Pulling Back the Curtain - Part 1
March 1, 2008
Update: This is a detailed account of the creation of JellyTelly. Since JellyTelly now exists, you can just skip this narrative if you want and go straight to the real thing at www.JellyTelly.com! (Then come back later and read all the details!) - Phil
Many of you have emailed to ask, “Hey Phil, whatcha workin’ on these days?” Typically, my response to these queries has been, “Too soon to say – but you’ll hear about it soon!” I realize I’ve been saying this for well over a year now, which may lead some folks to wonder how exactly I define the word “soon.”
The fact is… we are working on something pretty interesting here at Jellyfish Labs. And I have been meaning to tell you all about it – just as soon is it was ready to go and all polished up. The trouble is that the old saying about home remodeling holds true for new business ventures as well: “Everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much as you think.” Our new venture is taking a long time to put together, and I’ve been trying to keep it more or less “secret” until it was all ready to go.
Why?
Well, I’m a big fan of Apple (as I write this on my MacBook with my iPod in my pocket). I love how Apple will create something new under complete secrecy, then one day Steve Jobs will walk out on stage, and with a wave of his hand, voila! Boom! The iPod! Boom! The iPhone! And by the way, you can buy it… tomorrow! (Or next week – or whatever.) And the press says, “Holy cow! How did he do that? It’s magic!” And everyone swoons and the new, amazing, didn’t-see-that-coming product is a big hit.
So I think that’s what I wanted to with our new project. Voila! Boom! “Where did that come from? It’s perfect! We’re swooning!” Maybe this was my favorite model for launching a new project, or maybe it was just the model that was on my mind, what with all the Apple-hoopla. (I think that was the original name of the company – “Apple-hoopla.”) So that’s what I was aiming for, and that’s why I wasn’t revealing anything.
And then I noticed another model. I was reading about a guy named Evan Williams, the guy who more or less invented blogging with his easy-to-use software, Blogger. He later sold his first company to Google, then struck out on his own a few years later to do his next “big thing.” What was interesting, was that he blogged about everything – the rise of Blogger, the sale to Google, the decision to leave Google, the fact that he didn’t have a clue what he was going to do next – everything. Nothing was secret. No years of silence and then a sudden voila! at a big media event.
As I thought about the two models, the Apple model seemed almost “old-school” – it was a model geared for a mass market, dependent on mass media. It was a model that assumed the creative genius – Steve Jobs in this case – had all the right answers, and could dazzle the crowd with a fully-formed solution to whatever ailed them. Evan Williams model, though, was smaller scale and iterative. It was web 2.0. Involve your ultimate audience in the whole process – not just the grand revelation. Get your ideas out there early, and let your friends poke at them, contribute to them, improve them. Let them vest in the process, not just the final product. Take cues from the open source movement. Less Microsoft, more Mozilla.
Immediately, the question appeared before me, as if handwritten by God on the wall: “Why aren’t you talking about what you’re making?” “Because it isn’t finished!” I responded. “Let them help you make it better,” God replied. (Okay, this wasn’t actually a conversation between me and God… but grant me the creative license.) I realized I was being silly. I was trying to be Steve Jobs in a world that had gone all Evan Williams on me. Especially since what we’re developing here at Jellyfish is really more of a “movement” than a product. And, let’s face it, even if I “perfect it” and pull off an amazing Steve Jobs-ian launch event, Business Week still isn’t going to give a rip. Being the VeggieTales guy is cool and all, but it isn’t quite like being “the father of the personal computer.”
"So – what’s the point, you rambling, blogging fool?" The point is – it’s time to pull back the curtain. It’s time to open up the lab and invite everyone inside, to poke around, ask questions, and leave Post-it notes all over the place. It’s a new day. It’s a new blog. It’s time for you all to join the movement.
Click here to read the next post…
Posted in JellyTelly, Phil News
March 1st, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Tipping Point anyone?
March 1st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I know what I’ll be loading up monday morning at work right away!!
March 1st, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Sounds good, Phil! I’ve been looking forward to “next week” because of this, for all of this week, now..! And now, only a few more short days to go, until all of us find out this big old huge secret!
March 1st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
As a Microsoft employee (replying right now from work, in fact), I think the implication here is a bit unfair:
“Less Microsoft, more Mozilla”
Microsoft has far more active bloggers and community outreach programs than both Apple and Google put together. Yes, pure open-source models like Mozilla are even more open, but knocking MS as lacking transparency ignores a great deal of very intentional effort that we’ve put forth in the past few years.
You’ve probably read “Wikinomics”, but if you haven’t, I recommend it (required reading in my group). The book is a bit naive and breathless at times IMHO, but they have some great case studies - and at a macro level, I think they are on the right track. The authors would agree very much with the collaborative approach you’re describing.
I continue to admire your understanding of today’s entertainment culture - you are unique as far as I’m aware in terms of being a Christian voice who has real insight there, which is what made your DVD commentaries so fascinating to me in years past and has continued through your book and blogging. I pray for your continued success in your new venture and look forward to more details!
