and future Imaginologists now.

"Imagination is the ultimate technology."

Nathaniel Jack Greene
Founding Chief Imaginologist
nathang@imaginology.com

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Juxtaposition

Summer, AD two thousand and twenty years. Phoenix. Maricopa County. Arizona. The United States of America. Earth. 

Bothered and cautious is the feeling of the Chief Imaginologist.  

Global human condition = unhealthy. 

Cautiously optimistic and eternally grateful for the love shared and interest in Imaginology studio. 

A space dedicated to the development of our mission: to improve the human condition.

After 25 years of trial, triumph, failure, sacrifice, bloody, sweat, and a few too many tears, Imaginology has a new future. Beyond prior space limitations and constraints. A home for our continued creative development and community collaboration. 

Bring the future on. Humans are preparing for a new condition. One of health, prosperity, and natural order with justice. 

2020 has presented a too complex dichotomy of states, however. Polar opposition. Extremes. A moment in humanity never before observed or experienced by so many.

Juxtaposition is defined as two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. 

As an animator, I am seeking the spectrum of energy that often is expressed in a given moment. Juxtaposition can be a beautiful aesthetic when opposing natures combine and become harmonious.

Opening a studio during social distancing, quarantines, stay at home orders, and limited interactions with humans; Juxtaposed by the desire for human connectivity, touch, time, and shared expression. Demanding virtual chats, video conferences, and assistance across the digital "Threshold". 

Being out of work, juxtaposed with so much work to do. 

Installing Phoenix, Arizona's first live, animation studio for performance and human expression through characterized form; Juxtaposed by the dissonance and fears for health and safety in a global pandemic, socio-economic climate. 

The tragedy of this global virus affects humanity; Juxtaposed by the will to improve the human condition. To assist others with telling their story. Sharing this moment in time. This cultural paradigm shift. The clash of positives and negatives. The inability to define all contexts into a black or white box. 

Unrest in many forms. Social. Political. Psychological. 

This unnerving inability to see a middle way; Juxtaposed by the opportunity to acknowledge the unpredictability of now. 

Fear of disease, government, foreigners, and your neighbors; Juxtaposed by the courage to cooperate and engage in the local community of action.

Independence, juxtaposed by lockdowns.

Dualism suggests that every negative consequence or action has an equal and opposite reaction, just as Newton's third law of physics proves.

Humans suffer; therefore, we must thrive.

In difficulty, we must triumph.

With destruction comes creation.

                                                                         - Nathaniel Jack Greene - Chief Imaginologist 

The Future is Unwritten

As Chief Imaginologist, I have kept a calendar reminder for me every Friday at noon to read, “The future is unwritten.” A wise mentor of mine suggested a weekly reminder to acknowledge that every moment is an opportunity to do something better than before. It is helpful to acknowledge the work you will do in the week to come while giving you a breath to acknowledge the work you have accomplished thus far. 

What a year at Imaginology. 2020. Who would have thought? I mean, we were promised jetpacks or hoverboards or some other brand name that no longer applies to only our hopes and desires for a more space-age future. I suppose you could perceive filtration masks, personal health protective equipment, healthcare precautions, and travel restrictions a perfect sign of what was to come.

Nathan Greene and Susan Bendix  - Photographer @daviddupreephotographer

However, an Imaginologist prefers to engage in healthy, constructive criticism, not cynicism, and remains focused on the potentials awaiting to be discovered and/or rediscovered. The darkest hour is always just before dawn.

Spending 25 years struggling to migrate traditional, analog businesses, non-profits, and individuals to digital culture technologies. Juxtaposed by the overwhelming demand for experience and expertise in managing a media production pipeline business.

With such a busy year, I have had so many matters on my mind. This is a blog post to acknowledge the progress and prepare myself for what is to come. I am writing with great fervor and will continue to edit and reiterate. 

