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Defunctland End of Year Meeting Recap (Patreon)

Published:
2023-12-08 17:12:12
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Hi everyone. For those of you who were not able to make last night's meeting, here is a brief recap of everything we discussed. This was both our monthly meeting for December as well as our last meeting of the year.

Defunctland 2023 Recap

2023 was a generally good year for me and Defunctland. I was able to release two videos, one of which, Defunctland: The Awful Wiggles Dark Ride, did very well. The other, Journey to EPCOT Center: A Symphonic History, was a project that I had been working on for many years, the results of which were mixed. 

The reception to this film has been generally good with some harsh critiques, and in the meeting, I discussed my mixed feelings toward the reception. Those who felt the film lacked "bite" or chose to reduce the product to simply a "love letter," I feel, do not understand the film or what I was trying to say. I am trying very hard to be proud of this film after so many years of working on it, but I feel that it has not been dissected and truly engaged with in the way that I had hoped. Those who both liked and didn't like it, generally, have not dug deeper, which I understand might be too much to ask of a general audience. In the meeting, I discussed that choosing objectivity, nuance, and the presentation of history as it happened, in my view, is more interesting and thoughtful than me saying anything aloud in English. By choosing to say nothing, I was saying a lot, and it is far more complex than "Disney is swell" or "isn't Epcot great?"

Still, the film has been viewed half a million times and many wonderful things have been said about it. It is a mixed bag, and I am grateful for the opportunity to experiment and take risks. I am hoping that I can find the courage to do something risky again someday. I also hope that, with time, there will be a reevaluation of this piece, but for now, I am saying goodbye to this project that has consumed so many years of my life. As you will see, 2024 is going to be a return to form as I ramp up for the next big project, which is likely a few years away, and I am still deciding what that will be.

A true bright spot of my year was releasing my new podcast Where We Parked. This is one of my favorite things to create, and I love casually discussing theme parks with my friend Jack. I look forward to producing more episodes for you here on Patreon and releasing Season Two to the general public once it is complete.

Our final project of 2023 will be Charityland in Kevin's Kitchen. This live fundraising event benefitting Give Kids the World Village will take place on December 15 at 3 PM ET. I really hope you can join, even if just for a portion, and you can begin to donate and suggest recipes now at https://charityland.gives 

Defunctland 2024 and Beyond

With 2023 almost over,  we look forward to the projects of 2024. Next year, I plan on releasing 3-4 projects. These are subject to change, but this is what I am currently putting into production. I have also included some projects that I am considering for 2025 and 2026.

February - Defunctland: The American Idol Theme Park Experience

This video covers the phenomenon of American Idol as well as the attraction that was in Disney's Hollywood Studios from 2009-2014. Projected runtime: 45-60 minutes

May - DefunctTV: The History of LazyTown

This video covers the history of the Nickelodeon children's show LazyTown. Projected runtime: 35 Minutes

October - Deal or No Deal: A History Heist

This feature explores the math of the game show Deal or No Deal. Framed as a heist plot, I explore the program's history and the gameplay's math in an attempt to find holes in the show to exploit for theoretical profit. Projected runtime: 2 hours

2025 - The Bursting of the Disney Bubble

This feature covers Disney's attempts to keep guests within the borders of Walt Disney World, as well as the cottage industry that sprouted up around the parks in the late 2010s, and early 2020s. 

2026 - "it's your birthday."

This feature film covers the industrialization of birthdays and the history of time itself.

Thank You

Finally, I want to thank you for all of your support. Your support, both financial and communal, makes taking risks and creating big projects possible. I am a very lucky person, and I am grateful for every second that I am able to make things for you. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Best,

Kevin Perjurer

Comments

aabsurdity

The Epcot film was amazing. The music was excellent and conveyed so much about the feelings of the people involved and the era in which it happened. The visuals were all great, too. I thought you used the whole thing to tell the story of Walt's death; Roy building his brother's dream: the craziness of the EPCOT city concept; the determination to make it a reality; the economic hardships of the seventies; and the final culmination of the Epcot project... It was brilliant. It was moving. I've watched it four or five times already. I can't say enough positive things about it. I really can't.

Elijah Voigt

I am so excited for the Deal or No Deal feature! I loved that show growing up. 😄 💼

kalleboo

The EPCOT film was fantastic. Don't worry about people misunderstanding it, even literally elected presidents have believed that "Born in the USA" is a love song to the country and that couldn't really be much clearer. You're doing amazing work, you should be very proud of everything you're done, and I'm looking forwarding to everything planned and am happy to continue to support the work.

