Fall Projects

Autumn is my own version of Spring and when the days are bright and crisp, I’m inspired. I thought I’d let you in on one of my favourite ongoing projects and how my partner and I have been working to streamline everything for our brand new season.

I’m talking about the podcast I co-host with my friend James – it’s called All Out of Bubblegum and we’ve been doing it for two years now. I love doing it as much as I love my blog because I get to watch movies for a purpose: to talk about them with my friend to my hearts content.

We recently took an extended Summer break and have just recorded two new episodes for Season 2. The break illustrated just how much work the podcast had become in addition to our other commitments (full-time jobs, social life, other creative undertakings). Since we both love doing it so much, we never want it to feel like a chore – so we’re making some important changes.

Seasons

We’re going to start splitting the podcast into seasons. Each Summer we’ll take a long break and when we return we’ll start in on a new Season. We’ve never done this before but I think it will break things up a bit. Season 2, Episode 1 will drop very soon – and even though it’s still the same as before, it feels like a fresh start, which is always a plus for any creative project.

Recording

Instead of recording two episodes every two weeks and posting weekly, we’re moving to monthly and posting fortnightly. This gives us more time to do our homework and actually have a life. Nobody wants their hobbies to feel like an obligation, God knows we have enough of those.

Content

I’ve been really bad about managing our marketing ‘strategy’. I share the episodes on Facebook and Twitter but that’s the bare minimum required – and I’ve forgotten about everything else.

The plan was always to pad out the episodes with opinions on films and blog posts so I’ve just set up the All Out of Bubblegum Hub. It’s still a work in progress but I’ll get there – and we’re not putting too much pressure on ourselves. We want to beef up our content but there are no rigid rules or expectations – we do what we can, when we can – and we do it ‘cos we love it.

We Only Review Worthwhile Things

We don’t have to love all the things we talk about – you win some, you lose some when it comes to art – but if we’re both on the same page about something that isn’t working for us, instead of enduring it, we’ll let each other know. Life is too short to sit through boring TV and films – especially when there’s so much good stuff to discover.

Zine

We’re been asked to contribute a film column to a friend of James’ zine which is exciting. It may only be quarterly and we’re not sure when but still, could be interesting…

Audience

We’ve always said we’re doing this for ourselves and that it the truth. It’s lovely when someone listens and comments on something we’ve done – but we’ll never be concerned about viewing figures (which is just as well). In fact, we’re both on the same page about what it would be like if we did have the added pressure of a decent following – it would probably freak us right out.

So for now we do this for ourselves and if anyone enjoys it – then I’m grateful.

If you’re interested, you can listen to All Out of Bubblegum here or find us on most podcast listening platforms.

Inspo-a-Go-Go

Blogtober has been really fun so far but some days I’m filled with a special kind of panic if I’ve failed to pre-plan a post. It’s funny though, how you can start out a day with no idea and then be inspired by anything: a conversation with colleagues, a news report.

I was going to focus on a few feelings I have about some current news stories but you know what? It’s been a good, creative week and I’m not down for thinking negatively right now. Quite the opposite in fact.

On Tuesday, my podcast partner and I recorded a couple of new shows, one of which features our very first guest spot and it was so awesome I positively skipped home afterwards. (Not really, but I got a cab with a smile on my face). The next day and this morning, I’ve been carrying myself like Snow White, followed by woodland animals, smiling at everyone and just in love with life.

I’m in a weird position in work in that I’m flailing a bit creatively. I love my team and what I do, but it’s not an inspired role a lot of a time and I was starting to wain. In some ways the new injection of fun projects – the podcast and my blog, the collab with Jillian – have combated the stagnancy.

The podcasting in particular feels like an achievement. My friend and I talked about maybe trying something and now we’re actually doing it. Making plans and getting them down. It feels important and I feel more alert than I have in a long time. I have a new lease of life, and it feels fucking amazing.

I genuinely can’t wait to see where we go next.

What have you guys been up to? ❤

Ps. If you want to check out the podcast for yourself, our episodes are right here.

Self Promotion, Yo

Good morning!

This might not be the official home of All Out of Bubblegum, however, it is my blog and I’ll self-promote if I want to.

I’m so stoked to share the first ever episode – the smancy sounding “Pilot” – below.

Sure, we have a ways to go in terms of some of the technical side of things. We have to rein ourselves in and stop going out quite so far on the tangents. I must at least write down the name of directors, who are not ‘That Guy that did That Thing”. And the fidgeting! The tapping of the mugs and the pens must cease.

But beyond that, I couldn’t be prouder. I’m certain James feels the same way.

We’re currently working on our branding, on our website and some of the small things we’d like to change so expect to see some changes coming up shortly! Until then – enjoy ❤

And a very happy weekend to you all! ❤

All Out of Bubblegum Podcast: Coming Soon!

Behind the scenes

So, I had the best day yesterday and could barely sleep last night because of my excitement!

I’m talking podcast, of course (and might be talking about it a lot for the foreseeable future, so sue me). Anyway, yesterday afternoon we got the pilot episode down – and then some.

Turns out the opposite of what I thought would be an issue was the issue: talking too much. We got about 2 and a half hours of waffle down, for an hour-long show. It’s so hard to stick to the plan when there are so many tangents to explore.

I think it’s great stuff – once we’d both got over the horror of listening to our own voices – we were really pleased with how it sounded. Very natural, and hopefully fun for others.

I will be linking to absolutely everything we do from here, no doubt so I do hope you’ll come and check us out.

It’s a work in progress at the moment, but there’ll also be an accompanying blog, which you can find here.

While we (well James) cleans up the first episode, adds an intro and music, here’s a little glimpse at your hosts:

Me (obvs) and James: magic makers (hopefully)

Don’t worry, we’ll get some more professional ‘official’ shots.

Happy Humpday all! Hope you’re having a good week too ❤