Sign of the Times
The Past, the Present, and the Future
It’s been a while since I last talked to you.
I haven’t stopped writing, just haven’t published for the most part…
Whoops!
(That’s the case for my other project, ‘The UIUC Talkshow’, too 😬 But don’t worry, there’s a new episode coming out soon)
It’s been a long (yet equally short) year and I am back with more stories to share and things to talk about.
A lot has happened in the past year. A LOT.
New projects, spontaneous adventures, crazy events, new movies, and personal experiments, with a period of turmoil.
But the biggest and most recent update is that I graduated from college!1 🎓
Honestly, it doesn’t feel much different.
I don’t think I have fully processed it yet. Neither do I know how it’s supposed to feel because it still feels the same to me.
“Graduation might be overhyped”
While I get that graduation is a big event for many people, I personally haven’t felt the sense of pride or happiness from this achievement that I usually get when I create new things or work on any useful project.
I had higher expectations for the institution and for myself. And I do not think I have done anything very important or hard to celebrate just yet.
Maybe I am being my own worst critic, but I have a slightly higher bar set for myself.
However, that is not to say that I am not extremely grateful for it all.
I would have never met the people that I did or started the projects that I did if I weren’t here. My life would have looked very different today if I hadn’t been here, and for that I am eternally grateful to my family and friends.
One of the things I would like to do is sit down and think about everything I have learned, all the mistakes I have made, all the things I have tried, all the times I have been fortunate, and the people I have met during the last 4 years.
It feels like my work here is still not done. There are still so many things that I want to work on and create on this campus. So many people to meet and conversations to be had, but I know that there will never be enough time for it all.
It is bittersweet thinking about all the good things that I will be leaving behind, but also extremely exciting because I get to choose what I do next.
Something that comes free with your diploma is the dreadful question, “What’s next?”
I am not good at choosing. If you were to ask me what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, “Make movies” or “Be an engineer”, I could not give you an answer because in my mind they’re the same thing.
I have never seen my interests as being separate because it is their combination that has allowed me to create the things that I do.
I will never be the world’s best coder or filmmaker or engineer or artist. But, what I can be is the most qualified coder-filmmaker-engineer-artist in the world.
So, what am I looking for?
An intersection of all my interests and strengths that allows me to create things that add value to the lives of those around me.
My quest for this ‘Holy Grail’ only continues from here.
As for the question, “What’s next for me?”, I will make sure to let you know as soon as I do :)
Until then, let’s talk about some new projects!
What have I been up to?
I cannot really take a '“break” from things. I enjoy working and a break just means more time to work on the things that I enjoy.
Summer started 3 weeks ago and I am back where I was a year ago, when I first started writing this newsletter.
I have come to enjoy thinking about my year in terms of semesters/seasons. It helps puts a deadline to my goals.
We stop doing that once we leave college because our life is no longer broken into into these arbitrary 3-4 months segments. “Summer breaks” cease to exist.
However, I do believe that breaking down the year into different segments helps structure our goals and ideas better. When you give specific time periods for certain things, you are setting a time frame to achieve something.
“I will read 15 books this summer”
“I will shoot 5 short films this summer”
“I will learn Spanish this summer”
You don’t need to think about the whole year all at once. Rather, only a small segment of it.
Everything automatically starts looking a lot more manageable and achievable.
Which is why, I am going to treat the next three months as “Summer”, even though I have outgrown that concept.
Okay, so what have I made recently?
Music
Last week, as I was playing piano on an early morning, a new composition revealed itself to me.
It felt reminiscent, yet hopeful.
It really felt like there was something here.
I recorded it and posted it online to see what people thought about it.
Check it out:
After a unanimous agreement and support from everyone, I decided that I will finish composing it (and release it soon).2
Film
I visited a beach recently and I couldn’t get the feeling of being there out of my head. So, I decided to make a video about it that could take me there every time I watch it.
I have made several music videos in the past, but I wanted this one to be different.
Something new that I wanted to try with this film was ‘Sound Design’.
All the music videos that I have made in the past haven’t had anything more than just the music. No dialogues or any additional sounds. However, providing some sound from the scene being shown can greatly elevate the viewing experience of the scene.
I wanted to take the viewer with me to that exact moment on the beach, watching the sun set over the horizon and the waves crashing over the shore.
To achieve this, I added one very simple element: the sound of the ocean 🌊
And instantly, the visuals became so much richer and more intimate. Every transition and cut more impactful.
It left me wanting for more and I am very happy with how this short film turned out.
The film has 6 very simple shots, but together they paint the most perfect little picture for the beach.
I am a big fan of synchronizing my visuals with the audio and you’ll notice that to be true for this film too.
With this context in mind and without any further ado, I present to you my new cinematic short film, “Sunset at the Beach”.
The summer has just started and there is a lot on my mind.
A lot of new projects to work on, books to read, photos to take, films to make, music to compose, websites to code, people to help, places to explore, and things to think, learn and write about.
I will be updating you about them as time progresses.
Welcome back to ‘Endless Explorations’!!
Talk to you again very soon :)
With a Head Full of Dreams,
Aaryaman
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Graduation is interesting. There's the expectation to be happy and excited but you can't feel something you don't really feel. After all, gratitude towards our parents becomes the default mode of feeling. Graduation is about them, not about us, in any way because like you said, expectation did not meet reality for better or for worse.
With all due respect, "I will never be the world’s best coder or filmmaker or engineer or artist." This is nothing more than a subtle thick yet loud and reptilian cap. This isn't true at all. More than anyone else, you can become the best at whatever it is you want to do. Yes. That your personality and way of thinking do not motivate you to be the "best X" is a different story. But you can.
In other news, the film is great and all but there should have been a shot of you in the water. Thanks, management.
My regards to Einstein! Thanks!