I feel the need to say something sincere and gushing about this final episode - and I'll try at the end here - but Digitiser has consumed my life for the past four months, editing day in day out, and I'm just... I'm ready to stop.
It's a weird thing, but writing affects me in a completely different way to editing. With scripts, when I've finished a first draft, say, my brain feels compressed, and like it's overheating, but with editing... I just get tired. So, so tired.
Without wanting to tempt fate, I'm hopeful that now we know what the format is, series 2 is going to be a little easier. Certainly, I'm not sure I'd take on all of the editing myself again. Aside from anything, I didn't get paid for doing that, and I still need to cover the bills. So, that's something we're going to have to budget for as and when we do more.
When will we do more? Well, we've promised two more specials next year and a live show, so there are those to think about, but the sensible thing to do would be to try and get everything to coincide with a longer filming block for a series 2. How quickly we're able to do that does depend on the sort of budget we have to play with. If I can get paid for doing the show, I can take on less of my day job over the coming year. That would be ideal.
You can help though by backing me on Patreon; from now on Patreon will not only fund this site, but further videos on the channel, on a regular basis.
Anyhow, for now... here's my behind-the-scenes commentary on the final ep of Series 1. Beware: SPOILERS!
It's a weird thing, but writing affects me in a completely different way to editing. With scripts, when I've finished a first draft, say, my brain feels compressed, and like it's overheating, but with editing... I just get tired. So, so tired.
Without wanting to tempt fate, I'm hopeful that now we know what the format is, series 2 is going to be a little easier. Certainly, I'm not sure I'd take on all of the editing myself again. Aside from anything, I didn't get paid for doing that, and I still need to cover the bills. So, that's something we're going to have to budget for as and when we do more.
When will we do more? Well, we've promised two more specials next year and a live show, so there are those to think about, but the sensible thing to do would be to try and get everything to coincide with a longer filming block for a series 2. How quickly we're able to do that does depend on the sort of budget we have to play with. If I can get paid for doing the show, I can take on less of my day job over the coming year. That would be ideal.
You can help though by backing me on Patreon; from now on Patreon will not only fund this site, but further videos on the channel, on a regular basis.
Anyhow, for now... here's my behind-the-scenes commentary on the final ep of Series 1. Beware: SPOILERS!
FIRST GAMING MEMORY
My earliest gaming memory you say?
Probably finding an early Pong clone console in the cupboard in the weeks before Christmas. I assumed my parents had bought it for me, but when my mum caught me with it she said it was for my sisters. "Then it's definitely for me," I concluded, smugly, given that I knew my sisters would never have any interest in video games.
Neither my sisters nor I received said Pong machine for Christmas that year. I still don't know who it was for...
Probably finding an early Pong clone console in the cupboard in the weeks before Christmas. I assumed my parents had bought it for me, but when my mum caught me with it she said it was for my sisters. "Then it's definitely for me," I concluded, smugly, given that I knew my sisters would never have any interest in video games.
Neither my sisters nor I received said Pong machine for Christmas that year. I still don't know who it was for...
FAT SOW
Fat Sow will hopefully be back a bit sooner than you might think. She worked better than expected this series. If we can afford another puppet, I'd love her to be joined by Gossi The Dog in series 2, in an Orville and Cuddles sort of a way.
For me, one of the big successes of the series is how well the classic Digitiser characters have translated to live action. I never thought it was going to work, but thanks to brilliant performances from the likes of Ashens and Ryan Livermore, we nailed it.
For me, one of the big successes of the series is how well the classic Digitiser characters have translated to live action. I never thought it was going to work, but thanks to brilliant performances from the likes of Ashens and Ryan Livermore, we nailed it.
HENRY VIII
I'd have had Eli Silverman in every ep if I could. His inability to read an autocue, or hold it together, fits beautifully with the overall shambles. There was a point while filming one of the segments where, out of the corner of my eye, I caught Eli dressed as Henry VIII, shuffling around behind the camera, and I just lost it.
Also: did nobody notice that Henry VIII wears The Herald of Nivvin's hat?
I think the characters generally work better when they sort of bleed into the actual show, rather than used as interstitials. That'll be something I'll look at doing more of in Series 2. And I'm sure everyone would appreciate a return appearance from Sonic The Hedgehog...
Also: did nobody notice that Henry VIII wears The Herald of Nivvin's hat?
I think the characters generally work better when they sort of bleed into the actual show, rather than used as interstitials. That'll be something I'll look at doing more of in Series 2. And I'm sure everyone would appreciate a return appearance from Sonic The Hedgehog...
BEAUTIFUL VIRTUAL BOY
Poor Anthony/DJ Trendy Peanut. Due to an inspired suggestion from Horsenburger, he did indeed stay face-down on the floor for the entire duration of the filming of this 20 minute segment.
Thanks to Ste Pickford for the donation of the Virtual Boy, and Andrew Armstrong from Back Office Show for fixing it for us. I can't pretend I wasn't disappointed by it though. In the 20-odd years since it was released, I'd built it up into something that it would never live up to, but even though I was aware of this, I remained shocked by how misguided it is.
Here's a cheeky behind-the-scenes secret: the game footage was actually captured from an emulator, but I blurred the edges of the picture to make it look like we'd somehow filmed the games running on the actual hardware.
Thanks to Ste Pickford for the donation of the Virtual Boy, and Andrew Armstrong from Back Office Show for fixing it for us. I can't pretend I wasn't disappointed by it though. In the 20-odd years since it was released, I'd built it up into something that it would never live up to, but even though I was aware of this, I remained shocked by how misguided it is.
