The Order of The Good Death

The Future of Ask a Mortician

There comes a time in every young woman’s life when she must decide what to do with her educational death webseries.  Well, by “every young woman” I may just mean me.

The response from Ask A Mortician has been more overwhelming and wondrous than I ever could have imagined.  For every random internet dude who’s like, “creepy-  gross who is ‘dis chick?” there have been thousands of you who are absolutely delightful and open to engaging and knowing more about death.  It is your fate, and you are tired of being kept from a rational discussion about it.

That said, the way that I currently make these videos is a little trying on my sanity.  They take a long time to make, with all the edits and writing and special whizz-doos. Each one is a big event I get all worked up about.  Keep in mind that I’ve been toiling away on my little death projects and theories for years in my room, to the audience of my cat.  “Meow, you simply must understand the importance of mortality acceptance to Western society!”  This is to say, it’s a very strange experience to have the discussion becoming so much bigger.

I would like to propose a new format, where I just answer one question an episode.  Keep them short, approx 2 minutes.  Release them more frequently, but with less photoshops and swirly pictures.  To make it more of a regular engagement as opposed to a big, scary event for me.

I’m very very open to your thoughts on this.

Do you think the shorter, less flashy but more frequent episodes are the answer?

Prefer the current format, even if they’re less frequent?

Think it’s f*ing weird that I talk death theory to my cat?  (fair enough on that one)

 

Posted on June 1, 2012 by caitlin
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  • http://twitter.com/Bneato Beth Zeigler

    shorter and keep ‘em coming:)!

  • http://cynx56.tumblr.com/ Cyn

    more frequent! & you must always converse w/ your cat. :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001318401667 Pythia TruthSeeker

    As entertaining as the whizzydos are; its your dialogue that is truly engaging. I do admit that I hope you choose to maybe answer a couple questions each time rather than just one. (Maybe one long form answer and one short answer.) I ADORE your series because of the wonderful info contained therein. PLEASE don’t take it away from me completely! :)

  • Renee in WA

    I agree, while the editing and whizz-doos are entertaining, I love watching your videos for YOUR input, thoughts and knowledge. Anything to make them easier on you and keep them coming is awesome in my book. Please don’t stop them, even if just for my own selfish reasons :)

  • Stephen Blackmoore

    I think focusing on one question for each would help save your sanity.  It’s a fascinating and important discussion and it certainly won’t be lessened by focusing down on one topic at a time.

  • http://www.facebook.com/PeskyVrmt Bama Smith

    As long as you allow me to enjoy what you are doing, I’m game for anything.  I think this is a lucrative endeavor for you, and for us, the general public.  You GO girl!  :)

  • Tom Mulcahy

    I am a HUGE fan of AAM!  Though I am rather blue (figuratively) from all the “waiting with bated breath” for the next installment!  I vote for more frequent and shorter, though of course I like the current format too!  You’re quirky, funny and very informative — don’t stop!  I have tried to keep the CAPS to a minimum, but I really do need to emphasize this: DON’T STOP!

  • Batgrrlnyc

    I’d be happy to give up a few special effects to see the videos more frequently.

  • http://twitter.com/sidbranca Sid Branca

    I think whatever format is more conducive to you releasing content is fine! 

    Totally different subject matter in all possible ways, but take http://www.dearcoquette.com/ for example– sometimes Coquette answers like six questions with 1- or 2-sentence answers, sometimes it’s just one question with a multi-paragraph response, sometimes it’s something in between. 

    I think super consistent formatting is less important than just getting a dialogue going and putting things out there, you know?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1132998929 Pamela Wood

    Either way is fine with me, as long as they keep coming. I would love to have them more frequently though, and have been craving one lately. I’m fascinated with all aspects of death, and the customs and practices that surround it. I agree that western civilization needs to wake up and stop avoiding the topic. But then again, if everyone went around discussing death all the time, then your videos would not be quite so special to my heart. :) Please keep them coming in whatever format is best for you!

