Don't Make the Same Mistakes as These Two

And so, the day comes.

Greetings pioneers! Up until this point, us three Captains have had each other’s backs. We stand by one another and our relationship has never been stronger. Until today, where we put it all on the line and roast the shit out of each other’s content and brand.

What do the other two do wrong? What do they suck at? The floor is open, don’t hold back…

Maybe I shouldn't admit that I've been really looking forward to writing this - but time to ROAST the other two fellas here.

Let's get this out the way: the country you're from. That's all. Now onto the real stuff.

• Sean, buy a real microphone.

• Tejas, that scrunched paper effect has been DONE.

• Sean, we need more variety in filming locations. Go sit on a roof. Or a patch of grass. I'm just sick of seeing that living room.

• Tejas, at least TRY with some lighting. Like create some sense of atmosphere, please.

• Sean, you overwrite. We discuss this weekly - but you can shave a sentence or two off most of the time.

• Tejas, a similar note - just relax. Your TikToks have so much energy, and that's good - but focus on stronger visuals and you won't have to cram so much expositional dialogue in there.

• Sean, I'd love to see you spend longer on your videos. You have so much potential that you're stifling by churning out as much as you do.

• Tejas, please try some new angles with your camera. Every video starts the same.

OK, that's some simple changes - let me dig a little deeper.

Sean, one of your strengths is your sense of humor. You know exactly what you like and the things that make you laugh. A problem, however - is that it seems you don't trust your audience to pick up on those things. You need to put more faith in those cues. Hammering down on a point, a joke, anything - that can be funny. But it's funnier when you skip over it quickly and allow the viewer's brain to pick it up at its own pace. Thinking "haha wait, what did he just say?" and having to scroll back is always better than finishing laughing, but the joke hasn't moved on.

Tejas, you have every right to disagree with me here - comparing our follower amounts suggest you're doing something better than I am - but I think you could approach TikTok a different way. You're posting as much as you can, something we suggest to new creators - but you're not new. You're a recognisable face on the app. I just feel that you're sacrificing quality in favor of quantity - and right now your profile needs quality. We need bigger ideas. Bigger than something you can achieve in a few hours, an afternoon, or even a day. You're doing this on YouTube and it's why your content over there is SO good. Go from 4-7 posts a week to 1-2, see what happens. You'll enjoy it more.

It goes without saying that I'm heavily inspired by these boys, and I firmly believe they'll each be a name we're familiar with for decades ahead. Keep creating lads.

There comes a time in your relationship with someone when the qualities you began loving them for start to fall by the wayside. When the good things about them start to become less interesting, and their shortcomings become more and more obvious.

That’s right, I’m talking about the “honeymoon phase,” the phase where every interaction with them feels like a soft tropical breeze whisping through your hair on the deck of a cruise ship. The phase of when everything’s all dandy, until one day, it isn’t.

I’ve known Danny for just over six months, and Tejas, well over a year. And although those integers might seem small, it’s given me more than enough to work with for this week’s roast of the both of them (in jest, of course). So much that I almost don’t know where to start.

For example, Tejas; you make videos on the creator economy, business, and the ever-inspiring world of NFTs and crypto - and they’re all great! But when you’re editing, do you have my videos pulled up on your second monitor AND your iPad? Or have you just watched so much of me that your style mimics mine naturally? You love talking about “hacks” so much that you decided to hack off 80% of my editing techniques (and video assets, and titles, and music choice - the list goes on). More power to ya! Keep it up, steal like an artist, or I guess in your case, just steal! I challenge you to find something truly unique you can do with your videos, and run with it. Big or small, what’s something that, when we see it, we’ll go “ah that’s classic Tejas right there.”

Also, I’m glad you’re back after your crypto scam, I can’t wait for part two in your series of you getting a Logan Paul NFT! Or your second part of Elon buying Twitter. Or the next part of Real Advice You Wish You Knew Growing Up. Or the next part of any other “series” you made promising a second part but only making one part! Got me on the edge of my seat, popcorn in hand. Truth be told, I would love to see a series that you close - one with a definite end. You’re gifted at the art of starting a story, but now, let’s find out how to conclude a story.

And Danny. Even just thinking about you is like taking a masterclass in editing all by itself - but watching your videos makes me want to give you a masterclass on basic 3-point lighting. Cheap sunset lamps from TikTok are about as much of a personality as liking The Batman too much. I will say, however, you do make the best use of what you’ve got, and that’s a reminder to all creators near and far that it’s not necessarily the gear that makes you a good video creator. And I do love your tutorials! From motion-tracking to color (or cOLoUr) grading, to anything editing, you’re an expert at all of it. Can’t wait for your next one - How To Convince Any Grandpa To Give You His Entire Wardrobe in 3 Easy Steps!

If you can’t tell, I am super grateful to have friends like the ones sandwiching this article. They bring out the best in me, and help ME see where they can be better. Jokes aside, If you do anything as a creator, make a high priority to connect with friends that lift you up in a constructive way, and that you can feel comfortable pushing the envelope with. I truly feel better when I see my friends winning, and you should as well.

When the tide rises, all the ships do, too.

Now let’s be real, Daniel and Sean are way better creatives than I am. My videos are so amateur comparatively in terms of lighting, editing, storytelling… but you know what’s crazy?

I constantly get comments saying that my videos are well lit, well-edited, and have great stories. Lesson is, have friends who set the benchmark high and you will naturally become better at creating.

*knuckle crack*

My turn boys. You two take the trophy for the creative stuff but let’s talk bank accounts.

Sean, you are one of the most talented AND hard-working people that I know. Your skills across video storytelling and graphic design make you a full stack creator, an incredibly valuable asset. The main problem is that you’re bleeding potential by spreading yourself out too thin. Between working a full-time job, taking freelance gigs, and building your own social platforms, you aren’t letting yourself focus on one thing. Last year, the best advice I got was from Samir Chaudry (from Colin and Samir), “Tejas, if you want to truly build something to your name, you’ve got to focus and say no to all the other opportunities.” It’s a risk, but if your goal is to be a highly sought-after thought leader in your space, you need to focus in. You have the talent, the community, and the work ethic (and trust me, it’s worth more than a $60k salary).

Daniel, you are THE most talented editor that I know and you’re on a roll! I’ve watched you go from being this color-grading guy on TikTok to having a more dynamic brand across platforms. Behind the scenes, I am incredibly proud of the opportunities you are getting. To be honest, if we made this log a month or two ago, I would have a much clearer roast: minimize time rented to other opportunities and focus on the Dodford brand. But now you are! So here is my new roast: you’re too isolated. The creator economy is this bubble and if you get yourself inside of it, an entire network becomes yours. Heck, it’s 95% of the reason I’ve gotten to where I am today. I can’t imagine the force you would be with the right team alongside your talent. Unironically, I think the answer is for you to consider moving to America, it’s where this whole creator bubble is thriving. Maybe then your net worth would be higher than a pair of jeans.

Love you boys, I couldn’t ask for better brothers in this industry. When you all win, I win.

Jokes aside, this was one of our favorite logs! True friends criticize and being able to be honest with each other only makes everyone better. Be nice though :)

We want to open up the floor for YOU ALL to roast us! Give us the most constructive roast in the comments and as always, we respond to every single comment.