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Jul 12, 2019 · 33m · 20vc

20VC: HitRecord's Joseph Gordon-Levitt on How Show Business Prepared Him For Life As An Entrepreneur, What Founders Should Look For Most In Their Investor Base & Why The Current Ad Model of Social Is Harming The World's Creative Spirit

Joseph Gordon-Levitt · 22m spoken Harry Stebbings · 9m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

In this episode of The 20 Minute VC, actor and entrepreneur Joseph Gordon-Levitt joins host Harry Stebbings to discuss founding HitRecord, raising venture capital, and how show business prepared him for startup fundraising. He also critiques the ad-driven attention economy of modern social media, presenting HitRecord as a collaborative, healthy alternative.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Harry holds 29.8% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Harry as informed peer 1.9 Guest teaching 3.0 Guest disagreement 0.7 Harry pushing back 0.9
05100:0010:0020:0030:003:29–9:38 · Harry as informed peer 1/10 The Origin Story of HitRecord Harry introduces JGL and asks about the unique founding story of HitRecord based on investor notes. JGL provides a long narrative explaining how his personal mantra as an actor evolved into a message board, an IP remixing production company with custom Wilson Sonsini terms, and $3M paid to creators.9:38–12:27 · Harry as informed peer 2/10 Evolving into a Tech Platform and Series A Fundraising Harry asks JGL whether he considers himself primarily a tech founder or an actor. JGL gently rejects the binary framing, calling himself 'eclectic' and explaining how three non-tech artists eventually embraced technology to raise a $6.5M Series A.12:27–17:37 · Harry as informed peer 2/10 Investor Selection Criteria and Key Mentors Harry inquires about investor selection criteria. JGL explains seeking mentors like David Rogier and Alex from Javelin, and educates Harry on VR pioneer Jaron Lanier's books critiquing free data-harvesting ad business models.17:42–22:30 · Harry as informed peer 2/10 Pitching Investors vs. Auditioning in Show Business Harry asks JGL to compare pitching venture capitalists to auditioning in Hollywood. JGL explains that VC pitching contains unexpected emotional storytelling elements and articulates how attention-driven platforms harm creative fulfillment.22:30–25:03 · Harry as informed peer 2/10 Building HitRecord as a Healthy Creative Alternative Harry presses JGL on whether it is realistic to disengage from the ubiquitous attention economy. JGL presents HitRecord as a practical alternative focused on collaborative creation rather than addictive social validation.25:04–29:02 · Harry as informed peer 3/10 Quick Fire Round Harry guides a quick fire round covering literature, crisis management, Jim Henson, and JGL's backflip at the Oscars with Daniel Radcliffe. JGL explains learning quantitative metrics and KPIs to balance his artistic background.29:02–30:34 · Harry as informed peer 1/10 Future Vision for HitRecord and Interview Conclusion Harry asks about HitRecord's 5-year outlook. JGL outlines a vision to unlock collaborative creativity for billions of people underserved by traditional social networks before Harry closes the interview.3:29–9:38 · Guest teaching 3/10 The Origin Story of HitRecord Harry introduces JGL and asks about the unique founding story of HitRecord based on investor notes. JGL provides a long narrative explaining how his personal mantra as an actor evolved into a message board, an IP remixing production company with custom Wilson Sonsini terms, and $3M paid to creators.9:38–12:27 · Guest teaching 2/10 Evolving into a Tech Platform and Series A Fundraising Harry asks JGL whether he considers himself primarily a tech founder or an actor. JGL gently rejects the binary framing, calling himself 'eclectic' and explaining how three non-tech artists eventually embraced technology to raise a $6.5M Series A.12:27–17:37 · Guest teaching 5/10 Investor Selection Criteria and Key Mentors Harry inquires about investor selection criteria. JGL explains seeking mentors like David Rogier and Alex from Javelin, and educates Harry on VR pioneer Jaron Lanier's books critiquing free data-harvesting ad business models.17:42–22:30 · Guest teaching 4/10 Pitching Investors vs. Auditioning in Show Business Harry asks JGL to compare pitching venture capitalists to auditioning in Hollywood. JGL explains that VC pitching contains unexpected emotional storytelling elements and articulates how attention-driven platforms harm creative fulfillment.22:30–25:03 · Guest teaching 3/10 Building HitRecord as a Healthy Creative Alternative Harry presses JGL on whether it is realistic to disengage from the ubiquitous attention economy. JGL presents HitRecord as a practical alternative focused on collaborative creation rather than addictive social validation.25:04–29:02 · Guest teaching 2/10 Quick Fire Round Harry guides a quick fire round covering literature, crisis management, Jim Henson, and