Grief processing. The pain humanity has felt this year as a global whole, has been palpable. Americans were, and still are, destined to be of another nature. One of independence. One of health and prosperity with balanced and accountable governance representative of the will of the people. All people. 

With so much of the world in pause, Imaginology has been juxtaposed by great, rapid action and growth. Expanding our operations, growing a team of globally focused and locally active Imaginologists. With the recent launch of our Apprenticeship Program, we are well positioned for a positive impact in our local and global community. 

Imaginology Studio

As Imaginology opened its first studio location on Historic Grand Avenue this year, there wasn’t a living spirit to be found. Dark, silent, and alone, Imaginology opened. The deafening silence of the streets of Grand Avenue. Pre-pandemic was always a hub of central Phoenician’s low-rider, bass rumbling, cruiser culture, blending with hot-rod hotheads dragging the asphalt between hipster hops of brews, tunes and art views. Now, not a living soul. Months passed. More people died. We stayed safe. We stayed in. We stayed healthy. We worked our asses off.

No moment of silence is long enough for this moment of grief. As if humans haven’t suffered enough throughout time? 

Imaginology feels this. How do you claim to improve the human condition as a company mission, when so much of the world is sick and dying? How does anyone claim to be capable of improving the human condition in this mess? 

Mindset. You endure, focused on solutions. Cross-pollinating ideas with other specialties. Synthesizing new ideas by combing the old. Juxtaposing ideas or specialties. Sometimes discovering a harmonious blend of ideas and language or sometimes finding polar opposition and incompatibilities. This is sometimes how innovative ideas are formed. Problems are solved. Sometimes it is simply an exercise. However, exercise prepares for the inevitable. Exercise conditions for the trials ahead.

Imaginology anticipates another 1010 years of improving the human condition. More on that, yet to come.

- Nathaniel Jack Greene - Chief Imaginologist 

Introducing Imaginology Intern: Andrea Stoica

Imaginology has taken on three new interns in the Digital Culture program from the ASU School of Arts, Media, and Engineering; Christy Caldwell, Ivan Mendoza, and Andrea Stoica. With tutelage from Artist, Animator, Producer Nathaniel Jack Greene, Fabrication Artist Ryan Gallagher, and Public Relations and Marketing Imaginologist Renee Aguilar we look forward to fantastic projects to come. Keep an eye out on this space over the next few weeks as we will have a series of posts, to better get to know our interns and the projects they take on at Imaginology. 

Hi! My name is Andrea Stoica, and I am a senior at ASU, majoring in Communication with a minor in Digital Culture. I transferred to ASU from Mesa Community College, after completing my first two years of college. Since coming to ASU in the fall of 2019, I’ve been enjoying every aspect of the Digital Culture program. Back in the olden days of the spring 2020 semester, the media lounge would be full of people on their laptops, bringing ideas to life and discussing new discoveries in their work. It was a great environment to work around, in my first few semesters of Digital Culture and trying to get the hang of learning code.

To me, digital culture is about discovery and play and finding new ways to share ideas with people. For the past few years, I’ve been a music photographer. I have always enjoyed going to concerts and experiencing the magic of live music while trying to capture it with my lens. However, since shows are no longer part of the “new normal” that we are all adjusting to, I’ve had to think about other ways that I can participate in art and music. 

 My photo of Doll Skin of Phoenix, AZ performing at the Van Buren Jan 22, 2020. 

“Improving the human condition” for me is going to be sharing information and resources with others while being receptive to the new experiences currently being shared online. The shift that is ongoing in our norms today made me realize how important it is to be receptive to other people’s stories. There is a need to focus on what each of us as individuals can do to make some kind of impact. I want to contribute what I can to strengthen our communities, whether that’s through mutual aid, or volunteering my time. 

It has been great working with Imaginology in ways that are new to me. I’m excited to be able to work on video production and be able to see how the flow of creative works in a studio. More than anything, Digital Culture feels like it is about connecting with others to bring forward some sort of vision, and I’m excited to be a part of that. I think, especially now, more and more people are looking to video as a means of sharing and being connected to the world. I can’t wait to learn more about how to make help people stay connected in this new time. 

