DFFPodcast
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Dear Patrons,
🕑 Added 2022-07-02 08:02:32 +0000 UTCI would like to address concerns expressed by our patrons about some of the changes we are making this month. If you are unaware of the changes, you can read about them HERE.
When we adopted the minisode strategy, (30 minute episodes recorded in advance and released three days a week), the thought process was that this would give us more opportunities to appear in viewer’s feeds, thus creating more opportunities to attract new viewers, and new patrons. But after applying this strategy for about a year, we saw no significant improvement to any metric. We didn’t increase viewership. We didn’t increase engagement. We didn’t increase patrons.
Meanwhile, the revamped Flash Fried concept that we developed, Onion Nuggetz. has been performing very well—about three times better than a minisode on average.
What is the strength of Onion Nuggetz? It allows everyone on the show to play to their talents. It is not rigidly constrained by time limits. It does not force us to adhere to a particular topic. It contains elements of current events (which is great for SEO), but it is not exclusively a current events show. It gives us a chance to be silly and outrageous and have fun. But perhaps most crucially, IT IS A LIVE SHOW.
The energy of being live is a special energy. Pre-recorded shows just don’t feel the same. They don’t play the same. You can argue with me on this point is you want, but if you do, I’m afraid I think you may be an idiot. The numbers speak for themselves. The highest views on this channel are from live content. The times when our Patreon performed the best was when we did regular live content multiple times a week. We tried to move to a model more devoted to churning out pre-recorded content like a factory, and the results were impressive in terms of sheer content-generation, but they didn’t drive engagement . . . or excitement!
Let me tell you a little bit about how we shoot shows. We have been, for a very long time, on a schedule of three intensive weeks of shooting shows like mad, and then two weeks of more relaxed shooting to give ourselves time to recuperate and recharge. A burnt-out performer is a bad performer, after all.
But now that we are transitioning to a much heavier lean on live content, we must adapt our approach to recharge periods. Thus, instead of taking two weeks off, and depriving you of content during that time, we are going to work in alternating shifts of duos (whgile still doing plenty of trio stuff!), to give all of us time to recharge, as well as giving us adequate time to work on our other projects (The Amazing Atheist, Cinema For Cynics, Fighting Boys, Dank Dungeons and Drunken Dragons, Etc.).
More duo-driven shows is a sound idea from a logistical production standpoint, but won’t the overall product suffer? I don’t believe so, and I will tell you exactly why.
I think that we have one unique vibe as a trio, and I also think that every duo has its own interesting dynamic that we will have a lot of fun exploring in greater detail and depth. TJ, Paul, and Scotty as a trio is a different beast than TJ and Paul as a duo, which is different than Scotty and Paul as a duo, which is different than Scotty and TJ as a duo.
I think that this arrangement will not only refresh and revitalize the show in terms of giving us all adequate rest-periods without slowing down the momentum of the show, but that it will also revitalize and refresh the show by giving us all different modalities to thrive in. There are choices as an entertainer that I will make differently depending on whether I’m talking to Scotty or to Paul or to both. And the same is true for them. Thus, this is going to show you different facets of each of us, and create new situations and conversations that might have been hindered otherwise.
Another thing to bear in mind is that this arrangement is adjustable. Maybe it will turn out that Onion Nuggets is better as a trio, and Friday shows are better as a duo. Maybe it will turn out that we should throw in a trio week. There are lots of ways that this calendar can be tweaked and adjusted, based on what works for us, and more importantly, what works for you.
I believe that what we are undertaking here is going to give this show a fresher feel without sacrificing the production rate that we pride ourselves on. I believe that our audience—patron and pleb alike—will benefit from these changes, as they get to enjoy more live content and see different and unexpected approaches, bits, and conversations arise from different pairings.
I hope that this explanation of our motives in making this decision has assuaged some of the concerns that a few of you have expressed. If you have any further questions, ask them below and I will endeavor to answer them in a timely manner.
My Love and Thanks,
TJ Kirk
Comments
Do what y’all need to do brother. It’s your show and I’m happy that y’all are able to make it.
DownrightSuperb
I think the minisodes could have done better if they were edited like a more traditional video. But they still kinda have the live format. Also, Onion Nuggetz does have a time limit. You often move on from things that you're on a roll on because you just wanna finish the show already. That energy is very palpable.
samuel
I think 3 onion nuggets with 2 hosts(scotty and tj, scotty and paul, paul and tj) and then 1 with all 3 hosts would be a good rotation.
Been a patron since the first days of DP, really hope this isn’t another situation of feeling like the product has run it’s course. Your content is some of the only content I watch, and it would kill me if it breaks up. That said, the 30 minute episodes were a smart gimmick to drive engagement, but just didn’t work from a content perspective. It felt every time that you guys would get warmed up, get into a topic, start talking about it, and oh shit shows over. I fully agree with dropping the format if it wasn’t working. I don’t agree with live being the main driver of content. I think onion nuggets’ format combined with Friday shows being longer is what made them more popular. I’ve always been one that didn’t mind when someone was sick or out of town. However, the dynamic of the three of you together is what I come for. Maybe at least one Patreon onion nuggets every month or two could have three hosts? I don’t disagree you can build new dynamics with duos, but some of us never watch live but check out every show while we continue our work or driving or just lives. I will always be a faithful patron of your content TJ. I have incredible respect for you as an entertainer. But I feel like the 30 minute episodes were a downgrade from the full episodes and I just couldn’t watch them all, plus they led to less detailed work compared to something like the serial killer series. Now we’re getting rid of those, plus downgrading to not having all three hosts for most shows. Maybe less content but better quality is the answer man. But you have the metrics. I’ll be watching, let’s see how it goes.
AARON
Not super thrilled, but if it's more sustainable from a burn out point of view, I can understand. Maybe an occasional guest would be cool too! Not for the full five hours. But maybe an hour or so would be cool. Like if you hit a certain amount of money , we will have x-person on the show?? Even though I don't like this move at all, I think you guys are putting in a lot of thought into the show and trying new things. Hopefully, my judgement is wrong!
PESSIMIST PRODUCTIONS
Thank you for your long term viewership!
Daniel Sokoloff
Thanks for being so active in managing the show. I love that you guys, who I've been watching for what, over a decade now? Are actively managing and successfully handling yourselves like this. I remember feeling like I was watching the end of TJ and Paul's career during the dp days, and it's so cool to see you guys plugging along, staying relevant and true to yourselves.
PESSIMIST PRODUCTIONS
We hope so too!
PESSIMIST PRODUCTIONS
We ultimately felt far to constrained by minisodes. We are glad to be back to long form content.
Thank you. The minisodes were terrible. The views on them give me cancer. Hopefully, these changes will bring DFF more viewers and patrons.
PESSIMIST PRODUCTIONS
Thanks!
Triceracock the Three-Horned Crotch
Just want to say that I personally am fully on board for the changes and I totally agree that the different vibes from the various duos are worth exploring.
Adam
I honestly only have time to watch the private shows and onion nuggets. I probably only watched 20% of the minisodes if even that. If it's gonna help the content keep coming I support it.
Conner Cruz O'Brien
Thanks so much for reaching out Pessimists, very much appreciated