Sephiroth1204

"The history of time itself" god i cannot wait Seriously though, the Epcot video is a masterpiece and I know it's going to take some people time to see that and properly digest it. I cannot wait for your next 'big risk' project, I'd love to see what your vision brings!

Sephiroth1204

Also I eagerly await more Where We Parked episodes, that has been hilarious so far

Josh

I watched the Epcot piece twice, and while I thoroughly enjoyed it, I can see why some would criticize it for having a lack of a narrative (outside of documenting its history). Comparing it to the FastPass and Disney Channel theme videos, there was no hook. It was less about telling a unique story, and more about telling a known story in a unique way. Fantastic and groundbreaking, and please continue making more videos that change our perception of what a documentary can be.

BristolBird

I loved the EPCOT video, it was truly groundbreaking as a method of storytelling. I've gone back and watched it multiple times now. I'm blown away by the creativity and artistic levels involved, thank you so much for sharing it.

Defunctland

I appreciate the kind words, but this is a good example of the misunderstanding that I am referencing and want to explain. The story of Epcot as told in this video is a new narrative, it does not exist in this way, in one place. The only difference between this and FastPass or Disney Channel is that I did not draw your attention to the new narrative that I created and pieced together. In FastPass I told you I was making a simulation, in Disney Channel you got to come along with the research, but Epcot doesn’t make a big deal of this, but this narrative does not exist in one thorough stream until now. I know you’re being kind and I appreciate your view, I just want to point out that this is the kind of stuff that is giving me mixed feelings, because I feel that unless I come on in the video and in English and say “I pieced this together myself” then the sentiment from the audience is that it is a known story, when that’s not true. Sorry to use this comment as a launching point for the conversation and please don’t take this as a negative to your point.

Defunctland

I’m glad you have found multiple viewing rewarding, that’s one thing I really hoped would happen.

Josh

First, I am humbled that you responded to my comment. So thank you. As you have changed my perspective on what a documentary can be, let me offer you a different perspective. I know how much work you put into this piece because of your post on Patreon. That others don’t see it is because of how seamlessly it was put together. As with most filmmaking, the most successful films are those which can tell a story that envelops the viewer into the story. Success is when it feels natural and simple - not because it was easy to do, but because it would be distracting and disengaging if it wasn’t done with great care and skill. Success in part can be measured in that the effort is not obvious. It just feels natural.

Blake Bolin

Are you going to have a vip meeting soon?

Hoons

Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability! I enjoyed the documentary on my first watch, but the points you made in the meeting were really thought-provoking and make me excited for additional viewings.

Xandra Sunglim Burns

After being a fan since season one, I recently joined your patreon because the EPCOT documentary was so moving. I can't stop recommending it. I'm so inspired by your dedication to your artistic vision, and the evolution of your own storytelling over the years. In particular, the puppet sequence conveying the shift from seeking support from government to commerce has stuck in my mind. I never knew this about EPCOT, and it represents our society under capitalism on a broader scope. I'm always excited to see what you're most passionate about making. Thank you for sharing your gift. ♥️ Xandra

Graysen Lindberg

Lazytown? Oh, you better cover the song "We are Number One" impact on internet culture.

Flare

Personally, my friend and I watched the new EPCOT video recently and both of us were struck by its stunning visuals, storytelling, and overall re-imagining of EPCOT's creation. However, my friend had not previously seen your older video(s) on Walt Disney and EPCOT which I think put a bit of a damper on his investment into the story. For me, I've been watching for forever at this point so EPCOT's place within the mythos of Disney/Defunctland and its gravitas was already ingrained into my head. I think having this background knowledge really contributed to me personally viewing EPCOT Center: A Symphonic History through the lens of EPCOT's evolution from Disney's initial brainchild to its eventual realization as a more pragmatic and dialed down amusement park. I got a lot of enjoyment from watching it, and I regard it as one of your finest works, but unfortunately part of what made it so impressive to me--the lack of traditional YouTube video essay exposition--also made it harder for people unfamiliar with the topic to really take it in. I think your willingness to push the boundaries of what we think of when we see a YouTube video, especially within the realm of video essays/longform content, is part of what makes you such a great documentarian so I really hope you don't lose courage. <3

Tyler Lambert

i really liked the epcot video and look forward to watching it again to catch more of the nuances you speak of.

Beefer Sutherland

Hi I’m new to the Patreon and just going back over some posts and just want to say I look forward to all of your videos and I really did love your EPCOT video. It was great to watch you do something different and exciting and clearly, you worked really hard on it. The freaking score are you kidding me??? I watched it two times all the way through. Keep it up! ❤️(I also loved the American idol video and what is so special about your channel is the VARIETY and thoughtfulness you put into every piece you do!)