Introducing Imaginology Intern: Ivan Mendoza

Imaginology has taken on three new interns in the Digital Culture program from the ASU School of Arts, Media, and Engineering; Christy Caldwell, Ivan Mendoza, and Andrea Stoica. With tutelage from Artist, Animator, Producer Nathaniel Jack Greene, Fabrication Artist Ryan Gallagher, and Public Relations and Marketing Imaginologist Renee Aguilar, we look forward to fantastic projects to come. Keep an eye out on this space over the next few weeks as we will have a series of posts, to better get to know our interns and the projects they take on at Imaginology. 

Hi! My name is Ivan Mendoza. I am at Arizona State University majoring in Digital Culture. I have had a passion for the arts ever since I was young, creating sculptures and drawing in my room. I am very excited to meld my creative art expression with technology, as I know it is the future. My goal is to improve my programming abilities while honing in my artistic style.

I am looking forward to working on projects with Imaginology, including creating a 3D rendering of their puppet character known as Bony Tony, while also creating physical sets, as I believe it will further my knowledge of interactive art installations and sculptures. Throughout my time interning at Imaginology, I would like to explore how to streamline and automate the production side of streaming and video switching. 

I had an immediate love for Digital Culture when I discovered it. Digital Culture allows me the space to be creative and the ability to share my passion for art. As a major, this program is supportive and provides an environment for creativity to flourish while promoting growth in technical aspects. With the support of this program, I was able to indulge in my crazy ideas. For example, this Box of Tongues is an interactive sculpture that I created, has a flex sensor, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an accelerometer. I truly appreciate the help from this program that made my vision come to life. 

In my desire to improve the human condition, I choose to bring smiles to people's faces with my interactive art. Creating connections for people with interactive art, knowing their movement helps to create a beautiful and meaningful experience. I also think it is important to use video documentation during this process, as understanding how the viewer interacts with the artwork is just as important as the artwork itself. 

Working with the Imaginology team has already expanded my understanding of digital culture, and I am eager to see the end results of this partnership.

Introducing Imaginology Intern: Christy Caldwell

Imaginology has taken on three new interns in the Digital Culture program from the ASU School of Arts, Media, and Engineering; Christy Caldwell, Ivan Mendoza, and Andrea Stoica. With tutelage from Artist, Animator, Producer Nathaniel Jack Greene, Fabrication Artist Ryan Gallagher, and Public Relations and Marketing Imaginologist Renee Aguilar, we look forward to fantastic projects to come. Keep an eye out on this space over the next few weeks as we will have a series of posts, to better get to know our interns and the projects they take on at Imaginology. 

Hello! My name is Christy Caldwell and I am currently a senior at Arizona State University majoring in Digital Culture with an emphasis in English. I love animals and find joy in the little things like having time to cook a home-cooked meal with friends. Digital culture to me is a beautiful and chaotic beast that is forever evolving. 

Digital culture has the heart of people while having the edge of technologies to back it up. I love that there is a message to be found behind any creative outlet within the world of digital culture if one looks hard enough for it. While interning with Imaginology, I am excited to use a collaboration of words and images to create a time capsule in the form of Blogology. This project is thrilling to me as it melds the culture behind a company with the technology of the internet to create a fun digital culture-infused project while preserving important moments of growth for the world to see. 

I am also intrigued to try and face the challenge that is to improve the human condition. Improving the human condition can seem daunting, especially with the world where it is today. I choose to take this task on a little at a time. I hope to make something each day that someone will enjoy and puts a smile on their face, even for a second. I choose to do this by putting love into every project I work on. A little love for another person can vastly help to improve the human condition. 

Working with the Imaginology team is a fantastic opportunity, with great potential for my personal and professional growth. I look forward to all that I will learn and accomplish in the future.