Tag Archives: Hot In Cleveland

The Story So Far: Episodes 1-10

Line-Up

It has a been a whirlwind journey for me since I launched the Express. I went back and forth about this venture because I knew it would require a lot of commitment which would take away from fictional writing and day jobs. But I’m a writer and expressing myself is what I do so I made that commitment and happy to report zero regrets with that decision so far. Incorporating other creative talents into the podcasting element of this blog has been possibly one of the best things I’ve done since joining the entertainment business 11 years ago this very month.

Over the past 6 weeks, I excited and humbled by the talents I’ve been able to wrangle onto the Express. A diversity of occupations, I felt, was vital to give this little venture any credibility. Along the way, we’ve explored the challenges facing women writers, compared writing styles between the US & UK and even managed to pay tribute to recently departed icons. I’ve also been able to pair up with the fantastic Dan & Travis show on iTunes and have joined them on the wonderful Chronic Rift network. I’m overjoyed with the results so far and quite frankly, am very pleasantly surprised at how quickly this little venture has grown.

I’m just a one man operation self-promoting on social media but I am exploring some exciting promotional options to help spread the word. I’m excited about the listenership numbers (47 countries have either read or tuned in) but based on all the positive feedback I’ve received I’m going to do my best to keep building the audience. To that end, I continue to ask: If you enjoy what you’re reading and hearing on the Express, please don’t be shy about posting on facebook, twitter, pinterest, twiter, google+, wherever and yes, twitter is probably the best promotional tool we have right now. We live in a time of saturated media so we all have to promote the things we enjoy so they get noticed.

Thank you very much especially to Megan Karasch, Tim Bannock, Mark Askren, Arnold T Blumberg, Shannan Leigh Reeve & Chelese Belmont of Beleeve Entertainment and Dan & Travis for their extra efforts in shouting the word about the Express far and wide.

If this is the first post your reading, welcome, I hope you enjoy!  Below are the first 10 episodes of the Handsome Timmy D Express which explores various aspects of the creative life and screenwriting and the entertainment business from various corners of the entertainment business:

EPISODE 1 – World-renowned DJ Matt The Cat takes us through the world of radio – and soul music:

 

EPISODE 2 – Award winning screenwriter Megan Karasch gives a guide to self-publishing and writing sitcom pilots:

 

EPISODE 3 – Director & Digital Media Producer Mike Doto on what a director does &  the ever-changing digital landscape:

 

EPISODE 4 – Awesome podcasters Dan & Travis one what podcasting actually is all about:

 

EPISODE 5 – Independent film producers Beleeve Entertainment on following your vision & their movie Penumbra:

 

EPISODE 6 – Director of Television Research Brian Veys tells us how TV Ratings work:

 

EPISODE 7 – Writer Joseph Lidster on writing about & with depression as well as some Torchwood & Dark Shadows:

 

EPISODE 8 – Publicist AJ Feuerman on image management & brand-building:

 

EPISODE 9 – College Professor & Author Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg on the mythology of zombies and comic books:

 

EPISODE 10 – Stand-up Comedian Talia Harari remembers Joan Rivers & talks about the challenges facing women in comedy:

 

And it’s just the beginning, Episode 11 will be posted tomorrow (and it’s wicked good) and I’ve got some great guests lined up throughout the fall and winter. The Handsome Timmy D Express goes onward…

The Handsome Timmy D Express is proud to be a part of:

The Dan & Travis Show Podcast: An Awesome Thing

http://thedanandtravisshow.libsyn.com/

and 

The Chronic Rift: A series of podcasts that attempt to “find the culture in pop culture.”

http://www.chronicrift.com/

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Programming Update

Hello Dear Readers & Listeners,

Just wanted to check in about some exciting developments with the old HTD Express.

First, a little bad news.  Unfortunately, there was a fair amount of Skype cutout on the Dan & Travis interview toward the end there.  I don’t think it took away from the overall enjoyment of the show as I’ve gotten some nice feedback, but it’s more than I would like.  So this weekend I will be looking into some upgrades to minimize that as best I can.  Bear with me, I’m a one man show making it up as a I go along but I want this to be as well-done as possible.

Speaking of feedback, I’ve gotten some great compliments from some of you and I’m very grateful and humbled to hear them. Comments are always welcome (name-calling is not) but a few folks have asked me in private, “Mind if I comment” or “Do you mind if I share this.” Let me put it on the record: It is very OK with me if you share this blog.  This isn’t being produced for money or anything, just collecting positive and productive insight about screenwriting and the entertainment biz.  This meant for public consumption to help people who are stuck at the typewriter and spread useful info in this age of plenty of misinformation on the internet.  Please feel free to share any blog you’d like on facebook, twitter, bulletin boards, pinterest or foursquare if that even works.   Thanks very much. Together, we can save the internet.

