The explanation of how the video was made [0] was fantastic! It goes into the insane math behind everything and Vi even makes little physical models showing how the objects move through space and time... Definitely worth a watch!
Seriously! I watched the entire thing without realizing this, thinking "Um... this is nice but I don't understand what is Vi Hart-ish about it?" Then I noticed the 360 aspect and mind blown.
Yes, if I'm understanding the making video correctly, it's three different time sections of the same video at once, timeshifted equally, with the three views also slowly rotating around the sphere (more like a cylinder) over time, which keeps the three edges seamless as long as you plan your movements carefully. And a bit of editing to correct issues.
With >$7500 per month rolling in[1], I doubt she has to starve very much, or at least I hope so. Amazing that she has managed to get that far! Way to go Vi.
I don't know if that's as much as you think it is. Vi's actually pretty forward with what some of those costs are on her Patreon page there, and in calling the goal of $10,000 "sustainability". If I were to throw some very rough numbers, I'd guess at 10% of that going to payment processing (iirc, Patreon takes 5%, paypal/stripe would be at 3-5%?), which would leave 81,000/yr. 24,000 to tax, and we're down to 4,750/mo.
Internet, piano loan, and rent are 2,650 as per Vi's Patreon pledge amounts. So, 2,100/mo for the rest of life's costs (and if you're not used to seeing the cost, remember that health insurance is not cheap in the US), as well as the costs of material and equipment for her work. I'll point out that "sustainability" as her Patreon goal still involves counting on Amazon wishlist gifts to provide the equipment she wants/needs, and this is before we talk about savings or other such adult things.
It's great that she's getting Patreon income (and probably Youtube ad income)! I really would love to see amazing creators supported in such a way more often. We should just be careful when reading the Patreon top line number that we don't compare it to our bottom line on a pay stub.
I think every other artist, creator or more generally, independent worker in the world also has all of those costs you mention, and a big chunk of them aren't making anywhere near 7.5k/month. Not that I think it is "too much" or anything like that, please support the arts, but I can see the OP's point regarding it already being a nice sum that she's getting for her most excellent work.
Many if not most artists and creators also make use of sponsorship and selling merch and physical copies of their work. Just comparing Patreon numbers doesn't really mean anything. Who knows, maybe vihart also ears quite a bit of money from other activities...
Hart is offering some merch too: https://store.dftba.com/collections/vi-hart . I think physical goods are or were a significant part of her revenue plans, though I don't know how that's working out. Unlike a lot of other Patreon creators she is apparently trying to live full-time on her creative/featured/sponsorable output without a day-job to supplement it.
Worth pulling out the Google Cardboard (or fancier VR device) for this video.
It's pretty disorienting to turn around and see/hear her behind you. I spent a few minutes confusing turning 120 degrees for turning 180 degrees. I though she pulled some crazy hexaflexagon style trick in the video, since it took me 3 "about face" turns to get back to my original position.
Very nice! Reminiscent of Michael Gondry, on what must be a minuscule fraction of the budget. Compare with Gondry's "Come Into My World": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63vqob-MljQ
I was hoping for a very quiet “ppp” piece of music, maybe some science or just curious insight behind pianissimo. I figured “peace” only re-iterated the quietness sought after.
Q: How do you pronounce “Vi”?
A: Usually “Vi” rhymes with “Hi”, but the non-English pronunciation is often like “Vee,” and I consider that also correct. I will also answer to “Six” and “Not-Emacs”.
The music or the whole thing? It's not really about it being some basic music in three parts, it's about the presentation of it in a 360 degree view with the three parts all seamlessly showing at once and even appearing to interact with each other in the video. If you think that's garbage... well you have high standards.
Watch the making of video. She explains the sustain pedal wasn't used because it would appear incorrect in multiple splices (there is only one piano). Also, don't be so cranky on the Internet.
[0]: https://youtu.be/x1zJoU6Luss