Philosophy Tube is 13 Years Old Today (Patreon)

Hello lovely Patrons!

Today is Philosophy Tube's 13th birthday, thirteen years since my first upload. From making videos alone in my bedroom to being cited in schools, leading a crew, running this Patreon campaign, getting preserved in my country's cultural archive, and becoming co-owner of a streaming service. Thank you all so much for being with me on this incredible journey, and here's to more years of education and success!

This photo was taken in 2013, it's the winners of YouTube NextUp, a competition YouTube used to run. That's me in the top left, and you may recognise some other folks like Matt Ley, Birdkeeper Toby, Steven Bridges, Mile Boyd, and Cameron Sanderson!

This might not look like much, but it's the only record I have of the most important day in the channel's history. This selfie was taken at VidCon on June 20th 2018. When I went to California then I was considering making it the last hurrah for Philosophy Tube. Just a few hours after I took this picture I walked into the Cheesecake Factory on 321 West Katella Avenue and met several people who would change my life forever. One of them was Lindsay Ellis, who later introduced me to Dave Wiskus, CEO of Nebula, and convinced him to sign me. I came away from the trip creatively inspired to try something new, and the rest is history.

This is from a few years later. It's me and some Nebula friends (including Lindsay) at the Fast Company Awards, where Nebula won an award for being one of the most innovative companies of the year. It's incredible how Nebula has changed since I signed with them: it was just a YouTuber agency back then, but now it's a full-blown streaming service making features and TV shows, all owned by the creators in them! Next to me is Dave.

This is me, our makeup artist Nicki, and our stylist Brian on the set of one of my videos. Behind the camera is Tim, our incredible camera operator and lighting director. Hiring a crew was an important step in the channel's history: it elevated the show to a whole new level of professionalism. Working with the gang is delightful: I'm so grateful to have met them and I'm always so happy when we're on set together.

Nebula were the executive producers of The Prince, my first play. Here's me and Dave on the red carpet of the New York premiere. It was a big swing for the company, taking a chance on an unproven writer, but it helped propel Nebula and me to new heights. The Prince went on to win a bunch of awards and get licensed out for more shows all across the world, and it was instrumental in getting me my role in House of the Dragon too.

Next Nebula produced Dracula's Ex-Girlfriend, my debut short. Here's me, Morgana Ignis, Brandon Rogers, and Dave on the red carpet at the LA premiere. It was an even bigger investment than The Prince, and I was so grateful that it introduced me to Morgana and Brandon, good friends and fantastic creative partners.

It's been a phenomenal 13 years. Doing this has changed my life forever. Behind the scenes, a lot of my partners have been people I met through YouTube as well; this job has affected me in a really intimate way. I'm so grateful to all of you for helping me do this, more grateful than I could ever say. It's an honour.

Thank you also to the staff at Patreon, for building this incredible platform that has quietly financed some of the most formative years of my life. Jack, Posadis, Destini, Molly, and all the rest: thank you.

Here's to the next 13 years!

Abi XXx