October Update (3 videos done, more soon!!!)

3 video essays DONE!!!

And thus, the promise is fulfilled. The writing streak I was on the last few months has lead to a whopping three video essays this October, all themed in some way around the evil holiday spirit, two of them overhauls of scripts I wanted to release some time ago. In the gaps left between bigger projects, I really wanted to push myself and see if I could achieve more for a change, being less precious about my work while attempting to maintain standards, and these three helped me really feel out that balance. I'm extremely pleased with how the month shook out as a result and delighted that my long planned Scream essay now forever has an Oct 31st stamped as its published date. Get in.

And yet the work continues! I can't promise to be putting out quite as many video essays in November, but as mentioned last month I've been working on enough that there'll be a steady flow of them coming through, giving me enough room to also ramp up to work on the bigger projects without it feeling like I've vanished. The ones heading your way include-

• Another short video game piece, on something I've talked about before. As mentioned this was already recorded, though I may make a change based on another game from the same company came out not long ago which I also played and completed, though I wouldn't have thought that it would be a drastic rewrite. You may be able to figure it out from this info but no spoilers for now.

• A slightly longer video I've written on a show that came out this year and was cancelled just a month after. It's incredibly niche, I don't expect anyone else to have seen it or for the video to do very well, but the script came together fast and I just wanna talk about it. Definitely one I want out this month. Will not be taxing to make at all, will dash off a recording sometime this week.

• The comic-book adjacent one I talked about. This one I initially planned to record and complete for Halloween- but one look at the clock as I was halfway through the script made me realise I would never release it in time for the deadline, and made me dash for the Scream draft I'd already been working on. Luckily this video isn't actually Halloween specific, it just kinda also fits there, so I'll be able to record that and start putting it together not long from now. It's another example of something I really should just make public as content instead of sitting on it waiting for a good moment or angle.

• I'm also making an attempt to try to re-release the Nightmare before Christmas video. Last year I worked to get it out before the deadline and failed, and uploaded it here as an exclusive instead. I actually ended up going to a Tim Burton Exhibition in January and got some notes from my sister on a few things mentioned that I want to work back into the video here or there. Shouldn't take too long to fix, and the aim is to upload it in November to pre-empt more copyright bots that the first one already cleared, and then make it public in December. Means there'll be a video that month and I can ease off on racing to releases as I enjoy the Christmas break.

Otherwise, my attention turns largely back to Thunderbolts.

The rewards for that first episode are on the way- as promised the commentary for the first episode has been edited and I'm in the process of uploading it, so you'll be seeing that on here as my next post. Next will be the Timeline Tour, and last but not least I'm going to attempt a Reading List video (Part one.) I know, it's a lot, and it's taken longer than planned so you keep seeing me repeat it here, but these are always on the cards as I work through everything else.

As mentioned, the actual production of the next episode is starting well, too. I got even better news about the availability of my animator buddies next year, and should have a few hands on deck as heavy production begins on episode 2. Really close to kicking it off, and again, learning from these other projects not to be too precious and to just cut loose and get it done. Ain't getting any younger.

This is the same mentality that's having me charge through the last few big projects I keep promising as well, one fairly public, two less so. Not to bring things too down, but I do think the loss I experienced earlier this year has sharpened my focus on the time at my disposal and the reality of what 'acceptable' at this stage of my career really means. I can't control the numbers or reaction but I think I'm at a level now where I can churn them out without hurting myself or my standards, and given how much I've already written and been sitting on it's really time to stop hiding them from the world and just get them out there even as I balance other plans. Sounds like a lot written out, but I am pacing myself just enough.

Still can't figure out Sly 4 but hey, one set of videos at a time, right?

Once again, a huge thanks to all of you sticking by and continuing to support my work. Tthis will soon start to get funnelled back to the creatives who'll help me bring the next leg of The REAL Thunderbolts story to life- and you won't believe where we're headed next.

Til then!

-B