Aside from chatting about TWU and TGW, The Dude and I discussed what’s been going on the past three months and artist burnout. Read part 1 of the interview if you haven’t already!
Alexa: So, what have you been up to the last three months?
The Dude: Well the reality is I’ve been suffering from a bit of burnout. So beyond the bridal-themed minisets I didn’t do much else. I mostly just did it to do something that didn’t really feel like a chore. Basically this year I’ve done two unrelated minisets – the bridal set and a hardcore fetish set. I don’t know to which extent we can talk about this.
Alexa: Artist burnout isn’t talked about enough I feel so I’m more than willing to talk about it.
The Dude: Yeah, for sure. We can talk about it – I’ve been open about it on my Patreon.
Alexa: Has the burnout been going on for 3 months or did it happen 3 months ago?
The Dude: Oh it’s been going on for about a year but in two phases sorta. I think it’s mostly related to all the lockdowns we’ve experienced too. In 2020 I felt really burned out for most of it and then when it was 2021, in January I thought ‘new year, new chances, let’s go’. So for January and February and March, I was really motivated to push through but I kinda didn’t. I slipped back into it in April and now I’m feeling good but obviously had a bit of a backlog to work through. The bridal set was really just me trying to find something to do that was more for me. Just to have fun with something – so thankfully it was well-received, haha.
Alexa: Well that’s good at least. Lockdown has messed with everyone and people are still struggling. How are things now with where you live?
The Dude: It’s gotten back to normal mostly I would say. We just renewed the mask mandate in the Netherlands but that’s fine, wearing a mask doesn’t impact daily life or anything so long as social structure is kinda back to normal which it is. Social life has picked back up again which has been very good for my mental health.
Alexa: That’s good to hear. Was there anything else that helped to improve your mental health?
The Dude: Honestly, the fact that my supporters stuck with me throughout haha. I’ve definitely been on a lower production level and I told people that I would be too. But support hasn’t dipped which shows me that people would rather see me make 3DX than not, even if the release pace slows down a bit.
Alexa: I feel it helps that you were honest with what was going on as opposed to keeping people in the dark, well your patrons for that matter. A fan feeling as though they matter can really make a difference.
The Dude: Yeah, I think so and on the other end if the porn I make can be the highlight of someone’s week (which I mean, let’s be honest, good porn is totally something to look forward to :D) It’s something they’d rather wait for than give that up, even if they’re also in a social lockdown situation. Everybody needs something to pull them through the COVID.
Alexa: I very much agree with that, haha. I would imagine seeing your fans stick around was a bit empowering. Would you say you’re in a good place now?
The Dude: Yeah overall a lot better than I was. I’m looking forward to 2022. I have some great set ideas lined up for that year. More story to tell and maybe a brunette follow-up to the bridal set.
Alexa: Haha I’m sure people will love that. Have you started on anything new or have you just been working on your current projects? It sounds like you do a lot and your ideas are never-ending but do you work on a project little by little or do you go start to finish with one and go from there?
The Dude: Well usually I set a few weeks aside for it, like three to four or something and I just go ham on the production and crank out everything in a short period of time. With The Words Unspoken, I’ve been a bit slower because of the burnout. There were many days where I just had no inspiration, stared at the screen, had nothing coming into my head in terms of poses or camera angles. So I’ve spread this one out across the months. Honestly, it should’ve been out a long time ago. But the fact that I took so much time for it may end up having been good. Putting out the last renders this month and then it’ll go up on Patreon.
Alexa: Makes sense, I’m glad that things are on the up and up for you though. Having burnout as a creative is really rough.
The Dude: Yeah, I think creative burnout is something that happens to literally anyone who’s actively…creating haha. But maybe with porn, it seems less obvious. Since what could be more fun than making porn all day. The thing is anything gets tedious if you spend enough time on it and at some point, you can reach a point where all the tits and dicks in the world aren’t interesting enough anymore. But you just gotta punch through it. My big fear going into this business was if maybe there’d come a moment where I just didn’t want to make porn anymore. Where I felt like it wasn’t worth my time. So I kinda worried that this time I had hit that point – thankfully I didn’t, the inspiration has returned. 😀
Alexa: I for one, am glad it has returned.