  • Asrik Atapa

    Depends on what your goal is. Do you want to reach the most people possible with compressed versions of your ideas? Release shorter videos more frequently. Want to develop a loyal fanbase that will follow you? Release longer quirky videos. My vote would be to do a bit of both: release shorter vids more frequently but start saving up questions for something long form, like a book which you can then market based on selling to your adoring fans :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001318401667 Pythia TruthSeeker

    Sidenote: Please, please, please…do NOT get rid of your AMAZING Opening Title Sequence. It makes me smile every single time! :)

  • David Altum

    I love your clips the way they are..

  • juliaoc

    I prefer that you do what works best for you. 

  • Deborah77484

    Just LOVE the videos – if less “flash” would make it easier – then try it.  I’m pretty sure by the feedback that everyone is more concerned with the content rather than the effects.  You’re doing a wonderful job!! 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1373405839 Stephanie Smith

    I think you should do what is the most convenient for you and your sanity! If that means shorter, simpler and more frequent Ask a Mortician updates then I certainly will not complain! :)

  • Ursa Majoris

    Whatever format works the best for you makes me thoroughly happy. :)

  • Rachel Green

    You and your answers are more important that the ‘whizzydos’ Go right ahead, please!

  • Anonymous

    Whatever it takes to keep the series going and save your sanity at the same time.

    Fewer flashy effects would be just fine.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1323529709 Osvaldo Pulido

    I prefer shorter and more frequent, it’ll be good for us who don’t have a long attention span! :)

  • Ncaciola

    A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. I agree with those who have suggested that you do not need to make an exclusive decision on this subject. Release short vids answering a single question sometimes; when you feel inspired for a more complicated project, make a video with more whizzoos. Don’t feel you must commit to a single format — you’re more likely to stay fresh and engaged if you avoid a single pattern and just do what you want, as it feels right. We’ll all be happy to see whatever you comeup with.

  • Jabberwockyamy

    I like them the way they are! Less frequent, more funny and hard to do! (Sorry). ;)

  • http://twitter.com/19_54 Lisa

    I watch for the information, and not for the whizzbangs.  If I may release my nerdsona for a moment, I’m in it for the learnin’ and would not miss the special effects for one moment.  It’s the info that makes AAM so very terrific.

  • Derya

    Toned down whizzbangs are just fine but please no absence completely.  Moving graphics are absolutely unnecessary but would the rigor mortis discussion have been without the old lady planking?

  • Reluctantspy

    Whatever will let you keep on making them works for me.  I don’t need special effects. I appreciate your message.

  • Wayne Keyser

    I find the videos fascinating, but you are under no obligation to grind them out as some sort of duty. You should be making yourself happy, whatever that means to you.

    Perhaps an audio podcast would be easier?

    I see that you’re doing many more “extracurricular” activities in recent weeks/months. I’m sure the people your activities touch, in person, also get a lot out of what you do – including tours/site-visits, weddings, interments (do I have the list mostly accurate?) But I’m sure that these activities also demand much of your time and energy.

    There has, hitherto, been so very little available on the web about your industry. That has undergone a big change in the near past. But people still want to know, to obtain comfort or just answer their curiosity, and to share their ideas.

    So … what should you do? You should pursue what fulfills you and makes you happy, to whatever degree you care to, and please know that the things you do make many other people happy too.

  • Abbie

    I’m going to guess that most people will want frequency and just one question over a big production, and I will add that I agree!

    I keep meaning to write down my questions for you, but then I forget…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Vicki-Stinson/1030629038 Vicki Stinson

    Please do what you can; we all love your videos!!  Of course, I wouldn’t be opposed to having you answer some of our questions in a blog.  I’ll be ok with whatever you decided!

  • darkfaery85

    I would love to see more episodes. More frequent, 1 question and less flashy is fine with me. I love your videos! I gleefully send people links to them. And who cares that you talk about death theory to your kitty. Cats are deep thinkers. Though I am a cat person, so I’m kinda biased. :D Hope to see more delightful deathly videos from you!

