By Scott Murray

I am one of those guys who can find ways to infuse pop culture references into a lot of conversations.  Someone will say something, and it can trigger a line or scene from a movie in my head.  At that moment, I immediately have to share it.  People who know me well are used to this behavior, and people who listened to Season One heard a variety of pop culture references as well.

As I write this, the first episode of Season Two is about 95% complete.  Just in that first episode, there are nods to Monty Python, Iron Man and Star Wars.  Those who remember the end of Season One might recall Doc telling Rebecca that he thinks she needs "a Jarvis."  If you watch the Marvel movies, you can probably guess the Iron Man reference.  Think about that, and then consider how it might work if Doc decided to test it during an actual Crimson Crane mission. 

I love Monty Python, and I found ways to throw in some nods to the movies and the Flying Circus television series.  If you are well versed in both, you'll easily pick up on the references.

If you love Star Wars as much as me, you will also get some nods to the trilogies.  

Along the way, you might also catch some random pop culture references to:

Police Academy
Captain America Civil War
The IT Crowd
Office Space
The Office

and this song:

I hope you enjoy catching the references as you listen to the second season of The Crimson Files.

By Scott Murray

It's hard to believe that a year ago, I was taking on my most ambitious podcast project to date, and there were a lot of unknowns.  The answers to some of those Season 1 unknowns were keys to making Season 2 happen.  These included:
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1. Can we pull this off?
2. Will people listen?
3. Will it be fun and successful enough to continue the story?
4. How hard would it be to continue a story with so many characters?

Well, we obviously pulled off the first season, but the answers to the rest of the questions would come much later.  I had to just put the show out there and see what happens.  Then, in May of 2019, I started thinking about the possibilities for continuing the story.

Did people listen?  Yes!  In fact, people continued to find the show and listen to the first season.  For a six-episode limited run, I was pleased with the download numbers.  There was also not a huge discrepancy between the first episode and the rest of them.  This tells me a lot of people listened to the entire season.

So, I checked that box.  Then, I realized there was no reason to even think about a second season without asking the cast about it.  So, I reached out to them and simply asked how they would feel about producing another six episodes.  Everyone was on board.

Check!

I felt a new season required a next-level challenge that was very different from Drench.  However, if there was one major constant in the positive feedback I got last year, it was how great Drench was as a villain.  So, not only does the team have to be challenged in a compelling way, the new baddie had some big shoes to fill.

No pressure.

One of the advantages of a second season is you're getting to build on what you established in the first season.  A lot of last year's narrative focused on the audience getting to know Wyatt, Reggie, Jenna, Grandma Jeanie, Doc and The Crimson Crane.  Now, we can take familiar characters and do something new. 

Also, we began production last week, and the cast is easily jumping back into the characters they voiced in the first six episodes.  I juggled a lot of challenges when developing this new story.  Some of my concerns included:
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• Early on, I wondered if I was creating something "too different" that wouldn't give the villain enough gravitas.
• I worried if I would get so immersed in 2-3 characters, that others would get unfairly minimized.
• I wondered if my original concept could produce enough action scenes.

Well, I didn't rush things, and just like last season, everything came together.  As each scene and episode flowed into the other, my initial concerns took care of themselves.  This happened last season, and that is definitely a great sign.

After finishing the finale yesterday, I can tell you that I'm very pleased with how everything turned out.  Once again, I find myself very anxious for you to hear the new season.

By Scott Murray

It's hard to believe that I made the decision to develop, write and produce a fiction podcast back in May, and in 2 weeks we'll wrap production on the first season.  In my experience as a creative content producer, I've noticed that when you set out to work on a new project, two things are likely to happen:

1. You hit several roadblocks and challenges that hinder the project
2. One thing after another falls into place and keeps the project rolling

For me, if the first situation happens...it's a sign that I'm not on the right track.  It might be necessary to blow it up, and start over.  Fortunately, The Crimson Files has experienced the other scenario.  From June until now:

1. I developed the story
2. Started writing scripts
3. Found an affordable recording studio
4. Held auditions and invited voice actors to audition
5. Cast all the roles
6. Got a show theme produced
7. Got artwork produced
8. Started production and post-production
9. Launched a website and promos
10. Set a premiere date

It's not to say there haven't been challenges, but overall everything has come together so well.  It's even exceeded my expectations.  My wife wasn't sure what to make of this idea at first.  However, as scripts were written, she got to hear our talented actors bring characters to live and listened to produced/edited show content...she's 100 percent invested in this now.

I've also had the chance to have a couple of trusted colleagues listen to the first episode.  One of these colleagues is an avid fiction podcast listener.  They both had similar comments about the show:

1. The character of Wyatt is likable, and you care about him
2. The pacing is perfect
3. They are very interested to know what happens in Episode 2

Number 3 is especially significant because having people interested in COMING BACK after the first episode is key.  This was another sign that this was the right project to pursue.

I finished writing the last two episodes of the first season this week.  There was some added pressure in this because I knew it was important to have a fitting wrap-up and a meaningful finale.  I have to say that I'm very pleased with how it ends and how it sets up another season.

August 24th is the target date to launch the show.  I can't wait for you all to hear it.