Presenters
Source
Flux Unfiltered: From Wedding Banter to a Compelling Docu-Series 🚀
Ever wondered what happens when brilliant minds, a dash of serendipity, and a shared passion for open source collide? Well, pull up a chair, because we’re diving into the incredible story behind “Flux Unfiltered,” a docu-series that brings the heart and soul of the Flux project to life! 🎬
This isn’t just about code; it’s about the people, the journey, and the ideas that make open source projects like Flux thrive. Our storyteller, Bart, a familiar face from the KubeFM podcast and Learn Cube, takes us on a whirlwind tour, starting with a chance encounter at a wedding and ending with a project that aims to inspire the next generation of contributors.
The Spark: An Idea Born at a Wedding 🥂
It all began at a wedding in London last September. Bart, along with Andy Martin and other tech enthusiasts, found themselves in conversation. The idea? To create a documentary series that tells the untold story of Flux, mirroring the successful documentaries already celebrating other CNCF projects.
- The Vision: To capture the evolution of Flux, its challenges, triumphs, and the individuals who shaped it.
- The Inspiration: The successful docu-series format already present within the Kubernetes and CNCF community.
- The Challenge: Bart, while experienced in podcasting, had to admit his documentary-making experience was limited to “videos for children” made during the pandemic! 😅 But as Bart wisely put it, “I don’t know karate, but I do know crazy!”
Structuring the Narrative: Setup, Conflict, Resolution 🛠️
To bring the story of Flux to life, the team structured their documentary into four distinct parts, each focusing on a crucial aspect of the project’s journey:
Episode 1: The Genesis and Early Days 💡
This episode delves into the roots of Flux, exploring its origins, the problems it aimed to solve, and its initial development.
- Key Voices: Featuring insights from Alexis, Andy Martin, and Chris Anichek from the CNCF, this segment lays the groundwork for Flux’s existence.
- Tracing the Journey: Understanding the initial vision and the early challenges faced by the project.
Episode 2: The Evolution to Flux V2 🚀
The transition to Flux V2 was a significant milestone. This episode captures the behind-the-scenes story of its creation and its impact.
- Core Contributors: Hear directly from Michael and Stefan about their experience in developing Flux V2.
- Real-World Impact: Showcasing how Flux V2 is not just a lab experiment but
a robust solution for large organizations, including:
- Phípe: A major telco, demonstrating its use in regulated environments.
- Orange: A large telecommunications company.
- Arnab (Nomura): Highlighting its application in financial institutions.
Episode 3: Building with Flux 🏗️
This episode shifts focus to how the broader ecosystem leverages Flux, showcasing its power in real-world applications.
- Ecosystem Partners: Featuring insights from:
- William and Sean (Mirantis): Sharing how they build with Flux.
- Jane (Microsoft): Discussing integration and usage.
- Brian (GitLab): Demonstrating how GitLab utilizes Flux.
- Leveraging the Technology: Understanding how organizations are achieving their objectives by integrating Flux into their workflows.
Episode 4: The Human Element & Community Voices 🗣️
This final episode brings the human aspect to the forefront, featuring individuals who are actively building with and contributing to Flux.
- Community Contributors: Including insights from William, who was present at the talk, and Sean from Mirantis, alongside Jane from Microsoft and Brian from GitLab.
- Building the Future: Hearing firsthand accounts of how Flux empowers their work and their vision for its future.
Beyond the Screen: Elevating the Experience ✨
The “Flux Unfiltered” docu-series is more than just interviews; it’s a carefully crafted experience.
- A Year in the Making: The project spanned over a year from its inception at the wedding to its delivery.
- Community Effort: A huge thank you to Franchesco for his tireless work in securing guests and navigating organizational hurdles.
- Sound Design by an Emmy Nominee: To elevate the emotional impact, the team collaborated with Eric Maserati Abberrombi, an Emmy-nominated sound designer. His work on the series brings the emotional tension and excitement of building Flux to life, transforming the listening experience. Bart’s connection to Eric stems from his work with the podcast “Ear Hustle,” showcasing how inspiration and collaboration can come from unexpected places.
Fostering the Next Generation: The Flux Explorers Program 🧭
The ambition didn’t stop with the docu-series. To cultivate new talent and bring fresh perspectives to the Flux community, the Flux Explorers Program was launched.
- Democratizing Contribution: Inviting individuals with no prior experience with Flux to engage with the docu-series episodes.
- Mentorship and Guidance: Providing support and mentorship to help these explorers understand Flux and potentially contribute in the future.
- Global Reach: Participants from Kenya, the UK, and the US have already joined, bringing diverse backgrounds and insights.
- Next Steps: The program encourages participants to select a talk from FluxCon and share their learnings, fostering a continuous cycle of engagement and growth.
The Heart of Open Source: Community and Stories ❤️
As Bart emphasized, it’s not just about the code or the commits; it’s about the community that builds these projects and the stories that are waiting to be told. The “Flux Unfiltered” docu-series is a testament to this philosophy, and the Flux Explorers Program ensures that this narrative continues to evolve.
The journey doesn’t end here; it’s a continuous build towards the next FluxCon in Amsterdam! 🇳🇱
A Final Thought: If you’re ever attending a wedding, make sure to invite Bart and Andy – you never know what open-source project might be born from the celebration! 😉
And for those heading to KubeCon, don’t miss the YAML.game quizzes at various booths to test your Kubernetes knowledge and snag some cool custom stickers from Learn Cube! 🏆