  • Jennifergreentree

    More frequent epissodes???? YES! But answering a few questions per episode would still be wonderful. What about a more raw Caitlin? Therefore less time on editing, etc. Problem solved…moving on. :D

  • Sara

    I agree – I would prefer more episodes and more answer per video, than one video with lots of effects and photoshops. Don’t worry about it. I love the way you answer things that most people are afraid to even speak about. It’s not an easy thing to ask this type of questions and some of us just ignore it. But what you’re doing is very educational. Please come back and do more videos…

  • Rcaron

    A lot of YouTubers start making their videos more flashy when they get popular. I don’t like it. They got famous by being themselves. Keep it real. The flash does nothing for me.

  • http://twitter.com/willcwhite Will White

    more frequent, less whizzy-doos!!

  • Brian Hettler

    Caitlin…I hope that you know that I am expecting exponentially larger numbers of videos that all answer 10 questions and have even more flashiness and animation and special effects. Why is this not you full time job? ;)

    Just keep throwin shit out at your own pace and all of us adoring fans will gobble it up. Hugz!!!

  • Cwoolford11

    I agree with those who say shorten it to one or two questions but keep them coming. They are so good and entertaining that you would be disappointing your “fan base” if you stop. Besides, the best thing about your videos is YOU and your wonderful stage presence and lovely diction.

  • Amelia Facchin

    I am happy with any format you choose. Shorter, more frequent videos are optimal, though. I just like listening to what you have to say, I don’t need the fancies!

  • Keven

    I surely don’t tune in for the flashy effects – I tune in for the interesting, fun, attractive, and totally engaging hostess!  Just as long as I get to keep seeing your smiling face, I’ll be happy with whatever product you put out!

    As for talking to your cat… I think mine is learning English with as much as I talk to him.

  • http://twitter.com/aimlesslastwrds Aimless Last Words

    we don’t need the special effects! all we want is you! it doesnt even need to be rehearsed. candid is fine! i seriously miss these videos all the time. 

  • Heather

    I LOVE Ask a Mortician! But you shouldn’t feel pressured to make it videos all the time – why not just a straight Q&A format with the occasional video as sanity allows? I’m really just here for your knowledge and humor, however they’re presented.

  • Dani C.

    Agree on a good mix of substance & style (which you already are most adept at!) but mostly your fresh, honest way of dealing with the subject is the big draw.  Don’t ever change your personality or basic nature.  Do what makes you happy, & keeps your energy level up, I vote for more/shorter posts. 

    Happy to see you ”out & about” more, expanding your role in the community/world, learning more about the subject, to bring us the latest.  There is a real need for what you have to have to offer, so keep up the travels & special events, as well as the Q & A educational stuff, & keep exploring new ways to educate the rest of the world, it is needed. 

    I agree an occasional question & answer format would be a good idea.   Maybe more writing is the way to go, rather than a lot of whizzee do’s, but with the occasional video mixed in with the other stuff.  You do fill a niche where nobody else has ever been brave enough to tread!!!  
     

  • Chiefreaper

    Perhaps I can be of assistance in private discussion and some professional experience to throw this around? (pro bono btw). Email me at chiefreaper@deathpublicrelations.com and ask Caleb if you question if this is just another death detizen. I can give you my contact info then. Christopher

  • Fangurl

    I think it’s your creative project and you should do what feels right to you. One short one a month, one fancy one quarterly…? Main thing is, don’t sacrifice your sanity. I do like the idea of one topic/question per episode though…Signed, Huge Fan;)

  • Stan Webb

    Thank you for all of the hard work that you have been putting in.  This 67+ year old appreciates it: I am learning so much.  It is always refreshing to read and see someone with a unique view.

  • Alex

    keep em coming! :) love all your hard work.

  • Marissa

    Honestly, AAM inspired me to go to mortuary school in the fall. As long as you don’t stop making them all together, I would love to still watch them. 

  • Aprilcramberg

    I love your videos and I’m glad you will be doing them more frequently

  • Marian McCain

    Death is a fact of life and so is evolution. Which means your work will evolve as the years go by and who knows what form it will be taking in ten years’ time? So just follow your heart, have fun, play, experiment and never let it become a chore. Do what feels right for you. We love you, regardless.