Moving on to some good, dare I say, GREAT news.  I’m excited to announce that starting tomorrow the Handsome Timmy D Express audio segments will be streaming on The Chronic Rift network!  For those who are unfamiliar, the Chronic Rift is one of the premiere, if not THE premiere network of podcasts covering pop culture. The people who participate in their podcastsis Who’s Who of creative talent suchDr. Arnold T Blumberg, Scott Alan Woodard, Keith RA DeCandido, Paul K Bisson and Bill Meeks just to name few:

http://www.chronicrift.com/

Check out some of the shows they got:

How do they make the Walking Dead? Find out in this episode of Doctor Of The Dead: http://www.chronicrift.com/node/4449

Cinemafantisque interview Sharknado 2’s Dante Palminteri: http://www.chronicrift.com/node/4451

and of course, they have a really awesome show in The Dan & Travis Show: http://www.chronicrift.com/node/4448

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  Lots of great shows on there and I’m delighted my interviews will be found there as well.

Speaking of  the interviews, got some really exciting folks lined up including but not limited to, other screenwriters on the festival circuit, a creative executive, a researcher and even a college professor.  Next week, I’m scheduled to interview a Director/Producer team who blazing their own way through the business and we’ll be talking about the world of independent film, crowdfunding and their heartfelt drama which is dealing with the battles of addiction.  Oh and they’re women so we’re also going to talk about breaking perceptions and glass ceilings that women unfairly face.  Their movie looks great & check out their indiegogo fund here:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/penumbra-an-exploration-of-addiction

Work commitments permitting, I’m going to do my best to schedule things going forward with a written blog on Monday and Audio Post on Tuesday.  I know people are reading and listening by their own timetables but still I’ve noticed some stability to posting helps traffic so there you have it.

If you’re an industry pro whom I know, please don’t feel slighted I haven’t ask you to be on the show yet. There’s scheduling issues and a method to my programming/recording but there’s no one I’m not avoiding anyone. Trust me, if I’ve worked with you over the past 10 years, I want to interview you.  Most of you. 60% at least.  (There’s a lot of dicks out there)

If you’re an industry pro or have a project/film/script whom I don’t know and you’d like to talk about it on the Express here, shoot me an email at htd@handsometimmyd.com and we’ll see what we can figure out.  This whole project is about getting a myriad of viewpoints and insights about the creative process so I’d love to hear from you.

And to recap, I’m thrilled with the interview numbers so far, but just in case you’ve not heard the shows yet here’s a quick recap.

Episode 1: An interview with Matt The Cat, world-renowned Radio DJ: https://handsometimmydexpress.com/2014/07/08/the-handsome-timmy-d-express-an-interview-with-matt-the-cat/

Episode 2: An interview with Megan Karasch, novelist and award winning screenwriter: https://handsometimmydexpress.com/2014/07/14/an-interview-with-megan-karasch/

Episode 3: An interview with Mike Doto, director and digital media producer: https://handsometimmydexpress.com/2014/07/23/brazen-moves-an-interview-with-mike-doto/

Episode 4: An interview with Dan & Travis, podcasters and masters of pure hilarity: https://handsometimmydexpress.com/2014/07/29/radio-genius-an-interview-with-dan-travis/

Thanks again everyone for reading, listening and sharing.  Be well and all the best…

 

 

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Brazen Moves: An Interview With Mike Doto

Thanks to everyone who read my Weird Al post. It was a quick observation I made last week when talking with Megan about his new strategy and next thing I know, it’s my most read blog EVER.  If you’re enjoying the blog, feel free to shoot out some shares on facebook or twitter.  Comments, feedbacks, high-fives and shares are always welcome.

Continuing with the interviews and this week we’re turning to seasoned member of the Director’s Team.  Mike Doto is a gentleman who’s worn many creative hats in the entertainment business, climbing the ranks from a Stage PA to Assistant Director but he didn’t stop there.  He’s also directed two critically acclaimed shorts and is currently the Digital Media Producer for TVLand’s “Hot In Cleveland” starring a true cast of legends in Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and the iconic Betty White.

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In this episode Mike offers some great practical insight that could serve as a guide to newcomers to the business or great reminders to vets.  We also discuss how directors are finding new creative opportunities thanks to the new frontier of digital media on the internet:

For more on Hot In Cleveland’s digital media, check it out here:

http://www.tvland.com/shows/hot-in-cleveland

and

https://twitter.com/hotnclevelandtv

You can check out Mike’s Films here (and I highly recommend that you do so as soon as possible, great stuff)

Peace starring Kurtwood Smith and Nancy Lenehan:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/202239

The Legacy which won Best Comics Oriented Film from San Diego Comic-Con:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mDy5LsPNPs

And you can find Mike on the internet at:

 www.seasidepictures.com

Thanks again for reading and listening!

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