April Box Peek Update (Patreon)

I realize it's a little strange to see a Box Peek update appear before the month is actually over, but since Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday are studio days this week I figured I should just write this tonight.

Production Update

The secret reason monthly updates usually come a day or two after the month is over is that I'm normally cramming to hit a milestone so I have a nice thing to talk about in the update. Unfortunately this month I'm still in the middle of filming, so nothing too great to boast about. One cool part is that all of the tricky shots have been filmed. Tricky shots are the ones that require unique setups and I'm not really sure how to even make them work, stuff like the quick series of shots that made up the robo arm sequence. I haven't done this since like Episode 1, but this morning I imported everything I've shot so far to make sure it's okay. (Normally I avoid the impulse to check in on my footage mid-shoot because Box Peek production is too far behind to spend time overly rethinking anything) Ep 7 has some crazy tricky shots and I'm super stoked about how a lot of this stuff turned out. (A couple of shots are just Good Enough, but like I said, gotta move on) The good news: no reshoots required.
This week it looks like I'll be able to get some good Box Peek time in on Saturday and Sunday, so hopefully by this time next week the edit will be mostly done, and then hey I'll just have 3 episodes left. (It really seems like two months is just how long it takes to make an episode, since that's been basically how it's gone for the last seven, so "just 3 left" is still at least half a year. Hard to stay energized but still truckin' along baby)

Behind the Scenes Thoughts

I thought I'd talk just a little about working alone. I've had many of you ask if this would all be going faster if I had help, and yeah the answer is an absolute Yes. Box Peek has always represented a truly unique opportunity to make an entire show on my own, and still today, deep into Year 2 of production, I don't want to give that up. I have prepared for you a few reasons why:
- Messy workspace is not an issue. The Box Peek corner of my apartment is a filthy mess every other month and I love it. Frankly I think putting things away mid-filming is a waste of time. There's simply no saying when I'll need the lime green colored pencil again.
- No compromises for friendship. I admit, the bar for Good Enough in Box Peek is already pretty low, but I think when you're working with friends it goes even lower. When you start to consider their time and their feelings, you might move onto the next shot quicker than you would have liked. Currently I have a lot of time for experimentation, especially with camerawork, my weakest area of production. Sometimes I'll spend a half hour finding the right angles for one shot, moving the tripod and the puppets and the backgrounds and changing the focus and the lighting, and then record for only 20 seconds. I frankly can't imagine doing that with another person in the room. We learn the most through making mistakes, and it's nice that I'm the only one seeing my mistakes.
- I don't have to talk to anyone. This one's pretty straightforward.

Obviously I recognize the benefits of creating as a team, mixing experiences and expertises and perspectives and taking breaks for pizza, but for Box Peek as its own project, I'm still finding value in the solitude.

That said, I am sorry it's taking so long. Thanks for reading this post; another just like it will appear at the end of May (or beginning of June if I'm cramming for good news)
Thank you for your continued patience and support,
Kyle