Time to Smash this Series! (Blog) (Patreon)

How is everyone going this week? I've been quite a busy boy, had trouble getting out of bed today cause I tweaked my back shooting Croc 2. I'm fine, just stiff in a few places (the unfun places) but it will hopefully be worth it!

Croc 2 Progress) As you can see from the above image, I've been having some fun with miniatures for the next video! Nothing too crazy but I still think it's cool. Since I've had to use a few practical techniques to create some characters, I couldn't use the real game as it'd look way too big. Didn't know what to do until I realized I could make a 1:9 scale miniature and shoot that. Very pleased with how it looked, despite it barely even being visible most of the time. That's film making for you! This episode will be up next week, still in the production phase with only the VO left to do and a few pickup shots. Then the ass end of this week will be editing.

Missed Shooting Days) I'm devastated, there will be 2 extra days this week I could potentially record all of the Testing Episodes for June on days when I normally couldn't shoot anything. Despite that, I'll have to be focused on getting Croc 2 done for both Early Access and so that I have time to get ready for the next review right after it. Not the biggest deal, but kind of a shame. At least I'm paying more attention to the more important videos now.

As for Everything Else) This month's podcast has been recorded, I'm just trying to find the time and will power to get it done. I'm hoping for this weekend once Croc 2 is edited and the start of my next review is shot. I haven't fully written that review yet however, it shouldn't be too strenuous so I'll hopefully be able to have it done by the time Croc 2 is live on YouTube. In my spare time, I've been playing through some old classics: Spyro the Dragon, Tony Hawk's PRO SKATER and THPS2. Obviously I need to get through Spyro and recap everything before the Reignited Trilogy is out so all my PS1 gameplay looks sexy as fuck. I do need to replay the Tony Hawk games for the same reasons ready for Hawktober, though it's not nearly as important. I could make do with getting what I need when I need it, I've just been in the mood to play these games again.

As is the way things go, I was already figuring out Year 2 of Hawktober before I'd even started shooting Year 1's videos. With specials and major events like this, you really do need a long term plan. While I've known the games and basic arcs, I wasn't sure on the themes and writing for the individual episodes. It's been on the back of my mind all year since it needs to be figured out WELL before I start working on it. Last year, I had the entire concept finalized by June with what I wanted to do. My problem this year is that I can't just do the same thing again, that wouldn't be special, it wouldn't be creative and I wouldn't enjoy doing that as much since this year's games have no nostalgic feeling over me. Well after replaying Tony Hawk's PRO SKATER, I actually started to get into the mood again. I had a heap of simple ideas I should have thought of before that I could do in a similar way as last year, that will hopefully still make this year's videos feel totally different in comparison. So I'm really excited about that. It's given me a bit of extra GO the past few days, finally having some ideas brew up in the 'ol noggin!

Closing Thoughts) I'm worried about the workload ahead of me with Hawktober this year, having it as seamless as Year 1. Nobody could have known (aside from Petronious because I accidentally spilled the beans) that I was undertaking a project that massive because while I was working to the bone getting it done, reviews and all other content was still going up regularly. But I don't know how I can possibly repeat that feat this year as I've struggled so much trying to get myself ahead, even by a few days. Let alone 6-8 weeks. So yeah, now that's my worry but at least it's a positive worry knowing that no matter how it goes, seamless or not, Hawktober Year 2 should be just as good as the first time around.

BUT anyway, I've got Crocs to curse out! Thank you all so much for reading and as always, I hope you have a great fucking day. Cheers guys!