MrBiffo
patreon
A BIG CHANGE
🕑 Added 2019-11-25 12:40:40 +0000 UTCSo... after a lot of soul-searching, and an extremely challenging year... I'm pulling out of a lot of day job work for next year.
I had a guaranteed commission for a third series of one of my kid's shows, but they were pressuring me to start work on it immediately, and simply... I'm not ready.
It has been an incredibly stressful and demanding series to work on already, and though it would've meant I had a guaranteed income for the next 12 months, a mixture of still recovering from an accident, and utter exhaustion, meant that I had little desire to go back into something that I knew was going to be another year of all-consuming stress.
I mean, I know I've moaned on here about being exhausted quite a lot this year, but that should at least give you some idea of how challenging it has been. I think it was a cry for help! Honestly, I've never done a job like it. Life is too short to stay in situations and relationships - whatever the nature of them - that are making you unhappy.
It took me a long time to make the decision, but I reached a tipping point over the weekend, and the reason I'm writing this is that a big part of why I made the decision is to do with Digitiser. Or, at least, all the things I've done under the Digi/Mr Biffo umbrella over the past couple of years.
I've felt a level of creative fulfilment and joy doing those projects, particularly in comparison with how it has been to work on this one CBBC show, and I want the space - creatively, and time-wise - to focus on things I know I'll enjoy doing. That, right now, is what's most important to me.
This doesn't mean I'm going full-time being Mr Biffo - my audience isn't big enough, I still need to pay the bills and have a buffer, and as yet Digi doesn't quite cover that, even with your lovely support.
4 O'Clock Club, a show I've written for a decade now, is also coming to an end next year with a feature-length special, which means I'm going to have to look for other paid jobs to keep a roof over our heads.
It may also mean that I try to find some proper paid work doing Mr Biffo-like things. Not sure myself what that might mean yet, but I've a few embryonic ideas. Nevertheless, thank you again for your ongoing support; I'm probably going to have to rely on it a bit more than usual over the next couple of months.
Doing this is a gamble and a risk, but I've got enough experience and a track-record in the industry that it's a calculated one.
It feels very much like when I took the leap and left Digitiser to become a full-time TV writer, but in reverse. Sort of; a big change, but one that feels completely right for me, right now, a decision made with clarity, without panic.
We only live once. I don't want another year of my life where I'm too tired and drained to give myself over to the things I really love and care about - whether they're family, friends, or creative projects.
And I can tell you that among the things I absolutely want to do next year, without doubt, is Digitiser Live 2, build the Digitiser channel, and kick-off a new crowd-funded series...
Paul
Comments
Aiden Bliss
Remember we all have your back and I refuse to let you sit around being worried
Matthew Long
I panicked a bit when I read the headline! Although this kind of change is a risk, you can't put a price on happiness - or your health. I'm excited to see what you can do with Digitiser when you have more time and energy to devote to it, and can't wait to learn more about your next Biffo-related projects. Although as both I and my laptop are currently broke(n) and I need to replace the latter, I hope I'll have a bit of time to save up for the next round of crowdfunding! Best of luck with everything.
Dominic-Jo Miller
You know that we all have your back regardless of what you do, follow your feelings!
I refuse to sit around and allow you to be worried about decisions involving "work" and "real life" when there are so many stories of Beanus yet to be told. Pledge upped.
Treacle Truffle
It's a brave decision you've taken, but one that's been made for all the right reasons. Being true to yourself creatively may not bring the security of a contract but I'm sure it will inspire you to make even more brilliant work.
Tyronne Mann
Congratulations Paul, life is indeed too short and if you have the chance of being able to do something which you enjoy then do it - far too many of us do thing just to keep the wolf from the door and would jump at the chance of doing something they enjoy but realities of life can and do get in the way. I am certainly up for a Digi live 2 and would not miss it for the World if I can help it. ANNNND when `found footage 2 - the bleakening` needs funding, I will certainly be putting some cash in the hat.
I was in a tonally similar, if comparitively insignificant situation recently myself , and I couldn't agree more with the sentiment of life being too short to stay in situations that make you unhappy! Sometimes it's a hard choice to make but ultimately it'll be the right choice if it's what makes you happy, because that's the most important thing (or at very least, one of the most important things) there is in life. Good luck! PS. keeeeenly awaiting more digitizer! maybe with some spare income I'll see if I can possibly swing it to come to the second live show, all the way from Australia ;)
John Brown
I'm really happy for you, everyone needs to be happy and enjoy the work they do. A few years back I significantly stripped back what I do at work. I am far more content and happier now, and I get to spend far more time with my kids, which was my main reason for doing it.
WhatHoSnorkers
You're a star Mr Biffo. I thought that this was the fat lady singing.... but in fact this was just the Overture!
Rodent of the Astrowaste
Okay, Mr. Biffo. If you have to rely on Patreon money for a moment, i'm gonna give you a bit more for some time, then. Good luck. I'm sure you're resourceful enough to deal with that. You'll be fine.
Nicola
If there's any way we can help or be involved in a way that makes things better for you, just say the word. The word is: jamfish
Phil Young
You do your Digitizer stuff and we'll write the shows for you! Obvs you'll need to spell-check before sign-off but apart from that everyone's a winner, surely?
Nick
Good luck Biffo. I’m sure it’ll all be fine.
Thomas Thacker
Two years back I gave up a stressful job that I'd been in for over 10 years (it was the safe and secure option to stay) - it turned out to be the best move I'd ever made.Best of luck and all that!
I hope you spend this newly freed up time to only write Beanus sketches and a full series based around baked bean antics.
Dan O'Connor
Absolute best of luck with the change pal! I know all too well that it's better to have a bit of time to relax and enjoy yourself in what you're doing than to constantly feel that pressure to keep on for the sake of keeping on. And if it means more Biffo-esque things, all the better for us too!
Good luck Biffo. It feels good to make decisions with your heart and not your head. If it needs to work it will. You have my support!
I think everyone's heart sank reading that first bit.
Paul Rose (Mr Biffo)
Yeah, I did that on purpose, for I am a troll. It's the opposite!
John Veness
Wow, that really is a big change! When I saw the subject line I worried you were going to drop out of Biffo things and go full time day job. I hope you'll be OK. Change is scary. I'm sure people here will have your back whatever you do. We love you Biffo.
Pseudosapien
Thass a big ol' huzzah from me! <3
PJ Close
Good on you fella. Life's too short. Whatever you end up doing, we've all got your back.
John Lindsay
I hope all these changes work out for the best, Biffo. You'll have my support for Digi where and when I can!
