2021: New SERIES Starting, NEW SHOWS coming, New COLLABORATORS wanted
Posted on February 2, 2021
WORKING HOURS Volume 2: 2021
So, these constant in/out lockdowns are very detrimental to me with regards to getting stuff done quickly. I am still working on the show notes and timecodes for Volume 1 of Working Hours and I have now started interviewing guests for Volume 2. I am hoping to get a lot more episodes out this year – I do want to hit 100 guests a year for this show but, I am still a good way off from getting to that many yet. Working Hours is showing steady growth but fortunately the current low numbers allow me to experiment, think and identify what I think are mistakes with the 1st volume.
New Shows for 2021
I’m working with a writer on developing what looks like it will be Western Studio’s 1st dramatic podcast. That’s coming along nicely and I am currently hoping to get that show out in spring or summer this year. I have another couple of podcasts that are in the early stages of development, one will be a film based show and the other a political one. Finally, there’s Muck 4 Brass, a new show that I have great hopes for but, I need to nail down a few more ideas around this one before I really tell you anymore about it.
Collaborators
I continue to be on the lookout for new Leeds based collaborators, clients, audiences, customers and patrons. (As well as guests for Working Hours – email workinghourspod@western-studios.com if you’d like to be on the show.) I would really love to hear from you if:
- You would like to get some content creation off the ground but you’re not really sure where to start with it
- You are a voice actor looking for working experiences and material for your voice reel
- You are a writer looking to have your work made
- You are a musician looking for new avenues to promote your work
- You are a sound FX genius in waiting – the next Ben Burtt, if only someone would give you a chance!
If you are any of the above then do please drop me a line at makemypodcast@western-studios.com to discuss ways in which we might collaborate to mutually beneficial ends.
AOB
The business still needs to cover its costs and show a profit. I have yet to receive any donations or patrons for the initial show (I believe these will come once series 2 starts and there is more content for patrons to actually shill out for). I am not currently working with any clients and have not, as yet, put out any other shows. I have started to put out more social media content specifically designed to attract podcast clients alongside my regular posts promoting Working Hours.
Once I have started to generate revenue and my overheads are covered any remaining funds will be immediately invested back in to the business. There is still a lot of equipment that I would like to get so that I can expand my offer to clients further. I am also planning on running some larger paid ad campaigns, if and when I can get hold of the funds.
I am excited about this year and who and what it will bring to the business. I am looking forward to getting to the point of getting (hopefully) positive feedback and constructive criticism for Working Hours. I look forward to getting our 1st Patreon supporter in the next few months and to getting our 1000th one shortly after that! I look forward to all my coming shows this year and to maybe even helping you to make your podcast.
LEEDS, BE MY GUEST ON WORKING HOURS VOLUME 2
Posted on December 14, 2020
Leeds, what do you do? Tell me about it
Apply now
I want to start publishing Volume 2 as soon as possible but I also want to make sure that I have at least 12 episodes set up before publishing the first episode of volume 2. I don’t want to release irregularly and sporadically as I want there to be consistency and regularity for the listeners. The original plan was to be recording 100 interviews a year so I’m 90 behind schedule after last year!!
I’m not too worried though. I had of course anticipated that I would have to build up to that level but, I had expected to be somewhat further ahead by now. Oh well! It is what it is. So this year it would be great to be able to go weekly with the show but we’ll have to see how it goes. If I don’t get any guests, listeners and/or Patreons (or even food, power or breathable air) then obviously things won’t get any easier for the show, but let’s see what does happen shall we?
Trailers Galore
Posted on November 25, 2020
So we have an audio trailer:
https://the-working-hours-podca.captivate.fm/episode/the-working-hours-podcast
A YouTube video:
And a Vimeo
NEW SHOWS COMING NEXT YEAR
Posted on October 1, 2020
Launching in SPRING 2021
Muck 4 Brass
Muck 4 Brass is a series of pulpy audio fictions from Leeds based creators. Whether it’s soppy or gruesome, fantastic or horrifying, thrilling or thought provoking it’s all genre based original fictions that are born and bred in Leeds. The intent is pulp but that doesn’t mean that your shiny artistic gem won’t shine out in the muck and perhaps even get you some brass!