Here's a cheeky behind-the-scenes secret: the game footage was actually captured from an emulator, but I blurred the edges of the picture to make it look like we'd somehow filmed the games running on the actual hardware.
ROBBOTRON
John Robertson is a force of nature, and we were lucky to have him on the show. Turns out he and Octav1us are mates in real life, so all it took was a phone call from her. I've liked the mix of guests we've had - some slightly more serious, and others such as John and Big Boy Barry who have brought the chaos.
We still have another two interviews in the bank, which I'll get edited and put out at some point, that are from both ends of that spectrum.
I've already got a bit of a wish list for guests in series 2. Including, of course, my good friend Violet Berlin, who was meant to appear in this series, but was sadly busy when we were filming.
We still have another two interviews in the bank, which I'll get edited and put out at some point, that are from both ends of that spectrum.
I've already got a bit of a wish list for guests in series 2. Including, of course, my good friend Violet Berlin, who was meant to appear in this series, but was sadly busy when we were filming.
MOCKETY-MOC
I loved filming this. Aside from being with some of my favourite people - having two of my closest friends there (Mr Hairs and Anthony) - having the entire panel (and the brilliant Kim Justice) come out to play on an end-of-the-show game just felt right.
This was shot on the fourth day of filming, by which point we were all comfortable with one another, I felt completely at ease in front of the camera, and it was the point right before physical exhaustion got the better of me.
I'll be honest, I was properly scared before filming that I wouldn't be up to the task of hosting the show. I'd always felt weird and awkward when a camera was turned on me. Indeed, I voiced my worry to Gannon beforehand, and in typical bluntness he said "It won't work if you don't step up". That scared me even more, because I knew he was right. At some point I realised that being a character - even if that character was Mr Presenter Man - was going to ring hollow, and come across as stilted.
Having mates there, having my wife there, gave me the confidence to take the leap and just be me, and hope that would be okay. I'm a terrible host, but I think there's something entertaining in embracing that terribleness. It sort of makes Digi what it is.
This was shot on the fourth day of filming, by which point we were all comfortable with one another, I felt completely at ease in front of the camera, and it was the point right before physical exhaustion got the better of me.
I'll be honest, I was properly scared before filming that I wouldn't be up to the task of hosting the show. I'd always felt weird and awkward when a camera was turned on me. Indeed, I voiced my worry to Gannon beforehand, and in typical bluntness he said "It won't work if you don't step up". That scared me even more, because I knew he was right. At some point I realised that being a character - even if that character was Mr Presenter Man - was going to ring hollow, and come across as stilted.
Having mates there, having my wife there, gave me the confidence to take the leap and just be me, and hope that would be okay. I'm a terrible host, but I think there's something entertaining in embracing that terribleness. It sort of makes Digi what it is.
(NOT) THE END
So, that's it for now, but the channel isn't going away. The backers are still due their exclusive episode, we've got plans for more eps next year (including the live show), and there'll be regular content on the channel - starting this week with a special little Christmas something.
I've already thanked everyone over on Twitter, but just to reiterate - there are almost too many people who contributed time, energy, or money to Digitiser The Show.
I'm deeply indebted to everyone, not least all the backers and those of you who have helped spread the word, everyone who worked on it, and - of course - my co-hosts. All four of them brought something unique to the show, and it was an absolute pleasure to spend the week with them. If Digitiser can be considered a success, it's as much down to them as anybody.
Take it from me, it takes immense courage to put yourself on camera - it's incredibly exposing, and makes you very vulnerable. All five of us have felt that at some point over the past five weeks, so be kind when talking about the show. Without the hosts there would've been no Digitiser, and what they did can't be underestimated.
There'll be a few changes to Series 2, building on what we learned over this first series. I don't need to tell you that there was a steep learning curve after the first episode (which will be back up again soon in a buffed-up version), but I think we succeeded in creating what we promised. I'm incredibly proud of it - when I look at it now, my head spins to think of how much work has gone into these six episodes, and how we balanced actual gaming stuff with the madness.
There's an old adage that you only remember the bad comments on any piece of work, but I've found with this that the opposite has been true. Ep 1 was a bit of a shitstorm, but I've been absolutely overwhelmed with the positivity that has come our way. Seeing how many of you have loved the show, and how many of you want more, has made all of it worthwhile.
Thank you.
I've already thanked everyone over on Twitter, but just to reiterate - there are almost too many people who contributed time, energy, or money to Digitiser The Show.
I'm deeply indebted to everyone, not least all the backers and those of you who have helped spread the word, everyone who worked on it, and - of course - my co-hosts. All four of them brought something unique to the show, and it was an absolute pleasure to spend the week with them. If Digitiser can be considered a success, it's as much down to them as anybody.
Take it from me, it takes immense courage to put yourself on camera - it's incredibly exposing, and makes you very vulnerable. All five of us have felt that at some point over the past five weeks, so be kind when talking about the show. Without the hosts there would've been no Digitiser, and what they did can't be underestimated.
There'll be a few changes to Series 2, building on what we learned over this first series. I don't need to tell you that there was a steep learning curve after the first episode (which will be back up again soon in a buffed-up version), but I think we succeeded in creating what we promised. I'm incredibly proud of it - when I look at it now, my head spins to think of how much work has gone into these six episodes, and how we balanced actual gaming stuff with the madness.
There's an old adage that you only remember the bad comments on any piece of work, but I've found with this that the opposite has been true. Ep 1 was a bit of a shitstorm, but I've been absolutely overwhelmed with the positivity that has come our way. Seeing how many of you have loved the show, and how many of you want more, has made all of it worthwhile.
Thank you.
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