![](https://s20.postimg.org/xgq6bdm0d/Nuovo_Cinema_Paradiso_film.jpg)

**The stories we tell  will circulate throughout the world, *so we must tell the best stories!***  

I have a whole post coming on this very subject, ***but on a more immediate and practical note, my goal today is something a little different...*** something to inform my storytelling on a particular project, and I could use your help!

-------------

### Because you are a pioneer!

How do I know?  Because you are reading this now, because you are one of the intrepid souls here at the bleeding edge of development in a tremendous experiment called Steem.

***I AM preaching to the choir, and at the moment, I WANT to be.***
You see... YOU, in your stunning diversity, are the pioneering target market we are seeking.  Well, you're the best indicator we have of who that might be, right NOW.

And, since I'm only one voice in a vast community of Steemians, I'd very much like your help.
To tell the best stories, I need to crowdsource a little.

***First off, I need your voice...***

![](https://s20.postimg.org/mel3cxrxp/microphone_1209816_1920.jpg)

## What Does Steemit mean to you?

I'm working on a project to benefit the Steem community, and I'm seeking to find phrases which crystallize the benefits of joining Steemit, as seen through its userbase (heroes), You!

These should be in the form of affirmative first-person statements, for example:
- "I love being part of a community which invests in people first"
- "Since joining Steemit I've been able to open up in ways I never have before!"
- "On Steemit, my voice matters."
Or...
- "I'm a photographer / chef / astrophysicist", etc... and insert "personal story / struggle / triumph, through Steemit here".

Authentic statements of this nature will help us *create stories* that a similar crowd of early-adopters can ***identify with***. If they can see the platform through our eyes, and ***see themselves*** in the role of the hero, they will step into the story with us.

I encourage you to write a full paragraph summarizing your feelings on the matter.  Imagine you're having dinner with your best friend and you want to be concise as possible because you haven't caught up in a while and your want to hear how they're doing too right? ;) ...but you also want to say everything about your experience with Steemit, so you just blurt out the most truthful, real statements about your personal experience; why it's important to you, how it has helped you, why it's valuable to you.  To YOU, not to anyone else... this is YOUR testimony. 

- ***If you feel inspired, please add your statements in the comments below!***

I may or may not use some or all of your testimony in a voiceover for the project I'm working on.  Regardless of what I do with your words, they are valuable to the whole community, so think of it as part of your Steem legacy. More on that project below!

---------------------------

![](https://s20.postimg.org/aqr1ie2st/Corporate_Films_2.jpg)

### Now, I need to let you in on a little secret...

I've been hard at work behind the scenes laying the foundation for a series of commercials which I intend to produce for Steem, Steemit Inc. and for the ever-expanding ecosystem of Steem-based apps which are yet but a spark of imagination!  I myself am a filmmaker skilled in various aspects of production from camera, to sound, and editing, but my primary role will be to direct this pilot series, and to that end I have enlisted the help of a local cinematographer, set designer, some actors, makers, and other creative talents to see the project through to completion.  I will be introducing them to the community in the weeks ahead.

#### My aim is to create a few pilot commercials to offer up to the community, and to Steemit Inc., to be used as appropriate. These will be 30-60 second spots designed to arouse wonder and curiosity in the audience and drive them to come explore our community.

#### These are ***not*** intended as explainer videos.  For a hint, think Coca-Cola.

#### The concepts for my commercials are creative, emotionally appealing, universal, and engaging, but at least one of them needs a bit of community spark to truly set it on fire.

### Show, don't tell; an axiom of the film industry.

I'm not always good at opening up, or asking for help.  I didn't want to write anything about this at all.  I was hoping to just drop some beautifully produced commercials on this community, out of the blue, but upon further reflection and a desire to see this whole process expedited I've decided to reach out for your support.

**I will endeavor to produce the initial pilot commercials through my own effort and expense, though as funds are only slowly accumulating for the cause, I am open to any donations received up front, through members of the community.**

The first commercials will be posted here for community feedback. ***If there is a favorable response from the community, and from Steemit, Inc.*** then I would ask to be compensated for commercial use of the initial pilots, (taking into account any prior donations / payments received from Steemit, Inc. or the community) and *at a very reasonable rate by film industry standards* for this, or additional work in commercial production on behalf of any interested parties within the Steem community.

I intend to deliver the first commercials at the beginning of Q2, 2017.

In order to bring cinema quality production value to the commercial pilots, I will be renting or purchasing a professional camera,  such as the Canon C300 with Cinema lenses.  Please consider making a donation of any amount to help me expedite this process.  Donations may be sent to this account, @lovejoy, or to the BTC address listed below.  Funds will only be used for production related expenses, which I will meticulously record.  All donors will be duly appreciated unless anonymity is desired, in future updates!  

BTC: 17noMisXQ7wHydZLBYHVL2rSZqgsdzTG5d

**Thank you for reading, and for any thoughts you wish to share!**
**Please post any questions, or testimonials in the comments below.**

If you wish to reach me with any private questions, you may do so via @lovejoy on https://steemit.chat
or connect with me via skype, user: nimitta1776

Sincerely,
Brandon Lovejoy
@lovejoy

----------------
Who the hell is this guy?!  [Read my community introduction here.](https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@lovejoy/steemians-ahoy-here-s-my-story-so-far-the-life-of-an-artist-sailor-writer-herbalist-and-crypto-explorer)

-----------------

<sub>
Image Credits:
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuovo_Cinema_Paradiso
https://pixabay.com/en/microphone-boy-studio-screaming-1209816/
https://goo.gl/images/9WHeZ2
</sub>