If you’re from or you’re based in Leeds and you’ve got a short tale that you’d like to hear published in an audio format then get in touch now. You’ll need to be happy to have it appear in a series alongside other tales of varying quality and perhaps even taste.
Muck 4 Brass
If you would like to contribute stories or talent to this show click here
Or email :
makemypod@western-studios.com Using the subject line Muck 4 Brass
also in 2021
Doorways
Doorways is an original urban fairy story set in Leeds using popular genre characters and tropes and taking place during the great Lockdown of 2020. This series is currently in development.
Doorways is interested to hear from actors and musicians for this project
Kakistocracy
The inevitable doomwatch content podcast about our infuriating politics, stress inducing culture wars and general jaw dropping stupidity. You might laugh, you might cry, but hopefully you’ll be listening to it as you’re happily doing something worthwhile that you’ve been inspired to do more of by all this endless hideousness.
#makemypodcast
Have you got an idea for a podcast? Email makemypod@western-studios.com and let’s get it made!
Art Works Podcast
Posted on September 20, 2020
I have been working with Leeds based polymath Eleanor Snare on her podcast and I personally think it sounds rather good! It’s called Art Works and we’re four episodes in so far. I am very much looking forward to hearing the rest of these as I work on them. I initially provided some advice to Eleanor at the start of her podcast project and I have been working with her on the editing and mixing of each podcast episode.
A New Flyer – Prices for Charities and Committee Groups
Posted on September 14, 2020
I have a got a new flyer with prices for Leeds based or focussed charities and community groups.
Contact me if a service you want isn’t listed here or if you’d like to discuss any further price options.
Mini Update
Posted on August 25, 2020
Okay friends,
So I have refined my overall business pitch slightly (still a long way to go on that though) and I am working towards updating and redesigning the website, building out my contact list, creating original marketing content and so on and so on…
This business is all just me. It might not look like anything is actually going on from the outside but, I assure you it is. I guess I’m really still just at the germination stage of this seed, so it will take a little while longer before being able to actually notice any green shoots peaking through the soil of the Leeds business landscape.
The site will look better soon, promise! I’m just operating on very little capital atm. Which is fine. No, really it is. (No, really. It’s fine. FINE!) Western Studios will survive, my overheads are low enough. Then again my current only income source is also very low. 😐 I am certainly time-rich though, which is not the same as being motivation-rich. Again, I’m working on motivation too and I know myself well enough to know that as I start to feel more and more like I am actually making some headway with this thing then the more I will feel encouraged to keep going with it and to go harder at it. So, this is just to say to anyone who may be interested enough to look that things are happening here. Really! Just you wait and see. This time next year Rodders, we’ll have a million listeners! ;p
Simon
Re-do
Posted on August 5, 2020
Hello!
So the site is going to go through some changes, things are happening! No point saying anything yet as no-one is reading any of this yet.
Volume 2 – coming soon
Posted on April 22, 2020
I have been laid low for a few weeks with toothache so have not been able (or inclined) to do too much recently. I will be back to doing more work on this but, I’m not not going to be over doing it. There is no rush after all. I am looking forward to Volume 2 and am currently looking for new guests. I am still awaiting sign off from some of the Volume 1 guests but, obviously, with the latest crisis they’re not in any rush to come back to me and I don’t see any need to hassle them. Their episodes are done and they will be released when they are released.
Quick Update
Posted on March 20, 2020
I will be reposting the first 2 episodes with new intros and some music added and also dropping the next few episodes shortly. I will also be adding show notes to the eps and making a bit more effort on the promotion front. I am struggling slightly with getting these done at the moment, but I will get them out as soon as Simonly possible. Not that anyone is bothered (other than me) or even reading this yet. But, whatever, just in case, right?
