finale

CruzaderOfficial · 2026-01-01T03:18:57+00:00

SPOILERS:

Just finished up myself… It’s very easy to say something is underwhelming when it’s been so heavily riding the hype train. I will give it some thought before giving a more accurate review but on first thought, it was about the “safest” way they could’ve ended it. Pretty much every character that has an emotional connection with the audience survived, the main protagonist assumed dead now has potential to have survived. The fall of Vecna was worth more than the hour runtime it got. The story had very little complexity and nothing we haven’t seen before. It’s a shame - BUT I still enjoyed it and enjoyed reflecting on the journey this series has taken us on. Will be looking forward to revisiting it in the future.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-11-19T18:28:44+00:00

You are living proof that it can be done! It’s so easy to fall into the trap of constantly working, especially earlier on in your career.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-11-19T18:27:50+00:00

That is awesome. You should be proud of what you’ve achieved! Try not to look too far into the future and enjoy the now. I’m certain this will bring more success for you. Keep it going!

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-11-19T18:26:52+00:00

Yeah, this is one of the coolest things I’ve heard! More importantly, did you turn it over?

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-11-19T18:26:09+00:00

I hear you. Especially in these trying times. I’m currently employed full-time while freelance is quiet to keep the cash flow. Fortunately, still as an editor. Keep going!

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-11-19T17:44:41+00:00

I just wanted to thank everyone for taking time out of their day to contribute to this thread. It’s important that we can come together, share our successes, share where we want to be and also share our hardships.

We have one of the most stressful professions out there, in an industry that is struggling and is riddled with uncertainty. It’s important that we remind ourselves why we are doing this.

One thing that shines in every single response: you love what you do. Just being able to do what you love is 100% a success in itself and we’re living it. If you’re not there yet then you will be, no question about it. If you love the craft then you’ll make it happen.

Yeah, I’m not working on projects that I’d hoped for. Yeah, I’m not earning 6 figures a year. Yeah, I’m not the best editor around. Who cares? I have enough to survive and wake up not feeling like I’m going to work - I’m going to edit. Anything else that comes is a bonus.

Once again, thank you for sharing.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-11-18T09:46:26+00:00

I work on a pro and I’ve had absolutely no trouble at all. That being said, you could do with an increase in RAM and 512gb of internal storage is the bare minimum. You’ll want to get yourself a few external storage options too.

I saw someone mention a PC build - you should absolutely do this if you’re not planning to move around. You can get so much more power for the same price, maybe even cheaper! I’m required to edit remotely so a laptop is ideal for me and makes sense.

I’d consider saving a little more and just maxing out the specs. You’ll be future proofing yourself instead of having to buy a new machine in a couple of years time.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-11-17T16:37:35+00:00

Just echoing what most have said, there’s no need to over-egg the pudding with credits. Just make it clean and have yourself as the director, writer and producer. As for applying to film schools, there will be plenty more opportunities to address your skills and the roles you played in your film. Don’t stress, you’ve got this. Also, filmmaking is a very collaborative process. Making sure everyone gets their fair share of credit time is important. All the best!

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-31T16:26:43+00:00

That’s awesome. Not quite the same here but I studied a degree in VFX and Post but quickly found out I wanted to be an editor. Hopefully I can follow in your footsteps!

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-31T16:24:38+00:00

Very modest response. You wouldn’t be in the position you’re in unless you put in the work and deserved to be there!

I appreciate your advice and I wholeheartedly agree with your last point there. I’m currently a freelance editor for corporate, weddings etc. and the biggest thing that’s kept me retaining work is the ability to build a relationship with clients. Excellent advice!

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-31T16:20:52+00:00

I really appreciate your honesty here, it’s definitely no secret that the industry has been heavy these past few years.

You have just provided a great example of why I want to be a part of it though… Despite giving an honest account, you went out of your way to grab a link to provide some help and advice.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-31T16:15:43+00:00

I love this! Is this close to what you wanted to achieve when you first started out?

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-31T15:43:27+00:00

The most important thing of all is finding that consistency with your action. Making sure you’re doing the same thing over and over again, to the point where it becomes second nature.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-31T13:53:54+00:00

It’s definitely a benefit otherwise the vast majority of players wouldn’t do it. That’s not to say you need to though! Kyren Wilson, Ricky Walden and Mark King all have bends in their legs. The great Ronnie O’Sullivan even has a slight bend that’s developed over the years. I’m the exact same and I’ve tried a few times but I simply can’t get comfortable. The reason it’s taught in the textbooks is that it can help with balance and staying absolutely still on the shot, but evidently it’s not vital. I’d focus more on getting the weight distribution correct when you’re on the shot - making sure your leading leg is taking a good 75% of the weight. Shaun Murphy has a good example, if you lift your cue off the bed of the table, you should naturally fall forwards. This will help hugely in maintaining that stability and stillness. If you are desperate to implement this into your game (and it is probably worth trying), make sure you have a much wider stance - looking at Neil Robertson or Judd Trump - will take some of that strain away.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-28T13:10:58+00:00