JGL's backflip at the Oscars with Daniel Radcliffe. JGL explains learning quantitative metrics and KPIs to balance his artistic background.29:02–30:34 · Guest teaching 2/10 Future Vision for HitRecord and Interview Conclusion Harry asks about HitRecord's 5-year outlook. JGL outlines a vision to unlock collaborative creativity for billions of people underserved by traditional social networks before Harry closes the interview.3:29–9:38 · Guest disagreement 0/10 The Origin Story of HitRecord Harry introduces JGL and asks about the unique founding story of HitRecord based on investor notes. JGL provides a long narrative explaining how his personal mantra as an actor evolved into a message board, an IP remixing production company with custom Wilson Sonsini terms, and $3M paid to creators.9:38–12:27 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Evolving into a Tech Platform and Series A Fundraising Harry asks JGL whether he considers himself primarily a tech founder or an actor. JGL gently rejects the binary framing, calling himself 'eclectic' and explaining how three non-tech artists eventually embraced technology to raise a $6.5M Series A.12:27–17:37 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Investor Selection Criteria and Key Mentors Harry inquires about investor selection criteria. JGL explains seeking mentors like David Rogier and Alex from Javelin, and educates Harry on VR pioneer Jaron Lanier's books critiquing free data-harvesting ad business models.17:42–22:30 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Pitching Investors vs. Auditioning in Show Business Harry asks JGL to compare pitching venture capitalists to auditioning in Hollywood. JGL explains that VC pitching contains unexpected emotional storytelling elements and articulates how attention-driven platforms harm creative fulfillment.22:30–25:03 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Building HitRecord as a Healthy Creative Alternative Harry presses JGL on whether it is realistic to disengage from the ubiquitous attention economy. JGL presents HitRecord as a practical alternative focused on collaborative creation rather than addictive social validation.25:04–29:02 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Quick Fire Round Harry guides a quick fire round covering literature, crisis management, Jim Henson, and JGL's backflip at the Oscars with Daniel Radcliffe. JGL explains learning quantitative metrics and KPIs to balance his artistic background.29:02–30:34 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Future Vision for HitRecord and Interview Conclusion Harry asks about HitRecord's 5-year outlook. JGL outlines a vision to unlock collaborative creativity for billions of people underserved by traditional social networks before Harry closes the interview.3:29–9:38 · Harry pushing back 0/10 The Origin Story of HitRecord Harry introduces JGL and asks about the unique founding story of HitRecord based on investor notes. JGL provides a long narrative explaining how his personal mantra as an actor evolved into a message board, an IP remixing production company with custom Wilson Sonsini terms, and $3M paid to creators.9:38–12:27 · Harry pushing back 1/10 Evolving into a Tech Platform and Series A Fundraising Harry asks JGL whether he considers himself primarily a tech founder or an actor. JGL gently rejects the binary framing, calling himself 'eclectic' and explaining how three non-tech artists eventually embraced technology to raise a $6.5M Series A.12:27–17:37 · Harry pushing back 1/10 Investor Selection Criteria and Key Mentors Harry inquires about investor selection criteria. JGL explains seeking mentors like David Rogier and Alex from Javelin, and educates Harry on VR pioneer Jaron Lanier's books critiquing free data-harvesting ad business models.17:42–22:30 · Harry pushing back 1/10 Pitching Investors vs. Auditioning in Show Business Harry asks JGL to compare pitching venture capitalists to auditioning in Hollywood. JGL explains that VC pitching contains unexpected emotional storytelling elements and articulates how attention-driven platforms harm creative fulfillment.22:30–25:03 · Harry pushing back 2/10 Building HitRecord as a Healthy Creative Alternative Harry presses JGL on whether it is realistic to disengage from the ubiquitous attention economy. JGL presents HitRecord as a practical alternative focused on collaborative creation rather than addictive social validation.25:04–29:02 · Harry pushing back 1/10 Quick Fire Round Harry guides a quick fire round covering literature, crisis management, Jim Henson, and JGL's backflip at the Oscars with Daniel Radcliffe. JGL explains learning quantitative metrics and KPIs to balance his artistic background.29:02–30:34 · Harry pushing back 0/10 Future Vision for HitRecord and Interview Conclusion Harry asks about HitRecord's 5-year outlook. JGL outlines a vision to unlock collaborative creativity for billions of people underserved by traditional social networks before Harry closes the interview.

