Another Roof

Since Christmas, I have been working on a single video. I knew it would take a while, but I didn’t know it would take THIS long. I wanted to update you on: when you can expect the video, some thoughts on video length and structure, and honestly: build some hype!

NEW VIDEO?
I’m keeping the topic secret. My patrons have received tons of updates including screenshots and clips, but even they don’t know the main subject. What I will say is: I’m telling the story of an enormous ten-year-long mathematical event. It has drama, twists, winners and losers, lots of mathematics, and is about something that affects us all.

Why has it taken so long to make? Brace yourself: it’s over 2.5 hours long. That said, in my usual videos, I build lots of theory toward one big conclusion. So, they are perhaps best-viewed in one go so you can keep the stepping stones in your mind to enjoy the punchline. My upcoming project has natural chapter end-points where you can relax before moving on to the next part, taking a break if you need to. It feels like three of my usual 30- to 40-minute videos in one, but with a narrative linking them together. As such, my original plan was to separate the story into multiple videos. But in the end, I decided that one epic all-in-one video with all the drama and all the maths was the way to go — it is ONE story.

WHY SO LONG?
Because it's a long story! I wanted to address this though because I've seen some negativity recently about YouTube being saturated with time-wasting videos. Broadly speaking, I agree with the sentiment — many video essays could be much shorter while still making their case. Being charitable, editing one's own work is difficult, and it's easier to make your point in many words than few. Being cynical, the algorithm prioritises watch-time, so making super-long videos is an easy way to game the system. This is why we see ""video essays"" about films which spend most of the time recapping the plot.

I bring this up to reassure you that I haven't inflated the video length to score views or waste your time. I'm always conscious of length and desperate to shorten things, but while there may be a shorter version of this story, it wouldn't be the complete one told in my own meticulous detail-loving style. I have faith in my viewers to view the video in multiple sittings if they need to, effectively turning it into a multi-video series. I’ll also say that this is a one-off super project — I do not plan to shift into an HBomb pattern of exclusively making enormous videos months or years apart!

RELEASE
I had to do a tonne of research, reach out to lots of academics to check my facts, write 25,000 words for my script, and make an ungodly amount of props. I started shooting two months ago, and have just now finished. In this time I’ve also managed to do lots of editing. So, I’m currently sitting on a big long sequence that’s edited together but with no effects, captions, music, and so on — all the things that bring videos to life. It’s been a long journey, but I can see the finishing line! I want to say it’ll be ready in about a month, but whenever I make these sorts of predictions I realise what a fool I was. So, a month-ish, with a generous heap of salt.

Fun fact, on this day three years ago, I uploaded my first video. Thank you all so much, whether you’ve been here since the beginning or have recently discovered the channel. And thank you all for your continued patience — I cannot wait to share this project with you!

- Alex (and Alex (and Alex))

3 months ago | [YT] | 428



@adityakhanna113

Dude that sounds awesome!!! I have so much respect for creators who can work on a single project for so long. Excited to watch!

3 months ago | 21  

@sorenallen

I absolutely cannot wait for this. 2.5 hours of Alex sounds epic

3 months ago | 9  

@alexandreolle2340

No matter how long the video and no matter how long the wait as long as quality is here. And I count you as one of these very rare channels where we have 100% guarantee of quality :) So bring it on and thank you in advance for your hard and always detailed work.

3 months ago | 2  

@pugza1s731

oh damn there's a third alex now. i wonder if he'll be as difficult as yellow alex, more similar to blue Alex, or somewhere between the two

3 months ago (edited) | 6  

@popahglo3609

Looking forward to it, your stuff is always super high quality!

3 months ago | 4  

@richtw

Sounds epic!! Totally intrigued and can't wait to see it drop in my feed!

3 months ago | 5  

@victoramezcua4713

Can't wait!!!

3 months ago | 2  

@elfakyn

Having 3 Alexes means you're pulling out the big guns. Can't wait for the reveal!

3 months ago (edited) | 4  

@kevinportillo9882

Keep up the good work! Your videos are amazing. I'm sure your channel will blow up because of the great quality, don't be discouraged!

3 months ago | 4  

@ayushipriya3599

I think the turning point in my maths journey was the day I discovered your first video about numbers. It was just awesome!I can't explain it in words how much it helped me in making my concepts firm for the upcoming journey. I just can't thank you enough for it !

3 months ago | 2  

@MichaelGrantPhD

Looking forward to this!

3 months ago | 4  

@Chombiee

I’ve watched all your videos and I’ll watch this one aswell. Take your time, looking forward to it

3 months ago | 3  

@peppermann

I can't wait ! Six months of cold turkey waiting for Alex's next mathserpiece. Nearly there now ! 🤠

3 months ago | 4  

@HighKingTurgon

I was JUST checking to see when you last uploaded—I'm glad to hear there'll be such a payoff for waiting!

3 months ago | 3  

@marca9955

Was wondering how you were going. You have the best channel on YouTube.

3 months ago | 2  

@Catman_321

I think I can guess from the context alone what the topic of the video might be about. I've been seeing a lot of similar videos about this similar "drama" which I think you're talking about I won't reveal it either though, to keep the mystery alive >:) Can't wait to see the full video! edit: if you want to know what it is read this thread, for those who want NO hints don't open thread

3 months ago (edited) | 4

@Macieks300

I visited the channel to see why there's no new uploads but after reading this I'm so stoked to see this new video. It's going to be great!

2 months ago | 0  

@ZakNouar-cn2hg

Can’t wait. I am also glad your not gone I love this channel

1 month ago | 0  

@Patterner

i like the Star Trek colour aesthetics. Length is not a problem when the content quality is excellent.

3 months ago | 1  

@simeonsurfer5868

It was a few days ago, I was wandering what happend to you (and rewatched the number series as well as the constructible number one). It's great to see you doing well and I'm really intrigued about the subject!

3 months ago | 1