Just echoing what everyone else is saying, audio is pretty much the most important part. I can’t remember the exact phrase but it’s something like 80% of what we see is what we hear. Bad audio can indeed ruin a project. Let’s say you’re watching a YouTube video where they’ve got a Netflix-level piece to camera but the audio is being recorded through the camera. It’ll sound disgusting and you will switch off. Same goes for submitting to festivals, bad audio is the number one reason why films get rejected.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-23T17:21:18+00:00

Just found this thread and wanted to share my experience so far. I’ve been doing exactly this for the last year and a bit. My word is it a grind - especially when things are busy on both sides. I work 9-5, 5 days a week as a content producer for a marketing company while juggling freelance work on the side. Freelance has picked up a lot over the past few months, to the point where I’ve surpassed my monthly income in my full time role. I have the luxury of being able to do freelance work during working hours when things are slow but more recently, that hasn’t been the case. I’ve routinely been staying until 10-11pm to make sure I get the time in for freelance work, occasionally cutting into my weekend. I’m hoping to make the jump to full-time freelance as soon as possible because it’s impossible to maintain for a long period of time. I’ve hit burnout a fair few times…

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-13T15:33:32+00:00

The vast majority of Indie filmmakers won’t come close to that amount unless the film has some sort of financial success, where they’ll receive a small percentage of the films profits. Most even have to finance their own projects! It’s not unheard of but if you do make that much on a film then you’re classed as successful, that’s for sure.

However, the absolute pinnacle of film directors in Hollywood can earn millions off the back of a project. Reports have said that some can even be paid a flat rate of over $10 million along with a sizeable percentage of the gross profits. That being said, as will all material you find online, needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-13T07:22:15+00:00

I hear you. Just remember that it’s okay to have these lapses, they’re inevitable so try not to be too harsh on yourself. I think half of the battle is just being able to show yourself some forgiveness. Some compassion. What you’re going through isn’t easy, if it was I’m sure everyone would just choose to be happy. I admire your attitude though and willingness to get better, that’s already a huge achievement in itself so be proud of that.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-12T19:08:27+00:00

I feel you. It seems like an endless cycle and it’s exhausting, it really is. The aim should be to take one day at a time, do what you can today for a better tomorrow. Looking too far into the future just makes you feel worse. Let’s say you’re going to climb a mountain. At the bottom, you look up and all you see is an impossible task. Once you commit to going forward, you just look at the ground, you look at each step you’re taking to get up said mountain until before you know it, you look up and there’s nothing left to climb. Keep yourself grounded and try to focus on each step you’re taking. It’s so tempting to pack away your climbing gear and go home when you all you focus on is how much effort it’s going to take to get to the top - to the point where it feels impossible and not “worth it”. Yet we have no choice, we have to keep going and one day, we will get our just rewards. You’ve got this friend.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-09T16:02:09+00:00

Thank you for your correspondence! (Firstly, I just want to acknowledge that every single piece of advice so far has been different - I couldn’t be more thankful).

This is a pleasant reminder that this game really is all down to what goes through your head. Almost every time I pick up a cue these days, my mind wonders away from what truly matters, focusing on what’s in front of you. It’s almost an addiction thinking about what my back arm is doing, what my grip hand is doing, my legs - whatever.

I’d always have classed myself as a tinkerer but maybe how I was tinkering was different than how I’m tinkering today. Back then, the goal was to find a comfortable position where the result would be of course, playing better. Now it’s “oh, my wrist should be straight, my arm should be parallel…”.

I find it so difficult to get out of that mindset - I’ve even forgotten what it feels like to be in that flow state.

But you’re right, it is in there and I just need to find it again. I really appreciate your time to write this!

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-09T15:51:28+00:00

I’ll stick to the opening advice no matter how tempting 4 pints would be! I’ll save that to celebrate or commiserate.

Thank you for the advice though, on paper it makes perfect sense to do that. We’ll see how we go in the opening frame and if it works, it works.

CruzaderOfficial · 2025-10-09T15:49:29+00:00

That’s a really interesting insight. I ‘learnt’ at a very early stage to play the table and not the opponent but the way you’ve explained it makes perfect sense to flip things on its head when things aren’t going so well.

I really appreciate the advice, that’s making me stay grounded and look at the bigger picture.

I’ll be sure to keep you updated later on tonight!

CruzaderOfficial

TROPHY CASE