March 1st, 2008 at 7:31 pm
*gasp!* you tease!
I can’t wait to take my first look!
Be back next week!
March 1st, 2008 at 9:39 pm
you knoooow, since its Saturday, its still this week, and next week starts tomorrow, so are we talking bout tomorrow next week, middle of next week, or end of next week, cause i’m not sure how much more waiting i can do phil. you’re kiiiiiilling me over me over here.
patience is a hard virtue…lol!
March 2nd, 2008 at 12:09 am
Yes, I see what you’re doing. You’re building the suspense! That’s right, a good old storyteller’s technique! And you have opened with a bang…. that bang probably being Veggie Tales, and the next step is going to be a little more…. thoughtful? I don’t know if I know what I’m talking about. But it sounded cool in my head.
Jonathan
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:27 am
myspace.comi am genuinely intrigued.
in anticipation,
-joshMshep
Colorado Springs, CO
http://www.myspace.com/joshmshep
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:48 am
red.com)I am so glad to hear this new “open” direction that you are taking. I have been thinking a lot about it myself, and for new projects like Evan Williams creates and Mozilla creates it really helps to be able to build a community around the new product long before the final release. I humbly submit the production of the new Red Camera (www.red.com) that followed this “business” model quite successfully all the way to release.
I will most definitely be back.
Paul
March 2nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
“It’s time to open up the lab and invite everyone inside.”
Ooo! At last! What we’ve all been waiting for, ever since you shut the door in Buck’s face when he pestered you with questions about what you were doing (remember that news short, everyone?). Exciting!
Should I bring cookies?
March 2nd, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I look forward to Buck Denver hosting the big reveal.
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Whee…! Should be a fun story to see unfold. Everybody loves a good sneak peek behind the scenes.
Heck, I’m one puppeteer that has been excited ever since Buck announced that new stuff “may include puppets.”
Hmm… perhaps he has some insider information?
–A
March 2nd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
How fun is this?!
I am so invested in your story, and in your ultimate success, that I feel honored to get the chance to “poke at” your ideas.
You’re not just toying with us, are you?
March 2nd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Yippee!! Can’t wait!
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:05 pm
My little one loves the J-Fish books, can’t wait to see what else is in store!!! Maybe if Steve went a little public that iphone would have had more than 4 gigs!
Hurry up week
Chris
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 am
I should have known you’d leave us in suspense. But it’s cool. I can’t wait a little longer.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:16 am
That was just mean, haha. I read that whole thing, thinking you were going to reveal everything at the very end.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:32 am
Phil Vischer! How cruel - like Brian said I thought you were finally going to reveal what you guys are cooking up at the Jellyfish Labs.
*sigh*
Hurry up!
~Beth
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:31 am
Yes Yes, this is my second post. one and a half days later and I came back to check… are I sucked in!!!!!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
This post reminds me why I enjoyed listening to the “commentaries” on the VeggieTales DVD’s. They reveal what a GEEK Phil Vischer is! I love those commentaries because Phil talks about software and rendering and anti-aliasing and all kinds of neat Geek stuff that I like.
This post gives away Mr. Vischer’s Geekocity as well. Phil, you’re a Geek! And that’s high praise from me.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Eeep! A tease! I can’t wait to see what you’ve got!
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Nothing wrong with being a geek. I can say I am proud to be a geek. Though when he gets all technical I feel like my brain turns to mush, lol!
So maybe I’m the simple geek. My technical knowledge only stretches as far as…well, somewhat far, but not as far as him. LOL!
Ugh, but I was sucked in too…part 1? no no this was more like a preface, or introduction. No part 1 in here.
You know I figure the only way to solve this “must know what Phil is working on” urge is to just apply to work for you in the next few months. Wouldn’t that be a trip, me on your team. i could take that empty office that was off to the right of the conference room yeah? And I wouldn’t complain about your Macs, not too much anyways, LOL!
Yes yes, open your doors! Hurry! Pleeeease! See? I said please.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
“Come back next week for the first look inside…”
Ummm…..
It’s next week.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hey people, try this! Tell us in what your favorite character, phrase, or scene in veggie tales. could be anything you want from veggie tales. and tell us why… if you want!
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Okay, “friend,”
Right off the top of my head, the favorite that comes to mind is:
“How are we clapping?” from Josh and the Big Wall
March 5th, 2008 at 10:50 am
You know, it’s really hard to let people in on your adventure when you don’t know for sure where it’s going to end. Thanks for inviting us along for the ride!
March 18th, 2008 at 4:27 am
[…] It’s no secret that I’m Christian. I believe that God has a plan for me, and that’s why I want to spend time looking for clues, for finding out that plan. (One of my big business heroes, Phil Vischer, has written a few good blog posts on this topic) […]
March 19th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Interesting. It’s the “sales mentality” (which says, “here’s my product–buy it!”) versus “marketing” (which says, “Here’s what we’re thinking of dong; what do you think?”)