speaking balance: gold is Harry, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Harry 100% · guest 0%0:00 · Harry 100% · guest 0%3:00 · Harry 27.3% · guest 72.7%3:00 · Harry 27.3% · guest 72.7%6:00 · Harry 0% · guest 100%6:00 · Harry 0% · guest 100%9:00 · Harry 16.8% · guest 83.2%9:00 · Harry 16.8% · guest 83.2%12:00 · Harry 16.5% · guest 83.5%12:00 · Harry 16.5% · guest 83.5%15:00 · Harry 13.4% · guest 86.6%15:00 · Harry 13.4% · guest 86.6%18:00 · Harry 19.2% · guest 80.8%18:00 · Harry 19.2% · guest 80.8%21:00 · Harry 8.3% · guest 91.7%21:00 · Harry 8.3% · guest 91.7%24:00 · Harry 19.9% · guest 80.1%24:00 · Harry 19.9% · guest 80.1%27:00 · Harry 15.5% · guest 84.5%27:00 · Harry 15.5% · guest 84.5%30:00 · Harry 86.3% · guest 13.7%30:00 · Harry 86.3% · guest 13.7%33:00 · Harry 100% · guest 0%33:00 · Harry 100% · guest 0%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 10:08 Rejection of the 'tech founder' label

JGL gently pushes back on Harry's binary question asking if he is an actor or a tech founder, stating he considers himself eclectic and never viewed himself as a tech founder.

 Hardest push from Harry ▶ 22:30 Harry challenges feasibility of leaving attention economy

Harry interjects to ask JGL whether it is genuinely possible to disengage from the attention economy given how deeply embedded it is in media culture.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 16:15 JGL introduces Jaron Lanier's anti-ad model economic theories

JGL educates Harry on Jaron Lanier's books 'You Are Not a Gadget' and 'Who Owns the Future', detailing how giving products away for free to harvest manipulation data damages society.

 Harry holds his own ▶ 27:22 Harry surprises JGL with specific Oscar backflip anecdote

