This week happens to be the 3 month anniversary of this website. (The 15th to be exact) While The Athletic Nerd is still in it’s infancy, I thought I’d talk a little bit about what’s in store for 2010. It’s been an incredibly fun journey so far sharing my thoughts on movies, television and technology but I’ve got bigger and nerdier plans for the future.
The Athletic Nerd Brand
A while back I wrote a 2 part post called Self Branding. The branding continues with the new logo I’m unveiling here today. I think it’s important for a site to establish it’s identity from the beginning so you’ll be seeing those blue and red letters around the site more and more. It’s a fairly simple logo but it will certainly evolve along with the blog. (Actually, I guarantee it. I love revisions and redesigns.)
If there is anything I’ve learned about blogging during these last few months, it’s the importance of setting yourself apart from similar blogs. I’ll be dedicating a lot of time and research to continue refining the type of content I create and the audience I want to reach.
In terms of overall design, I think the site has finally found a good look and I’ll be sticking with it until a completely customized site can be designed. For now I want to focus on content and gaining more readers.
Film, TV and Technology from a personal and professional perspective.
This is the style I strive to achieve in my writing. You’ll never see a post that just regurgitates the news of the day. Instead, you’ll get a personal look into how the subject inspires creativity. Over the past 3 months, I’ve introduced a variety of different features that strenghten that idea.
Rainy Sundays – Probably the most popular feature on the site right now. Once a week, I dig into the past and pull out a movie you could easily watch on those lazy days when you just want to sit back and enjoy a classic. Throughout 2010, I’m planning to keep adding films to the Rainy Sunday list regularily with a couple added twists here and there. Click here for more…
What!? – Surprising news. Trailer debuts. Shocking announcements. It’s the closest thing you’ll find to a news article on this site but it’s reserved only for those special moments I just have to write about. Click here for more…
Really!? – A look at the little details about the industry that annoy. The beauty of the subjects on this site is they can both excite and frustrate. Films can flop. Equipment breaks. Hear about my personal encounters here. Click here for more…
10 Flicks – A relatively new feature that’s still evolving. At first, I wanted to have a countdown feature on this site. As time went on, I decided to take a different approach. So they are no longer countdowns and instead, will be carefully selected picks that fit the hot topic of the day. Click here for more…
Spotlight - Many blogs have reviews of popular sites, movies, blogs and technology but many do not detail how it affects their lives professionally and creatively. Why not give a personal account in addition to the normal review structure. Here is where I’ll be sharing what inspires me in my career. Click here for more…
iPhone FX – This is a rare feature that won’t show up often but it’s a fun side project of mine. Currently, I do not own a video camera and I have a deep obsession with motion graphics. When I got my iPhone, I saw an opportunity to add some effects to the videos I take. Once in a while when I have some time to mess around, I’ll be posting some shots with some added style and effects. Click here for more…
All of these features will remain and a few more will be added in the coming months. (I’m actually pretty excited about the newest features.)
17 West Productions Returns
First and foremost, I’m a professional editor at a major sports network in Canada. Beyond that, I also co-own a production company with my business partner Eric Gamache. Since The Athletic Nerd launched, there hasn’t been much to report in terms of new projects but that will be changing in a matter of weeks.
I’ll be directing a new short film beginning in January and I’ll be updating daily on the production. Every aspect of the film will be detailed with behind the scenes videos and stills.
In addition to that, we have 2 more productions ready to get underway. One is currently casting and I’m preparing to write the other in January. Expect regular updates on those projects as well.
You’ll also be seeing better integration with 17west.ca. The site will be getting a series of updates once these productions begin and I’ll be using The Athletic Nerd as a compliment to the stories on that site. Head over to 17W for the news and check out this site for rest!
A Screenwriter At Work
A few weeks ago, I started posting more and more about screenwriting. I don’t claim to be an expert but I will be posting personal accounts while I’m grinding out the pages. It’s my number 1 passion on this planet. I love screenwriting.
The Expansion Team
In 2010, you can expect to see contributions from other bloggers and people in the industry. I’ll be adding posts from a variety of working professionals as well as dedicated fans of film. Both sides of the industry in one place.
The Goal
Obviously, the goal is to gain a steady stream of traffic to the site. The Athletic Nerd is still young but there is a lot of content here already. 2010 will be about generating more and better content for the readers I have and the readers I have yet to encounter.
This site has given me an excuse to write everyday. I may not have time to work on my latest script or a new revision but there is always twenty minutes here and there to write about what I love and why I love it. All the best in 2010. Visit often. Tell your friends.
What I love about movies is how everyone has an opinion. You don’t have to be an expert to love or hate certain movies. As a filmmaker, I’ve made it a point to be aware of this. I’ll never make a movie that everyone will like. I focus on writing movies that I like and making the best movies I can. You have to be mindful of the audience you’re after though. The biggest flops are the films that cater to a specific audience who are ultimately disappointed.
