$current_episode status thread

[MaverickWeirdo]

Well, another 3 weeks have come and gone, and still no new episodes of Second Shift.

It was a wonderful series, and lots of us enjoyed it thoroughly, but knowing that its future is extremely unsure, at best, causes me to think that podio euthanasia would be the best course.

You speak only for yourself. If you want to miss the ending then do not continue to check out the website.

He has said before that they do not plan on releasing any more of the final 3 episodes (of which most of the voicework is already done) until all 3 are edited. My guess is that Ep 14 is 90% done, and that Ep 15 is 20% done. Unforunately there are only a couple of part time editors doing the work, because they are volunteers.

To Brad, Andrea, and the rest. I still believe in Second Shift. Please, I would rather you take the time to do it justice, rather do a sloppy job just get it over with.

[AudioBoyMA]

I'm not sure I understand why you think the show is dead or should die.

We consulted the fan community here as to how they wanted to receive the final three episodes and the response was pretty much unanimous. Because they comprise what is essentially a 3-part finale, the fans wanted all three episodes finished and then released over a period of several weeks. And that is the plan we've been sticking to. All dialog has been recorded, scenes are being edited, sound effects are being compiled and music is being composed.

Post production is a slow process, especially for unpaid people with full-time careers, but Brad is doing a magnificent job. He's even managed to find a few outside folk to help with the editing. He's been using his spare time to work on the show, even editing while away on business trips.

No one is more dedicated to the completion of Second Shift than Brad, save Andrea, and I think it grossly disrespects him to suggest his efforts aren't sufficient.

[Brad]

While I sympathize, that's not going to happen if I have anything to do with it. I would agree that it's fair to no longer think of Second Shift as anything like a regular podcast. But it's also a story, and it is my hope that it's a compelling enough story that when it's complete, even if completing it takes years, that story will continue to be found by new people and be of interest for years to come.

In other words, I kind of agree that it's not realistic to think of this as a show one listens to serially any more, but think of it instead as a work in progress. A very slow work, to be sure, but one that will eventually be a complete story that can be re-enjoyed as a whole. That's why we're planning on waiting until all three of the final eps are done, rather than releasing them piecemeal with who-knows-how-long gaps in between.

Thanks for the frank comments though. You wouldn't be posting them if you didn't care about the show, and I appreciate that.

[Brad]

My guess is that Ep 14 is 90% done, and that Ep 15 is 20% done.

I do want to be honest here and say that I'm afraid you are over-generous with your estimates.

Ep 14 is currently about 40% done (7/19 scenes complete, with music and mastering remaining as well). 15 and 16 are 0% done. Now, that's not counting recording, which is 100% done for all of them, so it really comes down to finding the hours to get post done, not wrangling actors, which is good. We have picked up a couple of new editors, and we'll see how much of a difference that makes.

All that said, expect a wait. Expect it to be months, not weeks. But expect it to get done. Eventually. Labors of love are like this: sometimes they're frustratingly slow, but they happen eventually.

[heyes]

Well, another 3 weeks have come and gone, and still no new episodes of Second Shift.

Brad, I know you're doing all you can to keep the story alive, and I appreciate that, but maybe its time to allow Second Shift the dignity of a graceful and overdue death.  Its been many, many months since anything new has been released, and despite your good intentions, it appears that there's insufficient interest within the voice acting community to keep this project alive.

It was a wonderful series, and lots of us enjoyed it thoroughly, but knowing that its future is extremely unsure, at best, causes me to think that podio euthanasia would be the best course.

Best of luck in your future endeavors...

I for one will wait patiently for Second Shift.  Brad, and all the Second Shift team, I know you're doing your best!  I'll be here when you're ready! 

Steady on.

[Forgetmenot]

I don't think alot of people truly understand the amount of work that goes into post production and sound editing. I know I didn't before I started doing it. For each minute of finished wonderfullness that is second shift, there is between 3 and 4 hours of work. It takes even longer when it's done peicemeal and the editor dosn't have the time to sit and do it all at once.

[AmariT]

I'm just glad it's still being worked on.  I'm relistening to the series now and was worried that the podcast had indeed decided to no longer update. I'm subcribed on ITunes.  When it does update, I'll know and I'll happily listen to the latest episode. In the meantime, I have other things to occupy myself.

[Brad]

Ooh right, that's another thing on my TODO list. Apparently it's really hard to change where iTunes points for a podcast feed, so I'm going to be swapping the default feed to 128kbps episodes in the next day or two. Stay tuned!

[stephensmat]

It was a wonderful series, and lots of us enjoyed it thoroughly, but knowing that its future is extremely unsure, at best, causes me to think that podio euthanasia would be the best course.

Best of luck in your future endeavors...

I'm sorry, I seem to have missed a step. Is the Internet running out of space? Do we have to make room for hale and vital podcasts?

Brad, Andrea, And all who sail with them, you'd let us know right? Is making the series, albeit all by yourselves, causing you some kind of energy drain which is taking you away from your families or your jobs?

SG, every podcast, every audio drama is a luxury. Always has been. Some podcast authors have managed to make a living at it, some at least have sufficient time, resources or manpower to make it a regular thing, and some simply do it because they love it.

And we love it too.

[SolidGranite]

Let me take a minute to respond to those of you who were "upset" with my earlier comments:  first of all, Maverick, of course I speak only for myself.  I never, in any way, suggested otherwise.  Stephensmat, I understand that the majority of podcasts are "luxuries", and that they take an enormous effort on the part of volunteer workers.  Again, I don't believe I said otherwise.  No, the internet isn't running out of space (at least, I don't think it is), and I never suggested that Second Shift should be purged or erased.  What I DID say was that perhaps, given the inordinate amount of elapsed time between episodes, Second Shift should be allowed the dignity of a graceful "death".

Brad, as you indicated in your kind response, I DO appreciate your efforts, I DO appreciate the series, and my comments were indeed sincere.  I'm pleased to hear that you and the cast and crew will continue to forge ahead and finish the series.  At the risk of repeating myself, Second Shift has been a truly wonderful series, with excellent writing, voice acting, sounds and music, and expert editing.  I wish you well on the completion of the show.

[Brad]

Well, on that note, some progress has been made. Got another of the more sfx-heavy scenes done today. When you make your own sound effects, you get to say "I've been beating my head against a wall working on this scene" and mean it literally.

[Patrick]

Well, on that note, some progress has been made. Got another of the more sfx-heavy scenes done today. When you make your own sound effects, you get to say "I've been beating my head against a wall working on this scene" and mean it literally.

Keep going!  The story is great and it will be great to have the finished work, but we can wait for it to be right. 

Hopefully there is some sort of pad on that wall.

Peace.

[Brad]

Hey, it's a fight scene, and there are no padded walls in *redacted*. Ah, the suffering I endure for my art!

[sunmountain]

It has been such a long time since I have checked in here.  I am very happy to hear you guys are forging ahead, I'm sure it will be worth the wait.  I will be keeping this podcast on my hard drive forever, so my kids can all listen as they get older.  It truly is one of the best ones out there and I appreciate all of the hard work you all put into it.

Now.

Once you finish this story, will there be another in the works, or are you all going to drop off the face of the internets and make us go elsewhere for our fix??

[Brad]

Some of us are already working on other projects. For example, Neil aka Porec is producing a new series called The Mask of Inanna. Check it out and see what you think! You might even hear some familiar voices.