Harry demonstrates personal research and insider knowledge by bringing up a specific standing backflip JGL executed while dancing with Daniel Radcliffe at the Oscars.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicHarry as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementHarry pushing backWhy
The Origin Story of HitRecord 1300 Harry introduces JGL and asks about the unique founding story of HitRecord based on investor notes. JGL provides a long narrative explaining how his personal mantra as an actor evolved into a message board, an IP remixing production company with custom Wilson Sonsini terms, and $3M paid to creators.
Evolving into a Tech Platform and Series A Fundraising 2211 Harry asks JGL whether he considers himself primarily a tech founder or an actor. JGL gently rejects the binary framing, calling himself 'eclectic' and explaining how three non-tech artists eventually embraced technology to raise a $6.5M Series A.
Investor Selection Criteria and Key Mentors 2511 Harry inquires about investor selection criteria. JGL explains seeking mentors like David Rogier and Alex from Javelin, and educates Harry on VR pioneer Jaron Lanier's books critiquing free data-harvesting ad business models.
Pitching Investors vs. Auditioning in Show Business 2411 Harry asks JGL to compare pitching venture capitalists to auditioning in Hollywood. JGL explains that VC pitching contains unexpected emotional storytelling elements and articulates how attention-driven platforms harm creative fulfillment.
Building HitRecord as a Healthy Creative Alternative 2312 Harry presses JGL on whether it is realistic to disengage from the ubiquitous attention economy. JGL presents HitRecord as a practical alternative focused on collaborative creation rather than addictive social validation.
Quick Fire Round 3211 Harry guides a quick fire round covering literature, crisis management, Jim Henson, and JGL's backflip at the Oscars with Daniel Radcliffe. JGL explains learning quantitative metrics and KPIs to balance his artistic background.
Future Vision for HitRecord and Interview Conclusion 1200 Harry asks about HitRecord's 5-year outlook. JGL outlines a vision to unlock collaborative creativity for billions of people underserved by traditional social networks before Harry closes the interview.

Statements from this episode (9)

Insight
Online Collaborative Creation Is a Fundamentally New Human Behavior
“Using the internet to collaborate, to make something together with other people that you might not have been able to make on your own. That was sincerely new behavior that was only made possible by this new technology.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Jul 12, 2019 ▶ 6:07
Assertion Not checkable as stated
HitRecord Has Paid $2.9 Million to Contributing Artists
“We've paid out different contributing artists. We're almost at three million dollars now. It's like 2.9 now.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Jul 12, 2019 ▶ 8:24
Assertion Not checkable as stated
HitRecord Reached 700,000 Users With Zero Paid Acquisition
“Over 700,000 registered users now. We've never paid a single dollar to buy traffic or registrations or downloads or anything like that.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Jul 12, 2019 ▶ 8:34
Insight
VC Decisions Rely Heavily on Emotion and Intuition Over Data
“There is that analytical component, but there's also the emotional component, and even though it seems like everybody in Silicon Valley says that data is the most important thing, what I found in my brief time in this world is, yeah, data is important, and tha…”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Jul 12, 2019 ▶ 19:10
Insight
Seeking Attention Through Creativity Always Results in Anxiety and Dissatisfaction
“If your goal in a creative process is to get attention, you're never going to be satisfied. It's Always going to be a hollow and an anxiety-laden experience.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Jul 12, 2019 ▶ 21:01
Opinion
Ad-Driven Social Platforms Corrupt the Creative Motivations of Young People
“So I really think that that ad model, I'm very concerned for the whole world's creative spirit, especially the Creativity of younger people who've spent their whole lives with YouTube or Instagram or other places like that, other ad-driven platforms as the des…”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Jul 12, 2019 ▶ 22:00
Opinion
Scrolling Twitter for 20 Minutes Leaves Users Feeling Worse
“Whereas, I know me personally, if I spend 20 minutes scrolling through Twitter, I come out of the end of that experience just feeling worse, worse about myself, worse about the world. I do feel all the more compelled to look at Twitter again, because it's very…”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Jul 12, 2019 ▶ 24:12
Assertion Not checkable as stated
HitRecord Targets Everyday Creative People Rather Than Industry Hopefuls
“Our target with HitRecord is not people who are trying to break into the creative industry or people who are aspiring to, it's really not that. It's any, Human being with the urge to be creative, which I think is in many ways, any and all human beings.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Jul 12, 2019 ▶ 29:11
Opinion
Major Social Platforms Intimidate Everyday People From Sharing Creative Work
“Today's dominant platforms, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, they don't really offer a path for folks like that. Folks like that feel like, oh, I'm embarrassed. I'm not going to post my thing on Instagram. Like, no one's going to like it.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Jul 12, 2019 ▶ 29:57
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