I’m not a big fan of Jobs, because of his cultish ideology. His whole “big reveal” attitude is based upon the cult mentality he creates among his employees and “fans.” The secrecy creates buzz and anticipation, and the “sudden reveal” makes him look like more of a “wizard” (literally). But it’s also about the fear of competitors getting wind of a project and copying it.
He learned long ago not to let Bill Gates get a hint of his works-in-progress.
That said, a more open attitude is thus more indicative of trust, and you never know what you’ll find from it.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:51 am
[…] Veggie Tales founder Phil Vischer has been blogging about his big dreams for his new company, Jellyfish (if you’re not familiar with Vischer’s departure from Big Idea, you should read his book, Me, Myself & Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables). So far he’s blogged about two problems: […]
March 24th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
[…] Some of you may remember Phil Vischer from the BigIdea days. Now he’s getting started on something else, and he’s blogging about it. […]
April 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
[…] visiting!So, Phil Vischer is at it again, and he needs your help. He’s launching a new online television network called Jelly Telly, and he’s looking to populate it with Christian entertainment. This […]
April 15th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I’m so excited to read on because this one didn’t really tell me about what’s happening at Jellyfish Labs. I like apple too and I agree that we should be sending microsoft to the antiques department.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Hey Phil,
Just read your book, “Me, Myself and Bob.” It was given to me by a “Creeker” (Willow Creek). I can’t tell you how much it touched me. You write so well! Keep up the good work. I hope your next venture goes well and remember to “watch your pride.”
Bob:)
July 16th, 2008 at 3:42 am
Hey Phil,
Read your book. Had to laugh about the olive tossing in the dining hall in college. I lived on 1st east next to Mike and Eric that first semester. They always came in for fried fish or fried squirrel. Sorry I never took time to get to know you but it sounds like you were good at hiding then. I bailed out for the year of 1985 and returned to finish in 86′ so I missed a year and whatever went down. Lots of good memories of those years.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
[…] HERE for Phil’s first blog post about Jelly Telly […]
August 31st, 2008 at 10:45 am
The jellyfish exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium is my absolute favorite! If you haven’t seen it, it is worth the price of admission. I didn’t realize there were so many different sizes and shapes of jellyfish. Why would God bother to create such diversity in a creature no one can really see? That is, until the black light is turned on it. Wow! The colors - the shapes - the sizes. What a revelation! Is that us as Christians? We’re “invisible” until the light of the Lord shines on us, in us, through us.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I don’t have a website or blog. I’m a greatgrandmama and looking for Christmas gifts b.d., etc. beginning at ages 2 and up. Thank you for your time.
September 30th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Phil,
Over 25 years ago, I believe God gave me ideas for children’s books and animations.
Well, for whatever reason, I sat on them until recently. I just started putting the ideas down and playing with them, making sketches, and suddenly things began to happen. Over the past several years I have been going through a lot of trials, like most Christians. I felt like giving up on my ideas and dreams. Over the last few days I have been enjoying your testimony on Moody Radio. Thanks for the encouragement…you have been an inspiration, over the years, in your success. Now I feel you are even more of an inspiration in your failures…turned over to Christ.
Thank you for your dedication.
October 8th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Hey Dad! How’s buisness going for ya? I love you lots!!
Your daughter,
Sydney Vischer
February 1st, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Wow… I just finished your book this morning and then went straight onto jellytelly. Isnt God so amazing?!?!
…. maybe we are still kids at heart… We love what you are doing!!
Your book spoke right to the heart of what I am going through right now in my life and I thank you for being obediant to God and writing it.
I am so excited about Jellyfish labs and the new Jellytelly and I will be tracking you guys from here on!!
P.S. Just thought you should know that my wife and I do NOT have kids YET and are in our mid - late 30’s.
February 19th, 2009 at 12:03 am
I read your book, and really appreciated the honesty you wrote with. But I missed the WHOLE POINT! I recently lent the book to a friend who called it “life changing” and “radical thinking”.
I’ll admit, I thought - did he read the same book I did? So I read it again. Today. In one sitting. My friend was right. I totally missed the point earlier, and now I see. God really wanted to get my attention. Thanks for helping Him do so. He now has my fullest attention, and I’m going to have a hard time learning to wait. But it will make all the difference instead of spinning my wheels going nowhere.
Thanks for the book, thanks for the message. Kudos for your bravery. This must have been difficult to write at times. I get the feeling that telling this story cost you something. Like David, who said “I can’t give God a gift that costs me nothing.” God is so honoured in this book.
So I checked out one of your episodes of Jelly Telly. Had a good time - my kids were late getting to bed, they didn’t want to miss anything. Promised to show them another episode tomorrow. Yay God, for answering prayer! All along the difficult period we were praying for God to make something beautiful and wonderful come out of all that mess. God is so great, and faithful. Keep walking with him, and we’ll keep watching and praying.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Hi,
Just checking out yesterday’s Jelly Telly and wanted to let you know that I was looking for something fun. I felt a bit mopey and now, well a fai bit less mopey. A bit of a smile on my face - just a bit - getting wider though, slowly.
Anyhow, thanks!
Hopefully my Daughter and Wife will check it out as well!
Moping less,
Philip